5 tips for diving rookie in the Bahamas

5 tips for diving rookies

by Andre Je Musgrove

Never dive alone.

Whether it’s free-diving, spearfishing or scuba diving, diving alone is dangerous and, let’s be honest, it’s not as fun if you’re by yourself. Always inform someone if you’re going out diving just incase something happens, someone on land will know where you are and what you are doing.

Always carry a camera with you.

Some of the most rare experiences can occur at any time so you have to be ready.

Carry extra equipment.

Whether it be snorkelling, free diving, scuba diving, or spearfishing or camera equipment, carry extra. I always remind the guys on my spearfishing team about this because there’s nothing worse than having to cut a day short because of lost, broken or forgotten equipment. When it comes to action water activities, the more cameras the better.

Check weather forecast.

Always check the weather before you actually bother to plan your day of diving. The weather plays a big factor when it comes to the ocean and can mean the difference between a great day and a terrible one. The amount of sunlight and clouds affects the visibility and clarity of the water. The amount of wind affects the amount of chop (waves) which makes any surface swimming much harder to do. Save yourself the trouble and check the forecast before you go out; there will be other days.

Be respectful to the environment.

Mind where you put your trash or any non-biodegradable products, mind your fins and equipment on the coral reefs if diving and, yes, even when spearfishing. Obey local fishing regulations and practice with a conscience. My spearfishing team and I only shoot as much as we can eat and we always eat what we shoot. If you love something you’ll respect and take care of it.

5 things to do in the Bahamas

Go snorkelling.

This is an activity any person can do, young or old. Its safe, easy and hassle-free. There are many snorkel excursion companies around the Bahamas that offer snorkel trips and tours. If you want to step it up a notch, the dive shop i work at ( Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas) in Nassau, allows you to snorkel with sharks!

The Exuma cays.

Shallow crystal clear water, beached iguanas and swimming pigs. you’ve probably heard about at least one of these before, and they are all found in the Exuma Cays. You can swim, feed and interact with pigs at Pig Beach on “Big Major’s Cay”. You can also feed and play with iguanas that live on some of the cays. Compass Cay in the has a really cool dock and restaurant in a little cove that includes a complementary welcome party of nurse sharks! Nurse sharks are more like swimming puppies than actual sharks so you can get up close and personal with them.

Junkanoo.

Junkanoo is a Bahamian festival similar to Madigras or Carnival but with the added Bahamian Flavor. It includes music from live played instruments, festive dances and large hand made costumes. Junkanoo is much more popular around the end of the year holidays or on Bahamian Independence Day in July.

Try spearfishing or fishing.

The spearfishing and fishing here in the Bahamas is some of the best in the world.

Talk to the locals.

This may very well be one of the most interesting experiences you have. Talking to us locals will be educating and entertaining at the same time. The stories some Bahamian locals tell and the vernacular we use would be able to hold your attention for the duration of your entire trip.