Long Island's diving character is defined by an exceptional concentration of shark species across shallow reefs, deep walls, blue holes, and a deliberately sunk wreck. The Nurse Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Common Blacktip Shark, and Lemon Shark are observed consistently across sites, while the Whale Shark appears on occasion. Shallow beginner reefs such as Snowfields and Stingray Reef contrast with advanced terrain like Columbus Point, where a reef crest drops into a dramatic wall with pinnacle structures. The MV Comberbach wreck and Angelfish Blue Hole add variety. All sites are reached by boat.
Monthly water temperature across Long Island's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperature stays warm throughout the year, rising to its peak through late summer and easing through autumn. The cooler months from late winter into spring coincide with the highest concentration of diver-rated best months, suggesting calmer conditions and potentially better visibility at that time. Summer months carry warmer water but are rated lower, which may reflect seasonal weather patterns affecting surface conditions.
7 operators
George Town, Bahamas
Bahamas
5 more sites to explore
Water temperature around Long Island ranges from about 25°C in February to 30°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 30°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Long Island; in the coldest months (about 25°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 17 sites in Long Island (16 scuba diving sites and 4 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Long Island has observation-backed records for multiple shark species across its reefs. The Nurse Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Common Blacktip Shark, and Lemon Shark are all very commonly recorded. The Whale Shark has also been observed on occasion, and the Great Hammerhead has been recorded at some sites. Shark encounters are one of the most distinctive features of diving here.
Long Island has a solid range of sites suited to different experience levels. Beginners are well catered for at sites such as Barracuda Shoals, Snowfields, Shark Reef, Stingray Reef, and Grandma's Secret Garden, all of which are shallow reef dives. Intermediate divers can explore The Notch, Wedge Rock, and the MV Comberbach wreck. Columbus Point, with its wall and pinnacle structures, is rated for advanced divers.
Every site listed on Long Island is accessed by boat. There are no shore-entry dive sites in the data. Operators including Only Blue, Dive Exuma, and Dive Center offer boat-based access to the full range of sites across the island.
The MV Comberbach is an artificial reef created from a deliberately sunk wreck, sitting at an intermediate to deeper range and offering structure quite different from the natural reefs elsewhere on the island. Angelfish Blue Hole is a cave and cavern system set within an enclosed bay, reaching considerable depth and rated for intermediate divers. Both sites add significant variety to what is otherwise a predominantly reef-focused destination.
