TOP DIVE SITES IN BERMUDA
In one of our last articles, we shared the most interesting locations you can visit while in Bermuda, and even some of the greatest experiences you can have. In this article, we are going to take it a step further by examining the best dive sites for divers and snorkelers. If you enjoy having a good dive, and you have travel plans to Bermuda, you should definitely read this article.
Bermuda is the home to one of the world’s most popular shipwrecks. Most of these happened in the 18th and early 19th century, and contributed immensely to the Bermuda Triangle myth. In case you didn’t know, the myth of the Bermuda Triangle says that there is a patch of the ocean where sailors and pilots disappear. Today, there are more 300 wreck sites across the Bermuda Island.
Not to worry, science has widely debunked this myth. Let’s get right into the mix!
8. NORTH CAROLINA: In 1880, an English ship ran aground, and today its wreck can be found on the Southwest of Bermuda, and it is at depths of 25 and 45 feet. This is a shallow spot for beginners, and experts who want a bigger challenge can move to the edge of the ship, which is another great spot for diving.
7. WEST END: This is one of the most beloved dive spots on the Island. First of all, it is in the West End of Bermuda and it contains dive operators. The most popular is the Blue Water Divers, which is the oldest dive center on the Island. This also has a dive shop where tourists can get equipments at the cheapest prices and dive trips for at least $150 dollars. Blue Water Divers offers a single trip each day, leaving at 9 a.m. during summertime, and 10 a.m. during Winter. It arrives back at 2 p.m.
6. EEL GARDEN: If you aren’t fascinated by wreck sites, Bermuda has a place for you and it is the Eel Garden. This site is also located in the West end of Bermuda, and it is a beautiful garden that nature nurtured all by herself. It is named after the garden eels present in several parts of the garden. This is also a great spot for beginners and experts as there are shallow and deep waters which ranges from 30 to 70 feet. It’s not just about diving in Eel garden, you can also experience a number of other wonderful activities.
5. THE CATHEDRAL: This site is on the east side of the island, and it has some of the most beautiful coral formations and canyons in Bermuda. If you are fascinated by nature, then this is another great spot for you; this part of the island is filled with parrotfish, angelfish and a number of other sea animals. The depths are also perfect for professional divers and amateurs as its depths range from 26 to 55 feet.
One of the most iconic attractions of this site is its vaulted reef structure, which divers can swim through. Light passes through a huge hole in the top of the reef, which makes it look like a skylight.
You don’t want to miss this beauty.
4. EASTERN BLUE CUT: The University of California once called this the best dive site in Bermuda. Why is this so? This site has the largest spot of “flowing nutrients” in Bermuda, and it contains healthy reef, and beautiful fishes. This is one of the shallowest spots in the entire island. And it is also one of the most popular dive sites during tourism season in Bermuda.
3. NORTH ROCK: What makes this dive site distinct is its iconic yellow and black beacon which can be seen at the top of the reef. At first, it might not seem like a great place to dive, but the moment you get underwater, you will be blown away by the reefs underwater, the coral formations, and the different species of fish. This site is also great for beginners and experts. Furthermore, the water is clear enough for excellent visibility, and its size allows divers to explore underwater as much as they like.
2. EAST END: In 1609, an English sailing ship, the Sea Venture wrecked in the Bermuda Reefs; this wreck will mark the beginning of the presence of the British colonialists in Bermuda. After this wreck came a number of other wrecks, however, the east end of the Island homes some of the most notable wrecks in the history of the Island. Also, the east end allows you have a tour of the best sites through the Grotto Bay Beach Resort who charges $150 for two-tank dives.
1.. CRISTOBAL COLON: This is arguably the most popular dive spot in the whole of Bermuda. In fact, when National Geographic made a list of the best dive sites in the world, this was the site that represented the Island. The most iconic sight in this location is a Spanish Cruise Liner that crashed in 1963, just a few distance away from the North Rock. After it sank, this ship was looted, and most of its valuable cargo were sold at auction. In spite of the fact that it has no treasure left for anyone to discover, it still remains one of the most popular spots in Bermuda.
When it sank, the Cristobal Colon measured at 499 feet, and is the largest ship wreck on the island. The site’s depth ranges from 15 to 60 feet and this means it is a great spot for expert divers. This is also an historic spot for the United States Air Force. During the second World War, this spot was widely used for target practice.
Now that we have completed another article on Bermuda, it’s time to start packing your bags for your vacation. Also, if you know of some other great dive spots on the Island, do not hesitate to tell us about in the comments section.