CAVES 1 and 2

Two very interesting sites, well worth the visit. Site is comprised of thick spur and groove coral formations, teeming with life. So many cracks, nooks, crannies and hiding places for fish that it is almost impossible to see everything! Both Moorings are set along a sloping drop-off. Starting at 60’ sloping to about 80-90’ at the bottom. In the deepest part of this site it is possible to see a sunken chamber. Groupers, Jacks, Remoras and sharks, from neighboring Shark alley, are frequent sightings. At both sides of this site, there are various swim-throughs to explore. (60'-80')

GALE'S GROTTO

Sharks and spotted rays are frequently seen here. There is a coral cavern that passes through the reef for about 100 feet. The cavern is inhabited by soldier and squirrel fish. (65'-80')

SEA STAR WRECK

(Formerly Emmanuelle) was sunk in April 2002. The ship is approximately 180 foot long and sits upright, in 2 sections in around 90 feet of water. As a freighter, she has a cavernous cargo hold which is open to exploration, where the diver can see evidence of how the ship was made ready for sinking, with cement ballast and holes in the side of the hull still visible. The wreck is now home to many varied species of fish and plant life, including some of the biggest arrow crabs in the area. Other interesting aspects of the dive include a small crane on the deck full of schooling snapper, and the chance for more experienced divers to explore the galley, crew quarters and wheelhouse. (90’)

BLAIR HOUSE

Plate, boulder corals and deep water staghorn coral adorn the area. There are numerable swim-throughs at this site that can be full of silversides during the summers months. Dramatic deep channels house blue tangs, eels and schools of grunts. (65'-80')

LITTLEHALES'S LAIR

Part of a massive reef system, with a permanent coral head mooring in 60ft of water. It is home to a massive green moray eel, and shoals of reef fish. This well patterned and easy to navigate reef has a drop off to 85ft,which allows for good viewing of lovely soft corals and sponges of various sizes and colors. Also home to lobsters, eels (spotted and green morays), most Caribbean reef fish and some large grouper. Rays are common too. Sea turtle have also been spotted here.(60’-85’)

PLATE REEF

Many varieties of hard coral have formed here. Many plate coral overlap above the surge channels. The blue hole here is quite large and comes right out of the side of a high profile coral. Mahogany and yellowtail snappers, goatfish, and French grunts are usually seen. A staff favorite(60'-80')

THEO'S WRECK

Theo's Wreck dive site is located about 1.5 miles from the coast. The wreck is about 230 feet long and rest on the ocean floor on its port side, between the deep reef and the drop-off at a depth of about 101 feet. The bow points landward and the stern seaward, she rests on a flat, sandy floor, among a few isolated coral banks. Two permanent buoys, one at the bow and one at the stern, mark the ship's position. The waters around the wreck are subject to currents that vary according to the tides; use the buoys for safe resurfacing. Since she was sunk in 1982, the ship has become home to numerous fish and is now covered with rich vegetation. The bow anchor chain, in particular, has splendid gorgonian sea fans. The shaded part of the hull is completely smothered in orange false gorgonians. (100 ft)

MORAY MANOR

Is a great reef on the south side of Grand Bahama, originally named for the large number of Moray Eels which reside there, the area is dominated by some of the biggest Boulder Star Corals in the area. The area became an even better dive site in June, 2006, with the addition of the wrecked tug boat, LA Rose. (60’)

LA ROSE WRECK

LA Rose was used for many years by a company from the island of Abaco to install pilings in the many canals and marinas on Grand Bahama. Finally reaching the end of her useful life, the 50ft/ 2 storey Tug was sunk in cooperation with the Grand Bahama Diving Association and Bradford Grand Bahama, and is now a 5 minute swim south of the mooring at Moray Manor making this an outstanding reef/wreck combination dive. (60-95 ft)

PAPA DOC WRECK

A group of mercenaries headed to fight in the Haitian revolution to overthrow Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier made it no further than this spot. Their 70-foot boat sunk in a storm in 1968. As recently as ten years ago, ammunition clips could still be found among the scattered coral heads. Two engine blocks and assorted sections of the old shrimper are still visible. (35'-45')

ANGELS' CAMP

At the mooring pin you find sections of coral running from east to west. Running parallel to this is a large sand channel – an extension of shark alley. Queen, Grey and French Angel fish are often encountered in the area. Great place to find lobsters, stingrays, spotted drums and even the odd grey Caribbean reef shark. A nice relaxing second dive. (35'-45')

This classic site could be considered our ‘house reef’ as its right in front of the resort. Mooring is set at about 40-45ft in a coral head, directly south of the pin you can see a large sunken horseshoe shape in the sand, this is bens blue hole. The Blue hole is a funnel, or channel for freshwater to come out into the sea, the water mixing creates an interesting place for fish to hang out. Often you will find a large green moray eel or grouper hanging out under the ledge of the blue hole. We also see loggerhead turtles here regularly. This site is very good for photographers on a sunny day who like to coral head hop.

The high profile corals here form small caves. One would have to be the size of a pygmy to swim through them! Quite often Lobsters or spotted morays are hiding in these small crevices. Here you will also see lapping plates of hard coral. Frequently you will see schools of spadefish near the surface. (60’-80’)

Anne was a local school teacher and diving enthusiast. This site was Anne’s favorite. A very pretty site with plenty coral growth - rows of thick coral heads. Always plenty of flamingo tongues and lettuce leaf slugs on this reef. Hogfish and yellow tail snapper are frequently seen. (45’-55’)

This site features long lines of solid coral separated by surge channels. On the top of one particular coral head, right at the bottom of the mooring line, is a blue hole that shoots strait up. Schools of white grunts, Bermuda chub and black triggerfish inhabit the area around the hole (45’ – 55’)

Once an operating car ferry in the Carolinas, this vessel was also featured In the movie ‘Halloween’. Sunk in early 1992 in an area of scattered coral heads. This site can be quite surprising sometimes with Manta Ray and loggerhead turtle sightings. On the top of the wreck, soft corals create homes for flamingo tongues while scattered debris in the area offer hiding places for drum fish. (60’ – 70’)

The eastern side of shark alley. Connects with angels camp and Pretenders wreck. Comprised of scattered coral heads and sandy bottom, and lots of sharks! Called hydro Lab for the sunken Hyperbaric chamber holding down the mooring line. (40’-45’)

The Western side of shark alley. Connects with hydro Lab to the East and Caves Sites to the south. A very interesting dive with many options for a tour. Named ‘pretenders wreck’ for the 45’ upside down tugboat hull holding down the mooring line. This is the infamous site of the Shark Feed that has taken place here for 15 years. Plenty of Grey Caribbean Reef Sharks circling the area, along with Hugh Groupers, Schooling Jacks and Spade fish, often a stingray or two. And you never know what else! (50’)

A 35’ steel hull sailboat set in a sandy bottom among scattered coral heads. To the south, spur and groove coral formations form and slope away to deeper depths. Interesting site for lobsters, crabs, schooling snapper and hogfish. (60’ – 80’)

The coral heads at this site form a rough triangle at the bottom of the mooring line, hence the name ‘arrow point’. Small blue holes scattered throughout the area make for interesting finds, Site has thick coral growth to the south, with plenty of life, turtles, stonefish, and spotted eels. To the north, a sand channel forms and the coral spreads out. Very pretty site. (50’-70’)

Shape of this reef forms a rough ‘painters palette’. It is said the coral heads at this site are like masterpieces in an art gallery, you move from one piece to the next seeing what each one has to offer. Colors are fantastic – considered a photographers delight. Lots of small life, Arrow crabs, slugs, juveniles. You will often find a stingray or a stray reef shark. (40’-65’)

This site features three lines of isolated coral heads running parallel to each other. Look carefully for Christmas tree worms and feather dusters. The tops of the heads are covered with assorted gorgonian and sea fans. Hog fish seem to frequent the area as well as stingrays with their ever – present jack escorts(35’-45’)