Liveaboard Diving in Washing Machine
Bahamas Dive Site: Washing Machine
If you are looking for high levels of excitement during a dive then the Washing Machine dive site is for you. The name gives it away, there is a strong circular tide there which can roll you head over heels as though you are in a washing machine. The current only runs in a certain area, so it is easily possible to avoid it and watch the antics from the sidelines. The current will sweep you down to 12m (40ft) initially and then lift you right back up to 5m (15ft) onto a sea ledge. It's recommended that only more experienced divers delve into this. This dive site is located off the coast of Highbourne Cay, located in the north of the Exuma Cays, it has excellent visibility of approximately 30m (100ft) and its GPS coordinates are 23.564:75.8725.
What You Will See
After being tumbled through the washing machine effect of the waters, there are also a few gems for you to see once you have stopped. At the end of the washing machine the current will drop you on a lavish reef patch inhabited by schools of colourful tropical fish, schools of Batfish are also present here and small underwater jungles of soft and hard corals. This site will also give you the chance to see the so very graceful sea turtles and timid nurse sharks, which call this area their home.
The beaches which border on this site are known to be some of the most beautiful in the world, with tropical birds pairing and breeding here during the summer seasons. Beauty under and above the water.
How To Get There
The liveaboards that go around the Bahamas, in this case the Exuma Cays , depart from the Prince George Wharf on the island of Nassau. Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas and also holds an international airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport which will be your point of entry. Flights arrive here from numerous destinations around the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and other Caribbean islands. Nassua lies just 55km (35mi) north of the start of the Exuma Cays, and as the Washing Machine lies in the North of the Exuma Cays it will likely be one of the first sites you will visit.
