Grand Bahama Island is reporting a renewed interest in its dive offerings following Hurricane Dorian last fall and is inviting visitors to come and explore its reefs and wrecks.
Ian Rolle, Acting Chairman of the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, reports that the island and its reefs fared well during Hurricane Dorian. “Three weeks after the hurricane, a crew from UNEXSO, our leading underwater experts, went on an exploratory dive of the reefs stretching along the south shore of the island, from the Grand Lucayan Water Way all the way to Silver Point Reef. At that time, it was discovered that all the reef structures were in standing positions and the wrecks were in the same location and status as before the storm,” said Rolle.
Six weeks after the storm, the visibility gained its usual clarity at an average of 80 feet on all the dive sites. Once the visibility cleared to the usual level, a second assessment was completed to verify that no damages had been conducted by the sediments stirred by the storm.
The reefs were found to be clear and thriving. Soft and hard corals were still attached in their original locations and no heads had been overturned or broken. Sand had settled everywhere, and life has resumed as usual. Schools of fish now roam the different sites and the wrecks of Sini’s and Sea Star. The sites of Plate Reef, Little Hale’s Lair, Gail’s Grotto, Caves and Moray Manor I and II have shown no effects from the storm. This also holds true for the medium sites of Picasso’s Gallery, Papa Doc, Shark Junction and Chamber.
Sharks and familiar local marine life that the operators are used to seeing on their dives; all seem to have survived both the storm and the ensuing months without any issues—populations are present and healthy, with numbers at their usual level.
“We recognize that healthy reefs are a precious resource and a wonderful attraction for dive enthusiasts. Dive tourism contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the regional economy each year and our hope is that we can increase our earnings this year,” said Rolle.
Dive facilities are available through UNEXSO, Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, Lighthouse Pointe, Taino Beach Resort & Clubs and Flamingo Bay Hotel & Marina (opening March 30).
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