TRAVEL From the Deck to the Deep: An Unforgettable Dive Adventure in Bimini – by Amber Wagenknecht, Executive Editor and Reporter on the Boat, Bimini, Bahamas
We recently wrapped up our First Annual Scuba Diving Industry Magazine Cruise aboard Virgin Voyages - and what a ride it was! From Michelin- quality meals to Broadway-level enter- tainment, life on board was a total blast. But the real highlight? Diving
ered, setting the stage. Then came the stars of the show - the un- mistakable silhouettes of two great hammer- head sharks emerging from the blue. While one feeder managed the bait, the other two acted as safety divers, keeping a protective perimeter
Shark Feeder K’Lyn
with hammerheads in Bimini, of course. I was lucky enough to travel with quite the dream team: Publisher William Cline (check out his From the Publisher on page 5), Associate Publisher Patty Cline, Level Up pod- cast host Greg "The Divemaster" Holt of Scuba Radio fame, and diving legend Walt DiMartini. Add in the unfor- gettable hospitality of Neal Watson's Bimini Scuba Center (ad on page 15), and it was a dive trip for the record books. After a quick stop in Key West, we headed to Bimini, where Neal Watson Jr. assured us he had kindly asked the
around our group. Though the environment was wild and the animals powerful, we all felt incredibly well cared for. There was a calm professionalism that made it easy to focus on the awe of the moment rather than any fear. For 30 magical minutes, we watched the hammerheads
hammerheads to stick around a bit longer since the season was nearly over - and once again, his connections paid off. We want to extend a huge thank you to Neal Watson Jr. and his incredible crew: Georgiana, Jay, Captain Robin , photographer Janelle, and shark feeders Nathan, Bella, and K'Lyn. Their profes- sionalism, passion, and attention to safety made our experience unforget- table. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like VIPs and made to feel not only welcome, but safe. Alesia and GG (Georgiana) checked us in while Bella helped outfit our group with top- quality gear.
glide past us with serene authority. But we had been warned: if tiger sharks show up, the dive will change. And they were right. As soon as the tigers arrived - sleek, striped, and commanding - the ham- merheads wasted no time. They gave a few slow passes and then vanished into the blue. The next hour be- longed to the tigers, who circled with power and grace, snacking and in- specting the scene as we remained transfixed. It was thrilling, surreal, and unlike any other dive I've experi- enced. My friends keep asking, "You chose to do that?" Absolutely. I came to Bi- mini for the thrill - but what I discov- ered went far deeper than any single dive.
Tiger Sharks of Bimini
After a mere 10 minute boat ride aboard the Coral Princess, we arrived at the famous shark dive site. K’Lyn deliv- ered a rivetting pre-dive briefing, then we suited up to begin the adventure. As we descended into the impossibly clear waters to a depth of 29 feet, sunlight shimmered in ribbons across the sand. Our group gathered on the ocean floor as the bait box was gently lowered. Around us, nearly 20 nurse sharks hov-
Beyond the Dive: What Sharks Mean to Bimini Bimini, a narrow chain of islands in the Bahamas, is world-renowned for its vibrant marine life and seasonal shark aggregations. But to the people of Bimini, these sharks are more than just a tourist draw. They're woven into the island's culture, economy, and identity in profound ways.
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