One Of The Leading Scuba Diving Sites Of The World - Grand Bahama Island

It is not a commonly know fact that Scuba diving has become one of the fastest growing of all water sports in the world today.

It would be a logical and correct assumption that this is probably by and large down to the increased transport links around the globe making the more obscure destinations now easier to get to.

In this article I really want to take a basic look at Scuba diving but also take a look at one of the worlds leading scuba diving locations in Grand Bahama Island.

The activity of swimming underwater whilst using a scuba set is not unsurprisingly known as Scuba Diving. By carrying and using an independent source of compressed air, Divers are able to stay underwater for much longer than they would normally be able to.The important thing about this is that by using Scuba equipment the diver is able to stay underwater longer than other divers using simple breath holding techniques used in snorkeling and free diving.

The other advantage is that the diver is not hindered by air lines that are attached to a remote air source usually found on the surface.

The usual technique for swimming or propulsion underwater is by way of using large flippers attached to their feet Some divers also move around with the assistance of a diver propulsion vehicle (DPV). This vehicle is commonly known as a scooter or they can also sometimes move around by using devices known as sleds tethered to boats on the surface.

The original equipment from which modern day scuba equipment was developed came from the use of oxygen rebreathers developed and sued by US Navy frogmen in World War II.Most people now recognize the term as being made popular by the equipment developed by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan.

The term SCUBA though originally an acronym of the phrase self-contained underwater breathing apparatus has now alongside other such terms found itself part of the English language as a word in itself such as scuba diving, scuba equipment etc.

So to Grand Bahama Island. Ever since the first episodes of Sea Hunt were filmed there the reputation and attraction of diving off Grand Bahama Island has grown.The seas around the Island boast elaborate coral gardens, a whole series of speciality dives, deep sites, cave diving and in fact a whole series of different dives.

Grand Bahama Island is of course also famous for its "blue holes" these are spectacular azure portals in the reefs through which you can descend, surrounded by reef wall on all sides. Depending on which way the current is going at any one time these holes can be blowing or sucking and the currents here can be quite strong and as a result quite dangerous if you are not an experienced diver.

The geographical sub structure on which the Island is based is a massive limestone base and tied into this is also one of the other major reasons why people flock to this area of the world for diving and that is the massive underwater cave network that exists here.

The underwater cave network that is located by and large within the Lucayan National Park is the second largest of its type in the world.

The caves are still being explored, and there are numerous special dive programs that can take you into them (provided you are cave certified).