Bimini, the area around The Strip

Bimini · Bahamas · Reef

The Strip

Ledges and overhangs packed with grunts and snappers

Area photo: mattk1979 · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Strip is a small band of coral in 12 m of water off Bimini, surrounded by sand and algae beds. The reef is low but heavily undercut, with numerous ledges and overhangs holding huge schools of grunts and snappers, eels, turtles and nurse sharks. It is shallow and easy enough for all experience levels, with plenty of macro life for divers who slow down.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of The Strip: typical dive to 12 m (to 40 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit12 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

25.7472° N, 79.3033° WPublished position for this site.

The dive

You drop onto a narrow strip of coral lying in 12 metres of water, with sand and algae beds on either side of it, so the reef is easy to follow and hard to lose. The profile is low, but the edges are cut with numerous ledges and overhangs, and most of the life on the site is tucked underneath them rather than sitting out on top of the coral.

Working slowly along the strip, the overhangs hold huge schools of grunts and snappers, with eels in the cracks, turtles passing overhead and nurse sharks resting beneath the ledges. There is plenty of macro life for anyone who stops and looks properly. The shallow depth keeps the dive long, and the site is described as excellent for all experience levels.

Marine life and season

  • Reef fish swarms
  • Sea turtles
  • Macro critters
Month-by-month season rating for The Strip
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PrimePrimePrimeGoodGoodFairFairFairFairFairGoodGood

Season follows Bimini: Great hammerheads are most consistent December–March; September–October bring peak hurricane risk to the northern Bahamas.

Questions divers ask

How deep is The Strip?+

The coral sits in about 12 metres of water, surrounded by sand and algae beds. The shallow depth makes for a long dive, and the site is described as suitable for all experience levels.

Sources

  1. The Strip — Scubago

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