Southern Escarpment - Bimini

Blow Reef in Alaska offers a stark contrast to tropical diving, with its cold, nutrient-rich waters supporting a different kind of beauty. Divers here will likely encounter various salmon species, Dungeness and slender crabs, and large spiral bryozoan colonies. It’s a site best suited for experienced cold-water divers keen on exploring a unique sub-arctic ecosystem and appreciating marine life adapted to chillier environments. We’d also keep an eye out for orcas passing through the area.

Location: Bimini, Bahamas, Caribbean
Coordinates: 23.494713, -79.891870
Type: reef

Best Time to Dive in Bimini

The warmest water temperatures in Bimini occur in January, averaging 26.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 26.4°C (air: 23.6°C)
February: 26.4°C (air: 23.9°C)
March: 26.4°C (air: 24.6°C)
April: 26.4°C (air: 25.6°C)
May: 26.4°C (air: 26.7°C)
June: 26.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
July: 26.4°C (air: 28.9°C)
August: 26.4°C (air: 29.1°C)
September: 26.4°C (air: 28.8°C)
October: 26.4°C (air: 27.6°C)
November: 26.4°C (air: 26.0°C)
December: 26.4°C (air: 24.3°C)

Marine Life in Bimini

Home to 636 recorded species including 514 reef fish, 34 hard corals, 31 sharks & rays, 12 other, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Bicolor Damselfish (Stegastes partitus) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
Slippery Dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Clown Wrasse (Halichoeres maculipinna) - Reef Fish
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) - Reef Fish
Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Rainwater Killifish (Lucania parva) - Reef Fish
Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) - Reef Fish
Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) - Reef Fish
Sand goby (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum) - Reef Fish
Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Southern Escarpment

Based on average water temperature of 26.4°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories