Cat Island - Eleuthera & Harbour Island

Look, if you’re coming to Cat Island, you’re here for one thing: oceanic whitetips. And honestly, it delivers. Each spring, usually April and May, these big pelagic sharks show up, drawn in by the tuna migration. We’ve found the encounters here are pretty reliable, and because the water stays so clear, it’s a photographer’s dream. They're curious, not skittish, and you’ll often find yourself with several circling nearby, which is a rare treat given they're usually solitary. It's a deep blue water dive, often with some current, so it’s definitely one for more experienced divers comfortable in open water.

Location
Eleuthera & Harbour Island, Bahamas, Caribbean
Coordinates
24.633300, -75.583300
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-30m

Best Time to Dive in Eleuthera & Harbour Island

The warmest water temperatures in Eleuthera & Harbour Island occur in January, averaging 26.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.0°C (air: 23.6°C)
  • February: 26.0°C (air: 23.6°C)
  • March: 26.0°C (air: 23.9°C)
  • April: 26.0°C (air: 24.5°C)
  • May: 26.0°C (air: 25.7°C)
  • June: 26.0°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • July: 26.0°C (air: 28.5°C)
  • August: 26.0°C (air: 28.8°C)
  • September: 26.0°C (air: 28.6°C)
  • October: 26.0°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • November: 26.0°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • December: 26.0°C (air: 24.4°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Eleuthera & Harbour Island

Marine Life in Eleuthera & Harbour Island

Home to 275 recorded species including 239 reef fish, 10 whales & dolphins, 6 sharks & rays, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 other, 3 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Cat Island

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical dive depths and types of dive sites found around Cat Island?
Cat Island offers a range of dive depths, typically from 5 to 30 meters. The primary dive site type found here is reef, providing diverse underwater environments for exploration at Cat Island.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see when diving in Cat Island?
Divers visiting Cat Island can expect incredible encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, especially during their spring migration. The clear waters are ideal for observing these pelagic sharks and other marine life associated with the tuna migration, making it a prime spot for wildlife photography.
How challenging is the diving at Cat Island, especially for encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks?
Diving at Cat Island is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the oceanic whitetip sharks show no fear and congregate in large numbers offshore, divers should be comfortable with open water conditions for these unique encounters.
What is the best time of year to go diving in Cat Island, particularly for seeing oceanic whitetip sharks?
The best time of year to dive in Cat Island, especially for seeing oceanic whitetip sharks, is during the spring months. Specifically, April and May are highlighted as the prime time when these sharks visit, following the tuna migration, making it an ideal time to visit.
What dive certifications are recommended or required for diving in Cat Island, especially for shark dives?
While specific certifications are not explicitly stated, given the intermediate difficulty and encounters with pelagic sharks offshore, an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience is generally recommended for diving in Cat Island. This ensures divers are comfortable and proficient in varying conditions and depths up to 30 meters.
What are the typical water conditions, currents, and visibility like for scuba diving in Cat Island?
Cat Island is renowned for its clear waters, which are ideal for underwater photography and offer excellent visibility. While specific current information isn't provided, encounters with pelagic sharks offshore suggest potential for open ocean conditions.