BAHAMAS DRAKE - Exuma Cays

The Bahamas Drake isn't about deep exploration; it's a shallow wreck with a story, sitting upright on the sand at just nine metres. We love how accessible it is, a perfect second dive or a relaxed long bottom time. We found her covered in the kind of soft corals that ripple in the gentle current, creating these living curtains that hide spiny lobsters and a surprising number of moray eels. You can spend ages poking around the superstructure, imagining the cargo of building materials and foodstuffs she was carrying when she went down in '68. Schools of snapper often hold tight to the shadows, and we've even spotted the occasional nurse shark cruising by. It’s a photographer's delight on a sunny day, with light shafts dancing through the openings and illuminating the wreck’s details.

Location: Exuma Cays, Bahamas, Caribbean
Coordinates: 23.916666, -76.266670
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 9m

Wreck History - BAHAMAS DRAKE

Year Sunk: 1968
Vessel Type: cargo ship
Cause: grounding

The MV Bahamas Drake was an inter-island motor vessel that served the communities of the Bahamas. On December 29, 1968, while on a routine passage from Nassau to George Town on Great Exuma, the ship met its end. Laden with a cargo of building materials and food supplies, it ran aground on the shallow Farmers Cay Bank during rough weather.

Unable to be refloated, the vessel was declared a total loss and abandoned to the sea. Today, the Bahamas Drake rests in just 9 meters of crystal-clear water, making it a spectacular and accessible dive for all skill levels, including snorkelers. The wreck is broken up but its structure provides a fantastic habitat for a vibrant array of reef fish, corals, and crustaceans. It's a perfect introduction to wreck diving in the beautiful Exuma Cays.

Best Time to Dive in Exuma Cays

The warmest water temperatures in Exuma Cays occur in August, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 24.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 24.7°C
February: 24.7°C
March: 25.1°C
April: 26.4°C
May: 27.6°C
June: 29.2°C
July: 30.2°C
August: 30.4°C
September: 30.1°C
October: 29.1°C
November: 27.4°C
December: 25.9°C

Marine Life in Exuma Cays

Home to 353 recorded species including 307 reef fish, 12 hard corals, 11 whales & dolphins, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 sharks & rays, 3 other.

Notable Species

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Common lionfish (Pterois volitans) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) - Hard Corals
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
Fire coral (Millepora complanata) - Jellyfish
Tripod Spiderfish (Bathypterois grallator) - Reef Fish
Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris) - Reef Fish
Fire coral (Millepora alcicornis) - Jellyfish
lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) - Sharks & Rays
Conklin's cardinalfish (Phaeoptyx conklini) - Reef Fish
Rosy Blenny (Malacoctenus macropus) - Reef Fish
Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) - Hard Corals
Blushing Star Coral (Stephanocoenia intersepta) - Hard Corals
Saddled Blenny (Malacoctenus triangulatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for BAHAMAS DRAKE

Based on average water temperature of 27.6°C, currents 8 cm/s.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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