BAHAMAS DRAKE
Why dive here
With 348+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, humpback whales, lemon sharks and octopuses - BAHAMAS DRAKE offers some of Exuma Cays's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 25-30°C, warmest July, August, September.
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.
Typical BAHAMAS DRAKE Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
BAHAMAS DRAKE Wreck History
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.
Reviews for BAHAMAS DRAKE
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BAHAMAS DRAKE
BAHAMAS DRAKE Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BAHAMAS DRAKE, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
30.35°C
87°F
Current Speed
8.25 cm/s
Direction: N (346°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.061 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
36.87 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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