Diver UK – July 2019

BIG ANIMAL DIVER

divEr 30 divErNEt.com

perceptions. Never once did I feel

threatened by these sharks – in fact,

the whole mood of all of our time

under water felt far more peaceful than

on most dives.

These magnificent animals didn’t care

about those of us sitting in the sand

taking photos (they did care about the

diver with the fish-bucket, but they didn’t

want to attack or eat her, only the fish).

But I also see the hypocrisy in my own

decisions. I don’t want to participate in

anything that is detrimental to the ocean,

and while it might not be detrimental, it

is not something that would happen

naturally in the wild.

I

ENCOURAGE ALLdivers to research

the diving experiences in which they

are planning to participate.

Unfortunately, I have seen shark-

feeding dives that I would never join

again because they didn’t put the sharks’

safety ahead of tourism dollars.

Be informed, and decide for yourself

what you agree and disagree with.

If you see a dive operator doing

harmful things to sharks or any other

ocean creature, tell it, and others. As dive

consumers, we have the power to support

those operators who respect the ocean.

The tiger sharks of Tiger Beach are not

sustaining themselves on a few fish from

divers. They are clearly going in for these

easy snacks, but they are not being fed

enough to support their diets.

Being able to spend even a moment

next to a tiger shark, and seeing her glide

effortlessly next to me as sun-rays shine

down on her stripes, is an incredible

experience. And I would do this trip (and

other trips like it) again in a heartbeat.

Below, clockwise from

top left: As the sun sets, it’s

time to get back on the boat,

but the Caribbean reef

sharks are still around; reef

shark; shark-shaped clouds

in the sky.

FACTFILE

GETTING THEREFly to

Atlanta or Miami and on to

Freeport, Grand Bahama. An

alternative is to fly to Florida to

board a liveaboard from there.

DIVING & ACCOMMODATIONThe

35m steel Bahamas Mastercan

accommodate 16 divers in eight

cabins, masterliveaboards.com

WHEN TO GOThe best time is the

slightly cooler, drier period from

October through to June.

MONEYThe Bahamian dollar (BSD)

is pegged to the US dollar

PRICESA seven-night Tiger Beach

Experience trip costs from £2229pp

in a standard twin cabin. Nitrox,

marine park and port fees cost extra.

Return flights from £620.

VISITOR INFORMATION

bahamas.co.uk