If you’re trying to plan a dive or snorkel trip in the Bahamas that everyone in your group will love, look no further than Southwest Reef. This iconic reef system sits next to the Tongue of the Ocean, just 6 miles off the coast of New Providence Island, Bahamas. Diving into the tropical waters of Southwest Reef reveals vibrant hard and soft coral as far as the eye can see — and when the visibility exceeds 80 feet year-round, that’s saying something.

The pristine reef is part of a marine-protected area, which becomes immediately evident when you lose count of the number of grouper you spotted on a single dive. Linger at one of the coral formations and you’ll more than likely spot starfish, colorful crustaceans and perhaps even a frogfish or two. And as you continue to fin along the fringing reef, you’ll be greeted by yellow-and-purple fairy basslets, gray and queen angelfish, foureye butterflyfish, chromis and a list of other reef fish that will make your head spin.

For divers with a need for speed, Stuart Cove's will show you how to explore Southwest Reef in the fast lane on DPV. You'll fly above, below and all around the massive bulkhead and elkhorn coral formations that thrive along this expansive reef system with not a second of bottom time wasted. Not DPV certified? Not a problem, because Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas has a DPV specialty course that will have you flying in no time.

Prefer to take it slow and focus on underwater photography? You've come to the right spot — just be sure to bring an extra memory card. Southwest Reef is bathed in ambient light, which allows photographers to capture stunning images without ever firing up a strobe. And with staggering outcrops of elkhorn coral, massive gorgonians and sea fans and candy-colored coral sponges creating a backdrop for schooling sergeant majors, grunts and candy-colored blue tangs, the opportunities for amazing photos are virtually limitless.

And best of all, Southwest Reef can be experienced just as well on snorkel, which is perfect when you're traveling with a mix of divers and nondivers. And because each of the reef's fringing fingers boasts its own unique ecosystem, you can return to Southwest Reef over the course of multiple days and discover something new each time.

No matter what kind of dive experience you're looking for, exploring Southwest Reef with Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas is guaranteed to deliver in spades.

Dive Conditions and Information for Southwest Reef

• Depth: 10-25 feet
• Water Temperature: About 80 degrees year round
• Visibility: 60-100+ feet
• What to Wear: Bathing suit or skins are all you need during the summer; winter months you may want a 3 mm wetsuit.
• Good For: Underwater photography, DPV diving, snorkeling, open-water divers, Discover Scuba Diving courses, coral-reef lovers

For more information and to plan your perfect dive trip in the Bahamas, contact Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas; stuartcove.com.