Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

The Caribbean’s Most Perfect Picnic Spot

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Sometimes the worst part about diving can be the travel time to and from dives—which is exactly what made the eight dive sites around Deep Water Cay so appealing: they’re just a short hop from the private island resort.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

Despite the forceful winds, we managed to squeeze in a half-day of diving around Grand Bahama. I was doubly grateful for this two-tanker after the weather during our four days in Abaco rendered our dive mission in the Out Islands impossible.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.
Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

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While visiting Deep Water Cay, a private island resort right off of Grand Bahama, we discovered a secret dive paradise. | CamelsAndChocolate.com

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.
Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

Even though we were so close to the resort, our divemaster and boat captain made things as easy as possible and packed a lunch so we didn’t even have to return to the island for lunch.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.
Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

We pulled up to the aptly named Lunch Beach—is this the world’s most perfect picnic spot or what?—and docked for an hour or so while we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and digested.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

And OK, so maybe some of us are not as patient as digesting as others. Relaxing has never exactly been my strong suit in case you haven’t noticed.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.
Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.
Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.
We waited it out on Lunch Beach until the tide came in, then put our fins and masks back on and jumped in the shallow lagoon for a leisurely drift snorkel.
Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

Even though we’re avid divers, our divemaster Phillip assured me we wanted to do this snorkel. Given the drift nature of it, we didn’t have to do a whole lot other than stay upright and steer with our fins. We floated over a blue hole hoping to see schools of snappers, but only spotted a ray and some smaller fish.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

Deep Water Cay: This fishing resort may just be the Bahamas' best kept dive secret. | CamelsAndChocolate.com
Deep Water Cay: This fishing resort may just be the Bahamas' best kept dive secret. | CamelsAndChocolate.com

After we determined the fish had gone home for the day, we returned back to the island just in time for sunset and a catered dinner in our rental house. This trip just kept getting better and better.

Deep Water Cay | A private island escape just off of Grand Bahama.

COMMENTS
  • December 10, 2015

    There’s nothing like having lunch on a desert island. We did that last time we were in Turks and Caicos and, oh, the solitude! Love your photos, what camera did you use for underwater and the rest? A GoPro?

    • January 3, 2016

      I didn’t take my DSLR on the boat, so it was a mix of my Canon G series (an older model…I need to upgrade!) and a GoPro 3, I think. GoPros aren’t awesome for underwater footage if the clarity isn’t perfect, but it’s the best I had with me 😉

  • December 10, 2015

    Could you please stop posting all those amazing underwater posts! Haha I can only scratch my diving itch in February and it seems like such a long way away 😉

    • January 3, 2016

      I can’t wait to read about your own Caribbean adventures! Do you plan to do a lot of diving while in the ABCs?

  • December 11, 2015

    Oh how I love to snorkel in such a beautiful place like this. Bahamas is indeed the place where in it will quench your thirst to dive.

    • January 3, 2016

      Bahamas may not be Thailand or the Maldives but it’s definitely some of the best water (and diving) on this side of the world!

  • December 12, 2015

    Wow! Your photos are incredible! I will definitely add to my bucket list 🙂

    • January 7, 2016

      Thank you so much! It’s a very photogenic island =)

  • December 25, 2015

    Whoa…I suspect those PB&Js took on a new dimension at that bench!

    Was there a story behind it? Did Phillip and his buddies get together one day back in the 80s with a 12-pack and build a bench out there? hahaha

    • January 7, 2016

      I mean, PBJs are magical anywhere you consume them, but you’re right: They tasted even better on Lunch Beach!

      I imagine this was just a sand bar that the islanders have been coming to for ages when it’s at low tide because it’s so idyllic, but you know, I didn’t even think to ask the backstory 😉

  • March 5, 2016

    What a beautiful spot! My experience with drift diving in Cozumel wasn’t nearly as spectacular. It was pretty tough to really see anything as we were zooming by at such an alarming speed.
    Great photos!

    • March 7, 2016

      Oh, I’m sure! We went drift diving in Cabo and I remember how rocky it was there. The waves around Mexico are no joke!

  • September 27, 2021
    Dean Smith

    A Caribbean vacation is my dream! This is just an amazing blog and make me want to do it earlier! Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and tips!

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