The August 2010 issue of National Geographic magazine presented a spectacular pictorial on the inland blue
holes and caves of Andros, the Abacos and five other Bahamian islands. Stunning images by the late and very
great photographer Wes Skiles showed delicate stalactites and stalagmites amid huge caverns with crystalline
visibility. Although only a few scientists and dedicated cave divers have penetrated these blue holes, other caves
and caverns are more readily accessible, such as Ben’s Cavern near Freeport. Local lore suggests the cave was
discovered by dive legend Ben Rose while he was searching for fresh water for his overheating radiator. Now it
is part of Lucayan National Park, and while the infrastructure for accessing the site is much more developed,
the cave is as primordial as it is majestic once a diver kicks just a few hundred feet in.
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fall 2012
aves
The
Bahamas is riddled with caves and caverns
.
Exploration of some involves deep penetration by
teams of highly trained cave-diving specialists,
but many others offer serene beauty within easy
reach of the cave’s entrance. Cave-diving specialty
instruction can open a new world of Bahamas
dive adventure.
wes skiles