Diving with Hammerhead Sharks in Bimini with Virgin Voyages

Mar 16, 2024

Join us on an exhilarating journey as we dive into the turquoise waters of Bimini with Hammerhead Sharks, creating memories to last a lifetime. Bimini is a chain of islands in the Bahamas that are known for their beaches, fishing, and diving. It's located 50 miles east of Miami, and is the closest point in the Bahamas to the mainland United States. This was the last stop of our Eastern Caribbean Antilles Virgin Voyage and the location of Virgin’s Bimini Beach Club!

Arriving in Bimini

We arrived in Bimini at 8 AM, however we did not have to report for our dive until 11:45, so we slept in a little and had lunch on the ship. Virgin has large golf carts that shuttle you around the island and to / from the boat as it’s a long walk from the pier to the shore.

Bimini Hammerhead Sharks Dive

We booked a dive with Neil Watson’s Scuba Center via the Virgin app. I booked this immediately when I saw it was an option, as I was scared it would sell out. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience as Hammerhead Sharks have eluded diver’s for years. The Neil Watson center found an area the sharks use for nursing and they come back yearly to the same area, allowing up close and personal study over time. This opportunity is ONLY available from December through April each year when the sharks are around, so all the stars aligned for this incredible experience.

I’ll be honest. I was scared. I just felt a little uneasy, but was ready to take on the challenge. The dive itself is about 75 minutes and only 20-25 feet deep. You are heavily weighted, and just “sitting” at the bottom in a semi circle while the dive masters take turns attracting and feeding the sharks by HAND!

Plenty of you are screaming “HELL NO” 🤣 That’s ok. I was like that too. I NEVER would have expected to be able to jump off a boat and right into the middle of a shiver of sharks.. But I did it. And yes a group of sharks is called a shiver. Like the sensation they cause you to feel up your spine!! 😨

These animals are beautiful and graceful. This dive was a lot of waiting around for the chance to see them (and there are no guarantees). There would be nothing going on and then out of the blue, literally, you would see the prominent head emerge, swim in and snatch a quick snack. Oh, and the entire time we are surrounded by Nurse Sharks, which being that close, I will never fear again. They are basically just sand sifters, and hung around hoping to catch some scraps. Like little dogs. 😍

Watch this dive on our YouTube

Trouble in Paradise

The dive was amazing, but very, very long to just be sitting in one place, breathing underwater wondering, "how much longer?" If you are a diver, then you can likely relate that there are times you just feel “uneasy” and you have to wrangle that in. Adding sharks to the mix, including one of the largest predators out there and potentially a Tiger Shark who could show up for the fun, added some anxiety. Will was very relaxed on the boat ride out and did not really do his pre-dive check appropriately. 😳

On the ascent back up, his regulator popped off the hose and out of his mouth. He panicked and made about 5 mistakes, including shooting up to the top, in a current, heavily weighted, with sharks in the water. He did not attempt to use his backup regulator, mine, or inflate his BCD once he reached the surface (wearing about a 20 lb. weight belt). Connor, one of our dive master’s, was able to help get him safely back to the boat, but man - this was a close call and could have been much much worse.

I cannot stress how important it is for you to be 100% comfortable with your gear and the dive plan before starting. It wasn’t just Will; I also learned a lesson as a dive buddy. I need to ensure that my partner is ready to go and insist upon pre-dive checks and signal review together. While this time we were lucky, if we had been at any depth below 30 ft, and he shot to the top like he did, he risks decompression sickness, lung collapse, even death. So yes. This was a very important lesson that we were humbled and grateful to accept.

Sunset at Bimini Beach Club

After the dive and that life scare, we were ready for a drink! Since we booked the afternoon dive, it was already 5 PM so we only had an hour to check out Virgin’s Bimini Beach Club! Everyone was already leaving, including most of the staff, but I just wanted to take a few pictures and have one beverage to relax.

Travel More Tip:

Don’t pass up the Beach Club in Bimini. If we hadn’t booked the dive, we would have hung out here all day. It is modern, chic, consistent and on brand for Virgin (which is why I love them and Richard!). The Beach Club is staffed with familiar faces from the boat and they have action going throughout the day with DJs, big adult pool floats, foam parties, a bonfire at sunset, and a sandy beach to enjoy the ocean! There are plenty of loungers available, but if you’d like to reserve a special area or cabana, that is an option. Rockstars also have their own private area within the Beach Club.

Return to the Boat

We hopped on a golf cart and headed back to the boat. Bimini is very small and most of the island was “resort” focused. There is a huge Hilton Village and it seems most people do end up renting golf carts and get around the island that way if they are staying for longer.

Ready to dive into Bimini's blue waters?

Go to the “Contact” page now to easily schedule an initial discussion with us to get things started! Thank you for reading and following our travel adventures! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel and to follow along @travelmorewithkristin on Instagram for the latest travel tips, tricks and our newest locations visited.

Thank you!

Kristin & Will

#TravelMore

Hammerhead Shark Dive – FAQ 🦈

What did you pack for the hammerhead dive?

For this excursion, I packed pretty much what I’d bring on any boat dive:

Mask + snorkel (we prefer our own because they fit our faces best)
Towel
Wetsuit - REQUIRED
Dry bag for anything I didn’t want getting wet (phone, sunscreen, small items)
Cash for tips for the boat captain and dive masters
Swimsuit + cover-up for the boat and any post-dive beach time
Reef-safe sunscreen and sunglasses

We personally love our Marchway dry bag – it’s easy to carry, clips closed, and goes on pretty much every excursion with us.

What gear did the dive operator provide?

On our hammerhead dive (booked through Virgin Voyages), the operator provided:

BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
Regulator
Tank
Fins
Weights + weight belt
A PVC “stick/pipe” to hold out in front of you while kneeling on the bottom

So if you don’t have your own full set of gear, you’ll still be totally equipped for the dive. Bringing your own mask/snorkel is just a comfort preference.

Do I need to bring my own wetsuit?

A wetsuit is required for this dive. Check your specific excursion details to see if wetsuits are available to rent, but I like knowing mine fits well and keeps me comfy.

How “intense” is the hammerhead dive? Do I need to be an advanced diver?

It’s definitely a thrill dive, but the setup is very organized and intentional:

You’ll usually kneel in a line on the sandy bottom, facing forward.
The dive masters handle the bait and shark positioning.
You’re weighted down (more than a typical reef dive) so you stay put and stable.
You’ll have a PVC pipe to hold out in front of you as an extra comfort/spacing tool.

You must be a certified diver and comfortable in open water to participate. If you’re newly certified but confident in your skills, listen closely to the briefing, follow instructions, and don’t be shy about asking questions on the boat.

Always double-check requirements and experience level with your specific excursion provider.

What did you actually take down on the dive (besides your gear)?

Underwater, I kept it simple and streamlined:

All gear
A small camera / GoPro-style setup (optional, if you’re comfortable managing it)

Everything else stayed on the boat in the dry bag. You don’t want a lot of extra “stuff” dangling or distracting you during a shark dive.

Did you bring anything special for after the dive?

Yes, a couple of things:

Towel + dry clothes/cover-up for after the dive
Cash for tips
If you’re on the morning dive, I’d also pack:
- Beach bag or dry bag
- Flip flops
- Beach club essentials (swimsuit, cover-up, sunscreen, maybe a hat)

We did the afternoon dive, so we didn’t have much time to hit the Beach Club afterward. If you’re booked on the AM dive, you’ll likely have time to enjoy the Beach Club after – it’s just down the road, so bring your beach things as it's a trek back to the ship.

How close do the sharks get?

Pretty close – that’s the point of the dive. 🫣🦈

But it’s controlled:

You’re stationary, kneeling on the bottom.
Dive pros are in front managing the bait and positioning.
The sharks cruise past at varying distances; sometimes they come very close, but it’s supervised.

If you’ve read my full write-up, you know I was nervous at first and ended up feeling calm, fascinated, and safe thanks to how the crew walked us through everything.

Is it scary if you’re nervous about sharks?

Totally fair question. My honest experience:

Yes, I had nerves beforehand (very normal).
The briefing and clear plan helped a ton.
Once we were underwater and settled, it quickly shifted from “I’m nervous” to “wow, this is incredible.”

If you’re shark-curious but anxious, this is actually one of the better setups because you’re:

Stationary
With experienced pros
Given clear instructions on body position, eye contact, and what to expect

Reading trip reports (like my blog) and watching videos ahead of time is a great way to get mentally ready.

Should I bring cash? How much should I tip?

Yes, I’d definitely bring cash for tips.

Tipping is always personal, but for something like a hammerhead dive where the crew works hard to keep you safe, comfortable, and in the best possible shark position, I like to tip in the 15–20% range (or whatever feels right to you and your budget).

Can non-divers do this excursion?

This specific hammerhead dive is for certified divers.

If you’re traveling with non-divers, they might prefer:

Snorkel trips
Relaxing at the Beach Club while you dive
Other Virgin Voyages Shore Things that are more “feet on sand” than “knees in the sand with sharks” 😄

Check the excursion description on your voyage or talk to Sailor Services for any snorkeler/observer options that might be available.

Morning vs. afternoon hammerhead dive – which is better?

It depends on your priorities:

Morning dive:
- Usually gives you more time at the Beach Club afterward
- Good if you want a full “dive + beach” combo day
Afternoon dive (what we did):
- Easy, relaxed start to the day
- Great if you don’t want an early morning
- Less time at the Beach Club afterward, so it’s more “dive-focused”