Bahamas Current water surface and bottom temps?

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Mortis65

Contributor
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Location
CO, USA
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100 - 199
I'm looking for a site that can give me current surface AND bottom 60-90ft (20-30m) temps.

I've found a bunch of sites that give just a generic water temp 79-81F (26-27C), but I'm guessing that is surface temps. I have no experience diving in Bahamas, so I don't know where to expect the Thermacline.

Further, does anyone know the reef conditions post hurricane Matthew? The best info I've seen sofar is the Captain's log from the Bahamas Aggressor: Aggressor Fleet Captain Logs (Nov 5).

Thanks guys.
 
I don't know that I've ever encountered a thermocline there. There was no noticeable difference in any of the sites we visited in September. A quick check on my Shearwater dive logs showed a degree warmer in the top 15' on some of them.
 
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I don't think there's a noticeable thermocline anywhere either. We dove the out-islands and I don't recall any change at depth. Even in/above a couple of the blue holes. Also we dove off the Banks a couple days and that's an area of the largest tidal exchange from what I was told. This would've been June - t-shirt temperature for me all week.
 
Here is my Dive Report from being on the Bahamas Aggressor for the week of Nov 26 to Dec 3 2016.

I loved diving with Aggressor. They have a great operation there. Captain Dennis runs a good ship. I'm told she was the first and smallest in the fleet, but I thought is was the perfect size, with beautiful wood work, and cabins. There were 13 guests (5 crew) on for my week, and some confusion about the organization of a larger party (6 men from France), but it all got worked out well on the first day. I ended up rooming with one of the group, and another roomed up in the bow with 2 Americans. The other passengers were great, and everyone got along well. There were only 3 women guests, and a total of 10 men. 2 divers on this trip were repeat Aggressor customers.

I'm rather glad I didn't take the forward cabin the bow, as there were rough seas on a few of the days, and 2 uncomfortable crossings. Being towards the stern, I was spared most of the wave action while underway.

The dive sites were in good shape, still showing damage from hurricane Andrew, and visibility was 40-60 feet most days. I suspect this was due to the wave action and surface currents. There was little to no current at depth.

Surface temps were between 77-79F, while depth temps were more between 75-79F depending upon the site. My choice to go with a layered 3mm shortie and a 3/2 wet suit was just barely enough. I was chilled after the night dives, and was thankful for the hot tub. I really wish I'd managed to find my 5mm hood before I left. I think a good 5mm suit would be my choice next time give those temps, and the dive frequency. My 3mm shortie will cut it for 2-3 dives a day with 81F water, but those few degrees and the surface wind made a big difference for getting chilled. I wonder if a tropical drysuit (DUI 30/30) is a practical option? I think I'd get some pretty weird looks.

There were a few wall dives, and many coral reef dives. We did a few dive sites with many reef tip [?] sharks. There were relatively small 4-7 feet, and were more curious about the divers than anything else.

The Bahamas has done a very poor job of managing Lion Fish. There were as many as 20 at one site, and 4-5 on every other dive site.

Thank you for reading my report.
 
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