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While it’s still being debated to this day, San Salvador is believed by many to be the site where Columbus first discovered the New World. 520 years later, a multitude of discoveries are still taking place on this secluded stretch of paradise in the eastern Bahamas. Only this time they’re mostly happening underwater, where the role of Columbus will be played by you, a marine-biologist-in-training.
Base camp is at the Gerace Research Centre, located on the north shore of the 63 square-mile island. A former submarine tracking base, this field station is crawling distance to rich snorkel and dive sites crawling with large schools of research subjects. On San Salvador, marine biology is best studied experientially, on the reefs, in the sea grass beds and mangrove channels and on miles and miles of endless beaches, which is exactly how you do it.
“Of all the ways to end our spectacular trip, dancing on the beach, a raging fire, and booming music by the sea was the best.” — Lizzy McCarthy, London, England
Go beyond the classroom and venture to the Dixon Hill lighthouse. Meet the locals Cockburn. Mingle with iguanas at Green Cay. Chill on emerald-blue Grotto Beach. Then dive down into underwater research labs. Welcome to the new world of marine biology.
What are my next steps?
San Salvador, Bahamas
Small in terms of size. Big in terms of marine biology discoveries, friendship and fun.
Snorkeling. Diving. Bodysurfing. Exploring. If it’s supposedly better in the Bahamas, it’s the best on the island of San Salvador.
Dixon Hill Lighthouse
Built in 1887, it’s one of the last hand-operated, kerosene-lit lighthouses in the world. Climb 160 feet all the way up to the top and enjoy 19 miles of clear San Salvadoran views in all directions.
Gerace Research Center
A hands-on, field based learning center for a variety of sciences, including marine science. Working alongside professional researchers, dive right into reefs, lakes and other marine habitats.
Riding Rock Point
This operation has been partnering with Broadreach ever since we began sending students to San Salvador. Boats usually leave at 9 am for dive sites that feature abysmal walls and endless visibility.
Runway 10-Dive Site
Over there, is that a hammerhead? Why of course it is. Friendly grouper and mutton snappers playfully check you out. Then, when the sun goes down the crabs, lobsters, octopus and pufferfish come out.
Snapshot Reef- Dive Site
Shallow and close to shore, be sure to bring your underwater camera. Snappers, goatfish and squirrelfish are easy to approach. Barracuda give a smile. A few old anchors can serve as photo props.
Telephone Pole-Dive Site
Big southern stingrays, octopus, turtles and friendly grouper are here or never far away. A swim through that leads to a dramatic 200-foot sheer wall drop off. A favorite of local divers for 25 years.
Broadreach in action. Want a glimpse of the freedom of life on a yacht? Or the thrill of diving with sharks in Fiji, surfing in Baja or cresting the ridge above Machu Picchu? Watch our videos to see and hear our adventures firsthand, and start wishing you were there.