The Bahamas: A Deeper Look with Captain Nathan Riley
By Isabelle Resnick
277 miles from the continental United States’ southernmost point is the archipelago that inspired the Baha Men (remember “Who Let the Dogs Out?”) and one of the most sought after vacation destinations on Earth: the Bahamas.
Consisting of over 700 islands, this Caribbean paradise is one of the most famous dive destinations in the world. Divers travel from near and far, not for stretches of beach on Bahamian shores, but for what lies thousands of feet below the surface: a wide range of aquatic wildlife, miles of pristine coral walls, and fantastically devastating shipwrecks.
In his book, Bahamas Bucket List for Divers: Bimini Edition, expert scuba diver and long-time sailor Capt. Nathan Riley will take you on a journey dating back 300 years.
You will learn about the history of treasure hunting, land-invading pirates, and the rise of modern-day drug runners. During surface intervals, you will take a closer look at how the Bahamas and its westernmost district, Bimini, famously came to be.
The Bahamas is more than a trip to Atlantis; its rich history, culture, and soul can only be experienced with the help of a guide who has seen more of the archipelago’s expansive seas than any tourist’s trip down a resort waterslide. While the summer sun continues to blaze over the northern hemisphere, plan to cool off at one or several of Capt. Riley’s listed dive sites, which are accompanied by first-hand facts and anecdotes from his 15 years of Bahamian diving experience. There is no better way to immerse yourself in Bimini’s history, culture, and soul than by reading this book — apart from being there in person.
Check out Capt. Nate Riley’s photography and adventures on Facebook by searching Nate’s Captain’s Blog, and purchase your copy of Bahamas Bucket List for Divers: Bimini Edition on Amazon.
Captain Nathan “Nate” Riley has been around boats since his early teens, when he helped his stepfather prepare for a transatlantic crossing from California to Scotland. He began working on boats professionally in 2001 as a 26-year-old sailboat captain, when he would regularly cross the Gulf Stream from Miami, FL to the Bahamas to participate in organized shark feeds.
Since then, sailing has taken Capt. Riley all over the world, from Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico to his current stop, the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands.
When he isn’t sailing on the high seas, Capt. Nate resides in Ocala, FL where he can be found running marathons or trail running through the Ocala National Forest. His favorite hobbies — aside from sailing — are writing, making dinner for his family, and babysitting his two grandchildren.