The Towers
Twin coral pinnacles rising sixty feet from the seafloor, honeycombed with tunnels where reef sharks patrol the blue.
The Towers is one of the most visually dramatic dive sites in the Abacos, featuring two massive coral pinnacles that rise approximately sixty feet from the sandy bottom near Fowl Cay. These natural skyscrapers are pierced with tunnels, swim-throughs, and caverns that create an underwater maze for divers to explore.
Located within easy boat range of Marsh Harbour, The Towers combines accessible depths with impressive topography. Caribbean reef sharks frequently patrol the waters around the pinnacles, while eagle rays, sea turtles, and dense schools of tropical fish inhabit the coral-encrusted surfaces.
The twin pinnacles
The site's namesake towers are coral structures that have built up over millennia on the edge of the Great Abaco Barrier Reef. Each pinnacle rises from depths of around seventy-five feet to within fifteen to twenty feet of the surface, creating dramatic vertical relief against the surrounding seabed.
The exteriors of both towers are covered in hard and soft corals, sea fans, and sponges in vibrant colours. Gorgonians wave in the current, while crevices shelter lobster, moray eels, and smaller reef fish.
Tunnels and swim-throughs
What sets The Towers apart from simple coral heads is the network of tunnels and passages carved through the structures. Some openings are wide enough for multiple divers, while others require single-file passage. Light filtering through creates atmospheric conditions for photography.
The tunnels vary in length from brief swim-throughs to longer passages that wind through the interior of the pinnacles before emerging on the opposite side. All passages are open to natural light, making them accessible to recreational divers without cave training.
Marine life encounters
The Towers serves as a cleaning station and hunting ground for larger marine life. Caribbean reef sharks are regularly observed circling the pinnacles, particularly in the morning hours. Spotted eagle rays cruise past, and hawksbill turtles rest in the coral recesses.
The coral coverage supports abundant reef fish including schools of blue tangs, sergeant majors, and grunts. Groupers of various species take up residence in the holes and overhangs, often approaching divers who remain still.
Getting there
The Towers is accessed by dive boat from Marsh Harbour, the main hub of the Abacos, with boat time of under thirty minutes. Dive Abaco and other local operators include this site on regular reef diving excursions. The site is also accessible to private boaters and sailing charters exploring the Fowl Cay area.
Frequently asked questions
- Are the tunnels at The Towers suitable for all divers?
- Yes. The passages are open swim-throughs with natural light at both ends, suitable for certified open water divers comfortable with enclosed spaces. No cave or cavern certification is required.
- How often are sharks seen at The Towers?
- Caribbean reef sharks are frequently sighted, particularly during morning dives. Sightings are common but not guaranteed on every dive.
- What is the best time of year to dive The Towers?
- The site is diveable year-round, with the best conditions typically from November through May when seas are calmer and visibility peaks.
Nearby
Coral Caverns
A labyrinth of sun-dappled caverns where shimmering walls of silversides swirl beneath elkhorn coral gardens.
ExploreSan Jacinto Wreck
America's first steam-powered warship lies scattered across the reef, her massive boilers and propeller monuments to Civil War history.
ExploreUSS Adirondack Wreck
A Civil War gunboat's cannons still guard the reef where she ran aground in 1862, now a playground for eagle rays and sea turtles.
Explore