Advice Needed - Bahamas in Jan

I've just confirmed a trip to the Bahamas (somewhere on Andros) for the end of Jan. I've not dived anywhere around there before so have a few questions:

Water temps?

Likely conditions?

Whats the best lenses to take? A mix of Macro and W/A? The choice is 60mm, 105mm, 12-24 and 10.5mm Planning to buy Magic Filters to finally give them a go in blue water as well.

What are the best features of the area?

Cheers,

Tim

I haven't dived Andros, but have dived several other areas.

It may be cool in January, as cold fronts can come through. Water temps are likely to be high 70's F. I wear a 3mm, sometimes with a shorty on top and a beanie -- but I am a wimp.

There are many nice shallow reefs, and (in some places) walls, that give good chances for CFWA or ambient light shooting. Night dives can have some good macro.

I essentially back up what CeeDave has said. January is a time of year where weather can be quite variable. It may be quite calm one day and sunny, and then if a cold front is coming through it can get pretty rough and cool and windy on top. I am hoping to make a crossing this weekend from the Fl East Coast, but we will not decide till a day or so before, depending on the weather. Viz also will vary from fair to very good.

Water temps can also vary - may drop as low as 73-74, probably will not be above 78-80 in January.

In general in the Bahamas you can expect some shark action. I would be sure to have the 10.5 and 12-24. I have not generally thought of the Bahamas as a macro place.

I would say look at the low end of that temperature scale for Bahamas in January ... unless you are on the very southern tip of the chain .. and there is no cold front.

Thanks for the input guys. I think given the conditions in which I normally dive, even low temp and poor viz in the Bahamas will still be great conditions for me. At least, I hope so!

I really excited about the potential shark action, I was at Elphinstone in the Red Sea last year and was surrounded by Oceanic White Tips but my camera had decided not to play ball and so have absolutely no pictures. I'll have a backup body this time so hopefully will not have the same problem.

Is there any point taking the macro lenses?

Tim

Theres always going to be a point top have taken the macro lense if you don't take it !

Plus if vis is bad but you can still dive .. macro may come in handy then

I agree. I always take everything I can. If weight is an issue etc I'd probably leave the 105 behind before the 60.