The 10 Best Snorkeling Spots In Nassau, The Bahamas

The Bahamas, merely put, have a few of the finest snorkeling you will see wherever. When featured within the information, most of those mentions talk about the plain star high quality of the best Bahamian beaches and reefs, and all of the sudden issues you’ll be able to see, together with golden shores, pink sands and swimming pigs. Whether or not you’re snorkeling or scuba diving, the 700 plus islands that make up The Bahamas are particularly suited to impress.

Of all of the undersea areas you’ll be able to discover on this planet, you most likely received’t discover ones which are as distinctive as those in The Bahamas.

When snorkeling in The Bahamas, it’s essential to know upfront that what your expertise relies upon upon the situation that you just select. In some areas you’ll spot plenty of tropical fish and coral, whereas in others you could discover extra unique sea life like seahorses, angel fish, and lion fish. You might also come throughout quite a lot of sea turtles, squid and small stingrays.

On most snorkeling excursions, you’ll be briefed forward of time on what to anticipate whereas visiting the assorted areas, and you’ll be instructed on the way to use your snorkeling tools.

In the event you’re a snorkeling beginner, you could wish to take a look at our superb snorkeling tips for beginners that can make you look Like a professional earlier than continuing with the remainder of this text.

For everybody else, onto the 10 finest snorkeling spots in Nassau!

In this text on the Sandals Weblog:

Where will I be snorkeling?
What is snorkeling in Nassau like?
The best time to snorkel?
What can you see snorkeling?
Coral Reefs: ocean city architects
Snorkeling tips
FAQ’s

The place will I be snorkeling?

Total, The Bahamas is a good location for snorkeling, with a whole bunch of seashores situated throughout the assorted islands which make up the tropical archipelago. In Nassau, you’ll discover a few of the most simply accessible dive websites and reefs, that are populated with vibrant undersea life. If you wish to skip the cherry choosing, you’ll be able to e-book a tour via resorts like Sandals Royal Bahamian, or contact a tour operator like Island Routes, that can assist you to uncover a few of the most superb Nassau snorkeling websites. All seashores in The Bahamas are public, so should you go by yourself, you’ll have to make sure you stroll with your personal tools. You might not have essentially the most improbable vantage from the shore, however it is possible for you to to have an optimum snorkeling expertise at most beaches in Nassau. When you’ve got buddies or household who’ve entry to a ship, you’re in luck, as it is possible for you to to discover some nice areas without spending a dime!

Professional Tip: In the event you plan on reserving a tour, ask forward to seek out out if the tour consists of spherical journey pickup from and again to your resort.

Listed below are our high picks for areas which don’t require spending cash on a tour, or hiring a ship:

10. Adelaide Seaside

Fortunate quantity 10, Adelaide seashore will be discovered on the south-western coast of New Windfall Island. The clear and heat waters on this seashore make it very conducive for snorkeling. It’s accessible by automotive, bus, or by foot, should you’re staying inside shut sufficient distance. Many who go right here say this seashore has extra of an ‘out island’ really feel, than different seashores in Nassau, as a consequence of being it much less frequented by guests. The ‘out island’ really feel is extra generally related to islands situated exterior of Nassau. In the course of the week you’ll discover this seashore largely empty, which leaves loads of room to discover. On weekends there tends to be extra locals at this location. Adelaide Seaside is ideal for beginner snorkelers, as its shallow waters add to its household pleasant rankings. Whereas it isn’t the very best for distinctive underwater sightings, you’re certain to identify one thing fascinating!

9. Cable Seaside

Cable Seaside is a excellent location for Nassau snorkeling as you’ll be able to hire out snorkeling tools proper on the seashore entrance. It’s situated on the northern coast of the western half of Nassau, and it’s comparatively simple to seek out whether or not you select to catch a cab, stroll, or drive your self. Cable Seaside is one of many extra in style seashores in The Bahamas. In the event you do handle to discover a good day to go, you’ll be able to anticipate improbable snorkeling, made even higher by calm and clear seas. You’ll discover just a few coral heads on this seashore should you’re keen to discover, and also you’ll be capable to swim proper into a brand new world of marine life.

Professional Tip: Sandals Royal Bahamian, situated on the very best strip of sand alongside Cable Seaside, provides free snorkeling excursions all through the period of your journey (like in any respect Sandals Resorts), together with all tools you’ll need to have the very best snorkeling eperience!

8. Cabbage Seaside

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Discovered on the north-east Coast of Paradise Island, Cabbage Seaside is simple to seek out. It even comes full with varied water excursions that can make your seashore day tremendous enjoyable, even should you simply got here to snorkel. There are numerous motels, bars, and eating places situated within the neighborhood of Cabbage Seaside, however you may as well discover some extra secluded spots with nice snorkeling. Go down the steps and stroll proper onto the seashore, flip proper in direction of the rocky headland and also you’ll discover a notably conducive snorkeling spot with plenty of attainable sightings.

7. Love Seaside

Love Seaside is pristine, lovely, and welcoming for these on the lookout for a day of snorkeling. You’ll find it simply on the western-north coast of New Windfall. It’s one of many least crowded seashores in Nassau, and never very shaded, although you’re unlikely to note, as you’ll most likely spend the majority of your day exploring what lies beneath calm turquoise waters. Love Seaside is an efficient selection for a day of snorkeling, and attainable sightings between the shores and the reef embody parrotfish, angelfish, damselfish, gray and yellowtail snapper, reef butterflyfish, and lion fish.

6. Clifton Heritage Park

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Contained in the Clifton Heritage Park you’ll discover the famed Jaws Seaside, which was as soon as used as a set for ‘Jaws the Revenge’ (1987), a film that most likely scared far too many individuals from stepping foot into the ocean. Fortunately, most of us have gotten over these Hollywood scars; and in good time to reap the benefits of seashores like Jaws seashore, which encompasses pure reefs and man-made reefs. Right here there are not any nice white sharks, and fish appear particularly pleasant. In the event you calmly float for a minute, you could quickly end up surrounded by colleges of various varieties. We’re certain although, that you just’d a lot desire to maintain your goggles on and discover the undersea.

Photograph Credit score: Paul Harding 00/Shutterstock.com.

Clifton Heritage Park is situated off the western finish of New Windfall. Simply off the coast, you could find a big underwater sculpture (Ocean Atlas), which is alleged to be the world’s largest at 18 ft tall! It was created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor and is a part of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Backyard. You might nonetheless, have to improve from snorkeling to scuba diving to take full benefit of this underwater characteristic.

Must know: Seashores on the Clifton Heritage Park have been additionally units for ‘Thunderball’ 1965 and ‘By no means Say By no means Once more’ (1983). Some props from these famous movies filmed in The Bahamas can nonetheless be discovered on this space, which will certainly make your exploration right here one thing of an undersea treasure hunt!

A lot of the areas beneath can solely be accessed through boat, or via a paid tour:

5. Gambier Deep Reef

Among the extra in style snorkeling areas in Nassau could include a price ticket. Particularly this implies as a part of a tour which takes you to simply the precise location. This is not essentially a nasty factor nonetheless, because it may prevent a while that you just’d in any other case be utilizing attempting to determine issues out by yourself. Gambier Deep Reef is considered one of these areas, and it’s situated on the north western facet of New Windfall Island. This isn’t one of many seashores which you can cab or drive to – Gambier Deep is solely accessible by boat. The gorgeous snorkeling location is about 9 miles away from downtown Nassau. The reef itself descends about 80 ft down, which is a side that’s interesting to scuba divers. These eager to snorkel can be equally proud of the views across the higher space of the coral reef, and the big variety of fish that may be noticed there.

4. Goulding Cay Reef

Snorkeling, in its finest sense, entails exploring the houses of marine life. Reefs are sometimes busy and colourful, and might usually appear to be entire totally different worlds. That is what an expertise at Goulding Cay Reef seems like… exploring one thing that’s so overseas, that it’s arduous to imagine it exists. Goulding Cay is situated to the western finish of New Windfall, and the Cay itself will be discovered lower than an hour away from downtown Nassau. This shallow reef is in style with each newbie and skilled snorkelers, and previously, it has obtained quite a few recognitions for being the most effective shallow water snorkeling areas on this planet. The reef itself is made largely of elkhorn coral, and throughout it you’ll discover fishes too quite a few to rely. The shallowness of this reef makes it appropriate for all ages, and provides to the convenience with which you’ll be able to work together with the varied marine life that may be discovered right here.

3. Rose Island Reef

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One other reef which will be accessed solely by boat whereas in Nassau is the Rose Island reef. Seasoned and beginner snorkelers agree that snorkeling on this spot, which is situated nearly three miles east of Paradise Island, is an expertise that’s not to be missed. In truth, many say snorkeling right here is excessive on the worldwide rating, and never simply that of the Caribbean. Prime three for a purpose; this reef is shallower than most, which makes it simple to navigate whereas exploring ocean life at its finest. Not solely will you discover tropical fishes right here, however two shipwrecks of notable snorkeling and scuba diving fame – The Mahoney and The Alcora. Rose Island is a comparatively distant seashore, so extra seemingly than not, except you embark on a tour, you’ll have the seashore largely to your self.

Professional Tip: Make a celebration of it; take a catamaran tour over to Rose Island, and revel in a day within the solar, inclusive of a snorkeling journey and lunch. In the event you’re staying at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, this tour will be organized by your native agent.

2. The Andros Barrier Reef

At 190 miles lengthy, the Andros Barrier Reef is some of the in style spots for diving in The Bahamas. It’s extremely rated for Nassau snorkeling, as it’s the third largest reef complicated on this planet. It runs parallel to Andros Island, and is situated to the West and South-West of New Windfall Island. The Andros Barrier reef is just accessible by boat, so that you’ll want to prepare a tour upfront. The reef extends round 124 miles, and is subdivided into zones together with the shallow lagoon (together with mangrove areas), again reef, and inside fore reef. You’ll find over 150 species of fish at this location, together with marlins, tarpons, sailfish, tunas, snappers, and loads of species of coral. The Andros Barrier Reef additionally options the Tongue of the Ocean ‘drop-off’, an undersea cliff round 65 ft beneath the floor, that’s 6,000 ft deep over the sting. Journey time from Nassau to Andros takes about 2 hours by quick ferry, costing round $45 every method.

1. Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

It’ll be arduous to discover a higher spot for snorkeling in The Bahamas than the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. It’s a best choice for guests to the islands wishing to have an all-embracing snorkeling expertise, which additionally consists of different facet sights in a park spanning over 22 miles. On the 176-square-mile Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park you’ll discover loads of blue holes containing recent water, caves of the land and marine varieties and quite a few awe-inspiring undersea drop-offs. Positioned near Sandals Emerald Bay resort, this superstar inspiring location had been the backdrop for films together with James Bond’s ‘Thunderball’ and ‘By no means Say By no means Once more’. Each have been shot on the Thunderball Grotto marine cave, which is a should see should you resolve to snorkel on this location. So far as snorkeling goes, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is high notch! Journey time from Nassau to Staniel Cay, in Exuma, takes about 2.5 hours by quick ferry, costing round $45 every method.

What’s snorkeling in Nassau like?

Among the finest snorkeling areas on this planet are situated in The Bahamas. Snorkeling experiences in Nassau differ relying on the situation; in some locations the main target is on underwater exploration of constructions, like these off the coast of the Clifton Heritage Park. In different areas you could find various sea life, and an abundance of coral, notably arduous coral species. In some locations, you might have to take a ship out for a greater expertise. Total, in Nassau you’ll have glorious viewing in most locations because the water is calm and clear on most days.

You’ll find loads of good snorkeling alternatives in Nassau on seashores like Cable Seaside and Cabbage Seaside.

When is the very best time to snorkel in The Bahamas?

The best time to plan a snorkeling trip to The Bahamas is within the peak season to journey to this vacation spot, which is from mid-December to mid-April, yearly. Nevertheless, as a result of persistently sunny skies in The Bahamas, you’ll be able to snorkel there just about anytime.

What are you able to see whereas snorkeling in Nassau?

Sightings whereas snorkeling in The Bahamas rely upon the place you go. You may see every thing from parrot fish, goat fish, porcupine fish, sand divers, Bahamas grunts, and trumpet fish, to crabs, conch, lobster, barracudas, stingrays, whale sharks, and extra. You might even spot varied species of octopus, eels, tender and arduous coral, and way more!

Snorkeling ideas

1. Look however don’t contact

Coral reefs are very fragile, so it’s a good suggestion to keep away from touching them. Take particular care when swimming over coral reefs, which will be simply broken. Don’t take something residence with you as a memento. The solely factor you ought to be taking residence with you is the reminiscence of your expertise, so make sure you take plenty of photos!

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2. Don’t anchor boats on reefs

As beforehand talked about, reefs are fragile. Think about the injury that may be executed by anchoring your boat to at least one. Be certain that you don’t do that beneath any circumstances. Anchor in a secure spot, the place you’ll be able to simply swim to the reef.

3. Use an underwater/waterproof digital camera

Spend money on considered one of these forward of your snorkeling journey, so you’ll be able to share the enjoyable with family and friends as soon as you come back residence.

4. Put on reef-safe sunscreen

There’s such a factor as scuba and snorkeling pleasant sunscreen. This type of sunscreen received’t comprise oxybenzone or octinoxate, that are dangerous to reefs.

5. Don’t litter

Go away every thing because it was once you got here, or in higher situation. Don’t throw your garbage into the ocean, and if you are able to do so safely, gather items of litter, or outdated fishing strains to get them out of the best way.

FAQs

How a lot does snorkeling value in Nassau?

Snorkeling charges in Nassau differ relying on whether or not you utilize a tour firm. Some individuals choose to deliver their very own tools, and snorkel without spending a dime from the seashore. In the event you resolve to go together with a tour firm, snorkeling charges for adults begin at $80 in some locations. Youngsters pay about half that worth. The worth additionally varies relying on whether or not or not it’s good to take a ship to get to your snorkeling location of selection. You may hire a wetsuit for about $12 at some areas.

Insider Tip: As a part of your all-inclusive bundle, Sandals Resorts provides its company a day by day free snorkeling tour. See Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Are there coral reefs in The Bahamas?

There are over 700 islands in The Bahamas, and that quantity will increase considerably should you add cays, and different massive rock formations to the equation. A lot of the islands are situated in shut proximity to vibrant coral reefs. In The Bahamas you could find over 50 arduous coral species, together with finger, mind, star, staghorn, elkhorn, starlet corals, and extra.

Why does a coral reef want safety?

Extra than simply being a house for varied species of sea life, coral reefs supply advantages to human beings too; they assist to guard coastlines from the damaging results of waves. With out them, your entire ecosystem would endure. It is very important defend them, as doing so additionally protects our livelihood.

Why are coral reefs essential to The Bahamas?

For The Bahamas specifically, coral reefs are an enormous lure for guests to the island. A extremely tourism dependent area, customer arrivals equate to huge cash in The Bahamas, and the reefs are an essential a part of that blend. As they’re a habitat for sea life, they’re actually undersea cities for many species on the meals chain. Any disruption in that might not be useful to the ecosystem, or the Bahamian economic system.

You may’t go mistaken with snorkeling in The Bahamas!

Whether or not you’re snorkeling as a part of a household trip, or a honeymoon escape with the one you like, you’re certain to seek out an incredible spot to take pleasure in in The Bahamas. The reefs listed here are among the many most lovely on this planet, and proceed to serve their higher function, in essentially the most mesmerizing method.