By Cindy Crane
Does anyone have recent experience boat snorkeling in Exumas Bahamas? I will be staying on a bare boat there in May 2026 with hopefully better access to some snorkeling spots in the area. We will likely explore most of the Exumas chain of islands, not just Great Exuma. Has anyone found any decent spots while there recently? Many thanks.
We’ve done the AquaCat multiple times (most recent June 2025) and are doing the Cat PPalu this coming May, 2026.
The places that stick out to us as the best snorkel spots are: Rocky Dundas, Thunderball Grotto, Jeep Reef, Lobster No Lobster, and Flat Rock Reef. Essentially anything that is a known dive site that is a) shallow (under 30ft) and/or b) sites that are usually considered “drift dives”. If they can be done at slack tide they are the best because the coral remains very healthy. You can always do drifts as a snorkeler too, if the boat crew is willing to pick you up at the other end.
Also, boats that do the Exumas often head over to the “foot of Eleuthera” if the conditions aren’t great in the Exumas. If so, the best sites if you end up over there are Jake’s Hole and Mermaid Lagoon.
Have a great trip!
I’m a long time snorkeler and have wanted to join the AquaCat for many years but wondered how being with all divers would work and also where to go. Your list is a great help!
One question: being older is there a good ladder for getting back in the boat and possibly going down instead of jumping overboard? Thanks Amy.
Yes, absolutely great ladder and the crew is very good about helping folks with mobility issues get in and out of the water safely and easily.
Thank you Amy! We did go to several grottos including Thunderball, but the best by far was Sea Aquarium off O’Brien Cay.
Oh thanks for the update! I’ve never been to that site! I will write it down for future visits, thanks!
Hi Cindy, I was in Exuma last December, but it was incredibly windy and most days we could not go in the water. So, alas no snorkeling. I was very disappointed, but taught me a lesson – go to bucket list epic places when the weather is appropriate for what you want to do. I do have to tell you that the beaches and water were incredible – some of the most beautiful I have seen in my travels…I hope you have a great trip!
Hi Janet, so sorry you had a disappointing trip. Hope you get to go back at another time.
We were on our sailboat from February to May in Exuma chain. Another suggestion would be the area of the abandoned research center at Lee Stocking. Be careful anchoring as there are many coral heads in that area. The Aquarium also is worth a swim around but tour boats also go there so it can be crowded. It has a couple of mooring balls to tie up to.
Thank you Sue. We missed Lee Stocking but did catch the Aquarium. You are very right about the boats there, but they were clustered around one small area so we swam quickly through them!