The 10 Best Snorkeling Sites in Nassau

Published July 25, 2021

Simply told, the Bahamas boast some of the best snorkeling in the world. When mentioned in the press, the majority of these remarks focus on the undeniable high quality of the top Bahamian beaches and reefs, as well as the surprising sights it has, such as pink sands, golden shores, and swimming pigs. Whether snorkeling or scuba diving, The Bahamas’ 700-plus islands are uniquely designed to impress. 

Of all the underwater sites on the planet, you won’t find ones that are as extraordinary as those in The Bahamas. 

When snorkeling in The Bahamas, it’s critical to understand that your experience will vary depending on the place you choose. You’ll see plenty of tropical fish and coral in some regions, while more exotic sea life such as seahorses, angelfish, and lionfish may be found in others. Additionally, you might see a variety of sea turtles, squid, and small stingrays. To know which place is best for you, we’ve compiled 10 sites that offer the best snorkeling in Nassau.

Where is the best place to go snorkeling?

In general, The Bahamas is an excellent snorkeling destination, with hundreds of beaches spread over the tropical archipelago’s numerous islands. Nassau is home to some of the most accessible dive sites and reefs, which are teeming with beautiful underwater life. If you’d rather avoid the hassle of picking, you can book a tour through resorts or a tour operator who can guide you to some of the most incredible Nassau snorkeling sites. All beaches in The Bahamas are open to everyone, so you must have your own equipment if you go alone. While the view from the coast may not be spectacular, most beaches in Nassau provide an optimal snorkeling experience. If you have friends or relatives who own boats, you’re in luck because you’ll be able to explore some incredible spots for free!

What sites offer the best snorkeling in Nassau?

1. Adelaide Beach

Adelaide beach is located on New Providence Island’s south-western coast. This beach’s pristine and warm waters make it ideal for snorkeling. It is accessible by bus, car, or foot if you stay within reasonable walking distance. Many visitors report that this beach has a more ‘out island’ vibe than other beaches in Nassau, owing to its lower visitor traffic. The feeling of being on an ‘out island’ is more frequently linked with islands located outside of Nassau. During the week, this beach is generally deserted, leaving lots of areas for exploration. On weekends, this place tends to be more populated by locals. Adelaide Beach is ideal for novice snorkelers, as its shallow waters contribute to the beach’s family-friendly designation. While it may not be the finest location for rare underwater sightings, you are certain to see something interesting!

2. Cable Beach 

Cable Beach is an excellent spot for snorkeling in Nassau since you can rent snorkeling equipment directly on the beach. It is situated on the northern coast of Nassau’s western part and is reasonably easy to find whether you take a taxi, drive, or walk. Cable Beach is one of The Bahamas’ most popular beaches. If you are fortunate enough to locate an excellent day to visit, you may expect spectacular snorkeling enhanced by the quiet and beautiful seas. If you’re ready to explore, you’ll discover a few coral heads on this beach, and you’ll be able to swim right into a whole new world of marine life.

3. Cabbage Beach

Cabbage Beach is easily accessible from the northeast coast of Paradise Island. It also includes a variety of aquatic adventures that will ensure your beach day is a blast, even if you’ve come solely to snorkel. Moreover, it is surrounded by numerous bars, hotels, and restaurants, but there are also some quiet areas with excellent snorkeling. Take the stairs down to the beach, turn right towards the rocky headland, and you’ll find an excellent snorkeling site with plenty of potential sightings. 

4. Love Beach

Love Beach is pristine, gorgeous, and inviting for snorkeling enthusiasts. It is easily accessible on New Providence’s western-north shore. It is one of the less busy beaches in Nassau and is not very shaded, though you are unlikely to notice since you will most likely spend the majority of your day exploring what lurks beneath the calm azure waters. Love Beach is an excellent location for a day of snorkeling, with possible sightings of parrotfish, damselfish, angelfish, reef butterflyfish, grey and yellowtail snapper, and lionfish between the shoreline and the reef.

5. Clifton Heritage Park

Within the Clifton Heritage Park, you’ll discover the famous Jaws Beach, which was featured in ‘Jaws the Revenge’ (1987), a movie that probably scared lots of civilians from stepping foot into the ocean. Thankfully, most of us have forgotten about these Hollywood scars. Here there are no great white sharks. On the contrary, fish seem pretty friendly. If you float quietly for a minute, you may find yourself surrounded by different varieties. We’re sure though, that you’d love to keep your goggles on and explore the undersea. 

Clifton Heritage Park is located off New Providence’s western end. Just off the coast, you may find a gigantic underwater sculpture –– Ocean Atlas –– which is known as the world’s largest at 18 feet tall. It was made by Jason deCaires Taylor and, what’s more, is part of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden. However, you may want to change from snorkeling to scuba diving to fully explore this underwater feature.

6. Gambier Deep Reef

Some of Nassau’s most popular snorkeling destinations may charge a fee. This specifically refers to as part of a tour that leads you to the ideal place. This is not always a negative thing, since it may save you time from attempting to figure things out and looking for places on your own. Gambier Deep Reef is one of these places, located on New Providence Island’s northwestern coast. It is not one of the beaches accessible by taxi or car — it is only accessible by boat. The breathtaking snorkeling spot is located approximately nine kilometers from downtown Nassau. The reef itself descends approximately 80 feet, which appeals to scuba divers. Moreover, snorkelers will be equally pleased with the sights and variety of fish found in the top region of the coral reef.

7. Goulding Cay Reef

Snorkeling, in its purest form, is the exploration of marine life’s habitats. Reefs are frequently vibrant and lively, and can frequently appear to be entirely distinct worlds. This is how a visit to Goulding Cay Reef feels like; it is like exploring something so strange that it’s difficult to believe it exists. Goulding Cay is located on the western tip of New Providence, less than an hour from downtown Nassau. This shallow reef is popular with both novice and professional snorkelers and has previously been recognized as one of the world’s top shallow water snorkeling destinations. The reef is primarily composed of elkhorn coral, and it is surrounded by an abundance of fish. The shallow depth of this reef makes it suited for all ages and facilitates interaction with the rich marine species present here.

8. Rose Island Reef

The Rose Island Reef is another reef that can be accessible only by boat while in Nassau. Snorkelers of all levels agree that this site, located around three miles east of Paradise Island, is not to be missed. Indeed, many believe that snorkeling here ranks highly on a global scale, not simply in the Caribbean. Top three for a reason; shallower reef compared to most, making it easier to explore while discovering the best of the ocean’s wildlife. Not only will you find tropical fish here, but also two shipwrecks – The Mahoney and The Alcora – that are well-known for snorkeling and scuba diving. Because Rose Island is a rather distant beach, you’re more likely to have the beach to yourself unless you join a tour.

9. The Andros Barrier Reef

With a length of 190 miles, the Andros Barrier Reef is one of the most popular diving destinations in The Bahamas. It is highly recommended for Nassau snorkeling, as it is the world’s third-largest reef complex. It is located west and south of New Providence Island, parallel to Andros Island. Due to the fact that the Andros Barrier Reef is only accessible by boat, you must arrange a tour in advance. The reef stretches for around 124 miles and is divided into zones such as the shallow lagoon (which includes mangrove areas), the back reef, and the inner fore reef. This site is home to approximately 150 kinds of fish, including tarpons, marlins, tunas, sailfish, and snappers, as well as numerous coral species. Additionally, the Andros Barrier Reef has the Tongue of the Ocean ‘drop-off,’ a submerged cliff approximately 65 feet below the surface that extends 6,000 feet over the edge. The travel duration from Nassau to Andros is approximately two hours via fast ferry, which costs around $45 for each trip. 

10. Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

It’s difficult to find a better snorkeling location in The Bahamas than Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. It is a popular alternative for travelers to the islands looking for an all-encompassing snorkeling experience that also includes other side attractions within a 22-mile-long park. The famous 176-square-mile Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is home to multiple blue holes that contain freshwater, land and sea caves, and numerous awe-inspiring underwater drop-offs. This celebrity-inspiring setting has served as the backdrop for films such as James Bond’s ‘Thunderball‘ and ‘Never Say Never Again‘. Both were taken at the Thunderball Grotto marine grotto, which is a must-see for anyone snorkeling in this area. When it comes to snorkeling, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park are exceptional! The travel duration from Nassau to Staniel Cay, Exuma, is approximately 2.5 hours via fast boat, which costs approximately $45 for each trip.