Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas is the name behind much of Nassau’s underwater reputation. Its base on the southwest coast of New Providence is close to the reefs, walls and sunken wrecks where film crews have shot underwater scenes for decades, and its Snorkel Bahamas Adventure is the best all-round snorkel trip on the island. The tour we link, sold on Viator with a 4.7 rating from more than 120 reviews, picks you up from your hotel, takes you to the harbour and runs out to a series of sites with about three hours of actual snorkel time. Expect healthy coral heads busy with parrotfish, grunts and angelfish, a site with sunken wreckage, and finally the stop that makes the trip famous: Caribbean reef sharks, fed from the boat, gliding below while you float on the surface or watch from the deck. Masks, fins, snorkels and vests are provided, and gratuities and drinking water are included.
How it works: hotel pickup and drop-off in Nassau are included, and the whole outing takes about five hours, with about three in the water. There are morning and afternoon departures, confirmation is immediate and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours ahead. Masks, fins, snorkels, snorkel vests, water and ice are provided, and the listing includes gratuities. Wetsuits are a small extra rental. Children under four are not allowed, and children must be with a parent or guardian. Boats can carry a large group, so it is not an intimate trip.
What to expect: the first stops are reef and wreck sites, chosen on the day for conditions, where the water is clear and the marine life is dense. The shark stop comes last. The crew feeds the sharks from the boat, and you choose whether to snorkel above them or watch from on board; the sharks are wild Caribbean reef sharks used to the routine and generally uninterested in snorkelers.
Making the most of it: you need to be in good health and comfortable in open water. Rent a wetsuit in the cooler months for comfort, wear reef-safe sunscreen, and never touch coral or sharks. If you are a certified diver, Stuart Cove’s also runs two-tank dives and shark dives.
What to expect
The experience
A guided boat snorkel trip to reef and wreck sites off southwest New Providence, finishing with a reef-shark stop.
Best time
A morning departure on a calm day, when visibility is usually best and the sea is flattest.
How long
About five hours door to door, with roughly three hours in the water.
Tips
Rent a wetsuit in winter, use reef-safe sunscreen and decide in advance whether you will swim at the shark stop.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Confident swimmers who want the best reefs near Nassau and a safe, guided brush with sharks.
- Families
- Good for older children who swim well; children under four are not allowed.
- Couples
- An exciting shared adventure, with the shark stop as the story to tell at dinner.
- Pair with
- A sunset drink at Cable Beach on the drive back east along the coast.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Do I have to swim with the sharks?+
No, you can stay on the boat and watch while others snorkel above the sharks. The sharks are fed from the boat by the crew.
Is hotel pickup included?+
Yes, pickup and drop-off at Nassau hotels are included. The trip lasts about five hours in total.
What gear is provided?+
Masks, fins, snorkels and snorkel vests are included, plus water and ice. Wetsuits can be rented for a small extra fee.
Is there a minimum age?+
Children under four are not allowed, and all children must be with a parent or guardian. Everyone should be in good health and comfortable in open water.
Can I cancel?+
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund. Morning and afternoon departures give you some flexibility.