Snorkeling Grand Bahama blue holes with drift and turtles

Five hours in the blue holes where the fish life runs thick

Snorkel the blue holes of East Grand Bahama (underground caverns where tidal movement stacks the fish life), then drift 45 minutes past sharks, rays, sea turtles and reef species, with a stop on Sweetings Cay beach. Pickup from your cruise port or hotel is included; the group stays under twelve; snorkeling equipment and life vest are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Blue hole snorkeling and beach time

• Pickup from cruise port or hotel
• Travel to east Grand Bahama Island
• Board boat and receive instructions
• Snorkel over blue holes for 5-10 minutes
• Drift snorkel for 45 minutes, see wildlife
• Stop at Sweetings Cay for beach time
• Return to mainland and hotel or cruise ship

The experience

The blue holes themselves are the draw: caverns connected underground that look as if they're boiling because of the tidal surge, which is why the fish congregate there. You'll snorkel over them for 5 to 10 minutes, then the boat moves into the drift: 45 minutes where you stay in the water and let the current carry you past sharks, spotted eagle rays, stingrays, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, conch, lobster and schools of reef fish. The wildlife list includes the chance to see wild dolphins or sea turtles, though neither is guaranteed.

Pickup happens at your cruise port (the white tent next to Harley-Davidson for Celebration Key, Bahamas Paradise and Grand Clasica passengers, the taxi stand outside your port for others) or your hotel, and the boat ride takes you to the far east of Grand Bahama Island. Once aboard, the guide runs through the safety rules before you enter the water. After the drift, the group stops at Sweetings Cay beach for time on sand before heading back to the port or hotel. The whole outing runs about five hours.

Snorkeling equipment and a life vest are included. Bring bottled water, it's provided, and wear smart casual dress to the pickup point. The boat takes a maximum of twelve people, and children from age one are welcome. A cash or digital payment of $25 per person covers the boat fee, collected on the day.

What’s included

• Pickup from cruise port or hotel.
• snorkeling equipment and life vest.
• bottled water.
• beach time on Sweetings Cay.
• live guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (5 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Sweetings cay adventure and eco tours

Is this one for you?Five hours leaves room for breakfast before pickup and a meal after you're back, so it fits a cruise day without eating the whole afternoon. The group maxes out at twelve, which keeps the boat small enough that the guide can track where everyone is in the drift.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What are the blue holes of Grand Bahama and why is the fish life so thick there?

The blue holes are underground caverns connected beneath the island. The tidal movement rising and falling through them creates the abundance of fish. They look as if they're boiling because of the surge, which is how they earned the nickname "boiling holes."

How long do I actually spend snorkeling in the water?

You snorkel over the blue holes for 5 to 10 minutes, then drift for 45 minutes, so roughly an hour in the water across the five-hour outing, plus beach time on Sweetings Cay.

Where does the pickup happen if I'm on a cruise ship?

For Celebration Key, Bahamas Paradise and Grand Clasica passengers, the meeting point is the white tent next to Harley-Davidson at the port. For other cruise lines, it's the taxi stand outside your port. Hotel guests are picked up from their accommodation.

What wildlife might I see while drifting?

Sharks, spotted eagle rays, stingrays, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, conch, lobster and reef fish are common. You might also see wild dolphins or sea turtles, though they're not guaranteed.

What's included and what do I need to bring?

Snorkeling equipment, life vest and bottled water are included. A $25 per person boat fee is payable in cash or via Venmo or Zelle on the day of the activity.