Snorkeling the Exumas Bahamas
The Exumas are a northern district of the Bahamas that are made up of 360 small islands called cays. Great Exuma is the largest cay, and the capital city in the district is George Town on Great Exuma. The islands were settled during the American Revolutionary War by Loyalists. John Rolle was a major figure at the time. He brought cotton and slaves with him, and, when he died, he left all his land to his slaves. This is why there are many towns and villages named after him.
The Exumas are not on the regular tourist trail, which makes them even more inviting. Many of the islands are privately owned by celebrities and others, and have been the location for several films, most notably the James Bond film, Thunderball and Pirates of the Caribbean beach scenes.
The native population was completely enslaved in the 16th century and the islands were uninhabited until the 18th century. During the uninhabited centuries, pirates used the islands for hiding treasure, and Elizabeth Harbor was a favorite stopping place of Captain Kidd.
Many of the islands are in the Exuma National Land and Sea Park of the Bahamas National Trust. The islands do cater to tourists, and snorkeling Bahamas is always excellent, There is spectacular snorkeling in the Exumas as well diving, fishing, kayaking, boating, relaxing on practically deserted beaches and, for a day off from the beach, there is golf.
Along with the idyllic environment, there are also amazing activities that are found nowhere else in the world. Thunderball Cave is also famous for its small, hollow cay where thousands of tropical fish are waiting to be hand fed by the awestruck snorkelers. Stingrays and sharks also wait for their fair share.
Saddleback Cay is a privately owned island where the giant nurse sharks wait to be fed in the shallow reefs on Half Moon Beach. Ship Channel Cay is another place with pure, white beaches, and the gentle stingrays gather, when the boats arrive, and hope to be fed by the visitors. They are used to humans and will let visitors stroke their soft skin. After the visitors feed stingrays for a while, the nurse sharks and lemon sharks will arrive, having been attracted by the feeding. At this point, visitors sit back and enjoy the shark feed show given by the guides.
There are also some land animals that enjoy interaction with visitors. At Allan's Cay, the Allen's Cay Rock Iguana (Cyclura cychlura inoranata), a critically endangered species, lives. The locals call them Bahamian Dragons, and they happily approach visitors in the hope of getting some grapes.
Snorkeling the Exumas Islands, Bahamas is considered one of the top reef and marine life experiences in the Caribbean. The coral reefs make up a magical underwater world for visitors snorkeling Exumas to enjoy, but they have much more to offer. Reefs are home to thousands of different species of marine life and function as a sustainable eco-system. They are also important for the whole ocean eco-system.
Many of the marine organisms use carbon dioxide that is in ocean water to produce hard shells that are a natural filtration system. They help reduce the overall carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. If these reefs were destroyed, the rise in carbon dioxide would have a detrimental effect on all life. It is estimated that a quarter of the world's fish breed in or near coral reefs. Often called barrier reefs, they also protect the island coastlines from erosion during storms and high tide.
Accommodations for visitors range from luxury hotels with five star amenities to basic fishing lodges, so there is something to fulfill each person's idea of the perfect vacation. The beauty of the islands is most apparent from the air when each island is seen like a jewel shining in the crystal blue water of the Atlantic Ocean.
An 18-hole championship golf course that was designed by Greg Norman is at the Grand Isle Resort and Spa on Great Exuma, and it is considered one of the greatest ocean-side courses in the world. The grass is seashore paspalum grass, which is green and lush and the fairways wind through the dunes. The six signature holes are on the edge of the peninsula of Emerald Bay and the final holes offer a real challenge on a rocky peninsula. Every minute on the course offers spectacular views of the crystal turquoise water. For beginners, golf classes are offered, and there is a driving range.
Snorkeling is the simplest and easiest way to enjoy the underwater world that surrounds the Exumas Islands. It doesn't require sophisticated gear or much training. For those who can swim, it just takes a few minutes to learn how to breathe with the snorkel. Children and first-timers can gradually get used to it and go farther and farther out. There are tens of thousands of shallow water sites that are full of coral reefs and marine life.
It is also possible to take a powerboat tour to other islands and see the great diversity of wildlife. Visitors can also pack a lunch and take a sea kayak or Hobie sailboat along with their snorkeling gear to explore around several islands.
The Exuma International airport on Great Exuma near George Town has flights from Nassau, Atlanta, Miami and Toronto. There is also a small airstrip on Staniel Cay.
For travelers looking for a secluded beach vacation destination as well as close encounters with a wide variety of marine wildlife, the Exuma Islands are the place to visit. There are many tour packages from which to choose to experience all the islands have to offer including having a private party on a deserted island, spending the day viewing the colorful coral and fish in the shallow coves, enjoying a fantastic grilled dinner on the beach that is suitable for vegetarians or visiting the many hidden caves and coves. Snorkeling Bahamas also includes swimming with wild dolphins, groupers and turtles. There is no other tropical beach experience quite like it.