Why Snorkeling in Freeport is the Best Thing To Do
The Bahamas are renowned the world over for their amazing blue waters and beautiful beaches. Below the waterline, however, lies a breath-taking world of marine biodiversity. Anyone traveling to the Bahamas who doesn't take a dip beneath the waves will be missing out on some of the best attractions these subtropical islands have to offer. While you could survey this underwater paradise by scuba diving, snorkeling in the shallow seascape just off the coast provides much of the same wonder without the high cost of renting lots of heavy equipment and getting certified. Divers who have been snorkeling in the Bahamas can attest to the majesty and beauty of the varied environments and wildlife found in this sunny archipelago.
While you could snorkel on your own from the beaches around Freeport, with a professional tour you will be led to some of the best sites. For an exciting and family-friendly way to experience the joys of snorkeling Freeport Bahamas embark on the Fantasia, a seventy-two foot catamaran that will take you on a memorable sea safari. In addition to professional staff, who provides training and supervision, the Fantasia also has on-board thrills for passengers. After scaling the rock-climbing wall you can rush down the thirty-foot slide into the pristine waters for your snorkeling excursion.
The main attraction remains the spectacular shallow water reefs just off the coast of Freeport. The unmatched array of fish and wildlife teeming among the coral draws tourists from around the world. This premiere snorkeling location is just a short trip from the city and never ceases to amaze visitors who marvel at the diversity of marine life. Because of the relatively shallow water around these reefs, you don't sacrifice much by opting for snorkeling over scuba diving. Even from just below the surface you can enjoy the vistas.
The abundance of the fish and other marine life you can watch while snorkeling Freeport Bahamas is truly startling. Unlike many coral reefs elsewhere in the world, the reefs here are alive and healthy. As the star attraction for the Bahamas they have been protected for years by closely monitored mooring programs. The government recognizes the value of these pristine habitats and goes to great lengths to keep them healthy and attractive. The many species that dwell in these subtropical, underwater oases are far too numerous to list, but are all worthy of close-up appreciation.
The beaked parrotfish lives in the coral reefs and has adapted well to its environment. They live off of algae that grow on the coral reefs, which they eat by biting off small bits of algae-covered coral with their hard beaks. You can often find them by looking for the white, quarter-sized bite marks that they leave when feeding. If you are lucky you may get to see why they also call this the stoplight fish. When a red-colored male dies, often one of the green females in his harem will change both her color and sex to become the new red male.
Another denizen of the colorful coral reefs near Freeport is the endangered leatherback sea turtle. This gargantuan reptile can weigh up to 1,300 pounds and reach lengths of over seven feet! While they were once quite numerous in the oceans of the world, net fishing and habitat disruption have hard hit them. They lay their eggs on beaches and thus the eggs and the hatchlings often fall prey to predators or human activity before they ever get a chance to swim off into the ocean. Remember that they are protected and should not be bothered or harmed. The nests on the beaches and their precious eggs are especially vulnerable and you should never disrupt them. You can still witness these behemoth creatures in the waters of the Bahamas, and should not pass up the opportunity to marvel at their majestic grace and beauty.
You are likely to get to see the abundant stingrays that live in large colonies around the Bahamas. The most common stingray in the western Atlantic is the southern stingray. They love the sandy bottoms of sunny, shallow waters where divers often feed them. You might think stingrays are dangerous or fierce predators, but you would be wrong. They are graceful, gentle creatures that mostly forage for shellfish and small crustaceans. They flock to tourists hoping for a handout and even seem to enjoy getting petted on their leathery skin. The only real danger with this exotic and gentle creature is accidentally stepping on the spine of a ray that is resting in the sandy bottom, but this is a rare event.
Witnessing the glorious multitude of sea-life really should be the main attraction for anyone visiting the Bahamas, but there is even more on shore. Freeport has many resorts and beautiful beaches, all with easy access to the water and to opportunities for snorkeling adventures. Whether you choose to luxuriate on the Fantasia or book a smaller tour snorkeling Freeport Bahamas, you are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. Even if you are a beginning snorkeler with no experience, you can take lessons and rely on the professionals to point you in the right direction. So get your underwater camera ready and book that snorkeling tour today, because the lush waters of Freeport await your arrival!