Best 3 Snorkeling Sites in the Abacos, the Bahamas

If you're looking to chill out on some secluded beaches, do some snorkeling, and sip a cocktail or two, look no further than the Abacos. The boomerang-shape cluster of islands in the northeastern Bahamas, the Abacos is only an hour's flight from Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale or Miami. Unspoiled deserted beaches, pristine snorkeling sites and charming villages await your exploration, all just a short boat ride away. Here are some of the best snorkeling sites in the Abacos:

Mermaid Reef, Marsh Harbor

Your first stop in the Abacos would probably be Marsh Harbor. The sprawling town has a couple of good-size supermarkets, liquor stores, excellent marinas, and great restaurants. If you were chartering a boat or arriving on one, Marsh Harbor is where you would stop to pick her up or provision before heading off to more remote islands. It is reminiscent of a fishing village in the Florida Keys (Marathon).

We discovered Mermaid Reefs when we were anchored at Marsh Harbor, waiting for boat parts. While we weren't impressed with the beach, we were amazed at the rich colorful marine life. Imagine our delight when a school of parrotfish with their bright-colored lips greeted us. They were so used to feeding they swam up close to us, thinking we have food for them. We also saw pilotfish, butterfly fish, a moray eel and lots more.

Great Guana Cay

Make sure your trip to the Abacos includes a Sunday because that's when the locals and tourists converge at Nipper's Beach Bar and Grill on Great Guana Cay for the biggest party in the islands. Perched atop sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic, Nipper's is the quintessential Caribbean beach bar, perhaps the best beach bar in the Bahamas. You'll find fabulous food (awesome pig roast), great live music, and rum concoctions that trigger wild dirty dancing here, but don't let that stop you from your snorkeling adventure. At the beach below, you'll find healthy patches of coral reef, purple sea fans, angel fish, parrot fish, a school of grouper and moray eels. You may also see dolphins frolicking around here.

Sandy Cay.

Sandy Cay, part of the Bahamian National Trust's Land and Sea Park, is a must stop for any avid snorkeler or diver. It's only accessible by boats, and there are mooring balls to tie up to. Even with water depths of up to 20 feet, the visibility is amazingly clear. Beautiful coral reefs and fish of every hue and stripe will mesmerize you for hours. Our highlights include a nurse shark resting at the bottom of the sea, a green moray eel poking out from a crevice in the coral, and four manta rays gracefully gliding by. Remember to bring snacks and drinks because you'll be famished after swimming around this incredible snorkeling site.

Sources:
Personal experience
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