Where is the very best from the shore snorkeling in the Bahamas?

I do reef surveys throughout the Bahamas; the archipelogo has over 700 tiny to large islands. Which island(s) would you like info on? Robert

Not quite the Bahamas, but if you go a little farther south to Turks and Caicos, the snorkeling from shore on Providenciales is incredible! The White House reef, starting just 10 feet off shore from Coral Gardens resort, is one of the prettiest and most accessible we have seen, and was not damaged at all by the recent hurricane.

Robert. I have enjoyed reading a great many of your posts. I am trying to decide which Bahama island might work for us but I am overwhelmed by the choices. I thought I would try to narrow it down by which ones have the best snorkeling from shore since that is our favorite activity. We would like an safe island that we can explore on our own and snorkel from several different locations from shore..( like Grand Cayman and St John)

Mjulius1..I have read about the Turks & Caicos but didn't get the impression that there are lots of locations for good from the shore snorkeling. Am I mistaken?
Thanks!

Robert can probably best guide you, but I would also suggest looking at Eleuthera and Harbour Island, the water is so crystal clear that you can see at least 100 feet to the bottom.

There are some beautiful reefs just 100ft off shore off of Harbour Island that you can swim to, or you can take one of the dive ops snorkle trips out to some wrecks, including a civil war train, great story here, and it makes for an amzing dive snorkle site 100 years later.

Cocodimama on Eleuthera is right on the beach and you can snorkle right out to some nice sites.

On Harbour Island there are several nice places to stay in town and on the water, both harbour and ocean, and lots of good restaurants.

Have a great time.

tdelano; Good reco's posted. Wantsomesun's mention of the train wreck site off n. Eleuthera would satisfy your urge to see the underwater world. It's a study in history, too. During the Civil War, all southern ports were blockaded by northern battle ships, but the Confederacy used the Bahamas to their cotton and other crops for war materials from Euopean supporters. They often made the exchanges throughout the Eleuthera islands, and in 1865 a wooden barge left Eleuthera to run the blockade, but it ran aground in 15 feet of water in the Devil's Backbone. It carried railroad cars AND a locomotive engine. The Devil's Backbone, in n. Eleuthera has sunk dozens of ships since then. But, you can only get there via boat.

I enjoy renting a car on larger Bahamian islands, like Eleuthera, Long, Abaco, and Exuma, and tote my flippers, mask and snorkel. When I see a neat, deserted beach, I look out with binoculars to the darker areas, which may be sea grass beds, actual patch coral reefs (often only 10 feet in diameter), or merely beach rock. Then, I park and snorkel! In one day, on Exuma, I snorkeled in over 30 areas...all deserted, during a 30-mile drive. I Identified over 50 species of reef fish. Of course, every time, I had the local barracuda follow me like a pet dog. At any rate drive & snorkeling trips are fun, and adventurous.

mjulius; You HAVE to get the book "Water And Light" by Stephen Harrigan. It is a true account of all his snorkeling and diving adventures in the Turks & Caicos. It's a spiritual experience!

Wantsomesun & Robert: I greatly appreciate your replies and advice. Am I correct to understand that I could drive around any of the larger islands and freely and safely stop anywhere to snorkel? Are all beaches public? How would we determine if the area is safe? Our only other experience has been on STJ and GC and we followed guide books etc on where to snorkel. Please forgive my novice questions! Thanks!

Lol, I'm sorry, but having been there many times I can tell you that the beaches are safe, in fact most times you won't see anyone else on the beach at most places on Eleuthera. Harbour Island is also very safe, much smaller and you won't need a car, walking is the easiest way to get around the island.

Also the water taxis do a great job of taking snorklers out to outer cays and will leave you there for the day, bring food and drink and you have your very own island for the day. You arrange to be picked up at the end of the day.

Funny story and will show just how small and intimate the island is, there was a couple a year ago, and the water taxi forgot to pick them up. The inn keeper, noticed they were not there for dinner and made CB calls (everyone there has a CB radio, the boats, taxis, hotels etc) find out who took them out and the water taxi finally showed up around 8pm to get them, and they couldn't have been happier to stay on their little island all night, lol.

So yes I can say most of the out islands are very safe and laid back and quiet.

Hope this helps.

I second wantsomesun; the islands are very safe. Another "out island" that's great for snorkeling is Great Abaco, particularly the cays lining it's eastern shore. On Guana Cay, for example, there's a place called Nippers, which is a open-air nightclub overlooking a beautiful beach. About 60 feet offshore is a breat coral reef to snorkel in. If you rent a golf cart and travel to the northern end of Guana Cay, there's a resort called Guana Seaside. At the end of the dock, in about 8 feet of water, a local boy made his own artificial reef with stones and left-over building materials. I snorkel there whenever on Guana, and that one little spot has dozens of reef fish. The last time, two Spotted Eagle Rays showed up, and I literally swam with them and shot them with an underwater videocam. They swam all around me, circling and would follow me when I swam over the artificial reef. you just don't know what thrills you'll encounter. There's so many places! When you finally chose an island, let us know and maybe we can list some specific places on it to snorkel in. Robert

In addition to Robert's awesome info (I like the whole binocular-spotting idea for where to snorkel - thanks!), I'd like to add my experience. Several times we've rented villas on Eleuthera, and one came with a book entitled "Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera". We loved that book! Spent our whole week planning excursions around the next wonderful - deserted - beach. The safest island I've ever been to, although on our last trip the caretaker advised us that some "bad folks sometimes come over from the big island for mischief" he was referring to Nassau/New Providence. But we blissfully forgot the warning, and never felt any hint of danger, driving all over the 100 mile long island. We went to the Abaco's for the first time last summer, and while the snorkeling was excellent, the spots we found were all reached by boat, which is fun too, but not what you're asking... Have fun whatever you decide!