Flyboy

We will be at Beaches Bahamas Jan. 1-4. In Jamaica, we really enjoyed the snorkeling at Doctor's Cave Beach because there is some reef structure, lots of fish, etc. (I realize it's not the Great Barrier Reef, but we don't have these experiences all that often and so it takes less to keep us happy.) Without getting to deeply into things like air and water temperature at that time of year, is it going to be worthwhile to bring our gear with us to the Bahamas just for some easy times off the beach -- or would we NEED to arrange for something more substantial?

wantsomesun

There are a couple of snorkle outfitters on Nassau that you might want to try. The water temps in January might be a bit on the cool side so a tee shirt or short wet suit might make it a bit more fun.

Check with the hotel for info.

Cable Beach really does not have alot of snorkling close to shore. The cruise ships go right by, so you probably won't see alot of fish close to shore.

You can take a trip to one of the cays and spend the day snorkling, but Beaches will know who to recommend and you can schedule it when you get there.

LUVvacation

Flyboy...Do you possibly mean Breezes Resort on Cable Beach??? I really don't believe that Beaches has a Nassau location. Or maybe you are going to Sandals in Nassau???

Anyway, if you are going to Sandals, they will have gear for you to use and should also take you out snorkeling on their private boat to the off-shore reef. Not to mention they take their guests over to a small island for snorkeling.

However, if you are going to Breezes, I believe they also offer snorkel gear, but they do not have a resort boat to take you out. We've been to Breezes 3 times and went out many times with a man named Capt. Paul, who has a boat the "NINJA" anchored on the shore right next to Breezes. He also has gear for snorkeling and shelling trips, both trips are a lot of fun. Many times we did both the same day with him. He walks up and down the beach looking for customers, but don't get the impression that he's just another beach peddler trying to sell you a bill of goods. He is legitimate and charges the same going rate as any other company. The last time we were at Breezes was in May of 2000, so I hope Capt. Paul is still in business.

The reef along Cable Beach is quite a ways out (only reachable by boat). It is a worthwhile thing to see, lots of coral formations and colorful fish (sometimes turtles and sharks too). We also spent a great deal of time just snorkeling along the shore in front of our resort. There is no coral along the shore, it's mainly a sandy bottom (with patches of sea grass) but an occasional ray or barracuda may go by.

If you can stand chilly water I would definately take the snorkel gear. We spent many an hour on Cable Beach with our faces in our masks. The reef on Cable Beach is certainly worth seeing.

Robert

Definately wear a shorty wetsuit. You'll see various fish if you snorkel around and keep observing as you explore the grassy areas. Every rock or object in the shallow grass beds will have a small, juvenile reef fish of some sort. You'll see many Houndfish, which look like elongated, thin barracuda, hovering just below the surface. Schools of Barjacks glide close to the shore, and an occassional barracuda will "tail" you for awhile. I've often seen Fairy Basslets and the uncommon Highhat fish in the "rubble" of broken conch shells and coral near shore off hotels around Nassau. If you enjoy snorkeling, purchase the book "Reef Fish Identification" by Paul Humann. Robert