Snorkeling nut will I be disappointed

[nancyr84]

We are heading to Elbow Cay in June for our first trip. Was in the Bahamas many years ago on a cruise. The tiny island the ship stopped at was called salt cay and it was great. The water was the clearest I have ever seen. The last 3 years we went to St John and the snorkeling is great there. We are renting a boat but have somewhat limited boating skills, My husband has boated in Canada on the lakes and I have boated on local rivers. What do you experts out there recommend for the best snorkeling areas that we will have no trouble getting to from Elbow. Even thought I hit the big 50 this summer, Ican still swim pretty darn good and would like to add some great Abacos snorkeling memories to my memory bank.Any one out there been to both St John and the Abacos.
Nancy

[Jerry S]

Make your way up to Nippers on Great Guana Cay, some of the best snorkeling in the world right offshore :) Enjoy..

[abacomah]

I can't imagine how you would be disappointed with snorkeling in Abaco. We came for the first time in 1989 and have never vacationed anywhere else so I have not made it to St. John's. Work took me to Puerto Rico once but I scheduled a side trip to Abaco on the way home and couldn't wait to get there the whole time I was in Puerto Rico.

I would suggest you get the Cruising Guide to Abaco. You can find it on the yellow sidebar under Abaco Books (http://abacomessageboard.com/books.html) . I would also check on the Diving/Snorkel/ (http://oii.net/dive)
Scuba (http://oii.net/dive)
section and maybe go out with one of the Dive Boats to get familiar with the area. They do snorkeling too!

Also, ask away here. Members are also excited to share. I wouldn't be concerned about boating since your hubbie has boated on a river before. Just be cautious. The water is so clear it is deeper than it looks. Just be sure to check out the cruisin Guide for shallow areas and landmarks (rocks) you want to avoid!

[FarmerBob]

It doesn't get much better than the area around Johnny's Cay, just off the north end of Elbow Cay. Watch out for the coral heads while boating in the area.

[steamboat]

Make a stop at Fowl Cay Preserve (north snorkel bouys are very easy to get to but middle reef bouys have excellent coral) and run south from Elbow to Sandy Cay Preserve and snorkel that reef as well (watch the weather since this reef is exposed to ocean swells from the east/southeast).

[Racedude5]

A few years ago we went snorkleing off Lynard key and it was one of the best dives I have been on, ever. The reef rose up from the bottom about 40' down to break the surface in several places. We seen everythin from stingrays in the sand on the bottom to a sea turtle almost 3' across.
We were the only ones on the reef. We anchored behind Lynard key and swam around the southern tip of the key to the reef. If the weather is to rough to go out on the reef go deep into the Bight of Robison and take a dinghy or kyak into the creeks on the north end. We went in with the tide swam around exploring then when the tide reversed we floated out with it. There were a few deep pools in there with small collections of life. few 1 to 2' sharks with no teeth, and some lobsters.
Here is a GPS cordinate that will put you at the mouth of the Bight of Old Robinson n26 20.470' w76 59.660'
Have fun I know I have just recallin it

[two rock reef]

Nancy, I would have to agree with FarmerBob, The reef off of Johnny's Cay is great. If you are landbound on Elbow Cay, The reef just in front of The Hope Town Harbour Lodge is pretty good. Fowl and Sandy Cays are the best. I've seen more turtles in the seafans off of Johnny's than anywhere else in the Abacos. The water in the Abacos is beautiful!!! Bahamar (shallow water) ENJOY!

[Capt. Tom]

Nancy,

Snorkling in the Abacos is about as good as it gets. Don't miss the park at Sandy Cay, it is spectacular. Other spots I enjoy, the north end of Man-O-War, Nipper's, Johnny's Cay area, and the entrance to Little Harbor. Just some of the good snorkling spots.
Enjoy
Capt. Tom
S/V Chardonnay

[coldhands]

I've been to St. Johns as well as the Abacos. In MY book, the Abacos are more diverse, more spectacular, and more peaceful.

All the above named spots are awesome, you'll LOVE it. But to add - EVERYWHERE we snorkel in the Abacos has something interesting. Just outside Tilloo Pond we found a very cool octopus. Along the great big sand bar, where it looks like there's absolutely nothing, (name escapes me, the HUGE one that's south) we saw a ton of tiny flounders looking up at us. If you are near the water, get in and check it out!

At the park at Sandy Cay (watch the tides, they can get powerful and use up your energy) we had NINE, count'em, NINE! huge spotted eagle rays swim through the 3 of us all at once. If you've ever wanted to feel like you were flying, this was it!

You'll love it!

Kim

[marc]

don't leave out the wreck of the san jacinto at chub rocks. it is a world class dive site.
marc

[GROUPERPAL]

I have been to St. John's and I believe that the snorkeling in Abaco is even better! My favorite site would have to be Fowl Cay..

[menegaux]

Marc, can you tell me where that wreck is and how deep? Chub Rock, heard of it but have no clue where it is, yes I have a dodge guide but not with me.

[elcahun]

Also great snorkeling and a dozen mooring balls around Green Turtle. My wife and I are novice boaters but had no trouble grabbing them. I'll PM you some info.

[marc]

Marc, can you tell me where that wreck is and how deep? Chub Rock, heard of it but have no clue where it is, yes I have a dodge guide bt not with me.look up the history of the vessel on line. the depth is from 20 to 40' chub rocks are n.e. of whale cay off treasure cay. just line up the north end of whale cay and the north end of chub rocks. you should see the boilers when the depth is around 20'. drop the hook and enjoy the dive. it is close to the rocks.
marc