Athol Island or Blackbeard Cay to snorkel

[nansi]

Has anyone been to either of these islands off Nassau to snorkel? These are our 2 choices for NCL's excursions and we're trying to find out which one is the better deal. Blackbeard has a stingray "pool" (NCL's description) ...not sure what they mean by a pool??

Which one has the better snorkeling?

We'd really appreciate hearing about others experiences.

Pros? :) Cons? :(

Thanks all!

[scubagirrl]

Has anyone been to either of these islands off Nassau to snorkel? These are our 2 choices for NCL's excursions and we're trying to find out which one is the better deal. Blackbeard has a stingray "pool" (NCL's description) ...not sure what they mean by a pool??

Which one has the better snorkeling?

We'd really appreciate hearing about others experiences.

Pros? :) Cons? :(

Thanks all!

 

There's no real snorkeling off of Blackbeards Cay. You can swim, or snorkel with the stingrays for a fee, but their nothing else in the pen to see except stingrays. Anthol Island is just a few meters from the sea gardens. VERY GOOD snorkeling here. Bring along some breakfast cereal or bread and you'll have thousands of colorful fishes eating from your hand.

[nansi]

I had posted this on the Nassau thread but it was moved....couldn't figure out where to though LOL. Thanks to your response which was sent to my email box, I could click on the link and find out where my post went.

Thanks for the info...we're really interested snorkeling (not stingrays in a pen), so we'll probably opt for the Athol Island excursion. Unfortunately we have to book through the ship due :( to the noon departure time.

[Froufie]

Our ship does not offer Athol Island (just Blackbeard's Cay) and I do so want to see some nice fish while snorkelling. Do you know who this tour is being offered thru? (so I can try to contact and arrange something independently?)

 

Thanks!

Froufie

[christineann]

I contacted one of the snorkel companies in Nassau and asked them about the stingrays and was told that we would probably find it boring compared to the stingray sandbar in Grand Cayman. We went on the snorkel excursion recommended by the ship instead (booked it the night before we arrived in Nassau) and enjoyed it. It was a catamaran (may be the Seahorse).

[Dive Master]

Athol Island (the Sea Gardens) is a very nice snorkeling spot.It also is a great shallow dive.The maximum depth is about 18-20 feet.There is some pretty coarl structure and lots of tropical fish.The sight is close to Nassau and is in the channel between Nassau and Paradise island so the seas are usually very calm.Most ships offer an excursion out there or you may want to call Bahama Divers or Divers Haven.Sometimes the ship tours can be on a crowded boat.Anohter great option is Stuart Cove's on the other side of New Providence if you have the time.They offer a 3 location snorkel trip and the last sight is with the "Big Boys in Gray" (Caribbean Reef Sharks)!!!!