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Turbine Island lies in the center of the archipelago of the Exuma Cays, a few dozen meters only south of Overyonder Cay. This tiny, unspoiled island is surrounded by shallow coral mounds, where lobsters, angelfish, butterflyfish, tangs and barracudas are easily spotted.

Queen angelfish and grunt at Turbine Island
Turbine Island’s reef is particularly lively.

How to go snorkeling Turbine Island?

Turbine is a tiny island located between Sampson Cay and Overyonder Cay, in the Exumas. It lies just 4 miles north of the very popular Staniel Cay.

This site is only accessible via boat (GPS coordinates 24° 13.2213′ N 076° 28.7217′ W). A charter could be arranged from Staniel Cay, Nassau, or Great Exuma. Anchor in the sand near the islet.

Turbine Island snorkeling map, Exumas

Water entrance for snorkeling Turbine Island

Water entrance is from a boat.

Turbine Island’s reef snorkeling exploration tips

The site consists of two larger coral mounds and a few surrounding bits of coral. It is not deep (2m/6ft to 3m/9ft), and thus made for good snorkeling. In and around the corals are numerous reef fish.

Most of the Caribbean shallow waters’ usual species can be seen at this location, including queen angelfish, French angelfish, spotfin butterflyfish, blue tang, sergeants majors, squirrelfish, wrasses, trumpetfish, and barracuda.

Turbine Island reef life
Angelfish, tangs, sergeants and butterflyfish gather in some parts of the reef.

Turbine Island is also a good location to spot lobsters. Most of them are seen concealed with only their antenna sticking out from below the coral. Sometimes, some of them make a brief appearance before soon retreating.

We do not think of lobsters as colorful, but spiny lobsters are quite impressive in color and pattern, with brilliant purple, gold and red markings. Because we are within a nature preserve, the lobsters here can grow to amazing sizes; elsewhere in the Bahamas, lobsters may be hunted on a seasonal basis.

Lobster in Turbine Island
A spiny lobster hiding in a crevice.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Turbine island is just 70m off the southern tip of Overyonder Cay, a private island with luxury accommodation for up to 30 guests.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth15ft/5m
  • Water entranceFrom a boat
  • Potential DangersCurrents
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsFree (with your own boat)
  • Restaurants nearbyNo

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.