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The Sapona was a concrete-hulled cargo steamer that ran aground near Bimini during a hurricane in 1926. Sitting in 15ft of water just a few miles off South Bimini Island, it is now a famous landmark in the archipelago and a popular snorkeling and diving spot. Snorkeling through the wreck, teeming with sea life, is a must-do when visiting this part of the Bahamas.

Aerial view of the Wreck of the Sapona
Aerial view of the Wreck of the Sapona.

How to go snorkeling the Wreck of the Sapona?

The wreck is only accessible by boat. You can charter a boat or tour from North Bimini (tours departing from Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina, from 90$pp). Sapona Wreck snorkeling tours are also offered by most cruise ships visiting the Bahamas (3 hours, 90 to 120$ per adult).

Wreck of the Sapona snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling the Wreck of the Sapona

You enter in about 15ft/6m of water, and can start anywhere around the wreck depending upon where you are anchored. There can be current as the tide ebbs and flows, but it is generally not too strong.

Bar jacks at the Wreck of the Sapona
A school a small bar jacks on the wreck.

Wreck of the Sapona snorkeling exploration tips

One of the great things about the wreck of the Sapona, a concrete ship, is that as a snorkeler you can experience a shipwreck up close. This includes being able to swim in and through the wreck!

A Barracuda at the Sapona Shipwreck
A barracuda stationed in the shadows of the Sapona Wreck.

You can comfortably snorkel throughout the interior of the wreck which is illuminated by the sun shining down through large and numerous holes in the deck.

Like most ships, the Sapona was divided into multiple chambers, and each seems to have an assortment of fish.

The wreck is home to numerous species of fish, including eels, French angelfish, spotfin butterflyfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, French grunt, bluestriped grunt, schoolmaster snappers and bar jacks.

Coral at the Wreck of the Sapona
Sun coral covers some parts of the ship.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

The closest accommodation and restaurants are in South Bimini, some 3 mi/5km north of the wreck.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth15ft/6m
  • Water entranceFrom a boat
  • Visitor numbersHigh
  • Access costsFree (with your own boat) or snorkeling tour (approx. 90$pp.)

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.