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Philippe Seve
Philippe Seve

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Accommodation nearby

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Bottom Harbor Beach is an uncommon snorkeling spot, where you’ll see almost nothing but turtles, but like you’ve perhaps never seen them before. The very low depth (around 3 feet, depending on the tide) even allows seeing them without a mask. It’s important to remember, however, that this location is particularly controversial, as the turtles are fed by tour guides. To avoid encouraging this unethical activity, visit this spot on your own from the shore.

Green sea turtle at Bottom Harbor Beach
When not fed by the tours, the Green Sea Turtles naturally feed on the bay’s seagrass meadows.

How to get to Bottom Harbor Beach snorkeling spot?

We strongly advise against taking part in boat trips to Bottom Harbor Beach, due to the harmful and irresponsible behavior of the guides, who are feeding and sometimes even handling the turtles.

Instead, go on your own. Bottom Harbor Beach can be reached via the standard access (entrance 1 on the map) or one of the surrounding accommodations, for example, if you’re staying at Palm Tree Cottage (entrance 2). It may also be possible to access it via the small lagoon at the river mouth.

Bottom Harbor Beach (Eleuthera) snorkeling map
Bottom Harbor Beach (Eleuthera) snorkeling map.

Water entrance for snorkeling Bottom Harbor Beach

The water entrance is from a sandy beach.

Bottom Harbor Beach snorkeling exploration

The turtle spotting area is between the river mouth and the pontoon next to it, and for good reason: this is where day-trippers come to feed the turtles. It’s easy to see the turtles swimming around, some coming very close to the boats.

Juvenile Nassau grouper Bahamas
A juvenile Nassau grouper spotted near the pontoon.

Instead of joigning the many snorkelers and swimmers brought here by the tour boats, we advise you to wait for a quiet moment to explore this spot. Boats don’t usually stay more than 10 to 15 minutes on site.

Even when the boats aren’t there, the turtles (sometimes more than a dozen) remain in the area. Accustomed to being fed by unscrupulous guides, some will approach you to see if you’re going to feed them. Remember not to leave your hands open for too long, to avoid any risk of biting.

Stingray at Harbor Beach
In addition to the turtles, Southern stingrays are frequent visitors to the beach.

Of course, don’t take part in feeding the turtles, and don’t touch them. Try to keep your distance from the turtles, even if they tend to approach you.

Visibility in these sandy areas is very poor, but you may still spot one or two Southern stingrays, which like to hang around. Finally, for a little extra, you can have a look under the pontoons where small fish, including snapper, grunt and groupers, hide.

Green sea turtle in Bahamas
Turtles can be very inquisitive at this location.

Restaurants and accommodations nearby

There is no restaurant on the beach. The Palm Tree Cottage vacation rental provides direct access to the spot.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth4 feet/1.2 meters
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach or a jetty
  • Visitor numbersMedium to high
  • Access costsFree from the shore
  • Restaurants nearbyNo

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

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.