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Located next to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Headquarters at Warderick Wells, Judy’s Reef is a nice snorkeling spot in the area. Only accessible by charter boat or with your own boat, it is generally not crowded. Under the surface of the sea, you will explore a nice coral reef around which colorful fish gather. Small sharks often pay a visit to the location.

Snorkeler at Judy's Reef

How to get to Judy’s Reef snorkeling spot?

Judy’s Reef is only accessible via boat and sits just north of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Headquarters at Warderick Wells. It can be found at GPS Coordinates 24° 23.8118′ N 076° 38.4672′ W. It is possible to charter a boat from Staniel Cay, Great Exuma, or Nassau and visit numerous spots in the Exumas.

Judys Reef snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Judy’s Reef

Water entrance is from a boat. There used to be a dingy buoy, but it is no longer on station. As an alternative, anchor on the eastern end of the small island in about 3 meters/10 feet of water in the sandy area.

Judy’s Reef snorkeling exploration tips

From the anchorage area, swim the short distance to the edge of the island, and then snorkel along the edge of the island and as well as a short distance off the island. You will notice the seafloor drops away quickly to a deeper channel that runs past the island.

Traverse the north edge of the island, then turn around, and explore it in the reverse direction. Look out toward the deeper water for pelagic fish now and then.

Caribbean reef shark at Judy's Reef
Close encounter with a Caribbean reef shark in Judy’s Reef.

There is current which runs through the channel during changes in the tide, the current in the middle of the channel can be swift 1kt, but the site has considerably less current. If you are concerned about the current, snorkel it at slack tide.

The coral is fair. There are numerous soft corals as is typical in areas with currents, and fewer hard corals. Despite the condition of the coral, there are numerous fish: queen angelfish, gray angelfish, queen triggerfish, spotfin butterflyfish, and an occasional blacktip or Caribbean reef shark.

Angelfish and triggerfish at Judy's Reef
Tropical fish gather on the reef. Here, on the same picture, we can identify two species of angelfish, a triggerfish, a parrotfish and a wrasse.

There are also numerous smaller reef fish too numerous to list. One note is the fish are large which is likely to them being protected in park waters.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Judy’s reef is edging a small cay which is wild, with no amenities.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Protected areaExuma Cays Land and Sea Park
  • Maximum depth4m/12ft
  • Water entranceFrom a boat
  • LifeguardNo
  • 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.