Rainbow Bay is a beautiful snorkeling location, which features the usual topography of the Caribbean coast of Eleuthera. Interesting sea life, including angelfish, lionfish and shrimp, can be observed along the rocky coast that begins near the beach. If we add the very easy access, and the fact that we get into the water from one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, this snorkeling is definitely worth the detour.
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Philippe Seve
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How to get to Rainbow Bay Beach snorkeling spot?
Halfway between Gregory Town and Governor’s Harbour, Rainbow Bay Beach is a popular beach on the Caribbean coast of Eleuthera. A small car park is available near the beach.
Water entrance for snorkeling Rainbow Bay Beach
You can enter the water wherever you want from the sandy beach.
Rainbow Bay Beach snorkeling exploration tips
The best snorkeling is on the left of the beach.
The very shallow waters facing the beach (zone 1 on the map) are an opportunity, if you look carefully, to encounter small crabs, other crustaceans, and juvenile fish. These are often gathered around the small rocks present here and there on the sand.
Once past these first few meters, you can head towards Rainbow Cay (route 2 on the map), keeping your eyes open for passing American stingrays. After snorkeling around Rainbow Cay (around which snorkeling is just average), you will reach a rocky shore, where you can encounter more interesting underwater life.
As often on the Caribbean side, the coast is made of a small cliff. Dug by erosion, it forms a rocky overhang, under which a shaded area creates a natural shelter for marine life. At low tide, you can snorkel under the rocky overhang, but at high tide, it is completely submerged and you will have to skindive a bit to explore it.
In the shade of the overhang, you can see many species of fish but also crabs and several species of shrimp. Continuing along the coast, you will see a rock that has broken away from the island, which forms an oasis of underwater life.
The fish are shy and tend to hide when approached, but if you are skilled in your stealthy approaches and/or willing to do a little skindiving, you can see Gray angelfish, Queen angelfish, triggerfish, lionfish, and huge schools of small fish. Turtles sometimes visit this area, where many gorgonians have grown.
After the rock, the coast becomes less sheltered and more exposed to the waves. Depending on the sea conditions, you can decide whether to snorkel further or swim back to the beach.
Restaurants and accommodations nearby
There is no restaurant on the beach but wooden tables equipped with umbrellas allow you to picnic in the shade.
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