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Last updated on June 10, 2022
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.
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.
Water entrance is from a boat.
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 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.
Turbine island is just 70m off the southern tip of Overyonder Cay, a private island with luxury accommodation for up to 30 guests.
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.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
