Spelunking the Thunderball Grotto, Staniel Cay, Exuma, Bahamas

Snorkel spelunking… that’s a thing right?

Well, it’s what Ben and I did while visiting Staniel Cay, in the Exuma Islands of the Bahamas at the Thunderball Grotto.

The Thunderball Grotto is a large limestone cavern just next to the popular cruising island of Staniel Cay. The grotto is a unique, mysterious, natural cave structure, which should only be accessed during slack tide so that one can find the ominous entrance. Once you find the entrance, you must swim through a narrow passageway to access the breathtaking main cavern, which is open at the top. The amazing Grotto has been featured in several Hollywood films, including two James Bond hits, “Thunderball” and “Never Say Never Again.”

Ben and I decided we couldn’t miss this natural beauty, and decided to see it the day of our departure from Staniel Cay. On sunrise, we packed up our dinghy, snorkel gear, and our friends Michelle and Dan (a couple honeymooners from California we had met at the Yacht Club), and headed for the grotto.

The grotto was truly a breathtaking sight and we were glad we pulled ourselves out of bed at 6 AM to swim it.

Having seen all there was to see at Staniel Cay, we raised our sails and headed on south, towards the Black Point Settlement on Great Guana Cay.

Thanks for reading!

Ben, Quinn and Ruca

#destinations #Bahamas