Snorkel· Exuma Cays

Norman's Cay Sunken Plane Wreck (Curtiss C-46 Commando)

24° 35.7′ N · 76° 48.6′ W

The most photographed piece of wreckage in the Bahamas - a Curtiss C-46 Commando that went down short of the Norman's Cay airstrip in 1980 during Carlos Lehder's cocaine-running heyday, now lying broken-backed in about 10 ft of turquoise water with a wing tip breaking the surface at low tide.

Exuma Cays

Practical

Roughly 10 ft depth depending on tide; the fuselage and one wing are clearly visible from the surface. Snorkel it at slack or on a rising tide - the current through the adjacent channel runs hard and there is small-boat and tour traffic all day. Anchor the dinghy in sand well clear of the wreck; do not tie to the aircraft. Sergeant majors, snappers and the occasional turtle live inside. Free. Sharp corroded aluminium - gloves and no bare-handed grabbing.

Best for

Iconic, easy shallow wreck snorkel

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