Snorkel· Royal Island· Bahamas — Eleuthera, Andros & the Out Islands
Royal Island north-side reefs snorkel
25° 31.9′ N · 76° 48.6′ W · approximate
Patch reefs and coral heads around the north and east sides of Royal Island, reached by dinghy from the harbour, with big fish schools, lobster and moray eels.
Practical
Coordinate approx: the ActiveCaptain 'Royal Island East' anchorage, whose reviewer said 'make sure to snorkel the reefs'; the individual heads are not charted. A 2013 reviewer called the north-side reefs 'some of the best snorkeling in the universe', and a 2025 visitor found excellent fish near the abandoned jetty and lobster and a large moray on coral heads further out, though visibility was poor after a cold front. Go in calm weather; the north side faces the ocean reef and swell wraps in during northerlies. Follow Bahamas fisheries rules and the crawfish season (see the Spanish Wells lobster fleet entry) if you take anything.
Best for
Dinghy snorkel from the Royal Island anchorage
Nearby
- Royal Island East AnchorageRight here
- Russell Island Sandbar Anchorage1 NM away
- The Sandbar (Russell Island)1 NM away
- Winter cold fronts (north Eleuthera exposure)1.1 NM away
- Meeks Patch West Anchorage (Pig Beach)1.6 NM away
- Lutra Sails1.7 NM away
- Meeks Patch Swimming Pigs1.7 NM away
- Meeks Patch East Anchorage2 NM away