Beach· Long Island· Bahamas — Eleuthera, Andros & the Out Islands
Turtle Cove (Dean's)
23° 6.4′ N · 75° 0.8′ W · approximate
A mile-long cove right next to Dean's Blue Hole whose sheltered southern end, behind a protecting point, is calm, ankle-deep and carpeted with turtle grass where green turtles and their young graze a few feet from shore. The safe family alternative to the blue hole next door.
Practical
Position is approximate: a point on the OpenStreetMap coastline about 1,000 ft west of Dean's Blue Hole, derived from the Beaches of Long Island directions (the southern entrance to Turtle Cove is about 1,000 ft before the blue hole on the same road). Take the arched, signed turn-off for Dean's Blue Hole and Turtle Cove from the Queen's Highway at the crossroads by Lloyd's restaurant, roughly midway between Hamilton's and Clarence Town. The guide (2018) describes a little over a quarter mile of white sand at the south end that stays calm even with waves breaking over the point; at low tide you can wade several hundred feet out to the point. Further north the sand gives way to rock platforms; Hurricane Joaquin (2015) undercut the sea wall at the old house access, leaving a 6-8 ft drop, and parking at the south end is limited. Stella Maris calls it 'a beautiful serene half circle bay/nature pool' and My Out Islands lists it for snorkelling over turtle grass and shells. Do not touch or chase the turtles. A car trip from Clarence Town or Thompson Bay; no facilities.
Best for
Watching green turtles in calm, shallow water; small children
Nearby
- Dean's Blue Hole0.2 NM away
- Vertical Blue freediving competition0.2 NM away
- Lloyd's Restaurant & Sports Lounge (Dean's Blue Hole turn-off)0.8 NM away
- Clarence Town government packing house (produce and fish)2.8 NM away
- Clarence Town Public Dock & Customs (port of entry)2.8 NM away
- Erica's Bakery & Shop (Clarence Town)2.8 NM away
- Majors Petroleum fuel station (Clarence Town harbour)2.8 NM away
- St. Paul's and St. Peter's churches (Father Jerome)2.8 NM away