With the right conditions, the water off Eleuthera's southern coast is so clear that it almost looks like you’re wading into a sea of glass. You have an unobstructed view of the sandy bottom as your feet kick up small clouds. Then in just a few strokes you’re joined by tropical fish that dart into and around submerged rocks. Their colors come into focus as you settle behind your snorkel mask and watch nature's delicate ballet unfold.

At Princess Cays®, Princess Cruises' exclusive beach resort in the Bahamas, you can explore the shallows at your own pace or join a boat excursion to a reef off Eleuthera's southern coast. You might find tropical fish riding the waves closer to the beach, while farther offshore, coral formations shelter a wider variety of marine life. 

Here's what to expect from Princess Cays® snorkeling when you make port as part of select Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Key Takeaways

Princess Cays® offers sheltered waters and generally good visibility, making it an inviting place for beginners to snorkel.

You can rent snorkeling equipment, bring your own gear or join a guided boat excursion to explore a reef off Eleuthera's southern coast.

Tropical fish and coral formations offer plenty to discover, while guided excursions provide opportunities to encounter turtles, rays and other Bahamian marine life.

What the water and reef are like at Princess Cays®

Princess Cays® occupies more than 40 acres at the southern tip of Eleuthera, with more than a half-mile of white-sand shoreline. Its protected waters offer an inviting place to learn to snorkel, particularly if you'd prefer to get comfortable with your equipment before swimming farther from shore.

Melbourne's laneways, arcades and gallery scene

Across the city center, creative spaces range from grand 19th-century shopping arcades to laneways where the walls themselves have become canvases. You can experience several sides of the city’s visual culture in a single day.

Snorkeling close to shore

One of the pleasures of snorkeling here is being able to explore without committing your entire beach day to the water. Take a few minutes to adjust your mask, practice breathing through your snorkel and find a comfortable pace before heading into the designated snorkeling area. You don't need to be an experienced snorkeler to enjoy the shallows, but you should be comfortable in the water. Princess Cays® is suitable for learning, with plenty to discover close to the beach.

Visibility is generally good when conditions are calm, although wind and waves can stir up sand and make it harder to see. Check the day's weather forecast, follow posted swimming boundaries and always snorkel with a buddy. If you're entering near a rocky stretch, water shoes can make the walk more comfortable.

An underwater shot shows a child and two adults wearing masks and snorkels surrounded by a swarm of bright yellow and brown tropical fish in clear blue ocean water.
Discover vibrant underwater wonderlands at Princess Cays®, where clear tropical waters invite families to snorkel alongside colorful schools of reef fish.

What you'll find farther out

The guided boat snorkeling site offers a closer look at the Bahamas' reef environment. Here, gorgonians (soft coral-like organisms that resemble underwater fans) grow among coral formations and sponges. Mature fish share the habitat with smaller juveniles, giving you plenty to observe during your swim.

You can compare the available Princess Cays® excursions before sailing. For more destinations with different underwater environments, explore our guide to the best snorkeling in the Bahamas.

An underwater view shows large, intricate sea fans and vibrant yellow hard coral heads resting on a coral reef under clear, bright blue ocean waters.
Explore thriving coral ecosystems at Princess Cays®, where delicate sea fans and colorful coral formations flourish beneath sunlit tropical waters.

Start your Princess Cays adventure

View Cruises

Snorkel gear options

There's no need to fill your suitcase with snorkeling equipment unless you prefer using your own. Princess offers rental options for guests, whether that means providing you with the complete set or just covering a few of the essentials you might have overlooked while packing.

  • Snorkel Equipment Rental: The five-piece set includes a mask, snorkel, fins, snorkel vest and mesh bag. It provides everything you need for a snorkeling session, regardless of your experience level.
  • Snorkel Vest Rental: Bring your preferred mask and fins, then rent a vest for your time in the water.
  • Coastal Cruise, Snorkel Equipment & Float for 2 People: This all-day package includes snorkeling equipment, a float and locker access, plus two tickets for a coastal cruise along Eleuthera's shoreline. The boat ride includes commentary about the island's maritime heritage.

Snorkeling equipment can be reserved before your visit. Bring a towel and reef-safe sunscreen, and check the rental's cancellation terms when booking.

For more experienced snorkelers

For a dedicated reef excursion, Snorkeling at Princess Cays® (For Experienced Snorkelers) takes you along Eleuthera's southern coast aboard a custom-built, 42-foot snorkel boat. After boarding at the Princess Cays® marina, you'll receive a boat safety briefing before cruising to the snorkeling site. Once there, you'll have approximately one hour to explore the shallow reef. Among the abundant tropical aquatic life that calls the reef its home, keep an eye out for an occasional turtle or ray. 

After your swim, you can rinse off using one of the boat's two freshwater showers and then settle in for the return cruise to the marina, with coastline views to capture your attention along the way.

Designed specifically for experienced snorkelers, this moderate-activity excursion requires you to be comfortable swimming in open water. Snorkeling equipment, including a vest, is provided, so you won't need to arrange a separate rental.

A free-diver wearing blue fins and a snorkel mask swims underwater alongside a steep, colorful coral reef wall over a sandy sea floor.
Venture deeper into the crystal-clear waters of Princess Cays®, where experienced snorkelers can glide along dramatic underwater coral walls bursting with marine life.

A different way to meet Bahamian marine life

If the prospect of saying an underwater “hello” to stingrays has caught your curiosity, the Stingray Beach Encounter offers a guided opportunity to observe them at close range.

You'll walk to a designated enclosure at Stingray Beach, where expert guides explain how to interact safely with the animals. After putting on a snorkel vest, you'll enter waist-high water and form a circle with your group. Southern stingrays approach in search of food, giving you the opportunity to feed them under the guides' supervision. You’ll learn more about how they thrive in Bahamian waters and may have the opportunity to gently feel their smooth, slick skin as they pass in and around your group. The experience continues on shore with an educational session about other local marine life. 

It's an engaging alternative to traditional reef snorkeling, particularly for guests who want a more personal experience with the amazing wildlife of Caribbean coastal waters.

A large stingray rests on the light-colored sandy sea floor in shallow, clear water illuminated by rippling sunlight patterns.
Encounter gentle ocean wildlife at Princess Cays®, where stingrays glide gracefully across sun-dappled, shallow sandy shores.

Discovery that’s more than just surface level

There's something satisfying about returning to shore and looking out at the same turquoise ocean, now knowing a little more about what’s happening under the waves. So once your snorkeling day is done, settle into a beach chair, enjoy some complimentary barbecue and share your favorite discoveries.

Explore the Caribbean with Princess and find the adventure that awaits just beneath the surface.

Book a Caribbean Cruise
Two blue lounge chairs rest side by side under the shade of a tall palm tree on a white sandy beach overlooking clear turquoise water and a cruise ship anchored offshore under a bright blue sky.
Relax in tropical bliss at Princess Cays® in the Bahamas, where blue lounge chairs frame turquoise waters and a distant cruise ship under sun-drenched skies.

Princess Cays® snorkeling FAQs