Plongée à Thunderball Grotto — Bahamas

Thunderball Grotto is a sea-level cave in the Exumas that featured in the James Bond film Thunderball and the more recent After the Sunset. At low tide, you swim into the hollow rock to find shafts of sunlight piercing through holes in the ceiling, illuminating schools of tropical fish. More snorkeling than diving, but utterly cinematic.

Score
61.6
Visibilité
9–24m
Température
24–27°C
Meilleurs mois
November, December, January
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World Class
Intermediate
Thunderball Grotto
BahamasCaribbean
61.6

SCORE

23.8858°N

-76.1644°E

Thunderball Grotto is a sea-level cave in the Exumas that featured in the James Bond film Thunderball and the more recent After the Sunset. At low tide, you swim into the hollow rock to find shafts of sunlight piercing through holes in the ceiling, illuminating schools of tropical fish. More snorkeling than diving, but utterly cinematic.

The James Bond Snorkeling Site

Visibility9–24 m
Temperature24–27°C
Max Depth5 m
Currentmoderate
2-Tank Dive$80
Best MonthsNovember, December, January, February
CertificationOpen WaterIntermediate

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML47.0CH71.0VIS67.0SV55.0TMP70.0DA42.0OP78.0TS66.0GT68.0VAL58.0CRD57.0SP57.0

Marine Life

47.0

Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.

Species Diversity
48
Megafauna Encounters
56
Reef Fish Abundance
74
Macro Life
0
Endemic Species
35
Marine Life Diversity
47.0
Coral & Reef Health
71.0
Visibility & Conditions
67.0
Dive Site Variety
55.0
Water Temperature
70.0
Depth & Access
42.0
Operator Quality
78.0
Topside Experience
66.0
Getting There
68.0
Value & Cost
58.0
Crowding
57.0
Social Proof
57.0

Dive Types

reefdriftcavepelagic

Traveling with Non-Divers?

Your non-diving travel companions will find plenty to enjoy topside while you're underwater. Here are some activities to consider.

Activities for Non-Divers

swimming through Thunderball GrottoExuma Cays pig beach (swimming pigs)nurse shark feeding at Compass Caysandbar hoppingyacht charter

Nearby Cultural Sites

  • James Bond film location
  • Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Non-Diver Score

8/10

Excellent for non-divers — they'll love it here.

Family FriendlyYes
Restaurants & Nightlifemoderate

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber150 km — Bahamas Hyperbaric Centre, Nassau
Nearest Hospital60 km

Tiny clinic on Staniel Cay; flight to Nassau (30 min) for hospital and chamber

Skill LevelIntermediate
Current Strengthmoderate

Top Operators

Exuma Water Sports

PADI

4.6
120 reviews