Thunderball Grotto
Thunderball Grotto
4.5
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This fantastic underwater cave was used in the filming of two James Bond movies and is a must-see for divers and snorkelers.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
387 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
78
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
1
RoamingJustin
Washington, DC30 contributions
Jul 2021
Just amazing... but not for weak swimmers, or the faint of heart.
If the tide is low, you can make it into the grotto without diving, but it's usually pretty crowded. If you're willing, diving through some of the other openings is as exhilarating as it is dangerous. Thankfully, so long as you keep an eye on where people are, and don't venture into one of the many, many possible tunnels and caves that (appear) to leave the grotto, you'll do great. Luckily, there's a line that has been tied for you to follow if you opt to swim below the throngs of people attempting to keep their heads above water.
And once you're inside, it's just amazing. The fish, beams of sunlight, and crystal clear water are nothing short of beautiful and amazing.
If the tide is low, you can make it into the grotto without diving, but it's usually pretty crowded. If you're willing, diving through some of the other openings is as exhilarating as it is dangerous. Thankfully, so long as you keep an eye on where people are, and don't venture into one of the many, many possible tunnels and caves that (appear) to leave the grotto, you'll do great. Luckily, there's a line that has been tied for you to follow if you opt to swim below the throngs of people attempting to keep their heads above water.
And once you're inside, it's just amazing. The fish, beams of sunlight, and crystal clear water are nothing short of beautiful and amazing.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nikki1232008
Greeley, CO230 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
It is extremely easy to find as there are a few signs that show you right to the entrance. There are so many beautiful fish to see and they are right beside you! The cave itself is very cool to look at also but they really don't want people jumping into it, otherwise we would have. A couple people were there when we arrived but seemed to get busy with the tours around noon when it was low tide. Definitely check the tides I can see how this would be rough at high tide! I never really cared for snorkeling until we did it here!
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michelle u
Plymouth, MA109 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
What an awesome experience. Went here with the 3N excursion. Thankfully we got there a bit earlier (10 min) then other tours. Inside got very congested with people…almost dangerous. So many people, lots you could tell couldn’t really swim. Tours/ tourist need to away a where of all the swimmers. People driving with fins almost hitting others. Experience is for every age group. I don’t know if I would take a child under 5years old. We just left when we felt there was to many people. This review may sound negative, but truly I am so glad we experienced it. The 3N company was amazing! If you have the opportunity to see the grotto do it! It was easy to swim into grotto. You will love it… just know it’s a popular place! Have fun!
Written July 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristi B
1 contribution
Oct 2021 • Family
Our family went on a guided cays trip 8 years ago when my sons were 6 and 11. The grotto was part of the trip. We were not warned about how strong the current was. It was SO strong that it ripped my flippers off my feet while swimming. My 11 was with me and I was honestly scared for both of our safety. People in other groups got carried away by the current - past the grotto. It is the only time I’ve ever felt that I needed help in the water and I am an extremely strong swimmer. Cool place but you need to be VERY careful not to go when the tide is rolling through there. I hope this helps prevent someone from experiencing what we did. Go when the tide is low!!!!! So important!!!!
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert P N
Los Angeles, CA2,414 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Thunder ball grotto cave is pretty cool. There are two entrances or exits. The main one is where all the tourists come over from Nasau. However if you are on a private boat go the back side. The entrance can be confusing but look for the current and then suddenly the opening is in front of your eyes. Best to go at low tide. Easier to swim under You can swim inside or swim outside all around the little coral island. There is a hole in the top and occasionally ppl will climb up and jump in through the middle. Have fun.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
appenz
Menlo Park, CA70 contributions
Apr 2022
Beautiful limestone grotto about 1 minute by boat from Staniel Cay. At low tide you can swim in (at high tide, may need to dive). Lots of fish as they get fed, and an impressive grotto. Swamped by tourists, but still a very cool experience.
Written April 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nejc Draganjec
Skofja Loka, Slovenia187 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
And to great surprise, we were alone there. Just us and the guide. Entering this cave is amazing. You snorkel through a breathtaking display of rays in crystal blue water. And then you can sit on the natural ledge inside of the cave or snorkel around with many colourful fishes inside. There are also bats on the ceiling (stating that as a GOOD thing :)! ) and 2 small tunnels out of the cave if you feel more adventurous and you are a good swimmer who can hold your breath for at least 30s. Just be advised, corals are very sharp.
Written June 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James K
Clearwater, FL26 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We were out there in the early afternoon. On the way out our guide asked us if we were good swimmers and if we could hold our breath for two seconds. Long story short, you had to hold your breath and swim under a rock wall into a small antechamber (maybe six feet in circumference) and then under another another wall to get into the grotto proper. Once in there, it is very spectacular but the tide was coming in so the current was a moderately strong force going against us on the way out. So highly recommended but hold out for a low tide trip where you can just swim in.
Written October 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MountainManAIA
Las Vegas, NV43 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Excellent spot for snorkeling and exploring. Cliff diving in two spots as well.
Kid friendly and not too far from the pigs!
Kid friendly and not too far from the pigs!
Written March 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
symsdad
Penfield, NY175 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Spent three days anchored just off the grotto on the Staniel Cay side of the island. There are openings to get into the grotto on both sides of the island. Most of the tour boats drop off their passengers on the more open side of the grotto and based on the current when we were there, that's a good thing. The current on the other side was so strong that I couldn't swim against it. I just let it take me around to the other side of the island. Of course that varied with the tidal flow. At/near high and low tide, the current wasn't bad at all and again, it was never a problem where the majority of tour boats let you off.
Yes, you can go into the grotto without a mask, fins, and snorkel but you certainly miss a large part of the experience. There are large schools of fish that hang around in the grotto and you can't really see them without at least a mask. there are also some beautiful coral formations on the outside of the grotto if you have time to snorkel.
Yes, you can go into the grotto without a mask, fins, and snorkel but you certainly miss a large part of the experience. There are large schools of fish that hang around in the grotto and you can't really see them without at least a mask. there are also some beautiful coral formations on the outside of the grotto if you have time to snorkel.
Written March 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suhail K
2 contributions
Hi Michael, what tour company did you use? And did you come from Nassau/Paradise island by chance? Thanks, Suhail
William O
Venus, TX74 contributions
Fly, its a long boat ride and there are some charter companies who fly to Staniel Cay and have boats there to take you the 5 minutes to the Grotto. You cant get in at high tide without diving gear so be aware of the tides, low tide is best.
Mwiza T
8 contributions
i dont know how to swim, is the groto deep ? could i get inside without having to swim? could i possibly hold on to something on the side?
Donatella P
Los Angeles, CA115 contributions
The water is not deep but you cannot touch the floor so you need to swim. You should really make the effort to learn how to swim with fins and so you will be able to enjoy the grotto because the most beautiful part is beneath the water!
Does the 4c’s tour provide any swimming aids if you’re not the most confident swimmer but want to see the grotto? If not can you bring your own type of floatation device ?
StFidelis
Oakdale, MN150 contributions
Hi Lisa, I'm not familiar with the tours. We stayed at Fowl Cay where you have your own boat. As far as the Grotto, tours will take you during "slack tide". That's when the tide reaches it's lowest and there is little to no current. At that time, it's unlikely you will need any flotation device. It's very safe. There is no rule against flotation devices there, and all boats must have them on board per Coast Guard rules. So you should be set. Enjoy!
Jennifer_8710
Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
Hello! My husband and I are heading to Bahamas this summer and want to hit up Thunderball Grotto and Pigs Beach. Any suggestions on company to book with? What if we would like to do a private boat so can specifically see these locations?
Thanks! =0)
Jennifer
310scottb
Highland, IN98 contributions
Staniel Cay Yacht club was the ticket for us. Thunderball Grotto is very close to the Yacht Club, and Pig's beach isn't very far away either. Part of staying at the yacht club included a Boston Whaler for our own use. I'm sure they will rent you one, and maybe even provided a guide for the day.
Where do you go to book a tour? I am taking a cruise to the Bahamas and I cannot locate where you actually book it. Also, does anyone know how much it costs to do this? Please let me know. Thanks :)
KSaul
Roanoke, VA191 contributions
Also I found this online but Trip Advisor won't let me include website to this link...maybe you can find it online.
trubahamianfoodtours (main site)
discover-the-bahama-islands/boating-day-trips (then add this)
Trying to be sneaky!
Claudia
Dublin, Ireland240 contributions
Do you need to dive to get into the grotto or is there a passage where you can keep your head up to get in ?
Is it deep when you jump from the above?
Russell B
Hertford, UK13 contributions
The tour should definitely be able to point out the easiest path in, but it's quite visible. It is on the far side of the grotto from the Yacht Club (this will make more sense when you are there!). You shouldn't have any issues though, the waters are very calm for the most part. My wife exited via the underwater tunnel, whereas I swam/walked as my hands were full, and had no problems at all. And if you are concerned at any point there are plenty of points to hold onto, should you need a brief break. I'd recommend looking at some of the videos on Youtube, this should give you some extra reassurance.
Have a great holiday!
Heather74
Jerseyville, IL79 contributions
Is there a 1/2 day tour to Thunderball Grotto from Exuma?
310scottb
Highland, IN98 contributions
That I do not know, but I would expect so. We stayed at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and they provided a Boston Whaler for our use during our stay. I have to believe they would rent one to you if you'd like. It's an easy approach and plenty of boat tie off points, so if you can get to Staniel Cay Yacht Club, that would be easy, but I do suspect other places in the Exumas would get you there as well. I hope this helped...you don't need a half a day at the Grotto either. 1-1½ hours is more than enough. It may be a stop on a larger tour.
Dave S
Manchester uk1 contribution
Did you visit the Thunderball Grotto as an organised tour? We're staying ast Sandals Emerald Bay in October, want to do the Exuma Cays Ocean Safari but not sure if Thunderball Grotto is included
ACW0310
Adamstown, PA81 contributions
we went with Exuma Water Tours, I highly recommend them in their full day tour the Thunderball Grotto was included. I actually was looking forward seeing the swimming pigs, but Thunderball Grotto topped it all, definitely worth a visit!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Thunderball Grotto
- Hotels near Thunderball Grotto:
- (0.46 mi) Staniel Cay Yacht Club
- (0.34 mi) Serenity Cottage includes Golf Cart
- (0.34 mi) Serenity Dock House includes Golf Cart
- (0.42 mi) Palm Top Villas
- (0.05 mi) Magic Bus. Private 4 Bedroom Yacht in Staniel Cay, Exumas
- Restaurants near Thunderball Grotto:
- (0.44 mi) Staniel Cay Yacht Club Restaurant
- (0.46 mi) Bottom Line Resturant
- (6.36 mi) Lorraine's Café
- (6.36 mi) Deshamons Restaurant
- (0.60 mi) Taste and Sea
Thunderball Grotto Information
Excellent Reviews | 289 |
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Very Good Reviews | 78 |
Thunderball Grotto Photos | 140 |