Peterson Cay snorkel trip

An acre and a half of low, wind-built limestone a mile off Grand Bahama's south shore, and the only cay on that side of the island. It is the smallest national park in the Bahamas, though since the boundary was pushed out it protects about 1,000 acres of the sea around it. Bridled terns nest on the cay in large enough numbers to make it an Important Bird Area.

The snorkelling is over shallow sand bars and reefs just west of the cay, with hard and soft corals, reef fish and now and then a shark. A coral nursery south-west of the cay grows elkhorn and staghorn for replanting. Fishing, shelling and taking coral are all banned inside the park. The cay itself has almost no facilities and no warden, and the only way out is by boat. The usual trip is about three hours on a catamaran that leaves from the beach at Viva Wyndham Fortuna, with snorkel gear handed out on the sand before boarding. Water is provided on the way back; bring your own lunch. Some people paddle out in rented kayaks instead.