Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas

Thunderball Grotto

Thunderball Grotto is a hollow limestone cay near Staniel Cay in the Exumas, made famous by the underwater action sequences filmed inside it for the 1965 James Bond film 'Thunderball' and later 'Never Say Never Again' and 'Splash'. The grotto's main chamber is open at the top through skylight holes that beam shafts of sunlight into the clear shallow water, creating a cathedral effect. Snorkelers and free divers swim in through one of several underwater entrances at the surface and drift through the chamber, surrounded by schools of yellowtail snapper, sergeant majors, and angelfish that have been habituated to visitors. The site is best entered at slack tide, as currents through the entrances can be strong on the change. Snorkeling is the dominant activity but scuba divers also visit. The site is one of the most photographed snorkeling spots in the Bahamas. Visibility inside the chamber is typically excellent, and the combination of cathedral light, schooling fish, and the cinematic provenance makes it a must-do during any Exumas trip. Operators based at Staniel Cay run continuous tours, and Thunderball is frequently combined with the famous swimming pigs at nearby Big Major Cay for a full Exumas day.