Thunderball Grotto

Snorkel into the James Bond Thunderball Grotto Cave for the ultimate Bahamas Day Trip. Made famous by the James Bond Thunderball film, this underwater cave is an adventurous highlight on our Bahamas Day Tours.

Thunderball Grotto is tucked in between two of the most popular destinations in the Bahamas’ Exuma Cays giving the area yet another exciting place to visit. On your way from Staniel Cay to Big Major Cay (Pig Island), you will be treated to a hidden Bahamas surprise.

Located just over 80 miles south of the country’s capital, Nassau, this hidden gem lies in one of the Bahamas most gorgeous regions but is quite well hidden for those who do not know about it.

Snorkel inside the Thunderball Grotto James Bond Cave

This is because Thunderball Grotto lies underneath the shallow Caribbean waters in the southern half of cays which trail the Exuma islands.

The Exuma Cays is made up of over 360 islands and cays in the south of the Bahamas archipelago.

Flying over Thunderball Grotto, the larger of the 3 islands

What is the Thunderball Bahamas James Bond Cave?

Thunderball Grotto is an impressive underwater cave system full of exotic marine life, bright colored coral, and even hidden entrances which divers go crazy about.

Inside the Thunderball Cave looking towards the Roof

Upon seeing Thunderball Grotto from the outside, you may think there is not much to the small island/ rock. It makes one wonder what the directors of the Hollywood hit initially saw in it way back in the Sixties before there were local guides.

However, as your guide will surely explain to you as you near it, what makes the grotto special is its unique interior and entrance points. Swimming through short underwater tunnels, fitting through narrow gaps, and with rays of light dancing through the island’s hollow interior, it is no wonder Hollywood producers saw this as the place to shoot the next 007 spy movie. It is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise!

Fish swimming inside the James Bond Cave

Pop Culture and Thunderball Cave

Thunderball Grotto got its name from the ever-popular James Bond cinema series in the 1963 film “Thunderball”. It appeared again in 1983 as a scene in the James Bond film “Never Say Never” which also had a novel to supplement the box office hit.

Exploring the many underwater passages into Thunderball Grotto Cave

In addition to the popular 007 films shot here, there were more Hollywood hits shot in the grotto such as “Splash” starring Tom Hanks and also “Into the Blue” with the late Paul Walker and Jessica Alba.

Because of its link to popular culture, Thunderball Grotto has become a hot vacation spot for celebrities and stars. It is not uncommon to visit the James Bond Cave and pull up next to a famous person’s yacht without even knowing. Once you visit, it will be easy to see why Hollywood pop culture has taken such an interest in this place.

The entrance to the James Bond Thunderball Grotto Cave at Staniel Cay

What to do at Thunderball Grotto Staniel Cay

Diving at Thunderball Grotto is considered some of the best in the Bahamas because of the kaleidescope effect which the sun creates under the water of Thunderball Bahamas. Snorkeling and simply wading are also brilliant activities to do here.

The hollow center and holey exterior create quite a scene of sunshine and reflections within the grotto.

You may be treated to an array of colorful exotic fish such as Seargent majors, yellow tail snappers, and angel fish.

Tropical Fish swimming inside Thunderball Grotto Cave

Bring a pair of binoculars and you may be able to spot private islands of celebrities like Nicholas Cage, Oprah, Johnny Depp, and Faith Hill.

It is only a few minutes’ boat ride from Staniel Cay which makes it a hot spot for many Bahamas tourists.

Useful information about Thunderball Grotto

If traveling to Thunderball Grotto to swim, snorkel, or dive, it is recommended to enter the grotto at low tide. At high tide, one must come prepared with scuba diving equipment as it will require swimming through tiny sea tunnels and emerging from the other end to reach the surface.

Swimming to the entrance of the Thunderball Grotto Cave

Perhaps one of the reasons the grotto is so popular is the fact that it is not easy to find and therefore the mystery of the place is heightened. The entrance is almost hidden by the sea — a picturesque place you would imagine a Bond movie being shot.

Nearby Thunderball Bahamas

There are several popular Exuma, Bahamas destinations located nearby the Thunderball Grotto which includes:

• Swimming Pigs Bahamas: check out Pigs Beach on Pig Island for the cutest Exuma pigs where they were originally found.
• Staniel Cay: one of the only islands or cays in the Exumas with an operating runway strip. Because of this, Staniel Cay has become one of the trendiest tourist hubs, especially during the summer months. Several shops and restaurants and even accommodation options available.
• Staniel Cay Yacht Club: popular yachting stop and frequented by celebrity guests. Sean Connery and other famous stars a part of the movie “Thunderball” hung out at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and you can see photos from these days behind the bar.
• Compass Cay Marina: famous for its habitat of Nurse sharks which you can swim with in crystal clear waters.
• Bitter Guana Cay: go looking for the endangered Norther Bahamian Rock Iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay, the only place you can find such species in the world.
• Pipe Cay: six miles north of Thunderball Grotto, you can find one of the Bahamas most gorgeous sandbars at Pipe Creek off Pipe Cay.

Thunderball Grotto Cave was made famous by the 1965 Thunderball

Getting to Thunderball Grotto Staniel Cay

Witness the Exumas from the sky; a place astronauts have called the most beautiful place on Earth from their view! And do it with the largest airplane viewing windows on the planet.

Visit Thunderball Grotto on a day tour from Miami or a day trip from Nassau with Bahamas Air Tours. Avoid the crowded ferries and unpleasant rides aboard your luxury 9 seat aircraft. You surely won’t regret the decision to customize your itinerary so you only see the Bahamas attractions which truly interest you, like Thunderball Grotto!

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