Sandy Cay Reef
A protected jewel in Pelican Cays National Park, where pristine coral gardens shelter conch beds and schooling fish in water of impossible clarity.
Sandy Cay Reef lies at the heart of Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park, a protected marine sanctuary established in 1972 that encompasses some of the most pristine underwater environments in the Abacos. The reef has been described as one of the most beautiful in the Bahamas by professional oceanographers who have surveyed its coral gardens.
Centring on undeveloped Sandy Cay, the reef features shallow coral formations over a white sand bottom that allows exceptional visibility. Naturally occurring conch beds, dense schools of reef fish, and regular visits from spotted eagle rays make this a favourite destination for snorkellers and divers alike.
Protected paradise
Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park covers over two thousand acres of marine and terrestrial habitat, providing comprehensive protection for the coral communities and marine life within its boundaries. Sandy Cay Reef has benefited from more than five decades of conservation, resulting in coral coverage and fish populations that exceed unprotected areas.
The park prohibits fishing, spearfishing, and collecting of any kind, creating a sanctuary where marine life has become unusually approachable. Conch are abundant on the sandy patches, and grouper have lost their wariness of divers.
The coral gardens
The reef structure includes healthy stands of elkhorn coral, brain coral, star coral, and numerous soft corals and gorgonians. The white sand bottom reflects light upward, illuminating the coral and creating the vivid colours that divers and snorkellers photograph with such enthusiasm.
Reef depth ranges from just a few feet in the shallows to deeper sections along the outer margins. The variety of habitats within the reef supports over 170 documented species of plants and animals, including loggerhead and green sea turtles.
Diving and snorkelling conditions
Sandy Cay Reef is accessible to both divers and snorkellers, with shallow sections providing excellent viewing from the surface and deeper zones for those wishing to descend. Visibility regularly exceeds one hundred feet in the protected waters.
Current can be strong at times, so visiting at slack tide is recommended for the most comfortable experience. Daytime mooring buoys are installed to protect the reef from anchor damage, and visitors are required to use these moorings rather than anchoring.
Getting there
Sandy Cay Reef is accessed by boat from Marsh Harbour or Cherokee Sound, approximately eight miles to the south. Dive operators and charter boats include Pelican Cays on their itineraries. Daytime mooring buoys are provided for vessel safety. No overnight mooring is permitted within the park.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I collect conch or fish at Sandy Cay Reef?
- No. Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park is a fully protected marine sanctuary where all fishing, spearfishing, and collecting are prohibited. Look but do not touch or take.
- Is Sandy Cay Reef good for snorkelling?
- Excellent. Shallow sections of the reef are within easy snorkelling depth, and the exceptional visibility allows viewing of deeper areas from the surface.
- When is the best time to visit Sandy Cay Reef?
- Slack tide offers the most comfortable conditions. Visibility and marine life are exceptional year-round, though winter months tend to have the calmest seas.
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