This exciting snorkel takes you around the rocky headland at
Yawzi Point, the peninsula that separates Great
Lameshur and Little Lameshur Bays.
The best snorkeling is relatively far from convenient entry and
exit points. The seas can be choppy, and there can be some current.
This snorkel should only be attempted by advanced snorkelers,
and preferably, by those with the ability to free dive. It is
also best to snorkel on calm days, or when the wind is out of
the north.
Take the Yawzi Point Trail
about half way to the end (0.2-mile). There will be a spur trail
to the left that leads to a small well-hidden cove. Enter the
water here and snorkel south towards the point.
All along this coast are a series of large rocks with beautiful
coral encrustation. Further out, in deeper water, are patches
of coral heads. There are many fish in the area and quite often
you will see large tarpon, mackerels and barracuda.
At the rocky southern tip of the peninsula, are steep large
rocks, some of which extend above the surface. There are several
classes of colorful hard corals, such as pillar, elkhorn, star
and boulder coral. The rocks and coral heads are close together
and form ledges, caves, arches, tunnels, grooves and channels.
Corals and sponges encrust most of the rocky overhangs and undersides
of tunnels and arches. One short tunnel has an extremely beautiful
blue sponge encrustation on the rock walls at the entrance.
Sea fans, sea plumes and sea whips add to the spectacular underwater
scenery.
You can return the way you came or continue around the point
to the beach at Little Lameshur Bay. If you do continue on to
Lameshur Bay, think about shoes for the walk back on the Yawzi
Point Trail, notorious for small low-lying cactus, called suckers.
If there are beginners in your group, Little Lameshur has nice
easy snorkeling around the rocks just off the beach in calm shallow
water where they can snorkel while the more advanced snorkelers
can explore Yawzi Point.
