A Thunderball Grotto tour it’s an experience that all visitors to the Bahamas should embark on. Located in the Exumas, Thunderball Cave Bahamas is the place to go to see the rich marine life along with a sprinkling of Hollywood history.
Keep reading to learn more about Thunderball Grotto Exuma.
Thunderball Grotto Tour at Thunderball Cave Bahamas
Thunderball Grotto Bahamas: What Is It?
While you may have heard that an Exuma day trip includes a stop at Thunderball Grotto Bahamas, you might not know what that entails.
Thunderball Grotto Exuma is a system of underwater caves and is one of the many hidden gems in the region.
When you see the site from the outside, it doesn’t look like much besides a rock or a small island. However, once you get up close, you’ll quickly see why it’s so famous.

Thunderball Grotto Exuma is great for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Around the cave are several different entry and exit points. As you swim and float through these, you see the light trickle through at various times throughout the day. You also see all sorts of marine life.
On a Thunderball Grotto tour, you have plenty of time to explore the area and make the most out of your time.
Thunderball Filming Locations
What makes Thunderball Grotto Bahamas extra special is the history of Thunderball filming locations in the area.
The name of the caves comes from the 1963 James Bond film Thunderball, which used it as a filming site.

An Exuma day trip lets you snorkel around the Thunderball filming locations.
Besides that super spy flick, you can also catch some Thunderball filming locations in the 1983 film Never Say Never, as well as Splash and Into the Blue.
Its Hollywood history adds an extra layer of appeal to the famous site!
Thunderball Grotto Exuma: Where Is It?
As mentioned, a Thunderball Grotto tour takes you to the Exumas. This is a region of the Bahamas with 365 islands that stretches down into the Caribbean.
Besides the caves, the Exumas are also home to stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and Swimming Pigs Island. The area is also a great place to travel to and appreciate the authentic island atmosphere of the Bahamas.
The James Bond Cave itself is around 80 miles south of Nassau. Many people who travel to the area do so on a Thunderball Grotto tour.
These day trips let you visit the top sites in the area and then return back to your starting destination that same evening. They’re a great option for anyone for travelers of all types!
You can sign up for an Exuma Pigs day trip from:
- Miami
- Nassau
- Georgetown, Exuma
When you sign up for a Thunderball Grotto tour, you can get there by one of two ways:
By Boat
A Thunderball Grotto tour to the Exumas is a popular choice, but it’s not the best one (unless you’re traveling from Georgetown).
For one thing, the boat ride is lengthy. It takes a couple of hours to reach the Exumas from Nassau, and it’s not even possible to get there by boat from Miami on a day trip.
In addition, the boat rides are often uncomfortable and full of people. There’s no sense of personalization whatsoever.
By Plane
In contrast, a Thunderball Grotto tour by plane lets you avoid many of these issues.
When you fly by plane, you arrive to the Exumas in:
- 30 minutes from Nassau or Georgetown
- 2 hours from Miami
You also get to enjoy spectacular views out of the window and a more comfortable experience, in general. There’s even the option to sign up for private tours.
Thunderball Grotto Tour: What Can You See?
In the caves of Thunderball Grotto, you can see all sorts of incredible marine life. Whether you snorkel or just wade around, you can expect to see some of the following:
- Tropical fish (yellow tail snappers, angel fish, etc.)
- Coral
- Conch
- Lobster
The site is a must-visit destination as it shows that the beauty of the Bahamas is just as pronounced beneath the surface of the water as it is above.

Thunderball Cave Bahamas features abundant marine life.
The Exuma Pigs and Other Nearby Sites
When you sign up for an Exuma day trip to the James Bond Cave, that’s not the only site you visit. Whether you’re traveling from Miami, Nassau, or Georgetown, you also get to visit:
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- Staniel Cay, the gateway to the Exumas you fly into
- Big Major Cay, home to the Exuma Pigs
- Compass Cay, the place to go swimming with nurse sharks
- Pipe Creek, where you can find white sand bars
- An underwater plane wreck perfect for snorkeling
- Bitter Guana Cay, home to endangered iguanas
See the Best of the Exuma Cays
A Thunderball Grotto tour takes you to the James Bond Cave, home to marine life and fun Hollywood history.
Besides seeing Thunderball filming locations, Bahamas day trips also let you visit the Exuma Pigs and many other attractions in the area.
Reach out to sign up for an Exuma Day Trip or Pig Island tour today!