Arriving at low slack water we quickly set the anchor and dinghied over to Thunderball Grotto. The grotto, made famous by the filming of James Bond's Thunderball, has also appeared in other films, most notably Splash. Much like the caves at Rocky Dundas the grotto has natural light provided by various sized openings in the ceiling above. These opening range from softball to minivan sized skylights. Unlike the Rocky Dundas the cave is completely filled with water and lacks any areas for walking about. The grotto also has more passages and nooks that the Dundas. Multitudes of fish from small coral fish to nurse sharks populate the grotto and surrounding corals. These fish, save for the nurse sharks, appear to expect food from visitors. They curiously follow snorkelers and congregate in staggering numbers if bread or other food is offered. The light filtering in from above forms wavering shafts through the clear waters. The entire scene is quite spectacular. After a short time, the cave became crowded with other visitors. Anne and I made our way outside and were pleased at the health and variety of coral we found in the area.
Just off the rocky cay to the south of the grotto Anne found what she proclaimed to be the most beautiful coral she has seen on the trip thus far.
We plan to return to the grotto area before departing the Staniel Cay. The image included is of Anne just after our dive at the grotto.
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