Eco Conch Cruise

OVERVIEW

Cruise the turquoise waters off Bimini and watch free divers harvest conches in the grassy shallows below the surface. The scenery along the way will be absolutely beautiful, especially the crystal-clear waters that are teeming with marine life. Conch are plentiful, but by law can only be taken by free-diving without scuba equipment. As you will see firsthand, the local Bahamians are exceptionally skilled at plucking these large gastropod mollusks off the ocean floor. Conches are so synonymous with the Bahamas that they have become a cultural icon. The meat is a staple found in salads, fritters, chowders and is even served raw with citrus juices. Conches are celebrated in festivals and parades and are vitally important to the local economy, the reason they must be sustainably harvested. The divers will bring live conches on board and describe their characteristics and how they can tell which ones are legal to harvest.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch free divers harvest conches in the grassy flats off shore.
• Gain an understanding of how important conches are to the economy and culture.
• See live conches up close while the divers describe their characteristics.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.