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BREEF Raises Marine Conservation Awareness With Summer Community Snorkel

Published

4 months ago

August 12, 2025

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Over 40 people participated in the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) public snorkelling event at Sea Beach Promenade on West Bay Street. This event focused on giving participants a firsthand experience of the underwater marine environment—helping them not only see and understand the beauty and fragility of our ocean ecosystems, but also supporting one of BREEF’s key goals: getting more of the public in the water, confident, and connected to the sea that sustains us.

Before entering the water, participants were guided through safety protocols and an engaging fish identification briefing, helping them feel prepared and informed about what they might see. BREEF provided the snorkel gear, ensuring accessibility for all and making marine learning approachable and interactive for participants ages 8 and up. These simple steps serve as powerful tools for citizen science, ocean education, turning curiosity into confidence.

Participants snorkelled in the shallow waters near the shoreline, spotting coral heads, snappers, and grunts. Swimming among the coral and seagrass, the snorkelers learned how even the smallest structures support entire ecosystems. For many, it was their first time seeing corals in person, which transformed abstract conversation concepts into tangible, visible experiences in a living, underwater classroom. During the first week of crawfish season, BREEF especially wants the public to have a chance to experience first hand the marine ecosystems that sustain our coastal fisheries.

With the Bahamas once again facing a hotter-than-usual summer and situated squarely within the Atlantic Hurricane Belt, coral reef protection has never been more urgent. Coral reefs act as natural shields, reducing storm wave energy, protecting coastlines, and anchoring marine biodiversity. Due to the complexity and diversity of these ecosystems, they are often referred to as the rainforest of the sea.

As ocean temperatures continue to rise, BREEF uses events like this to highlight the critical need to protect these vulnerable ecosystems from both local and global threats. This experience opened up a new world for many first-time snorkellers. Several participants shared how amazed they were to witness marine life up close and how it shifted their perspective on the ocean.

Lyford Cay International School’s Eco-Club Coordinator, Vivian Proffitt, brought a few out-of-town guests to join the snorkel experience.

“I love the fact that BREEF is introducing so many people to the wonders of the ocean, because a lot of people have never tried snorkeling.”

“We brought our visitors from England to this snorkel, and we were all surprised at how much you can see so close to shore,” she said.

60-year-old visitor Mike Sonachan shared:

“This snorkel was a great experience you wouldn’t usually get in most places. BREEF helped to make it familiar and comfortable—especially if you’ve never snorkeled before,” he said.

13-year-old local participant Emilia Smith said that the experience helped her connect with the underwater world:

“It was really fun seeing all the fish, the corals, and the sponges. It was an overall calming experience in the water,” she said.

10-year-old first-time snorkeler Frankie Wright, said that the day brought a big win:

“It felt good, this was my first time, and I thought it was going to be hard, but it was easy and I got to snorkel more than once today!,” they said.

BREEF’s mission is not only to protect coral reefs but also to empower the next generation of marine stewards, starting with opportunities like this that allow them to interact with the marine environment, one-on-one.

Jasmond Collie, BREEF’s Outreach & Education Officer, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating:

“Hands-on experiences like these are some of the most powerful ways to inspire a deeper connection to our marine environment. It’s always rewarding to see participants, especially first-time snorkelers, [discovering] the beauty and importance of our ocean firsthand.”

As BREEF remains dedicated to empowering the community to take an active role in protecting the ocean, the success of this snorkelling event reflects the growing commitment among Bahamians to safeguard their marine environment for future generations.

For more information about BREEF and upcoming events, please visit www.breef.org and BREEF 242 on Facebook, Instagram and Linked In.