National

Ocean Cuts in the Bahamas… Do You Know Why They’re Important?

EXUMA, BAHAMAS – Ocean cuts are more than just waterways, they play a vital role in the overall ecosystem in and outside the ocean.

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2026

Sasha Lightbourne

EXUMA , BAHAMAS – Have you ever heard of an ocean cut and its impact on the marine ecosystem?

As our Sasha Lightbourne found out on a recent visit to the Exuma Cays, they’re important to balance out the environment.

Capt. Keiran Miller – Lead Tour Operator, Staniel Cay Adventures

“What we know as a cut in The Bahamas, it’s the space between two islands, is home to a healthy amount of grass, grass that attracts turtles, that attracts conch; it is a healthy functioning ecosystem”

Captain Keiran Miller has been running tours throughout the Exuma Cays for more than a decade,14 years to be exact.

He’s become an expert on the Exuma waterways.

He took Sasha and our cameraman to several cays throughout the Exuma Cay chain.

It was quickly found out that ocean cuts are more than just waterways. They play a vital role in the overall ecosystem in and outside the ocean.

Capt. Keiran Miller – Lead Tour Operator, Staniel Cay Adventures

“That’s where we allow all of that fresh water to come in from deeper water and bring nutrient rich water into the shallows to encourage growth of coral and then too these other types of aquatic life to exist in this area”

Captain Miller explained that all of that contributes to tourism in the Exuma’s.

Capt. Keiran Miller – Lead Tour Operator, Staniel Cay Adventures

“In the Exuma’s there is a specific type of tourism in the cays that’s aimed for on a much smaller scale and much more nature based as opposed to being to the resort all the time stuck there; its more about getting outside and enjoying the beautiful things that Exuma has to offer”

For him, protecting Exuma’s natural environment is important because as he puts it, it’s the best little place in the world.

Capt. Keiran Miller – Lead Tour Operator, Staniel Cay Adventures

“As I mentioned with the coral it’s vital to have that constant flow bringing in nutrient rich water taking out that sedimented water it’s kind of the lungs of the Exuma’s and the breathing of the ecosystem underwater”