Seahorse National Park: Exclusive Excursion
February 20-23 and June 1-5
Join marine biologist Dr. Heather Mason for an exclusive exploration of Sweetings Pond at Seahorse National Park, a saltwater ecosystem teeming with marine life. Managed and protected by the Bahamas National Trust, the park is typically closed to the public but will be open for this intimate experience.
During this four-day excursion, guests of The Cove will snorkel through serene, protected waters to observe one of nature’s most captivating creatures up close. Learn about ongoing conservation efforts to preserve this fragile habitat while enjoying guided excursions, educational talks and the natural beauty of Eleuthera.
Excursion Details
This experience includes three educational talks, three exclusive guided snorkel experiences in Seahorse National Park and a half-day tour to Leon Levy Nature Preserve. Provided with this experience are mask and snorkel, water shoes, wetsuit, floats and round-trip transportation to the park.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to Bahamas National Trust for development of this park. To protect the park’s delicate ecosystem, each four-day excursion will be limited to only six guests.
Dr. Heather Mason
Heather Mason is a marine ecologist and physiologist who studies seahorses and pipefishes (syngnathid fishes) to understand how environmental factors shape their biology and evolution. Her work focuses on the unique male pregnancy of these species and its role in sex-specific selection. Since earning her Ph.D. from Tufts University in 1997, she has studied the dwarf seahorse (Hippocampus zosterae) and gulf pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli). Since 2013, her research has centered on the “secret seahorses” of Eleuthera, Bahamas—a rare population offering key insights for global seahorse conservation.
Images: Shane Gross Photography
Protecting Seahorse National Park
Sweetings Pond is home to the largest known concentration of seahorses in the world and stands as one of the island’s most extraordinary natural treasures. As we share its magic, we are equally committed to protecting this rare and fragile ecosystem for future generations.