Matt,

I'm not a pro, but the best collecting IMHO in the Bahamas would be on Exuma.
Stay in Georgetown. You can even rent a little powerboat from Exuma Dive
Center. The number of cays, beaches, reefs and caves is astonishing. I am not
an expert, but the species diversity is awesome. And oh, god, the
snorkeling!!!! The things you'll see!

I love the Bahamas and I've been to Grand Bahama, Long Island, Cat Island,
Conception Island(Divers take note, the Conception Island wall is
breath-taking), Harbour Island, New Providence (Nassau, skip it) and Exuma.

So far, for shelling & snorkeling, Exuma is tops! And the beaches are so
beautiful that you'll come home black and blue because you'll be pinching
yourself to make sure you're awake and not in a wonderful dream.

I'm going with Bobbi Cordi's group to Eleuthera in a couple of weeks, I'll
tell you how that pans out.

I hope heaven is as nice as the Bahamas.

Ellen Bulger