Many avid cave divers will tell you that there are several aweinspiring locations for underwater cave diving in the bahamas. However, one of the most famed and stunning sites to engage in this exhilarating sport is thunderball grotto or thunderball cave as it is sometimes called. The speargun sequence uses the golden grotto, now known as thunderball reef. Located near staniel cay, swim in through a hidden underwater entrance and admire the coral reefs and fish as well as the stunning scenery inside the grotto. Thunderball is a 1965 spy film and the fourth in the james bond series produced by eon productions, starring sean connery as the fictional mi6 agent james bond. James bond fan or not, thunderbolt grotto is a great place to snorkel. This isnt even the only bond themed site that you can visit on your staniel cay day trip. This was director terence youngs third and final direction of a bond film. The thunderball grotto is so spectacular that it merits its own entry. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. All rights reserved thunderball 1965 underwater battle 12 james bond sean connery 007.
The grotto got its name from the 1965 james bond spy. The movie that also has its roots in thunderball, the book, never say never again 1983, in which sean connery plays an aging bond, was shot in. Thunderball grotto, exuma cays just off the coast of staniel cay in the beautiful exuma cays, lies an underwater cavern paradise called thunderball grotto. Splash starring tom hanks and into the blue with jessica alba and paul walker were also filmed at thunderball grotto. Right next to staniel cay is the thunderball grotto, named so as it was the location for the underwater fight scene for the james bond movie thunderball. Play james bond at thunderball grotto grand isle resort. Since that time, thunderball grotto has been used as a filming location for other. Thunderball grotto in exuma cays what you need to know the. Silver springs boulevard, ocala, florida, usa underwater closeup shots ocala, florida, usa underwater closeup shots.
Its a short boat ride and usually the first stop on the day tour if the tides are low. The james bond movie thunderball was filmed here as well as never say never again, splash starring tom hanks and into the blue with jessica alba and paul walker. The famous snorkel spot at staniel cay is thunderball grotto, named after the james bond movie that sort of features it. All rights reserved thunderball 1965 underwater battle 1 2 james bond sean connery 007. It is an adaptation of the 1961 novel of the same name by ian fleming, which in turn was based on an original story by kevin mcclory, jack whittingham, and fleming. The grotto is a beautiful cavern inside where the limestone has eroded away to create this huge cavern with an open skylight in the center. Snorkeling and hiking the exumas famous grotto from the james. Clifton pier in nassau harbour is the site of bond and dominos underwater tryst, though the beach where they come ashore is the aptlynamed love beach its actually named for the love family, west of gambier village on the northwest shore of new providence. We stopped there on the the way returning north, it is right by staniel cay where we can fill up with diesel and water. This wondrous destination combines the splendor of the countrys unique landscape with the thrill of the world of james bond. Made famous by the james bond thunderball film, this underwater cave is an adventurous highlight on our bahamas day tours.
It was also the site of another james bond film, never say never again in 1983, also based on the thunderball novel. Hotels near private airplane swimming pig excursion. Thunderball grotto is a incredible underwater cave which has starred in not one, but two james bond movies. Thunderball 1965 is the fourth spy film in the james bond series after. Coincidentally, when saltzman invited him to direct dr. Finally, the thunderball script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the james bond movie. Photo courtesy of the bahamas ministry of tourism and aviation. The grotto sits over the caribbean ocean and is an elaborate cave system that is known for its diverse fish and coral reefs. Stay close to the cave when outside because current can be strong. Thunderball grotto was named after the 1965 bond film thunderball.
This incredible underwater cave starred in not one, but two james bond movies. Thunderball is a 1965 spy film and the fourth in the james bond series produced by eon. Thunderball grotto got its name from the everpopular james bond cinema series in the 1963 film thunderball. The fourth entry in the james bond film franchise was released 50 years ago. Goldfinger film bond is ordered to observe bullion dealer auric goldfinger. The shark tank is an aquarium for housing various breeds of shark, as well as an impromptu apparatus carrying out executions. Thunderball 1965 is the fourth spy film in the james bond series after dr. The only individual james bond movie to win a visual or special effects academy award. Thunderball grotto in the exuma cays is one of the best examples of bahamian beauty. Thunderball james bond 007 mi6 the home of james bond. At high tide, however, diving equipment is necessary. It was a mix of old and new, equipped with the same rear bulletproof screen as before, but including the newly added water jets.
Thunderball is a 1965 spy film and the fourth in the james bond series produced by eon productions, starring sean connery as the fictional mi6 agent james. Actually, i think that all the james bond films made in the 1960s in a. The estate on the north shore of new providence is all bricks and palms. It appeared again in 1983 as a scene in the james bond film never say never which also had a novel to supplement the box office hit. The cave that got its name from the james bond movie, thunderball, and as youd expect this spectacular filmset is unbelievably beautiful. I know, i know, i still need to get the cast names in there and ill be eternally tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to drop me a line. One of the most famous places to visit while staying in exuma is thunderball grotto. No 1962, from russia with love 1963 and goldfinger 1964.
Moonraker 1979 was nominated for best effects, visual effects, but did not win. The grotto is actually a naturally occurring limestone cave situated on the western coast of staniel cay. This incredible underwater cave starred in not one, but. Cue the martinis, bombshells in bikinis, and mi6 secret weapons. Thunderball grotto, near staniel cay in the exumas, was named for the james bond movie that was filmed here. After 50 years it might not be in its best shape but it still can be thrilling. In fact, the thunderball grotto named after the movie is a top choice diving. The grotto got its name from the 1965 james bond film thunderball. Thunderball grotto in the bahamas, just may be one of the most exciting snorkelling trips youll ever take the james bond movie thunderball was filmed here as well as never say never again, splash starring tom hanks and into the blue with jessica alba and paul walker. It was the first of main title designer maurice binders opening titles sequences, created in the form for which they would become most famous. The music was composed and conducted by john barry, and performed by the john barry orchestra.
This was the first james bond movie to provide two key elements for the franchises success. Dive into the world of james bond with a visit to the thunderball grotto, an underwater cave at staniel cay in the bahamas exuma cays. The grottos mystique is heightened by the small, almost hidden entrance. The james bond movie thunderball was filmed here which is. The story focuses upon spectre attempting to steal nuclear bombs from britain and nato and hold them for ransom. Thunderball grotto staniel cay 2020 all you need to. Thunderball grotto with staniel cay adventures thunderball grotto is a incredible underwater cave which has starred in not one, but two james bond movies retrace 007s swimfinned steps with an unforgettable excursion to this famous turquoise grotto. The best way to visit the thunderball cave is to snorkel in through the underwater entrance with the many tropical fish that live in the grotto too. Largos sharks are golden grotto sharks that are kept in a. It is advised to enter at ebb tide low or slack tide and snorkeling equipment is optional. Thunderball finds james bond matching wits with the sinister espionage organization s. In thunderball 1965, he was in the bahamas, playing highstakes poker at the tiny paradise island and fighting spectre frogmen and sea life in the waters near exuma cay you can visit the sincerenamed thunderball grotto, also featured in mermaid pic splash 1984.
On the trail of james bond in the caribbean, from jamaica to nassau. E, which stands for special executive for counterintelligence, terrorism, revenge and extortion. I had been planning on giving it a pass because its a huge tourist destination and i dont care to snorkel in crowded water. Thunderball grotto site for filming the 1965 james bond film, thunderball, swim through an underwater opening, through schools of fish, into this uniquely beautiful world. Thunderball was the fourth james bond movie and continued to star sean connery in the lead role. It was also the first to have movie posters which had panoramic adventurescene artwork. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Terence young, director of the first two bond films, returned to the series. Photo courtesy of the bahamas ministry of tourism and aviation cue the martinis, bombshells in bikinis, and mi6 secret weapons. Thunderball grotto in exuma cays what you need to know.
Awesome movies the james bond 007 classic thunderball. Thunderball grotto, the james bond cave at staniel cay in the. Thunderball is the soundtrack album for the fourth james bond film thunderball the album was first released by united artists records in 1965 in both monaural and stereo editions, with a cd release in 1988. How to visit the thunderball grotto exuma james bond cave. Infiltrate largos villa palmyra from james bond thunderball. The site was actually used for one of the actionpacked scenes in two of the bond films, thunderball and 1983s never say never again. Thunderball grotto, the james bond cave at staniel cay in. Thunderball grotto in the bahamas, just may be one of the most exciting snorkelling trips youll ever take. Nice coral and fish once inside and no need to be concerned about having to go under water to enter. It was for best effects, special visual effects, and awarded to john stears.
Get your dose of ian flemings spy from sean connery to daniel craig with our expert online coverage and a rich, colour print magazine dedicated to spies. It is a movie that has something for everyone, and ages well. The exumas abound with world class snorkeling and diving spots, but perhaps the most famous is thunderball grotto, named after the 1965 james bond film that used this underwater cave system as the shooting location for numerous underwater scenes. The iconic aston martin db5, that had been the highlight of the impressive gadgetry in goldfinger, returned once again for thunderball.
Thunderball grotto the official site of the bahamas. Thunderball grotto staniel cay staniel cay adventures. Thunderball grotto, an underwater cave thats been featured in two james bond movies, also happens to be one. This iconic rock formation first became famous from the 1965 james bond movie thunderball. It acquired its name because it was one of the filming sites for the 1965 james bond movie thunderball. Book your tickets online for thunderball grotto, staniel cay. Thunderball grotto, off staniel cay, the exumas, bahamas felix leiter rescues james bond to safety by winch silver springs 5656 e.
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