Where to snorkel at Nassau?

[tflanag1]

My girlfriend and I would love to go snorkeling somewhere in Nassau, when the Carnival Valor docks there. However, it is a short stop -- only from 7 am until 2 pm. We really wanted to do the Stuart's Cove trip, but a rep of theirs told me that it would be cutting it too close, so they advised me to look for a different excursion.

 

We would still love to find a high quality snorkeling spot, and would love to snorkel with the sharks if possible (like at Stuart's Cove).

 

I've also seen a stingray snorkeling excursion advertised that sounds really cool. I've been to Stingray City in the Cayman Islands, and I thought that was amazing, so I'd love to experience something like that again. I believe that the stingray destination is Blackbeard's Cay. I have read conflicting reviews of Blackbeard's. Some reviews describe terrible biting beach flies/fleas, which make the whole experience dreadful.

 

My question to all of you is: Do you know of any snorkeling excursion or beach that would provide exciting snorkeling and would be able to fit into my tight time schedule?

 

Going to a nice beach with a snorkeling option would be fine too.

 

Thanks.