The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) wishes to clarify recent media coverage regarding Seahorse National Park at Sweetings Pond and Hatchet Bay Cave specifically addressing references to exclusive tours or pre-bookings associated with private entities.

The Cove Eleuthera has been a valued supporter of the Bahamas National Trust since the park’s creation. There have been ongoing discussions with them regarding tours for their guests once the park reopens to the public and there is increased capacity to manage visitation. Currently, no formal agreement exists with BNT, relating to exclusive tours, pre-booked experiences at Seahorse National Park or partnerships granting exclusive access. Additionally, neither BNT nor The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), which jointly co-manage Seahorse National Park has sanctioned or authorized the release of information suggesting exclusive access or advance booking arrangements for the park.

Discussions regarding future visitor access to Seahorse National Park remain ongoing. Any formal partnerships, access frameworks, or third-party and concessions programs will be announced following the completion of appropriate agreements, approvals, and operational planning, with input from the Seahorse National Park Advisory Committee which was formed in 2025 as part of the BNT’s shared management commitment.

BNT emphasizes that Seahorse National Park is a national conservation asset. Any future public access will be guided by conservation priorities, scientific best practices, and national park regulations.

Once the Sweetings Pond area of the park is formally operational for visitors – and when the necessary staffing, infrastructure, management protocols, and environmental safeguards are fully in place, BNT anticipates allowing guided visitor access that is equitable and non-exclusive. This is in keeping with our mandate to protect The Bahamas’ natural heritage while providing responsible public engagement. Presently, only Hatchet Bay Cave is open to the public for visitation.

BNT remains committed to transparency and will provide official updates through established channels as decisions are finalized.

For accurate and up-to-date information, the public is encouraged to rely on official communications from the Bahamas National Trust.

Contact: Keora Beneby, BNT Director of Communications , kbeneby@bnt.bs