An 83-year-old American tourist has died while snorkelling in The Bahamas, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The man was at Great Stirrup Cay in the Berry Islands on Sunday, May 3, when the incident occurred.

According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, he had been in the water with his son shortly after 2:00 pm.

Police said the son told investigators he had moved ahead as they were finishing their swim, but soon noticed his father had stopped.

When he returned, he found him unresponsive in the water without his mask.

A lifeguard and medical personnel responded, but the man could not be revived.

Officers from the Bullocks Harbour Police Station, along with a local doctor, later visited a medical facility on the island where a cruise physician confirmed there were no signs of life.

The body has since been transported to Bullocks Harbour and will be taken to New Providence for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Police investigations are continuing.