Diving in Turks & Caicos
The Turks and Caicos islands are made up of 40 islands and small cayes, with most of the resort development centered on the island of Providenciales, which is often called Provo. From shops in the Grace Bay area, dive operators make quick runs to an expansive area of spur-and-groove coral formations that drop from depths of 30 to 100 feet. These reefs are dominated by star and pillar corals, and covered in sea rods and gorgonians. Profiles are relaxing and suitable for all divers, and in summer month there is a good chance of seeing reef sharks, as pregnant females move into the warm, protected waters of the bay to rest while gestating. This area is also a favorite for night dives. A bit farther from shore, a large sea mount rises from deep water to within 45 feet of the surface. The top and sides of this formation are cut by exaggerated coral ridges and valleys that attract a wide range of sea life, including groupers that pause at cleaning stations along the reef crests. A half hour run to the west, Provo's Northwest Point is a realm of swim-throughs, caverns and canyons that lead to steep walls. This area is known for abundant fish life, and includes many of the island's signature sites, with names such as Thunderdome, Chimney, The Crack, Hole in da Wall, Shark Hotel, Black Coral Forest. After free-falling down vertical cliffs covered in huge barrel and orange elephant ear sponges, tube sponges and in many places black coral trees, divers can thread their way back upward through indentions, chimneys and splits in the wall that lead to shallow reefs where bottom times can be stretched to upwards of an hour. Liveaboards and day boats making an all-day trip will find some of the most dramatic walls along the shores of uninhabited West Caicos and tiny French Cay. In addition to a full range of reef species, these sites offer eagle rays, turtles, sharks and passing pelagics, including rare but possible sightings of manta rays, blue sharks and whale sharks. More consistent are the gray reefs that cruise the middle depths. The humpback whales that migrate through these waters rarely come close enough to the walls to be seen, but their songs can often be heard by divers. The island of Grand Turk sits 22 miles to the east of the Caicos Bank, across a 7,000-foot deep channel that rises abruptly to depths of less than 40 feet just a short way off Grand Turk's white sand beaches. This puts prime dive sites within a very quick boat ride from shore. More than just a straight drop, this wall is perforated by wide canyons and amphitheater-like indentions, with surfaces riddled with arches, overhangs, outcroppings and caverns. This twisted topography supports a rich range of reef species and prolific growths of soft corals and sponges.