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Turks & Caicos Snorkeling

by Fred
(Merion, PA, USA)

We just got back from the Turks & Caico Islands which we had chosen to visit specifically because of the reported excellent beach snorkeling. It's true, with a reservation or two.

We stayed on Providentiales ("Provo"), which is the main tourist island. It's very similar to the Bahamas, being composed of coral, sand and gravel. Lots of nice places to stay and dine, although most are pretty pricey.

The snorkeling off the beach is limited to two relatively small areas, both on Grace Bay, which is the principal beach on the north shore where the best hotels are located. One area is at the Coral Gardens resort, the other at the point at west end of the bay. All beaches are public, so both areas are freely accessible. The two reefs are similar, with lots of good coral (although some is bleached) and lots of fish plus an occasional turtle and ray. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the reef off Coral Gardens is half roped off to prevent snorkeler access while the coral regenerates.

We also went on a half day snorkeling sail on a catamaran which took us to a reef offshore from a nearby uninhabited island, where the snorkeling was also good. The uninhabited beach was gorgeous, too.

Overall, I'd say the snorkeling at Provo is equally good as at Caneel Bay on St. John. At Provo, it would probably be good to plan on taking boat trips to broaden the snorkeling experience, given the limited beach snorkeling. Besides the sailing catamaran trip, there are several power boat snorkeling trips.

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Turks & Caicos Snorkeling

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May 23, 2010
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Great Providentiales Snorkeling Report
by: Galen & Nicole

Fred, thanks for that great review. I am sure many folks will find it usefull.

Mar 10, 2011
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Provo snorkeling
by: marc ingram

After reading the previous post here, I set off to explore the coral gardens and Smith reef areas. I have snorkled all over the Carribbean Sea including Saint John, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, etc. After hearing about the clear water and excellent snorkeling here, my wife and I came here (3-2011) and stayed at the Comfort Suites. I walked 35 minutes along the beach to reach Coral Gardens. Much of the coral was bleached and the area had a rope around it-some nice fish but basically disappointing! Another 20 minutes west is the White House-jumped in there and found another small bleached out reef with a few fish. Kept going west and found Smith's reef by the yacht harbor. An easy, shallow area but more dying coral and not many fish. Very disappointing so far-it is day two of six. the prices are the HIGHEST in the entire Caribbean-$3 for beer IN THE SUPERMARKET!! If I wanted to pay that-I would go to Grand Cayman(another British protectorate) and at least get excellent snorkeling!

Dec 17, 2011
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Thinking Provo? Keep looking!
by: Ellen Mack

Thinking about Provo for snorkeling? Think again!!! Just got back yesterday (12/16/11). SO disappointing. The largest area to snorkel from the beach is directly in front of Coral Gardens resort. And yes, most of it is roped off to protect the coral. You snorkel around the edges, around a burly rope you can’t help but get washed into all the time. You can get a pretty strong current here, wind waves as Grace Bay is protected, almost impossible to swim back the way you went in – have to just go with it and go around. Fish in this area are bigger than what we typically see in HI. Did see a 5’ long barracuda (!) and 3 or 4 huge spiny lobsters about 15’ down. A 4’ long tuna swam by. The coral is mostly dead, did see some purple fan coral and branch coral. We heard the boat ride snorkel trips are not worth the extra money as it’s no better than Coral Gardens. A woman we met walked all the way over here from Turtle Bay (Smith Reef) because the water was so choppy (lots of wind) and the shore so rocky she could not get in. Did not see a single turtle.

So snorkeling is largely a bust, the island is SUPER expensive and unless you have a lot of money for parasailing or boat excursions there is nothing to do. The islanders are the friendliest people I’ve ever encountered. Crime is practically non-existent. But if you want to do more than sit on a beautiful beach or pay for dive excursions there is nothing to do. You must rent a car for convenience only, to get you to and from dining and the grocery store. Cabs are the other way of transpo and they will run you average $25 RT for a couple of miles. Lots of confusion about the Gecko shuttle so let me set it straight: there is no Gecko as of a few years ago. There is no public transportation. Walking along the beach to some restaurants between hotels is OK, but most are too far to walk from wherever you are staying, which limits the dining diversity.

If you’re looking for Caribbean snorkeling destinations, KEEP LOOKING! Provo is a bust.

Jan 29, 2012
Rating

Ok ,not great
by: mike conley

Spent the week in Turtle Bay. Found the best snorkling out at Malcomb's Beach. Need a 4w drive to get there. Another spot is near turtle Bay down Cherokee Rd. to end, park and walk to beach 100yds, take left and look for dark water 300yds west. The glass bottom boats take their paying customers here. If you love tuna go to Maganolia's on the hill at Turtle Bay overlooking the bay, very romantic and the best tuna I've had.

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Turks & Caicos Snorkeling

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