Seasoned, world-traveled divers are discovering Providenciales, Grand Turk and Salt Cay as some of the Caribbean's finest diving destinations.
The good news is that the relative number of divers is still small, with sites remaining unstressed and healthy.
Several factors make the TCI a top contender - and a "must-see" for divers seeking unspoiled underwater beauty. The Turks & Caicos Archipelago rises from submarine canyons. These deep water trenches, thousands of feet deep, come very close to the Islands at Grand Turk, Provo and West Caicos. Here, the coral reefs extend from the shore, sloping gradually, until they meet the cobalt blue of the deep. These dramatic underwater cliffs or walls combined with crystal clear visibility create spectacular diving conditions. The country has had the foresight to set aside a series of marine parks and nature reserves to protect these beautiful and fragile areas.
A system of moorings is in place which protects the reef from anchoring damage at popular dive sites. The country's world-famous walls are lushly landscaped in rich marine decor and play host to a tremendous variety of sea creatures.
Near-shore reefs are thriving within a crystal clear sea that seems to pulsate with life. Besides the magnificent hard and soft corals, sponge formations and anemones, frequently seen creatures include; sea turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, mahi-mahi, barracuda, jacks, parrot fish, drums, Atlantic spadefish, short nosed batfish, grouper, snapper, grunts, squirrelfish, lobster, spider crabs, moray eels, octopuses, shellfish, tropical’s to numerous to mention, reef sharks, bull sharks, whale sharks, hammerheads, humpback whales, and of course JoJo the dolphin and friends. |
