Aqua TCI, Aqua Scuba Limited
12 Paradise Road, TKCA 1ZZ Providenciales, TCA
In the pristine Caribbean waters, you’ll find 40 islands of which eight are inhabited. These islands, the Turks and Caicos, offer spectacular diving all year round in turquoise warm water, suitable for divers of all levels of experience.
The islands boast the third largest barrier reef on Earth, sheer walls and shipwrecks. Situated on an underwater plateau that rises 2100 meters/7000 feet from the ocean floor, the topography varies from flat sandy bottoms near the shore, to dramatic vertical walls. Much of the coastline is protected by the National Parks Ordinance, meaning dive sites are full of life.
The Columbus Passage, a 35 kilometer/22 mile wide channel that separates the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands, is a highway for migrating rays, fish, turtles, dolphins and humpback whales.
There are plenty of dive centers and dive resorts on the islands, of which Providenciales, known as Provo, is the most inhabited. Grand Turk, the capital island, is also a great spot to visit, and is a stop off for cruises.
For dive courses, it’s recommended to take an enriched air certification, as most dive operators offer nitrox. A deep diver certification may also be useful.
Expect to see a myriad of colorful reef fish, turtles, eels, lobsters, stingrays and eagle rays. Lucky divers can even spot dolphins. Schools of tropical fish, such as horse-eye jacks, blue chromis, bluehead wrasse, Atlantic spadefish and yellow goatfish can also be found among the reefs.
Sharks are also sighted, including Caribbean grey reef sharks and nurse sharks around Providenciales. Off the Northwest Point and southwest, lemon, bull and hammerhead sharks are occasionally spotted. In the winter, you can encounter humpback whales.
Coral life is also teeming, with soft and hard corals of all species and colors, such as elkhorn coral, star coral, rainbow coral, in addition to various sponges, sea fans and gorgonians.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 12
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 80