Caribbean Snorkeling in Turks and Caicos

Caribbean snorkeling in the Turks and Caicos Islands is a wonderful way to see the vast array of ocean animals, fish, and beautiful corals the waters here hold. These islands are a snorkeler’s paradise!

The beautiful sandy beaches make it a wonderful holiday destination for all the family, and for snorkeling enthusiasts the fact that the sea temperature during the summer season reaches 80 degrees makes it very inviting.

How pretty is this!! It's like a whole other world to explore beneath the clear, turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.

Provo Island is a fantastic spot for scuba diving, but you can also snorkel off shore here.

A shallow patch of reef known as Smith’s Reef on the north shore of Provo near Turtle Cove marina, can be approached from the beach where you will see a series of orange balls which mark the snorkel trail.

This trail has markers which help to educate the swimmer on the rules of the reef etiquette, while at the same time taking them through a path which will cause less damage to the reef itself.

Swimming from the beach, beautiful coral formations, surrounded by juvenile fish will delight you, and further out you’ll come to the deepest part of the reef where you’ll more than likely see stingray buried in the sand.

As you snorkel further along this reef you’ll see Eagle rays and turtles and the reef also plays host to barracuda, parrotfish and many other beautiful species of sea creatures.

Here's a barracuda...freaky looking! I'm looking forward to and a little nervous about my first time snorkeling once I'm back on island in May!

At Bight Reef (used to be known as Coral Gardens) you can start snorkeling a few yards from the shore and will see extensive turtle grass beds which are home to large hawksbill turtles. This protected coral reef is home to all kinds of reef fish, rays, small sharks and some of the most beautiful coral you’ll ever see.

You'll see underwater trail signs at Bight Reef too that will describe the coral and how they grow.

I'll definitely be practicing my caribbean snorkeling skills here. Well, I don't have any skills to speak of but this sounds like the perfect place to learn.

There are dedicated caribbean snorkeling trips which take you further out to sea where you can snorkel amongst the reefs and see even more fantastic corals and wildlife.

While on our boat trip to Pine Cay we stopped for some snorkeling. I chickened out and just went for a swim...but John and friends jumped in and he saw the most beautiful underwater cave and a barrucuda along with a school of fish he couldn't identify. He loved the fact that they swam right up to him, took a look then did a 180 and took off. Here's a really short clip of him in the water.

I'm going back in May and have already booked a half day trip for my first snorkeling adventure! Yikes! I'll update you when I'm there...keep your fingers crossed for me.

French cay is an uninhabited island offering wonderful snorkeling and the trip includes snacks and drinks. French cay was reputed to have been a stopping off place for pirates which for the adventurous, will add excitement to the trip.

There are many shops where you can hire your equipment for a great day out snorkeling in these turquoise waters, and the variety of marine life you’ll see is endless.

The miles of reef you’ll be exploring has taken millions of years to form and provides food and a hiding place for many different species. Caribbean snorkeling in these reefs will give you the opportunity to see the dramas of the underwater world, where every day the creatures battle for their existence.

The colours and variety here are second to none and if you’re snorkeling during the winter months you may even see the majestic humpback whales on route through these beautiful waters.

The Turks and Caicos islands offer the very best in underwater activities and whether you are a keen diver or just love snorkeling, in these waters you will not be disappointed.

Caribbean snorkeling is becoming more and more popular, and as the Turks and Caicos Islands themselves have so much to offer, it will be a holiday you will never forget.