Turks and Caicos Diving

Scuba Diving in Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos Diving Highlights

With a thriving underwater ecosystem, Turks and Caicos diving boasts some of the best of Caribbean walls. Scuba divers can see a variety of marine life including many different shark species, sea turtles, humpback whales, various colorful and healthy corals. The dives in Turks and Caicos are also known to offer typically stellar visibility and little to no current, making it an ideal location for scuba divers and underwater photographers of all levels. 

Interested in diving Tuks and Caicos?  View the live availability of some of the best liveaboards in Turks & Caicos and book online at the best price or check out our sidebar for land-based options! 

Intro to Turks & Caicos

Turks and Caicos is a group of 40 islands and cays located just 550 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. With its close vicinity to North America and the allure of white sand beaches, warm Caribbean waters, and colorful marine life, the Turks and Caicos group is a popular dive travel destination. The islands are surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters and 1000 square miles (2600 square km) of gorgeous healthy reefs.

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Turks & Caicos Liveaboards and Dive resorts 

Turks and Caicos has just a few dive liveaboards that can introduce you to the best dive sites of the destination. During the winter season, the liveaboards have a special itinerary to have amazing encounters with humpback whales. If you are interested to see these big beautiful creatures, then a liveaboard trip is a great way to enjoy it. Dive resort is another way to experience the great dive sites of Turks and Caicos. There are many options for different that can show you the best dive sites in specific Turks and Caicos areas. 

Interested in whales? Check out our article on The World's Best Places to Swim with Whales.

Turks and Caicos diving information

Turks and Caicos Marine Life

Turks & Caicos is known to have a wide range of marine life. One of the islands' main attractions are the sea turtles. Other sea creatures you can find here include orange elephant ear sponges, gray reef sharks, angelfish, eagle rays, horse-eye jacks, lobster, snapper, garden eels, nurse sharks and a lot of macro life. Another great attraction during the winter months are the humpback whales. Moreover, even hammerheads can be spotted. as wel as dolphins, manta rays, and beautiful eagle rays. 

Check out our 2019 Turks and Caicos trip report and photos to get a sense of what it's like to dive there!

Diving Conditions in Turks and Caicos 

• Water Temperatures: Water temperatures range in the mid-70s to 80s year long
• Visibility: Ranges from 50 to - 150ft.
• Recommended wetsuit: 3mm wetsuit

Turks And Caicos Dive Areas

8 of the 40 cays and islands in Turks and Caicos are inhabited, but each offers its own unique character. These are some of the best dive areas favored by scuba divers:

1. Providenciales 

The most well-known, developed, and populated of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Providenciales, often referred to as simply "Provo," serves as the center of tourism. The dive sites are abundant with marine life as part of the area has been protected. 

2. Salt Cay 

Boasting wrecks, caverns, and wall dives, not to mention humpback whales, Salt Cay offers a varied range of dive sites. It is one of the most remote areas of Turks & Caicos, which is why it has some of the most beautiful dive sites with pristine coral reefs, rich in marine life and great wall dives. During the winter seasons this is the spot to see migrating humpback whales. 

3. Grand Turk 

Capitol of the territory, Grand Turk boasts topside history and cultural charm. Its turquoise waters and protected, plunging reefs make it a premier dive destination. The largest marine protected area of Turks & Caicos, the Columbus Landfall Marine National Park, is located in Grand Turk. There are plenty of dive sites accessible by both boats and from the shore. Scuba divers can find some very beautiful healthy reefs with a variety of sponges and deep drop-offs. 

4. West Caicos 

This area provides some of the best wall dive sites for all levels of divers. The 6 mile (9km) long wall is very close to the shore and has great reef dive sites with depths around 40ft (12m). Thus, it's a great opportunity for beginner divers to get acquainted with wall diving. Divers can spot many sharks, turtles, snappers and rays, as well as a variety of sponges. 

5. French Cay 

Not far from Provo, French Cay offers scuba divers some very healthy reefs. Due to getting maximum sunlight, the reefs are nutrient-rich and provide a suitable environment for growth. This also means lots of fish! You can even spot some bigger marine life like manta or eagle rays, various sharks and from January to March you can sometimes spot some humpback whales. If you are lucky, you'll even see some hammerhead sharks!

You might also want to check out another great destination to see humpback whales - Moorea, French Polynesia.

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Best dive sites in TURKS and CAICOS 

Amphitheatre - This large bowl with three slopes really makes you feel like you have arrived at an underwater amphitheater ready to see the play of colorful marine life. The dive site is located in the Landfill National Park in Grand Truk. Before you arrive at the amphitheater part, you'll follow an incredible wall covered with black coral. Schools of jacks, stingrays, nurse sharks, triggerfish, and blue parrotfish are among many fish you can spot there. Behind the drop-off, you might even see some whales, mantas, or dolphins!

McDonald's - Another amazing dive site located at Grand Truk is the McDonald's. Many scuba divers have said it's their favorite site due to its gorgeous arches. Between the bright coral and sponges, you can spot groupers, sharks, moray eels, parrotfish, cleaner shrimp, and eagle rays. Because fishing here is prohibited, marine life has really flourished and make the dives very enjoyable. 

Thunderdome - A metal dome structure that was originally built for a French game show, has now become the highlights of this dive site. Even though the dome has collapsed, it is still very interesting to see. The dome is now covered with Christmas three worms, clams, blennies and surrounded by other small colorful fish. You can also spot some lobsters, snappers, and grunts. It's a great site for some underwater photography.

Magic Mushroom - The name for this site comes from its rock formation shaped like a huge mushroom. The wall is supported by sand chutes and covered with black coral, soft coral, and sponges. Divers can even find a whole black coral tree at the site. Much colorful Caribbean fish, lobsters, crabs, sharks, and rays can be spotted at Magic Mushroom. 

Double D - Two large pinnacles rising from the ocean were an inspiration to this dive site's name. Located at the French Cay, it is a great place to see many large pelagics. Multiple sharks, dolphins, spadefish or scorpionfish come around the pinnacles. The main reason why many divers love this site is that it offers so many different ways to dive it. You can dive the sandy area where the stingrays like to hang around, choose to explore the reefs or see deep drop-offs to the endless bottom. Also, during the winter season, you might hear the sounds of migrating humpback whales passing by. 

Spanish Anchor - As its name suggests, the site displays the remains of a centuries-old anchor from a Spanish ship. Divers do need to pay attention not to miss it, as bright coral and sponges are covering the anchor so it matches the surrounding reef. This dive site is also great to see some macro life like seahorses or frogfish. From the larger animals, you can often see turtles and reef sharks. 

HMS Endymion - Turks and Caicos diving is mostly known for its great wall dives but can also surprise you with some amazing wreck dives. The HMS Endymion, an 18th-century British warship located in the Salt Cay, is one of the most famous wrecks at the destination. This wreck dive is also suitable for less experienced divers as the depth of the wreck is only 40ft (12m). Through the crystal clear water, you can see it's heavy chains, cannons, and huge anchors. The surrounding area has some arches, ledges, and beautiful coral where colorful Caribbean fish swims. 

Travel Information 

How to Get to Turks & Caicos

Most international flights into the Turks and Caicos arrive at Providenciales International Airport (PLS). You can then take a commuter flight to the other islands.

How to Dive Turks & Caicos

While diving in this area is mostly land-based, there are also a few liveaboard departures from the islands such as the Turks and Caicos Explorer II and the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II.

Find out more about the Aggressor Fleet.

Best Time to DIVE Turks & Caicos

Diving is available year-round in Turks and Caicos. Topside weather is in the high 80s with an occasional shower between June and October, while November to May is in the lower 80s with no rain. If you wish to see the humpback whales, the season typically starts from late January to March. 

Topside & Non-Diving Activities

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including kayaking, bird watching, snorkeling, whale watching, eco-tourism, golf, conch tasting, and cultural, historical exploration and even things to keep the kids entertained like Sesame Street Beaches. Several islands have unique characteristics and special attractions to explore:

• North Caicos - Connected by a causeway to Middle Caicos, North Caicos features historical ruins and excellent beaches.
• Middle Caicos - Sparsely populated, Middle Caicos features intriguing natural sights, including the Caribbean's largest cave network, Conch Bar Caves.
• South Caicos - This island is the Turks and Caicos fishing epicenter, known for its conch and lobster.
• French Cay - An island bird sanctuary, formerly a hideout for pirates.

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Turks & CAICOS LIVEABOARDS

Find a Turks & Caicos liveaboard trip with this online booking tool. Best price guaranteed! 

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Other Useful Information 

Practical Information

• Currency: US Dollar (USD)
• Electricity: 120 V
• Time Zone: UTC-5
• Vaccines: Please check the CDC website for updated information on vaccines, health concerns, etc.
• Visa: U.S. citizens do not need visas to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIS) as tourists for short periods, however, U.S. citizens must present a valid passport.
• Language: English is the official language of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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