The Palms, Providenciales and the Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos are famous for their coral reefs and calm, clear water - with diving conditions suitable for all. This is a dream destination for divers and underwater photographers, thanks to its wide variety of wildlife, pristine reefs and great visibility. The region is home to marine species of all shapes and sizes, from seahorses to majestic sharks, dolphins, and whales - and everything in between. And, with dozens of dive sites on offer, you could easily spend weeks here and still find new areas to explore.

West Caicos

West Caicos’ world-class wall diving features near-vertical drop-offs, calm conditions and excellent visibility. Most trips depart from Providenciales, with a one-hour boat ride to the best diving. Sites such as Highway to Heaven and Driveway boast a mix of sand channels and coral heads, with eagle rays, nurse sharks, and turtles making frequent appearances. While the plummeting walls at Elephant Ear Canyon and Gully are famous for pristine coral formations and massive sponges, plus nearly guaranteed reef shark sightings. 

Between Providenciales and West Caicos lies the Sandbore Channel. This diving area offers exciting drifts, with the tides filtering through an underwater trench. Pelagic sharks and rays are often seen here, and it’s best to keep your eye on the blue at all times, as you never know what might pass by.

French Cay

The exceptional dive sites around French Cay are among the most impressive in the Turks and Caicos. Massive bowls and plateaus like G-Spot and Half Mile Reef boast colourful coral, schooling grunts and reef fish by the thousand, and towering elephant ear sponges. Nearby, Molasses Reef is home to several historic shipwrecks and a stunning near-vertical drop into the abyss. For something completely different, head to Double D to explore a beautiful pinnacle.

Each year, between July and September, hundreds of nurse sharks gather around French Cay to mate. During these months, divers can spot dozens of these docile bottom feeders during a single dive, and you’ll likely have opportunities to snorkel with them during your surface interval.

Grace Bay

Grace bay scuba diving is all about diversity. While this area is normally one of the most convenient in Providenciales, prevailing winds during the hurricane season and winter months can make it all but impossible to reach by boat. The best areas in Grace Bay boast fingers of coral reef mixed with sand tunnels and chutes, and sites like Aquarium and Graceland have plenty of routes to explore ranging from ten metres to well beyond recreational diving limits. Coral Gables and Cathedral promise vertical dropping walls and plenty of shark action. And Grouper Hole, one of Grace Bay’s best dive sites, is known for its deep sandy grottos home to massive Nassau grouper.

Whale watching

Humpback whales migrate through the Turks and Caicos each year between January and March. And, while snorkelling encounters are never guaranteed, a few tour operators based out of Providenciales do incorporate whale watching and snorkelling, allowing lucky groups to get in the water alongside these giant filter feeders. Because these whales are a highly protected species, strict environmental regulations are enforced.