The
best way to experience this unspoiled paradise of eight islands,
surrounded by miles of lush reefs and walls, is with a liveaboard
diving safari. Departing from Providenciales they can access all
the very best dive sites without having to forgo any creature
comforts. Flights from the UK are daily to Miami with good connections
through to Providenciales making this area very easily accessible
to the UK diver.
This
area is renowned for incredible dive sites: wall diving and
large marine animals such as Nurse sharks, Eagle rays and migrating
Humpback whales. The two island chains are separated by the Turks
Island passage which has unblemished reefs and walls dropping
to a depth of 7000 feet! It provides perfect conditions for uncovering
the mysteries of these warm, tropical waters providing a wilderness
refuge for a spectacular array of coral walls, drop-offs and ledges
which, in turn, house a bustling ecosystem of large Sea turtles
and sharks, massive Barracuda, African pompano, schools of Eagle
rays and Humpback whales. The majority of diving is centred around
Grand Turk, South Cay and Providenciales. There are over 150 miles
of reef and hundreds of miles of unspoiled beaches on undeveloped
islands within the chain.
January
through March, guests have the rare opportunity to snorkel face-to-face
with migrating
Humpbacks whales in the Silver Banks near the Dominican Republic.
This marine park is one of the few places in the world where humans
are permitted to enter the water with the whales - it is one of
the most spectacular events in the world!
August
brings another amazing spectacle as large number of Nurse sharks
congregate around French Cay in a mating frenzy!
GENERAL
INFORMATION
January
to April - Temperatures are approximately 75° F to 80°
F, but may be less in the event of a strong Norther (cold front).
Visibility is on average 100 ft. Water Temperature is around 74°
F to 78° F. There is the possibility of a Norther which can
cause a chop in the seas and a drop in visibility. Pilot Whales
can be seen here starting in the middle of January. They usually
migrate until the last week in March. Humpback Whales start to
appear from the last week of January until the first week in March.
There is the possibility of seeing Spotted Eagle Rays, dolphins
and a variety of sharks.
April to
June - Air temperatures are in the low 82° F to 84°
F range during the day and there is less humidity in the air.
The water temperature is around 80° F. This is the season
when guests have spotted Manta Rays, Hammerhead Sharks, and dolphins
most often.
July to
September - This is typically hurricane season. The climate
ranges from 82° F to 87° F. Water temperature is higher
at around 84° F to 86° F. Seas are usually calm during
this time with good diving conditions. Underwater visibility is
usually over 100 ft. There is the chance of seeing Spotted Eagle
Rays, Grey Reef Sharks and Dolphins. When the water temperature
is at its highest in French Cay, Nurse Shark mating occurs in
approx. 2 ft. of water
October
to December - Air temperatures are around 72° F to 85°
F. Water temperature is 78° F to 80° F. The seas can get
a little choppy. Visibility can drop. Rays, Sharks and Dolphins
are still around. In November and December, Whale Sharks are known
to have been seen.
USEFUL
FACTS:
- The official
language is English.
- Water
temperatures range from 75° F to 86° F year-round.
- The
local currency is the US Dollar.
- The nearest
decompression chamber is located on Providenciales
