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Specialties: Big Animals (Humpback Whales), Snorkeling,
Live-aboard Diving, Wreck Diving, Walls.
The Turks
and Caicos Islands (pronounced turks and KAY-kohs) are located
575 miles southeast of Miami, 90 miles north of Haiti and the
Dominican Republic. Almost a third of the land and water of the
The Turks and Caicos is protected by park and preserve status.
The Turks and Caicos offer great wall and reef diving, eagle
rays, blacktip reef sharks, and the opportunity to see humpback
whales and other big fish. Although the islands are close in
proximity, they offer great diversity. We recommend a
live-aboard vacation for this destination until you choose which
island you’d like to come back to!
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Grand Turk:
Many divers prefer Grand Turk over Provo because of the popular
dive sites that are no more than a 10-minute boat ride from the
beach. The entire west coast of Grand Turk has been
designated a marine park for more than a decade. Grand Turk has
great coral arch formations and sandy shoots leading to dramatic
drop-offs. Although Grand Turk is the capital of Turks and
Caicos, there is little else to do than dive.
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Providenciales (Provo):
The Turks and
Caicos boast of 230 miles of beaches, most of them on Provo. I
found the clear, warm, turquoise water and the white sand
beaches of Provo breathtaking. Provo is the most developed of
the islands with a wide variety of resorts, restaurants, and
topside activity. Unfortunately, it’s a 45-minute boat ride to
the most of the popular dive sites on West Caicos, French Cay
and Northwest Point. Provo is typically the choice for divers
who want the comfort and convenience of a more popular, high
volume dive destination.
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Salt
Cay:
Salt Cay is a serene and undeveloped with a
population of less than 100 people. All of Salt Cay's regularly
visited sites are scattered along the island's protected western
lee, except for the ship wreck, the HMS Endymion, an hour's
skiff ride south.
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South Caicos:
South Caicos
is perhaps the most off-the-beaten-track of the British colony's
vacation spots. With a population of 1000 people, it seems like
a ghost town compared to the thriving salt raking community it
was in the 19th century. Most sites are within 15
minutes of the dock, and the entire eastern shore of South
Caicos is protected by marine park status to a depth of 300
feet.
Best
Diving Months: Excellent diving year round, especially in
the winter, November through March. Humpbacks are sighted
typically in January through March.
Water
Temperature: Water temperatures range from 75°F in the
winter to 85°F in the summer. From late March to early April,
bring a lycra hood for protection from thimble jellyfish.
Underwater
Visibility: Averages 80 to 125 feet. Water clarity is
excellent, especially during the dry season from May to
September.
Airport
Info: The international Airport is in
Provo. An inter-island commuter
flight is required to reach Grand Turk, Salt Cay or South Caicos.
Documents
and Customs Regulations: A passport is preferred but U.S.
and Canadian citizens may use a certified, original birth
certificate (with a raised seal), and a driver’s license (photo
ID). All travelers should have a round-trip or onward ticket.
Language:
English
Health:
Pharmaceutical medications are imported and much more expensive
than in the U.S. Tap water is safe but many prefer the taste of
bottled water.
Climate:
Arid with summer air temperatures ranging from 80°F to 90°F
during the day and 65°F to 80°F during the night. Winter
temperatures range from 70°F to 80°F during the day and 55°F to
70°F at night.
Government:
British Crown Colony.
Electrical
Current: 115 volts, 60 cycles AC, compatible with American
appliances, but surge protectors are recommended for sensitive
equipment.
Current Weather:
Get current weather from Weather.com
Currency:
U.S. Dollar (USD). Credit cards are widely accepted. Get
current exchange rate from XE.com
Current Time: The
Turks and Caicos Islands are on Eastern Standard
(GMT -5).
Get current time from WorldTimeServer.com
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