The Caribbean’s islands are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Grand Turk—in the Turks and Caicos Islands—is a hugely popular diving destination thanks to some of the finest reef and wall sites in the tropical Atlantic—including the famous ‘Wall’, located just off Grand Turk.
Simple geography is behind the popularity of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a snorkeling and diving destination. The archipelago is situated on a shallow underwater plateau, which makes the waters around the beaches perfect for snorkeling.
Beyond this plateau, the seabed plummets away to depths up to 7,000ft. Grand Turk Wall—located 1km offshore—is the most coveted. The world’s third largest coral reef structure, it offers divers the chance to see huge schools of tropical fish, large sea creatures and a dazzling variety of coral. Divers can expect to see groupers, tuna, barracuda, reef sharks, hammerhead, manta rays, eagle rays, and more.
- The Wall’s coral formations start close to the surface of the water and can also be enjoyed by snorkelers.
- Visitors can rent dive gear and arrange guided trips from a variety of outfitters in Cockburn Town, Grand Turk.
- Consider booking trips in advance to avoid disappointment.
- When diving at the wall, keep an eye out for rarer sightings too, such as hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and humpback whales migrating from the North Atlantic.
The Grand Turk Wall is located approximately 1km offshore from the island’s west coast. To reach the dive sites visitors will need to join a dive boat tour—or have their own boat and equipment. Grand Turk is home to the second largest airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands—JAGS McCartney International Airport, but the majority of international flights operate to and from the island of Providenciales.
Diving is a popular activity all-year-round, due to the consistently warm weather and generally calm, clear waters. December to April is peak visitor season, while the late summer and early autumn can be quieter due to the risk of Atlantic hurricanes or cyclones which can of course impact diving opportunities.
After a morning’s diving, be sure to stop at the beautiful Governor’s Beach—a famous stretch of sand loved for its sugar-soft sand and calm swimming waters. Visitors can sit and rest in the dappled shade of the pine tree grove, or swim or snorkel in the shallows. The rusted Mega One Triton shipwreck that washed ashore in 2012 provides an eye-catching contrast to the picturesque landscape.
