Posts Tagged ‘Diving’
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
The Queen Angelfish is one of the most beautiful and colourful fish found in the warm waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Such amazing colours….electric blue speckled with a bright canary yellow body, yellow tail , fins and a face that has blue highlights around the eyes and mouth. The Queen Angelfish stands out in a crowd because of all that colour but this too works perfectly so that this fish can hide and blend in with the surrounding vibrance of the coral reefs in our area.
Queen Angelfish have a speckled, blue ringed spot that looks like a crown
The royal title comes from this distinctive marking. It is a blue circle on the top of its head, known as the “crown” that gives this fish its name.
This shy fish feeds on the sponges, algae and soft corals of the reef.
They are quite large for reef-dwellers and can grow up to 18 inches (45 centimeters) in length. The Queen Angel has a rounded head and small beak-like mouth. They have these long upper and lower fins that stream dramatically behind them. Although I love the Queen Angelfish best, The French Angelfish is also among the most beautiful of all the reef fishes.
The French Angelfish.....it's scales have bright yellow edges, making a vibrant pattern against its dark blue body.
A big thankyou to our Harbour Club guests Brian Gatt and Connie McEgan for their spectacular photos of the French Angelfish. I don’t dive (only snorkel) so I have to rely on others for underwater photos. The Queen Angel photos were taken by our son Mike on some of his regular visits to Provo.
The French Angelfish has a light blue face, gray/white mouth, and yellow highlights on its eyes, gill plates, and fins.
I’m sure you’ll see these exotic fish as you snorkel at Smith’s Reef and the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens. For those that scuba dive, our coral reefs and walls are some of the best in the world. Come to the Turks and Caicos Islands for your next dive vacation and stay with us at Harbour Club Villas. Dive boats leave our Marina every day and if you don’t dive, snorkeling is great here too.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: Bight Reef, coral reef, coral reefs, Diving, fish, fishes, French Angelfish, Harbour Club Villas, Harbour Club Villas and Marina, Queen Angelfish, reefs, Scuba Diving, Smith's Reef, snorkel, Snorkeling
Posted in Diving, Flora and Fauna, Marinas, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater, fish | No Comments »
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
Stunning day and crystal clear water out at French Cay today. The white speck to the right of the photo is The Turks and Caicos Aggressor liveaboard dive boat.
Our first time out to French Cay and we couldn’t have picked a better day. The weather has been flat calm with no wind for the past few days. We decided it was time to head to French Cay as none of us had ever been there except Barry who went out with FiFi of Caicos Adventures a few years ago.
Approaching the beach at French Cay in about eight feet of water. We could see everything so clearly.
We moored just off the beach in about two feet of water and went ashore to explore and of course my camera was constantly taking photos. So many birds and in a future post, I will show you some of the bird photos I took.
French Cay is an amazing dive area……..divers come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to experience the dive sites out at French Cay. Take a look at my website at www.diving.tc where you will find some photos and information on dive sites out at French Cay.
A sun bleached piece of coral washes up on shore with that turquoise blue ocean as a backdrop.
We loved being able to see and experience this spectacular little island and its abundant bird life and hope to return again soon for more photos.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: beach, Beaches, Birds, coral, coral reef, dive sites, Diving, French Cay, island, reef
Posted in Animals, Beaches, Birds, Birdwatching, Diving, Flora and Fauna, French Cay, Places to go, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Turks and Caicos Islands | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Indescribable...........today was simply the most amazing day out at Malcolm Roads beach
Stunning colours today at Malcolm Roads beach where I took my sister Anna and friend Mike…………but really, it is always a photographer’s dream to take photos of the beach and water out here. Every time I head out to Malcolm Roads, I know the colours are going to be fantastic and today was no exception!
Small beach where once every few years, there's a natural bridge. It was all sanded in today.
I can’t emphasize enough that you do need a car to travel to these breathtaking beaches. You will be missing some of the most scenic areas of Provo if you don’t explore this area along with others. There are so many more out of the way beaches and Malcolm Roads is one of my ultimate favourites……….but then I do have many of them!
There's great snorkeling here too so don't forget to bring your snorkel equipment
The dive boats were all out there today as it was calm and perfect for diving.
So, all I can say is make a point of heading out to this spectacular and picturesque stretch of beach………..pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the snorkeling as well as a beach with very few people.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com
Tags: beach, Beaches, dive boats, Diving, Malcolm Roads, Malcolm Roads beach, snorkel, Snorkeling
Posted in Beaches, Diving, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands | 1 Comment »
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
Jayne of Flamingo Divers snapped this photo of a small seahorse while diving on Saturday
Our guests at Harbour Club Villas have been out diving with Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers for the past three days. What a highlight when Jayne discovered this little seahorse which was tucked away and very well hidden. It is a rare occurance to be the first to discover a new seahorse on a dive site. The dive operators here share this information with each other so they can point out the seahorse to their divers.
Another guest of ours Brian Gatt snapped this photo of Jayne taking a photo of another seahorse (see the orange tail ) they came across last year
On Saturday, Aug 1, Flamingo Divers were out at the dive sites of the North West Point and these creatures are quite rare and so very beautiful.
Seahorses are so named because they have a horse shaped head and a body and tail which is covered with concentric boney rings.
Brian got a great photo of Jayne's camera shooting the little seahorse
Brian's unbelieveably great photo of a seahorse
Seahorses vary in colour including orange, red, yellows, grey and greens and they change colours to blend in with their surroundings. They are not good swimmers and are most likely to be seen resting in sea grass beds or coral reefs with their prehensile tail wrapped around something that is stationary.
Seahorses vary in size from 1 1/2 to 12 inches long and don't generally travel long distances
Seahorses only have one mate and it is the male that gives birth to its live young. The female seahorse lays eggs directly into the male’s pouch on his abdomen where he immediately fertilizes them as they are deposited. One or two months later he gives birth to tiny replicas of the adults.
We hope you are lucky enough to see one of these rare creatures when out diving in the clear waters and on our coral reefs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. If you are looking for some great diving, give Flamingo Divers a call………Mickey and Jayne are the best and give an exceptionally personalized service to all who dive with them.
See you under the water as you dive and explore our reefs.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: coral reef, coral reefs, dive, dive sites, divers, Diving, Flamingo Divers, Harbour Club Villas, North West Point, Scuba Diving, seahorse, seahorses
Posted in Animals, Diving, Flora and Fauna, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater | No Comments »
Monday, July 20th, 2009
Wayne and his kids fishing off the docks at Harbour Club Villas
Wayne Hall of Ocean Vibes dive operation took some time out to show his boys how to fish. They set up on our dock at Harbour Club Villas where Wayne moors his boat. He’s originally from Grand Turk and is the only Turks and Caicos native to own and operate a dive operation on Providenciales.
I got one, I got one!!!
The kids were so excited when they started to catch fish. Dad helped to release them into a bucket so that they could take a good look at them.
Wayne takes the hook out as the kids watch
Next time you want a great scuba diving adventure in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we’ll put you in touch with Wayne and Ocean Vibes.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: Diving, fish, Fishing, Harbour Club Villas, Ocean Vibes, scuba, Scuba Diving
Posted in Diving, Fishing, Flora and Fauna, Grand Turk, Places for Kids, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater, What to do | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Hard to believe but the water really is this colour......Malcolm Roads beach and you can see dive boats in the background
Join us for some summer fun in the islands. The turquoise water sparkles under the glorious sunshine and all our beaches are just waiting for you. The snorkeling is great and divers, just grab your dive buddy and you’ll enjoy exploring our abundant underwater sealife and coral reefs.
See you soon,
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: beach, Beaches, coral reef, coral reefs, dive, dive boats, Diving, Malcolm Roads beach
Posted in Beaches, Diving, Places to go, Providenciales, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater | No Comments »
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
The beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle's shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes
The Hawksbill turtle is easy to identify as it has a very distinctive sharp curving beak much like a hawk. The boney plates of the shell streaked with amber, yellow and brown are greatly enhanced when polished and worked upon and thus the only source of tortoise shell.
The distinctive "hawk" like beak of the Hawksbill turtle
In some countries the shell is still used to make hair ornaments, jewelry, and other decorative items and therefore they are on the critically endangered list.
Look at the wonderful colours in the shell of the Hawksbill turtle
Look for the Hawksbill turtle as you snorkel the coral reefs and waters of the Turks and Caicos on your next island vacation.
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: coral reef, Diving, Hawksbill, hawksbill turtle, scuba, Scuba Diving, shell, snorkel, Snorkeling, tortoise shell, Turks and Caicos, turtle, Turtles, White House Reef
Posted in Animals, Beaches, Diving, Flora and Fauna, Places to go, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Shells, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Turtles, Underwater | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Here’s one of Mike’s great turtle photos taken while snorkeling at the Bight Reef. There are probably three species of marine turtles in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands……green turtles, hawksbill and the loggerhead. Divers and snorkelers alike can be assured to see a few turtles during their stay in the islands.
A close up view of a Green Turtle
Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are often caught for eating and are now on the endangered list.
A local fisherman comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle
Turtles are thought to mature between 30 and 50 years of age and apparently only one in a thousand turtle eggs survives to become a mature and reproductively active adult. We are hopeful that protective measures are being implemented to save our local Turks and Caicos turtles.
Marta
Tags: divers, Diving, Green Turtle, Green Turtles, Hawksbill, lobster, Loggerhead, Snorkeling, turtle, Turtles
Posted in Animals, Diving, Fishing, Flora and Fauna, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Turtles, Underwater | No Comments »
Thursday, March 12th, 2009
Looking at Smith's Reef from the shoreline
A sandy path leads through the rocks and into the water. The snorkel trail is a series of reef balls that have tiles with information written on them and they begin in about 6 feet of water. About 20 yards off shore, there’s a small patch reef at about a 12 foot depth.
Here's a map of the snorkel trail at Smith's Reef
You'll see lots of fish, corals, sponges, eagle rays cruising on through as well as turtles
We hope you’ll enjoy snorkeling at Smith’s Reef on your next visit to Provo.
See you there!
Marta,
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: beach, Beaches, coral reef, Diving, reef balls, Smith's Reef, snorkel, snorkel trail, Snorkeling, Turtle Cove Marina
Posted in Beaches, Diving, Marinas, Places to go, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater, What to do | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009
Here's a map of the area at Smith's Reef for all those that love to snorkel
Smith’s Reef is located just outside of the entrance to Turtle Cove Marina on Provo’s north shore. Acess is from along the beach and you will find signs marking the way.
As you walk along the beach you will come across this marker.
Smith’s Reef is a shallow patch reef relatively close to the shore so it is one of the best places for snorkeling and is one of a few options for shore diving. There is an underwater snorkel trail for you to follow with informative tiles attached to reef balls that have descriptions of fish and coral that are most commonly found here.
A snorkeler enters the sandy patch area before heading off to explore the underwater snorkel trail
If you are an avid snorkeler, you’ll love Smith’s Reef. It’s probably one of our best snorkeling areas.
Happy snorkeling!
Marta
http://www.diving.tc
Tags: beach, Beaches, coral, coral reef, Diving, patch reef, reef, Smith's Reef, snorkel, snorkelers, Snorkeling
Posted in Beaches, Diving, Places to go, Providenciales, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turks and Caicos Islands, Underwater, What to do | No Comments »