Tag Archives: snorkeler

Snorkeler’s dream day at the Bight Reef

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Swimming with a hawksbill turtle at the Bight Reef

 Mike’s birthday today and so we took off to the Bight Reef for some snorkeling and just to laze around in the water. It was simply magnificent….a dream of an afternoon. Seas were calm and the sunlight rippled the water with prisms of colour. And swimming with turtles was the order of the day.

Ahh, the colours of the water and sky….just perfect!

Take time out to do some great snorkeling. A ton of fish to see as well as turtles, rays and more.

We do ask you to NOT touch the coral, fish or any sea creatures such as the turtles.

It’s important to use reef safe sunscreens too!  

Do not touch the coral. Touching a coral can damage it or even kill it.

The Bight Reef consists of one main ridge of coral. It goes out to about 350 feet (107 m) out from the beach. The depth of the water at the outer edge is at about 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m).

Mike snorkels with little Jack and his first time out seeing lots of fish.

The Bight Reef is just off shore and is therefore a great place for kids to experience the fun and excitement of snorkeling. Tons of fish and usually lots of green turtles and hawksbills.

A green turtle grazing on turtle grass…..there’s a large patch to the left of the reef where you’ll generally spot them.
The reef from a drone and that’s Snuba TCI down below.
The reef is protected by a circle of orange buoys so please stay on the outside of those buoys.
Mike takes the plunge, puts on his fins and off he goes to explore the reef.
Some of us enjoy a good book!
The underwater world is just magical
An eagle ray glides past….such beauty and grace
A brightly coloured Queen Angel fish
A pin cushion sea star that’s a beautiful orange. Please just look and enjoy!
How about these little squid

Great snorkeling for everyone in the shallows as well as further out where the reef drops to about 15 feet. Please be cautious and and don’t allow your flippers or feet to touch the corals.

Love those colourful parrotfish
Little guys can have the time of their lives seeing underwater fish and life
Mom’s there too as she sights a beautiful green turtle.

Green turtles are frequently seen at the Bight Reef. However they are on the endangered list. They are only 2″ long at birth but can grow up to 5 ‘ in length and can weigh up to 700 pounds. Watch them as they feed on the sea grasses and periodically come up to the surface for air. That’s when you can take a real good look at these wonderful creatures.

A small turtle hides as snorkelers take a a closer look.

A hawksbill turtle at the Bight Reef

Hawksbill turtles are also endangered and they are one of the smaller turtles. An adult can weigh 100-200 lbs and grow up to to 2-3 feet in length. They were highly prized and hunted for their shells ….tortoiseshell combs, jewellery and decorative objects and therefore became almost extinct.

A hawksbill is named for its sharp, bird like beak

A school of blue tangs scoot on by with such a flash of colour.

A cruising Southern Sting ray puts in an appearance.

A nurse shark rests on the bottom of the ocean.
The Bight Reef on Grace Bay is such a beautiful spot

Enjoy Grace Bay beach and snorkeling at the Bight Reef when you come for your next island visit. Marta http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Babalua Beach Day

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Babalua Beach is one of those wonderful little beaches a bit hidden and out of the way.

Babalua Beach is simply a lovely spot for lazing in the water, snorkeling around the rocks or the reef just off shore, pelican watching, and exciting for the kids too. It is on the other side of the Turtle Cove Marina boat channel.

A toes in the sand and clear water day

The water is always crystal clear as you wiggle your toes in the sand and the shallows as the sun creates sparkling prisms on the water.

Dive boat returning from diving Provo’s spectacular reefs.
Snorkeling in the shallows around the rocks
Always fun to see all the colourful fish.
The rocks are home to numerous little crabs.
A pretty blue crab scuttles along the rocks….hard to catch in a photo.
Kids love to explore as they climb onto and around the rocks.
What a spot to photograph our national bird, the Brown Pelican.

Babalua is full of activity. I managed to get up real close to the pelicans and the resulting photos were spectacular. The Caribbean brown pelican, has a wingspan of around 5 to 8 feet and a weight of 6 to 12 pounds. Endless entertainment as they dive bomb into the water and scoop up fish in their large bills, which can hold up to 3 pounds. Their bills are a natural sieve that will drain out all of the excess water.

A swooping pelican comes in for a landing.
Feasting on some small fish.
The rocks create a shallow calm area to enjoy the water.
A treasure found while snorkeling….that’s a sea urchin test.

 

A snorkeler takes a close look at a beautiful King Helmet shell

A snorkeler takes a close look at a beautiful King Helmet shell

 Eve finds and takes a closer look at a spectacular King Helmet shell while snorkeling off Babalua beach a while ago. They have a thick, glossy “shield” on the inside of the aperture on the bottom of the shell. This can be carved into cameos, and so they are sometimes called “cameo shells.

The King Helmet is a species of very large sea snail with a solid heavy shell.

The King Helmet is a species of very large sea snail with a solid heavy shell.

Keep a watch for these striking shells as you snorkel. The waters are brilliantly clear and hopefully you will enjoy seeing a variety including the Queen Conch.

 

And here’s a monster turtle cruising the shallows. It was the biggest one I’ve seen to date.
Providenciales is blessed with the most extraordinary beaches.
We’d love to have you enjoy our “Beautiful by Nature” islands.

Take some time to travel around Providenciales and while away a few hours at our more hidden beaches that are tucked away. Here at our villas…….Harbour Club Villas and Marina, we can give you ideas as to where you might go. We’ve been on Provo for over 20 years and know all the best spots. Hope to see you soon!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Grace Bay beach

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Grace Bay beach at Coral Gardens is great for snorkeling with the turtles.

Grace Bay beach at Coral Gardens is great for snorkeling with the turtles.

Here’s my favourite photo of Grace Bay beach taken at the White House Reef by Coral Gardens. The reef comes up very close to the shore and is protected by a circle of buoys. Snorkelers are asked to stay outside the circle of markers to protect parts of the reef that come up close to the surface at low tide. Recent sightings have included turtles, eagle rays and all kinds of colourful fish.

Flat calm and the clearest water you will ever see greets the snorkeler at the White House Reef on Grace Bay beach

Flat calm and the clearest water you will ever see greets the snorkeler at the White House Reef on Grace Bay beach

Snorkeler Mike heads out to check out the reef. You can see the circle clearly in the photo so remember to stay outside and there’s lots to see as you make your way around the buoys.

Wow.....what amazing colours the parrotfish have.

Wow.....what amazing colours the parrotfish have as they swim through the coral reef.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world with incredible visibility. Visit the White House Reef at Coral Gardens on Grace Bay beach when you head to our beautiful islands for your next vacation. The water’s great!!!!

See you soon,

Marta

http://www.diving.tc