Bonefish Point Sandbar

A perfect afternoon on and in the water with the boys pulling us up to the sandbar..........it simply was the best

A perfect afternoon on and in the water with the boys pulling us up to the sandbar..........it simply was the best

We both had family visiting so it was an opportunity to take a leisurely run out to the sand bar at Bonefish Point. We took off from our marina at Harbour Club Villas. There’s a deep water channel ( 12 feet deep or so ) to the right of the sandbar and all of a sudden you’re in a foot of water. The guys put the anchor out and then decided to walk it into the shallows.

Barry floats along in the clear water and enjoys the best view in the world

Barry floats along in the clear water and enjoys the best view in the world

We saw some beautiful sea cushions ( see my previous post) and some smaller white starfish. Laura explored some rocks in the shallows and found numerous hermit crabs.

Laura shows me her find.............tiny little shells with crabs in them

Laura shows me her find.............tiny little shells with crabs in them

Here's a small hermit crab just walking along the edge of the water

Here's a small hermit crab just walking along the edge of the water

 

Barry, Tina and Sheldon stayed in the water pretty much all afternoon.

Barry, Tina and Sheldon stayed in the water pretty much all afternoon.

We all cooled off by staying in the water beer in hand. The Bonefish Point sandbar is on the south west tip of the island and accessible by road now. It never used to be……….the only way of getting here a few years ago was by boat or doing an excursion with Capt. Bill of Ocean Outback. This trip by the way is a great way of seeing the south shoreline. Hope you get to see this part of our island too.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Beach fun

Can you believe the colours of the water on Grace Bay today!!!!

Can you believe the colours of the water on Grace Bay today!!!!

The south side was rough and with white caps today so we headed off to my favourite spot on the beach in front of the Bay Bistro. Tina and Sheldon returned to the beach where they were married two years ago. They had a beautiful beach wedding ceremony and had their reception at the Bay Bistro. The water was calm and spectacularly clear as we just lolled in the water for hours with drinks in hand.

Sheldon floats on a turquoise blue ocean wishing the private yacht anchored out was his.

Sheldon floats on a turquoise blue ocean wishing the private yacht anchored out was his.

It just doesn’t get any better than this. The water was warm and sparkled in the late afternoon sun.  Little Michaela came down to the beach for a swim along with her family. She told me she was just learning to swim.

Michaela enjoys the water and blows some bubbles for the camera

Michaela enjoys the water and blows some bubbles for the camera

The only way to describe today was “idyllic”. The water was calm with a gentle breeze blowing and only a few people on the beach enjoying the afternoon. It was raining as we got to the beach at Sibonne but I’m glad that didn’t scare us away. That’s Provo for you…….wait a few minutes, the rain stops and the sun comes out!

We hope you’ll come and enjoy all that our island has to offer.

See you soon,

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Seahorse spotted while diving

Jayne of Flamingo Divers snapped this photo of a small seahorse while diving on Saturday

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 they came across last year

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 got a great photo of Jayne's camera shooting the little seahorse

Brian's unbelieveably great photo of a 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 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

Lobster Season Opens

The Caribbean Spiny Lobster locally known as crawfish

The Caribbean Spiny Lobster locally known as crawfish

Lobster season opens today and I’m sure all available boats will be out  today fishing for lobster. The Caribbean Spiny Lobster is also known as langouste, rock lobster, crayfish and crawfish and they tend to shelter in crevices of rocks and coral reefs during the day and coming out at night to feed. They have a striped body, brown-gray in colour with yellow spots on the segmented tail.

Lobsters covered the bottom of this boat

Lobsters covered the bottom of this boat

 In the Turks and Caicos Islands lobster season is from Aug 1 to March 31 and some of our fishermen learned to dive at a young age and have inherited their knowledge of lobster from their fathers or other family members.

Yum!  Lobster tails for dinner this evening the opening day of lobster season!

Yum! Lobster tails for dinner this evening the opening day of lobster season!

Boats usually carry team of 2 to 4 fishermen and since the fishing boats have a shallow draft, they can stop directly over patch reefs on the Caicos Banks. The spiny lobsters are found hiding in crevices and under coral outcroppings.

A boat load of lobsters destined for many of Provo's restaurants

A boat load of lobsters destined for many of Provo's restaurants

 

I couldn't resist putting in this photo (sorry Laura!!) but this was simply the biggest lobster I've ever seen. It was huge!

I couldn't resist putting in this photo as this was simply the biggest lobster I've ever seen. It was huge!

Our guests at Harbour Club Villas will be heading to Baci’s Ristorante this evening where John will be preparing a delicious lobster feast for this evenings diners. Come on down to Baci’s for fine dining in an Italian terrazzo style ambiance nightly fresh fish and lobster specials. Hope to see you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Starfish

A starfish or Cushion Star in the shallows at Bonefish Point

A starfish or Cushion Star in the shallows at Bonefish Point

On numerous trips out to Bonefish Point, we have always spotted these brilliantly orange Cushion Stars which are thick bodied species of starfish with short legs. On this particular day, the sky and water were exceptionally clear and the cushion star was actually lying on the sand in very shallow water.

Colours range from brown to orange, red and yellow

Colours range from brown to orange, red and yellow

Cushion Stars are echinoderms which are found decorating our reefs all around the world. Here in the Turks and Caicos Islands we find and see them frequently in many areas usually on sandy bottoms and amongst the sea grass.

Tube like feet enable cushion stars to move along the sandy sea bottom

Tube like feet enable cushion stars to move along the sandy sea bottom

All of the echinoderms move around with the use of tiny tube feet many of which have suction cups on the end of them.

Tina gently lifts a cushion star to take a closer look

Tina gently lifts a cushion star to take a closer look

This sea star ( the Cushion Star) is easily viewed and identified because of its size, colour and thickness and because it is usually found close to shore.

The brightly orange coloured cushion star has a hard shell with raised knobby spines

The brightly orange coloured cushion star has a hard shell with raised knobby spines

Take a look off the edges of the sand bar at Bonefish Point……….you’ll be sure to see several of these brightly coloured cushion stars. We’ve seen smaller brown and more yellowish ones out there too.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Leeward beach

The colour of the water at Leeward is the most gorgeous turquoise you'll ever see!!

The colour of the water at Leeward is the most gorgeous turquoise you'll ever see!!

I love this photo of Tina, Alexis and Ania taken out at Leeward where each and every photo shows off the amazing colours of the ocean. Make sure you don’t miss this beach on Providenciales ……….. it’s simply heaven.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

“My beach”

Late afternoon and the gentle waves had thrown up a shell on the beach

Late afternoon and the gentle waves had thrown up a shell on the beach

An afternoon trip to “my beach” just down the road from Harbour Club Villas and there I found a beautiful shell just laying there on the smooth sand. The sun was getting low and the water was shimmering and dancing as gentle waves rolled in. Everywhere I go, there seems to be a perfect photo just waiting to be snapped.

 

See you on the beach!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Wedding ceremony on the Atabeyra

The Atabeyra anchors off Little Water Cay also known as Iguana island.

The Atabeyra anchors off Little Water Cay also known as Iguana island.

This is a continuation of a previous post. The Atabeyra is a great choice for a romantic wedding at sea along with all kinds of celebrations and group events. Chris and Isa along with their families from the USA, Spain and Brazil all flew to Providenciales and stayed at Harbour Club Villas. The bride and groom selected the Atabeyra for their wedding day ceremonies. Thanks Claudio for the following stunning wedding photos!!
Isa and Chris say their "I do's" with Pastor Wayde Coleby officiating

Isa and Chris say their "I do's" with Pastor Wayde Coleby officiating

A wedding toast to the bride and groom on board the Atabeyra

A wedding toast to the bride and groom on board the Atabeyra

A champagne toast as the happy couple and family sails into a Provo sunset.

This unusual angle creates a spectacular shot..........well done Claudio!!

This unusual angle creates a spectacular shot..........well done Claudio!!

Arriving back on shore, bouganvillea flowers are tossed at the wedding couple

Arriving back on shore, bouganvillea flowers are tossed at the wedding couple

I had given the family a bag of bouganvillea flowers for little Gabriel to throw at the wedding. Claudio, the bride’s father, captures the moment. If you too are looking to get married in the Turks and Caicos Islands, if you are looking for accommodation and/or want to sail off into the sunset on the Atabeyra, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with all the great people on island that can help you.
A day to remember……….Chris and Isa much love and CONGRATULATIONS!
Marta

Surfs up!

Surf's up as the waves come crashing in at the North West Point

Surf's up as the waves come crashing in at the North West Point

Its been really windy of late……shades of hurricane season and a tropical wave effecting our area. We’ve had rain showers which we love as much as our gardens do and a persistenly strong, gusty wind. All this is great for beachcombing and walking the shore line out at the North West Point.

White breakers on the reef and a rippling line of white froth flowing towards the beach

White breakers on the reef and a rippling line of white froth flowing towards the beach

Beachcombing is a great way to spend an afternoon. See you on Provo!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Kids like fishing too!!

Wayne and his kids fishing off the docks at Harbour Club Villas

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!!!

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

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