Category Archives: Beaches

beaches on the Turks and Caicos Islands

Surfs up!

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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

Long Bay Beach

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The eastern end of Long Bay beach is so quiet and peaceful

The eastern end of Long Bay beach is so quiet and peaceful

I can’t believe that it took me this long to discover another little piece of paradise. Several weeks ago when Yogi and Pat were visiting, we stopped to take a look at this area of Long Bay. I had heard that this was where the kite boarders went for lessons because of the shallow nature of the water and also, sadly in my opinion, another new development (5 stories high!!!!) is going to be built.

The water was like a mirror and storm clouds were threatening.

The water was like a mirror and storm clouds were threatening.

It was late in the afternoon so the water was warm and so very calm with not a breath of wind. We just lazed in the shallows enjoying the last few rays of the sun as storm clouds brewed out at sea.

Footprints outlined in the sand along the shoreline

Footprints outlined in the sand along the shoreline

Yogi took a walk and I snapped this photo of the footprints he left behind and the deepening shadows. I just love this time of day for picture taking. He called us to come and see what he had found…………a blue crab in the water. I took several photos and then realized that my digital takes photos under the water……….it just goes against the grain to put a camera into the water and friends tease me as I always hold it up high trying not to get it wet. When we got home and I put the photos up onto the computer, I was again surprised as the photos showed not one but two crabs who were mating.

A blue crab mating pair is called a "doubler"

A blue crab mating pair is called a "doubler"

The male cradle carries the female for two to seven days until molting is imminent. This serves two purposes: the male protects the female from predators and it assures that the male will be present when the female’s shell is soft and she is able to mate.

The male blue crab defends his mate as my camera came closer

The male blue crab defends his mate as my camera came closer

Once the female molts, the male releases her. She’ll only mate this one time in her life while her shell is soft. The male turns her upside down so that their abdomens are touching and copulation will last some five to twelve hours. Once again the female is clasped and cradle carried until her shell has had a chance to harden. The male will continue to mate with others while the female won’t release any eggs until 2 to 9 months after mating.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Summer fun on Provo

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Hard to believe but the water really is this colour......Malcolm Roads beach and you can see a dive boat in the background

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

Southern Stingray

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Same place but on a different day............a Southern Stingray lies partially buried in the sand

Same place but on a different day............a Southern Stingray lies partially buried in the sand

 

It was low tide in the shallows quite close to the beach at South West Harbour Bluff just off Osprey Rock. I’m not sure if you can see, but a Southern Stingray was lying in the sand and it was really huge.

You can see the distinct triangular shape of the stingray

You can see the distinct triangular shape of the stingray

Rays are fairly docile with eyes and gill slits ontop of a grey to dark brown body. A stingray eats constantly day and night and this one seemed to be resting while covered with sand. Only its eyes were exposed. As soon as I got too close (I was really careful not to agitate it) it turned and moved away.

You can see the cloud of sand in the foreground of the photo as the stingray moved away

You can see the cloud of sand in the foreground of the photo as the stingray moved away

A ray is a cartilagenous fish closely related to the shark and its natural predator is the hammerhead shark.

I hope you get a chance to see these graceful creatures as you vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Water Spout

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Here's Eva in the shallow waters off Osprey Rock with ominous black clouds rolling in

Here's Eva in the shallow waters off Osprey Rock with ominous black clouds rolling in

Yet again we hit a perfect day even with the thunderclouds hovering over the ocean and creating such colours in the water.

Eva got out of the water as this stingray came towards us and if you look carefully on the horizon, a water spout was forming

Eva got out of the water as this stingray (see the shadow?) came towards us and if you look carefully on the horizon, a water spout was forming

First we sighted the stingray and Eva quickly got up on her feet as we grabbed cameras. We were busy snapping photos of the ray when we noticed a water spout forming. Water spouts are basically a tornado that forms over water and is only the second one that I’ve ever seen.

Here's a closer view and Wow, look at the water colour due to the dark clouds

Here's a closer view and Wow, look at the water colour due to the dark clouds

Meanwhile, the stingray was still gliding along in the shallows and I managed to get several really good photos.

The stingray was cruising along in the shallow waters by Osprey Rock

The stingray was cruising along in the shallow waters by Osprey Rock

The Southern Stingray usually lies hidden under a thin dusting of sand and feeds on crabs, small fish and worms. It does have a long poisonous spine but it usually takes off at the first signs of someone getting nearer.

Look at this beauty!!

Look at this beauty!!

I can’t believe that we were so lucky to see and watch two incredible sights and both in one day. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have such an abundance of subjects to photograph so make sure you have your camera ready at all times. The South West Bluff area and Osprey Rock are both full of interesting sea creatures so take a look once you’re on island.

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins Part 3

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Skeletons or tests from urchins can be found on our beaches and in the sand.

Skeletons or tests from urchins can be found on our beaches and in the sand.

The above photo shows a test from the Great Red Footed Urchin.  I didn’t realise that both sand dollars and sea biscuits are urchins too.

Here's an urchin with a few spines still attached to the test

Here's an urchin with a few spines still attached to the test

A pretty pink sea urchin test lying in the sand

A pretty pink sea urchin test lying in the sand

Close up view of an urchin test found on the beach at the North West Point.

Close up view of an urchin test found on the beach at the North West Point.

I just love finding these and you’ll be able to look for them too when holidaying here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hope to see you soon,

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins Part 2

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Kai collects sea urchins found in the seaweed along the beach at the North West Point

Kai collects sea urchin tests or skeletons found in the seaweed along the beach at the North West Point

Every trip out to this particular stretch of beach at the North West Point results in finding sea urchin skeletons or “tests”. There were hundreds of them this particular day and Kai and Sandra couldn’t believe their eyes at how many had been washed up and were lying in the seaweed.

Some sea urchin tests lie half buried in the sand whilst others were on the seaweed

Some sea urchin tests lie half buried in the sand whilst others were on the seaweed

There are more than 700 species of sea urchins and the name means sea hedgehog, hedgehog being one meaning of the word “urchin”. Some of the most frequently seen colours are black, red, brown, purple and pink.

My favourite sea urchin test are the greenish ones...........they are so beautiful

My favourite sea urchin tests are the greenish ones...........they are so beautiful

 

Here's a close up ......... it's so interesting especially with that greenish tint.

Here's a close up ......... it's so interesting especially with that greenish tint.

Did you know that sea urchins in large populations are a good thing as they graze on algae and prevent algae overgrowth on reefs?

Happy shelling,

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Sea Urchins

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Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds

Low tide exposes an interesting seascape......an underwater garden of sea urchin beds

Another walk out at the North West Point where the beach is usually strewn with sea urchin tests (skeletons). If you walk out into the water you will find many live sea urchins which are black and black with red. These sea creatures apparently come in many different colours.

Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks under the water

Long-spined Sea Urchins tucked into holes in the rocks and the coral reef just below the water out at the North West Point

Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.

Sea Urchin bodies are covered with spiney shells....the spines are moveable.

The bottom side of a sea urchin has five teeth with which they eat algae. They are found in areas where there are lots of seagrass, seaweed and other foods.

Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators

Black moveable spines protect the sea urchin from predators

Close up of a sea urchin

Close up of a long-spined or black sea urchin

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Haitien Sloop

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Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach

Last night another Haitien Sloop made landfall at Long Bay beach

We went out to Long Bay today as we were told that another Haitien Sloop had landed up on the shore. It must have come in under the cover of night with probably over 100 illegal Haitiens. We’ve had such calm seas which makes for an easier crossing.

The sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach

The handmade sails were still up as we wandered up to it along the beach

The beach and trail to the road is littered with discarded clothing, backpacks, shoes and even a cooking pot.  

The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water

The sloop was listing badly with the a sail dragging in the water

The waves were quite strong when we were out at Long Bay today and I’m sure the sloop will get quite a pounding.

One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road

One last look as we head up the rocks and the trail out to the road

 

Illegal Hatiens arrive on our southern shores all too frequently……….some are caught and sent back home. Their boats are left on the beaches wherever they make landfall. These sloops are left to the elements and gradually are broken up by the wind and waves.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Island girls

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Oh so cute..........these two "Little Miss Turks and Caicos Islands" posed for the camera on the beach in Grace Bay

Oh so cute..........these two "Little Miss Turks and Caicos Islands" posed for the camera on the beach in Grace Bay

I tried so hard to get some unposed shots but these two cuties must have been in some beauty pageants or even watched their big sisters.

Smiling kids having fun in the calm waters of Grace Bay

Smiling kids having fun in the calm waters of Grace Bay

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com