Category Archives: Snorkeling

Perfect Day in the Turks and Caicos

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Cruising the waters of Providenciales with Island Vibes has to be one of the “must do’s” on your next trip to the Turks and Caicos.

We had a glorious, picture perfect day with calm seas as we boarded the boat…..and YES, I’ve lived here for almost 20 years and still am in awe of all the beauty around me.

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Two dolfin came out to play with us today….a mother and her young one.

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Just love to see dolphins swimming wild and free in the seas around the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Half Moon Bay and one spectacular stretch of beach

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Island Vibes Tours are a great outfit with whom to head out onto the water for an afternoon of fun

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Trying to GoPro a lemon shark in the shallows

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Shows you just how clear the waters are!

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Swimming back to the boat after some amazing snorkeling out at the reef

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Breakers on the reef at Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

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A little bit of refreshment………great Turk’s Head rum punch all round

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A piece of heaven on a large sandbar out by Dellis Cay

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Many sand dollars partially hidden in the sand and the sparkling waters

Such scenery can only be found in the Turks and Caicos

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Even a little sea star was taken back out a little further so it wouldn’t get stranded on the sand bar

It was a pretty rough ride for the kids on the way back………..time for some tubing and WOW did they go flying. Such fun as they hung on tight and still managed to fall off.

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Screams of fun as the kids went tubing on the way back

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The hectic ending to a perfect day

What a fun day it was out on Island Vibes. A fantastic time was had by everyone.

Join us won’t you?

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sea Stars

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Cushion sea star or starfish in the shallows.

A more modern name for Asteroidea or starfish is now Sea Stars. Usually they have five arms but sometimes a few species have more. Here are some beautiful Sea Stars that I have found and photographed around Providenciales out at Bonefish Point, Grace Bay, Taylor Bay as well as other areas of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Snorkeling the underwater world often brings an exciting discovery of a brightly coloured cushion sea star

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Knobby spines create a geometric design of orangey brown and yellow.

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Loads of starfish or sea stars found in Grace Bay

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Tiny crab found on the under side. Tube feet located under the arms have small suckers.

The red cushion star can be very large, sometimes growing to about 50 centimetres (20 in) in diameter. It usually has five thick, broad arms projecting from a cushioned disc  therefore the name. The colour of adults is some shade of red, orange, yellow or brown. The juveniles are greenish-brown with mottled markings which provide camouflage from predators.

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A juvenile Cushion Sea Star

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Small two spined sea star washed up as the tide goes out

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Front and back of the two spined sea star found out at S W Bluff on Providenciales

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Burying itself in the sand

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Not sure what kind this one is

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Pretty shot as it buries itself in the sand

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Seemed to have one longer arm?

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Pretty painted toes as a size guage

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Showing the underside with small suckers or tubes

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Red Spiney Sea Star found out at South West Bluff on Provo

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This one had lost an arm

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Osprey Rock in the background with a little Red Spiny sea star

Sea stars are often found in calm shallow waters (depths from 1 – 37 m) and more commonly occur on calcareous sandy bottom. The ones I’ve found have been mainly out at Bonefish Point just off the sandbar. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy our “beautiful by nature” Turks and Caicos Islands on your next trip to Provo.

Happy Sea Star watching everyone.

 

Marta

 

www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sunset Swim

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Sunset cocktails and beer at Coral Gardens beach after a long, hot day.

Headed off to the beach late in the afternoon a few days ago. It has been hot and no breeze for the last little while. The beach at Coral Gardens was picture perfect, water was phenomenal and the drinks were also very good.

Sea grass washed up on the beach at Coral Gardens

Late afternoon sun rays creating beautiful hilights

 

Shooting into the sunset gives such a lovely effect.

Wonderful swimming can be enjoyed on Grace Bay. Don’t forget to take in the great snorkeling at the Bight Reef at Coral Gardens too.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Whale Shark

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This is an incredible shot Mickey! Gives you some perspective on sizes.

This is an incredible shot Mickey! Gives you some perspective on sizes.

First of all, my thanks to Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers for allowing me to share these amazing and spectacular photos with you.

The whale shark was spotted in shallow water as Flamingo Divers headed towards their dive site. They slipped into the water and snorkeled with this magnificent creature.

Wow.........what a sight! A whaleshark in the Sandbore Channel.
Wow………what a sight! A whale shark in the Sandbore Channel.

Jayne tells us  “I’ve seen one about 6 years ago – a fleeting glance as it passed over head. Mickey’s never seen one before. This one was great as we got to snorkel with it in shallow water, and it swam circles around and through our group! Loved it!

That's "little" Mickey swimming along to get up close to the whale shark. Thanks Paul for this great shot!

Look how tiny Mickey is as he swims along to get up close to the whale shark. Thanks Dave for this great shot!

The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea with an average length of about 26ft . It’s actually not a whale but a shark and it is quite different than most other sharks in the way that it eats. It has a very large mouth in front, a big square head and distinctive coloring. They have little eyes, big gills, six ridges along their backs and pale white dots evenly spread about the body with a white belly.

Face to face with the gentle giant of the seas.

Face to face with the gentle giant of the seas.

Even though it is so huge, the whale shark does not pose significant danger to humans. They are docile fish and sometimes will allow swimmers to hitch a ride (not recommended as these are wild animals). Whale sharks are actually quite gentle, can play with divers and thus you can swim with this giant fish without risk. Keep out of the way of the shark’s large tail fin though!

Close up view of feeding time.

Close up view of feeding time.

Our wedding couple along with friends have been diving with Mickey and Jayne at Flamingo Divers for a full two weeks now. They were hoping to see a whale shark. No whale shark but huge amounts of other sharks on almost every dive. Our bride and groom did take time out for their wedding though! (see my previous post)

We hope you’ll join Mickey and Jayne and Flamingo Divers as they guide you through some spectacular dive sites and the reefs of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Grab your dive buddy and book your dive adventure today…..Call or email Flamingo Divers at  Toll Free: 1 800-204-9282 or greatdiving@flamingodivers.com  You can also contact me to arrange all your diving needs too.

Marta

 

 

 

http://www.diving.tc

Beach Walking

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Another beautiful day, just perfect for a long, family walk along the beach dogs and all.

Another beautiful day, just perfect for a long, family walk along the beach dogs and all.

 

Enjoy the beaches of the Turks and Caicos Islands……….awesome beaches for walking, swimming, beachcombing, snorkeling with lots of fun in the sun.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Snorkeling

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The Bight Reef otherwise known as the White House Reef is one of our great snorkeling spots. Really close to the shore and being protected by a circle of buoys. Lots of great things to see as you follow the circle of buoys on the outside. Please don't go inside the circle as at low tide you are almost scraping the coral and therefore damaging it.

The Bight Reef otherwise known as the White House Reef is one of our great snorkeling spots. Really close to the shore and being protected by a circle of buoys. Lots of great things to see as you follow the circle of buoys on the outside. Please don't go inside the circle as at low tide you are almost scraping the coral and therefore damaging it.

 

Book your vacation trip soon and come and enjoy snorkeling the clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

Sunshine wishes,

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Turtle Rock

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Snorkeling out at Turtle Rock this afternoon was fantastic........calm waters and oh so clear.

Snorkeling out at Turtle Rock this afternoon was fantastic........calm waters and oh so clear.

We anchored off Turtle Rock for a lazy afternoon………..we had lunch and drinks along with some good snorkeling. This unique rock formation looks like a turtle and is part way between South Dock and Osprey Rock on the south side of Providenciales.

Unusual rock sculptures jutting up out of the water.

Unusual rock sculptures jutting up out of the water.

The water was “cold” for those of us that have been on island for so long but nonetheless, I braved the water to get some close shots of these unusual rock formations at Turtle Rock.

Barry will do anything for a beer as he "hangs" around Turtle Rock.

Barry will do anything for a beer as he "hangs" around Turtle Rock.

I had to bribe Barry with extra beers to make him pose for the camera.

I had to bribe Barry with extra beers to make him pose for the camera.

Lobster for dinner as we hailed a passing fishing boat.......four nice sized lobster tails.

Lobster for dinner as we hailed a passing fishing boat.......four nice sized lobster tails.

A nice sized grouper along with a parrot fish were caught that day.

A nice sized grouper along with a parrot fish were caught that day.

The snorkeling was amazing through a channel between the rocks and since it was low tide, we were in three or four feet of water.

Come snorkel with us here on Providenciales and in the other islands of the Turks and Caicos.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Queen Angelfish

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The Queen Angelfish is one of the most beautiful and colourful fish found in the warm waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands

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 loks like a crown

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.

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.

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.

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

Malcolm Roads Beach

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Indescribable...........today was simply the most amazing day out at Malcolm Roads beach

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.

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

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.

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