Category Archives: Snorkeling

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

Old Tiki Huts at Malcolm Roads

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boattikiview

Old photo taken in 2002 of the tiki huts and dive boat out at Malcolm Roads beach

Years ago, Malcolm Roads was only accessible with a 4×4 jeep type vehicle and the hill was soooooo intimidating, pitted and huge ruts towards the bottom. It was always worth it as at the end of the road was a simply breathtaking stretch of beach with the tiki huts. We used to do our ladies beach day down there with not another soul around. I thought some of you might like to see my old photos of the tiki huts and beach.

White, powdery sand beach and always the amazing colours of blue and turquoise

White, powdery sand beach and always the amazing colours of blue and turquoise

 When we first came to Providenciales, the tiki huts were still useable for some shade but began to drastically deteriorate. They were originally built for a French game show that took place on that beach around 1992.

It's a real shame that this beautiful area was not protected for future generations. It is now the site of an exclusive hotel.

It's a real shame that this beautiful area was not protected for future generations. It is now the site of an exclusive hotel.

 

Dive boats would spend their intervals pulled up fairly close to shore

Dive boats would spend their intervals pulled up fairly close to shore

 

Those were the days.......exotic, remote......a piece of paradise.

Those were the days.......exotic, remote......a piece of paradise.

Hope you enjoyed my old photos of the tiki huts at Malcolm Roads. A bit of history that many of us fondly remember.

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Hawksbill Turtle

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The beautiful richly brown and mottled shell of the Hawksbill turtle's shell was prized for tortoiseshell used for decorative purposes

In years gone by, 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 are streaked with amber, yellow and brown.

To the Taino Indians in the Turks and Caicos Islands, turtles were an important food item. Nowadays turtles are more often promoted as a tourist attraction.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has adopted new conservation plans for  sea turtles that will protect mature adults so they can breed, and reverse population declines.

Restrictions have been put into place and it is illegal for fishermen to kill turtles with shells over 60 cm or under 45 cm.

 

The distinctive "hawk" like beak of the Hawksbill turtle

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 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

Green Turtle

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Green turtles are often seen at the Bight Reef on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

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

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 with comes in with his catch of lobster and this turtle

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
http://www.diving.tc

Smith’s Reef

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Looking at Smith's Reef from the shoreline

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

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

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

Smith’s Reef snorkeling

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Here's a map of the area at Smith's Reef for all those that love to snorkel

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.

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

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

The beach for my 60th

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Drinks at SOMEWHERE on the beach for my 60th birthday......simply the most spectacular deck overlooking the White House Reef.

Drinks at SOMEWHERE on the beach for my 60th birthday......simply the most spectacular deck overlooking the White House Reef.

My 60th birthday and the three sisters headed for the beach as it was sunny and hot this morning. After basking in the sun, snorkeling and a delicious chicken sandwich snack from SOMEWHERE, we ended the morning with a pina colada and margheritas on the deck. Let me tell you, this spot is a gem, well thought out with high teak chairs and tables set up so that you can see the superb vista of the White House Reef and surrounding turquoise waters.

Imagine yourself sitting here sipping your favourite drink with that gorgeous turquoise ocean as a backdrop. The White House Reef was full of marine fish and Eve also saw a turtle.

Imagine yourself sitting here sipping your favourite drink with that gorgeous turquoise ocean as a backdrop. The White House Reef was full of marine fish and Eve also saw a turtle.

I love these tables and chairs and the overall feel of this deck area……….it reminds me of Jimmy’s at the old Island Princess years ago! Some of you may remember back then when we used to go there for breakfast and lunch.  

On your next visit to our beautiful island drop by and say Hi to Carmen at SOMEWHERE on the beach…………a new TexMex restaurant and bar right on the beach at the White House Reef. It will become one of your favourite spots with probably the best view on Provo!

See you there!

Cheers…………Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Snorkeling

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Snorkeling along the shoreline looking for shells

Snorkeling along the shoreline looking for shells

Malcolm Roads beach is a spectacular stretch of sand with some pretty good snorkeling. Tina found all kinds of tiny shells and bits of coral right close to the shoreline.

A handful of treasures from the sea

A handful of treasures from the sea

 

Tiny shells and bits of coral are found just under the water in the sand along the waters edge.

Tiny shells and bits of coral are found just under the water in the sand along the waters edge.

Humpback Whale

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What a glorious sight........a humpbacked whale. Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers and their group swam with this humback whale for the entire dive.

What a glorious sight........a humpback whale. Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers and their group swam with this humpback whale for the entire dive.

 For those of you that have dreamed of seeing whales, now is the time to head down to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Every year from late January through April, the North Atlantic Humpback Whales migrate to the Silver Banks which is a mating and nursery area north of the Dominican Republic. Our islands are in the middle of this annual migratory route and the Humpback Whales can be spotted and heard “singing” all over the Turks and Caicos…………from West Caicos, Salt Cay, Grand Turk and even off the Malcolm Roads beach where I actually saw a mother and calf several years ago………my first and only sighting of a whale!

Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers spent asome time up close and personal with a Humpbacked Whale on a recent dive trip.

Mickey and Jayne of Flamingo Divers spent some time up close and personal with a Humpback Whale on a recent dive trip.

Jayne writes: “We had a humpback show up on our dive on Jan 20th – stayed with us the entire dive, even followed me to my safety stop and did it with me! Then it came back to our divers on the 2nd dive. It was amazing. I’ve attached a couple of pics….(I have 196 of them so won’t send them all!!!!!)”

Thanks Mickey and Jayne for the great photos.

Book your dive trip now and you too will hopefully see the Humpback Whales migrating. Call me or email me at Harbour Club Villas and we’ll organize everything for you and or put you in touch with the diving experts.

See you soon……remember that if you want a chance at seeing whales, now is the prime time!

Marta

http://www.diving.tc

 

Dive Boats at Malcolm Roads

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A storm at sea intensifies the turquoise colours of the ocean

A storm at sea intensifies the turquoise colours of the ocean

It doesn’t matter what the weather is like at Malcolm Roads, the colours are always spectacular for photo taking. A passing storm and clouds turned the sea into brilliant shades of blue and turquoise. Dive boats were anchored out at the dive sites and in the foreground, two magnificent Cactus Trees framed my photo.

The Cactus Tree is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas

The Cactus Tree or Consolea nashii, ( locally called horse pear) is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas.

The Cactus Trees found at Malcolm Roads can reach hights of 12 feet and have a woody trunk. Flowers bloom throughout the year and are a rich red in colour with yellow stamens.

Bright red flowers of the Cactus Tree

Bright red flowers of the Cactus Tree

This particular species is found exclusively in the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the Bahamas.

Visit the spectacular beach at Malcolm Roads and watch for these wonderful Cactus Trees.

Cheers,

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com