Snorkeler’s dream day at the Bight Reef

Posted on June 26, 2024 by marta

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.

An eagle ray glides past….such beauty and grace

A pin cushion sea star that’s a beautiful orange. Please just look and enjoy!

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.

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.

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

Malcolm Roads Beach Afternoon

Posted on November 4, 2022 by marta

The shelter at the end of the road and take a look at the reef balls showing under the water.

Some days are just breathtaking as you take in the glorious colours of the ocean at Malcolm Roads Beach. It’s always a fun getaway for the day and it’s not likely there will be too many other people out there. Please take an SUV only to get down to this beach safely and with enough clearance too!!

The road out to Malcolm Roads is a little “off road-ish” but the scenery is so spectacular. It’s worth the trip….pack a lunch and a lots of drinks and hopefully we’ll see you there.

Road coming down to the beach with Amanyara Resort

Drone view of the road, water with reef balls and the Amanyara Resort.

The road from the bottom of the hill, heads straight down to a little shelter by the beach. You’ll be able to see the artificial reef balls placed there several years ago to help reduce beach erosion, make it easy for corals to grow, and also, provide shelter for fish.

Malcolm Roads beach on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands

A beautiful area, a little wild and with beautiful turquoise water

We had the beach to ourselves and it simply doesn’t get any better than that.

Dive boats out at some favourite dive spots just off the beach as another storm passes out to sea

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

Cactus tree found out at Malcolm Roads beach on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

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

Malcolm Roads beach on Providenciales North West Point in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Amanyara Resort is at the far end of the beach

A bridge appears and disappears with storms just by Amanyara

The old tiki huts in years gone by perched on the rocks. Originally built for a game show.

Malcolm Roads Beach on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

A touch of heaven and can’t wait to do a little snorkeling

Leave only footprints in the sand

The shelter at Malcolm Roads beach on Providenciales North West Point in the Turks and Caicos Islands

The shelter is reached at the end of the road

A wonderful afternoon of swimming, snorkeling and just lazing around on the beach.

Beautiful beach and snorkeling too

View towards the North West Point of Providenciales

Cooling off by just sitting in the water with a cold drink

Take your snorkel and enjoy the waters

Beautiful white sand beach and some great snorkeling too

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!

Enjoy your day,

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Kite boarding on Long Bay

Posted on January 16, 2022 by marta

Kiteboarding at Long Bay on Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands — A great sign post greets kiteboarders, spectators and beach enthusiasts to the Shore Club beach.

An amazing day on Saturday as we headed to Long Bay beach to take in some beach time as well as to watch the kite boarders. This colourful sign greets visitors as they walk out onto the beach, kites everywhere, in and out of the water. Wow, do these kite boarding enthusiasts know how to have a sensational day….some were skimming and flying across the water, learning techniques, beginners were taking lessons, there were families out enjoying the day and even man’s best friends were there, barking and tail wagging trying to get in on the action.

What a show….jumps and flips high into the air!

Colourful kites and kite boarders skimming across the shallow waters of Long Bay

This youngster was already attempting some jumps as the wind swept him along the shore line.

Take me! Take me! I wanna kite board too!

Kite board traffic jam at Long Bay beach as numerous kite boarders put on a show.

The shallow waters and an easterly wind make for a perfect day of fun for man and his best friend out at Long Bay.

Smooth kiting just skimming the waters edge

Bookend dogs and potcakes were eager to help give their expert woof-advice.

Kiteboarders were doing some awesome tricks.

Lessons out in an open shallow bay just ideal for beginners

Beautiful Long Bay beach is the spot for kiteboarding……you too can learn to be this good.

You too can learn to kiteboard………instructors and lessons available.

Some huge jumps….these guys know what they’re doing

Spectators taking in the action and it’s a great beach to visit while on Provo

Long Bay Beach, the best for kite boarding on Providenciales

On your next trip to Provo, head down to Long Bay beach by the Shore Club and take in the action. Don’t forget that you too can enjoy this popular sport and lessons are readily available with top notch instructors. Email me at Harbour Club Villas or give me a call and I can put you in touch with the right people.

Happy kiteboarding everyone and see you at the beach!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Babalua Beach Day

Posted on March 16, 2020 by marta

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Summertime Beaches

Posted on July 5, 2015 by marta

Southwest tip of our island on a summer’s day……..perfection

Summertime on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands brings a laid back, lazy and dreamy time. Much too hot to do anything BUT head to the beach. And those beaches are all beyond belief…………on some of them, there’s not another soul. All that splendor to enjoy for yourself. We call it “silly season” and it’s a time when many leave the island and the beaches are empty but heavenly.

Late afternoon and a lone figure way out on a sandbar………it doesn’t get any better than this!

Summer storm passing on through and what intense colours.

These three ladies have their cooler and glasses of wine……..what could be more perfect?

Thatch beach umbrella and chairs just waiting to be filled.

A little girl enjoying playing on the beach.

Late afternoon as the sun casts a pinkish glow and a lone SUP-er heads home.

Pretty spectacular

Ahhhh Sapodilla Bay and it’s shallow waters………little kids just love this beach

Lace fringed ocean on a flat calm day.

Look at that water with nothing better to do than float around on Grace Bay

The end of a beautiful day with cocktails in the water.

Summertime is the best time………..quiet beaches all to yourself, swimming in perfect island waters, snorkeling the reefs and just enjoying life at a much slower snail’s pace.

Stay with us at Harbour Club Villas and Marina and we’ll tell you all our secrets and best hideaway spots on the variety of breathtaking beaches.

See you on the beach…….somewhere?

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Provo Beach Tour

Posted on March 4, 2015 by marta

Taylor Bay with its shallow , clear waters and a delight of every child.

Babalua beach, a lesser know piece of gorgeous beach just made for Harbour Club Villas guests.

Just across the channel coming into Harbour Club’s Marina are the little Cooper Jack Beaches that are just perfect to while away an afternoon

Stunning Leeward beach……don’t forget your camera as the colours here are always amazing.

Kite boarders and horseback riding on Long Bay beach……….great to watch them.

Malcolm Roads beach with its lovely beach but it takes a little bit of a walk.

Sapodilla Bay beach on a lazy afternoon just floating away all your cares.

Favourite Southside Beaches

Posted on December 5, 2014 by marta

Delou’s beach also known as Cooper Jack beaches at the entrance channel to Harbour Club Villas and Marina

Explore with me some of our shoreline where you’ll find some out of the way gems of beaches that many of our visitors miss. Here are some of my favourites and each one has something special to offer.

You can kayak out the marina channel and follow the shoreline to this little beach.

“My beach” also known locally as “Dog beach”

Sunset and shallow waters, pretty idyllic for an evening swim.

Tidal beaches and lovely waters with stone animal carvings on the hillside above.

We’ve spent many hours on this beach and had it all to ourselves every time.

Beautiful Bonefish Point and the shallow sandbar stretching out into the waters.

Anchored out off the sandbar is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Sapodilla Bay is a perfect spot to while away some time especially with little ones.

Sapodilla Bay is an anchorage for visiting boats.

South West Harbour Bluff by the pirates cove has a lovely beach and you can walk for miles down to Bonefish Point.

Lounging in the shallow waters looking towards the pirate’s cave and Osprey Rock just around the corner.

Take a walk along Taylor Bay……..powdery soft sand.

Low tide and sandbars forming at Taylor Bay……take your kids here as they will love it.

Turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Turks and Caicos Islands

It’s time to think about leaving winter behind and flying to the sunshine and warmth of our islands. Spectacular beaches await you, soft white sand and clear sparkling water.

See you soon and check out our villas for your next vacation ….. http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Half Moon Bay

Posted on January 27, 2014 by marta

This little guy popped his head up in Turtle Cove Marina before we were leaving.

A beautiful trip heading out from Turtle Cove Marina following the shore line towards Little Water Cay and the iguanas and on to Half Moon Bay. It’s a favourite stopping spot with a magnificent stretch of beach and of course that signature turquoise water.

The reef as we head towards Half Moon Bay

A long stretch of pure white , soft sand and silver palms at either end.

Struggling vegetation due to erosion of the sands.

Picturesque rocks and aqua ocean backdrop.

A green iguana comes up to say hello.

Conch shell lying at the water’s edge.

A sing ray cruises by in the shallows close to the beach.

A stick and a sea fan make for great toys

Loads of dragonflies.

Hoping you get an opportunity to enjoy this idyllic beach on an afternoon cruise. Maybe you’ll spot the iguanas as we did.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Leeward Beach

Posted on August 2, 2013 by marta

Our soft white sand beaches and turquoise waters are where we all should be. Rent a villa at Harbour Club for your next vacation in the sun.

Explore the finest beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

See you here soon!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Island Beaches

Posted on April 17, 2013 by marta

Amazing beaches here in our beautiful islands........book that vacation now!

Fine, powdery, white sand beaches and the most turquoise coloured ocean that you’ve ever seen. It’s time to book your vacation and experience all this yourself. Hope to see you soon.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

MyTurksAndCaicosBlog.com

Turks and Caicos Vacation, Travel, Fishing, and Diving

Tag Archives: beach

Snorkeler’s dream day at the Bight Reef

Malcolm Roads Beach Afternoon

Kite boarding on Long Bay

Babalua Beach Day

Summertime Beaches

Provo Beach Tour

Favourite Southside Beaches

Half Moon Bay

Leeward Beach

Island Beaches