Snorkel at Smith’s Reef

Posted on March 26, 2024 by marta

Mike, GoPro in hand and ready for some snorkeling at Smith’s Reef

Smith’s Reef is an amazing area for snorkeling and not too far off shore. You need to be aware that it is right beside the entrance to Turtle Cove Marina. A word of caution …. take note of the channel markers for incoming and outgoing water craft and stay out of the channel itself. You will see such a variety of sea life such as turtles, eagle rays, sting rays, an abundance of fish and corals.

Here’s how to find Smiths Reef at the end of Coconut Road

Visit TCI has a good map showing the location and how to find the reef.

Drone shot of Smith’s Reef showing the beautiful coral head.

A map of the reef showing the 22′ channel where often you’ll see rays.

Snorkel with turtles and all kinds of fish at Smith’s Reef

Heading out with a go pro to get some classic underwater shots.

Go pro ready for action

Another beautiful Provo day just made for some snorkeling.

Just a few words before you set out to enjoy and explore our reefs.

Please do not touch or stand on anything as coral is a living animal and be sure not to brush anything with your flippers, equipment or gear.

Remember:

Don’t step on coral. …
Don’t touch or chase marine life. …
Don’t stir the sediment. …
Don’t take marine life – dead or alive.
Please use reef safe sunscreen

Clear and calm….what a day on the reef

A turtle pops his head up…what a great photo Mike!

Do not cover yourself heavily with sunscreen before snorkeling and of course biodegradable lotions are available and better yet, buy a rash guard.

A Green Sea Turtle poses for photos beside a Purple Sea Whip.

A beautiful hawkbill turtle is curious

A Spotted Eagle Ray passing through.

Love the reflections in the water.

A Porcupine Fish showing spines swims amongst the coral.

A six foot nurse shark rests on the sandy bottom.

Big and docile just resting on the bottom ready for a photo shoot.

Snorkel with hawksbill turtle at Smith's Reef

A stunning hawksbill turtle cruises on by

Snorkeling Smith's Reef on Providenciales

Mike spots a Queen Angelfish

A turtle pops his head up with Mike snorkeling with his go pro

Wandering the shore line at Smith’s Reef is always full of discoveries, lovely rock pools and all kinds of shells and marine life.

Tidal pools along the shore line at Smith's Reef

Rock pools are fascinating especially when the tide is out.

And meanwhile along the shore, a rock pool find of a Helmet Shell.

Such beauty surrounds us and take a look at the exquisite markings on this shell.

A crab scurries along the rocks

Look for Chitons attached to the rocks

Chitons also known as Coat of Mail shells or Sea Cradles are a marine mollusc found along the rocks at Smith’s Reef and elsewhere.

See the eyes peeking out of the shell of this baby conch and the claw-like operculum with which they move across the ocean floor.

Back to the reef and this beauty…..a Honeycomb Cowfish apparently quite rare.

Love those eagle rays as they gracefully glide through the waters.

Mike says this green turtle took a keen interest in the camera.

Smith’s Reef on Providenciales is the best for snorkeling

And here’s me just enjoying every part of the day here at Smith’s Reef.

All the amazing underwater photos are taken by Mike so I thank him for letting me use them for my blog.

Enjoy the reefs everyone but please take care as you snorkel to preserve and protect the coral and sea life.

Snorkel responsibly and have fun.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Blue Hills

Posted on May 20, 2020 by marta

Blue Hills with its Caicos sloops is a fun place to explore.

Blue Hills is hands down, the most quaint and colourful part of Providenciales. Take an hour or two and meander along the beach road where you’ll find small eating establishments, many churches and cemeteries right on the ocean.

The pier in Blue Hills is a scenic spot for photographs

Caicos Sloops are being built on the shore.

Some say that Blue Hills was the former name for our island of Providenciales and named for the blueish tinge of the hills and ridges as sloops neared the island from the sea. Life centered around the sea, sloop building , fishing and conking. Sloops would sail out towards West Caicos and French Cay to collect conch which would be dried and then traded with neighboring islands for materials and other food products.

Beach has coral formations close to the shore

Blue Hills on Providenciales in theTurks and Caicos Islands

Looking down the beach towards the Blue Hills pier.

Chasing the birds on the beach in Blue Hills.

Beautiful conch shells are sold down on the beach.

This handsome pelican was perched on one of the pillars on the pier at Blue Hills

Harbour Club Villa guests and others such as this paddleboarder drop in for a conch lunch at one of the eateries in Blue Hills

Da Conch Shack is a beautiful ocean side eatery

Delicious conch salad, fritters and rum punch too

Our guests at Harbour Club Villas and Marina are often seen having lunch or dinner down in Blue Hills as it is a quaint and charming part of Providenciales not to be missed. The road rambles along the shore line and was the first paved road on the island. Work started on Front Road in 1956 at a time when there was no heavy machinery. Much of the work was done by local residents and by hand and took some ten years to complete.

See you soon enjoying the local flavours, sights and sounds of Blue Hills.

Marta

www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sandbar at Bonefish Point

Posted on January 29, 2020 by marta

A beautiful walk from the little beach by Osprey Rock all the way to Bonefish Point

A high light of any trip out to South West Bluff is the beautiful walk from the beach at Osprey Rock down to Bonefish Point.

Osprey Rock in the distance as we wade through the shallows

A mangrove is salt tolerant and look at the roots.

Miles of beach with only us walking along the shoreline.

Bone fisherman stalking the flats for the elusive bonefish

A Haitien sloop washed up along the shore

Sad to say, we often see these wrecked Haitien sloops carrying probably 100 or more people to what they think will be a better life. Many are caught and repatriated.

Pin cushion sea stars love the sandbar. We found many of them.

That’s an amazing flat but make sure you have your fishing license with you if you plan to fish

Turquoise waters and brilliant white powdery sand

Mr Crabby shows his fighting form.

In search of starfish at the sandbar

A picturesque, dream of a day at Bonefish Point

A perfect afternoon to wade into the water at Bonefish Point

On another rather cloudy day, a storm changed the colours to a soft pastel combination of hues.

These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.

Some local kids were fishing with one fishing rod and a hand line but I’m not sure that they caught anything other than disturbing a blue crab, a cushion starfish and a conch.

A blue crab wasn’t too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.

The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch.

Life is always interesting around the sandbar and on this day I lucked out, smiling kids, someone fishing, finding a small blue crab, a bright orange cushion starfish, a conch and of course, the muted colours of the ocean at low tide and passing storm clouds. Wow! What a spectacular and lovely day.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A Trip Down Turtle Tail

Posted on July 5, 2017 by marta

A lone flamingo feeds in the Juba salina just a short ways from Harbour Club Villas

I decided on taking one of our fishing guests down Turtle Tail to see for myself where he could access some flats in order to do some bonefishing. Must say, this area is still as beautiful as ever but with many newly constructed houses going up.

I haven’t seen the flamingos for quite an age and was excited to see this, lone beauty.

I couldn’t get him to stop feeding and to lift his head up……….too busy “vacuuming” through the silty bottom.

My beach also known locally as Dog Beach was just awesome with all those turquoise colours

Looking towards Jim Hill and the new villas being built beside Bajacu

Bonefishing flat with some of the Five Little Cays in the distance

Old conch shells piled up on shore

Now this has some potential for some DIY bonefishing

Jet skiers were out on this beautiful day

Rocky southern shoreline with secret pathway down to the water’s edge

Private gazebos overlooking stunning turquoise waters

Mangroves down Turtle Tail with some sweet bonefishing spots

Harbour Club Villas and Marina on a bonefishing lake in Providenciales

Looking across Flamingo Lake towards the villas at Harbour Club and a lone fisherman

Flamingo Lake and a perfect afternoon for some bonefishing

Five Cays Bay and Bugaloos

Posted on February 6, 2014 by marta

I don’t think the view can get any better than this one

This spectacular view of the bay at Five Cays greets you as you find a seat at Bugaloos Conch Crawl. It truly is a remarkable and unforgettable place as you sit peacefully looking out at the shallow waters of the bay waiting for drinks and mouth watering, tasty conch dishes.

Sitting and soaking in the beauty while sipping on a beer.

Trees grow through holes carved in the wooden tables and provide shade from the hot sun.

Come, sit and stay awhile as you gaze out over the ocean. Watch the little waves come rippling in and sand bars forming as the tide goes out. Order conch any which way you want it….conch salad, fritters or cracked, fish and lobster too.

Our lunch arrives and we order another ice cold beer.

Bringing a load of conch from the pens out in the water.

I waded on out to see the conch being “knocked”.

Two beautiful conch shells which will be cleaned and then sold.

Two eyes and a mouth in between and there are males and females, I’m shown and told by a local expert.

The operculum or claw of the conch…..this is how they move.

The conch pistol is touted to be an aphrodisiac…………try it on your lunch or dinner stop at Bugaloos.

This guy would do anything for conch!!

Mounds of conch as the conch gets “knocked”.

Sweet little miss with a conch shell.

Beautiful pink conch shells ready for purchase.

Visit Bugaloos in Five Cays………….the conch tastes great!

Hope to see you at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl when you head to Providenciales for your next holiday.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival

Posted on November 25, 2012 by marta

The annual conch festival in Blue Hills was a hit with young and old..what a fun time.

Here’s a selection of my photos taken at the 9th Annual conch Festival held in Blue Hills over the weekend. Unfortunately due to an afternoon check in, we were late getting down there but managed to see both the conch blowing as well as the conch “knocking” competitions. Cash prizes were awarded to the person blowing a conch for the longest time and for the most conch “knocked” in a limited time. Drinks were flowing freely, all kinds of food available, conch dishes of all kinds and of course, the main event

This lady blew a mean conch!

And our captivating emcee for the conch-etition was David Bowen

Winner of the conch blowing competition

And the winner is.........................

No stopping this young gal from dancing the night away.

Competitors "knocking" conch in a limited time frame.

Lookin' cool........love your glasses.

And the winner and Grand Champion is..........The Bay Bistro.

And one of the highlights of the evening was We Funk, the Junkanoo band. Everyone was dancing as the band swept them along with bells and whistles, drums and horns. Wow, this was the part of the festivities that I wait for and enjoy the most.

Colourful costumes.

Spectacular end to a wonderful Conch day with We Funk

Dancing in the street at the conch festival in Blue Hills

What a fun day or at least for us, a few hours. We’ll be there next year so if you’re looking to vacation in November, find out the dates for the Conch Festival.

See you in Blue Hills.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Honeymoon Conch Salad

Posted on September 16, 2011 by marta

Yummy.......... fresh conch salad for lunch at Harbour Club Villas.

Honeymooners Chantel and Rick enjoyed their conch salad today for lunch in the gazebo by the pool at Harbour Club Villas.

I was invited for a bowl of conch salad and it was delicious with a little zip to it.

Chantel prepared a delicious, fresh conch salad from green and red peppers, juicy tomatoes, conch of course, cilantro, onions, freshly squeezed limes and some of their own, favorite special spices.

A nice glass of chilled white wine goes great with a "fresh from the sea" conch salad

And to top it off, a glass of chilled white wine goes great with conch salad. I know our honeymoon couple, Chantel and Rick will more than likely enjoy some more conch salad appetizers this evening but they’ll be drinking some Dom Perrignon as sadly, this is their last evening at Harbour Club Villas and on our tropical island paradise.

If you are thinking of a honeymoon vacation, the Turks and Caicos Islands can’t be beat…..sunshine, stunning beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters. Our honeymoon couple can attest to that as they enjoyed three days of great scuba diving. Call us or email and we’ll arrange everything for you to make things easy.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival Part 2

Posted on November 28, 2010 by marta

Some beautiful conch pieces, bowls, lamps and shells were for sale under the tent at the Conch Festival in Blue Hills yesterday.

These young ladies were eager to get their photo taken on the beach during the festivities.

Several bands played on the stage at the festival. Here's a gentleman playing the ripsaw.

Pop the balloon relay as one little boy upturns the chair in his eagerness to sit on the balloon and pop it.

Aspiring young models show off their moves!

The sun sets and a wonderful day of fun at the Conch Festival 2010 comes to a close.

See you next year………..I’ll be there!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Festival 2010

Posted on November 27, 2010 by marta

Samples of delicious conch salad were on offer at the Conch Festival this afternoon in Blue Hills.

We had such a great afternoon of fun, laughter, meeting friends, music, singing and dancing and watching the numerous competitions from tug o’ war to conch blowing.