Tag Archives: conch shell

Snorkel at Smith’s Reef

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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. 

Smith's Reef from the air

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

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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.

Snorkeling with go pro ready.

Go pro ready for action

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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.

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

A beautiful hawkbill turtle is curious

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A Spotted Eagle Ray passing through.

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Love the reflections in the water.

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A Porcupine Fish showing spines swims amongst the coral.

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A six foot nurse shark rests on the sandy bottom.

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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.

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

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

A crab scurries along the rocks

A crab scurries along the rocks

Chitons attached to 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.

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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.

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

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

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

Smith's Reef on Providenciales is the best for snorkeling

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

Conch Festival 2010

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

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.

The multi talented David Bowen was MC for the event and he showed everyone how to produce sound from a conch shell.

The multi talented David Bowen was MC for the event and he showed everyone how to produce sound from a conch shell.

A competitor in the conch blowing contest dressed in traditional Turks and Caicos Island national costume.

A competitor in the conch blowing contest dressed in traditional Turks and Caicos Island national costume.

The happy winner of the conch blowing competition

The happy winner of the conch blowing competition

The kids were all having such a fun time in the tug o' war.

The kids were all having such a fun time in the tug o' war.

Mother nature treated us to a wondrous rainbow sunset..the sky was a blaze of orange and pink with a beautiful rainbow to top it all off.

Mother nature treated us to a wondrous rainbow sunset..the sky was a blaze of orange and pink with a beautiful rainbow to top it all off.

More photos to come tomorrow.

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Season Opens

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Conch season opened several days ago.

Conch season opened several days ago.

I didn’t know we had a conch season here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I found out yesterday that Conch season opened Oct 15th and will run until July 15. Conch has played an integral part in the islands’ history. The Taino and Lucayan indians subsisted on conch and the Bermudians and American Loyalists also fished for conch for their food as this was a cheap food source rich in protein. Conch from the Turks and Caicos Islands was actively traded with Haiti on board Caicos-built sloops. Millions of conch were dried and shipped reaching a peak in 1943 when 3.9 million conchs were exported

Conch assembly line on the beach in Blue Hills

Conch assembly line on the beach in Blue Hills

Using a small hammer with a pointed head, the conch is “knocked” with a hole between the second and third row of nodes on the shell’s spire and this provides access to the tendon that holds the animal in its shell. The animal can then be pulled out by its claw which is removed with a fileting knife along with some tough skin and knobs.

The conch is "knocked" and the animal removed from the shell.

The conch is "knocked" and the animal removed from the shell. The translucent "rod" can be seen against the pink of the shell.

The long, translucent  and gelatinous rod know locally as “the pistol” or nature’s own Viagra is pulled out. This is quickly eaten as it is purported to be an aphrodisiac.

To many, this is the best part of the conch!!

To many, this is the best part of the conch!!

On a really good day, about 1,000 conch can be harvested. In recent years a quota for export has been set at 1.6 million pounds which does not include the shells. Some of the discarded shells are used by local crafts persons to create some lovely looking gifts for our visitors to take back home for family and friends.

Conch shells lined up and ready for sale in Blue Hills.

Conch shells lined up and ready for sale in Blue Hills.

Enjoy a selection of conch dishes when you are in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Are you brave enough to eat “the pistol”?????
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A Day on the Water

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This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.

This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.

 Another great day spent with friends on the water. As we waded to our little cay with the iguanas, I came across a pink tipped sea anemone. It appeared to be growing out of an old conch shell encrusted with marine life.

This iguana was ready to hide under the sea grape bush if we came any closer.

We saw many iguanas on the little cay and they were probably introduced some years ago.

The iguanas scurried away as we approached and this one was almost ready to put up a fight. He positioned himself so that he could hide in the brush under a sea grape bush if he needed to.

Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish

Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish

As we anchored off the pirate’s cave and Osprey Rock, we were treated to a pelican show…………..three Brown Pelicans and their synchronized dive bombing for fish show. It was spectacular to watch as I positioned myself in the water in the hopes that they would feed close beside me.

Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.

Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.

Little fish were jumping all around as the pelicans swooped time and time again.

I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.

I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.

And finally, front row seats for the best view in the world and a grande finale to the day. The sun sets over Turtle Rock, and we head back to Harbour Club’s Marina.

We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.

We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.

A perfect ending to another Provo day filled with sun, fun, good friends and alot of laughter. We wish the same for you as you make plans to visit soon.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com  

King Helmet Shell

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In Blue Hills, a local cleans a King Helmet shell so that it's ready for sale.

In Blue Hills, a local cleans a King Helmet shell so that it's ready for sale.

Piles of conch shells lie in the waters by Da Conch Shack in Blue Hills. In amongst them there were a few King Helmet Shells which seem to be much rarer than the Queen Conchs. I’m noticing more and more of these shells and  Triton shells being harvested and sold in various places on Providenciales.

Low tide had exposed the piles of conch shells lying in the waters

Low tide had exposed the piles of conch shells lying in the waters

It was low tide at the beach in Blue Hills where piles of conch shells lay in the water. I guess they get cleaned and sold by beach vendors. Behind the shells, you can see the pen containing live conch that supplies Da Conch Shack.

Taste some conch while in Blue Hills………right on the water!

 

Marta

 

http://www.diving.tc

Conch World (Part 2)

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The onshore nursery ponds can hold up to 2,000,000 conchs!!!

The onshore nursery ponds can hold up to 2,000,000 conchs!!!

Some 80 onshore ponds, where aeration systems keep the water oxygenated, are the nursery home of  the baby conchs which are fed a special conch feed by some 20 staff at the farm.

Each pen out in the shallow waters contains 5,000 conch

Each pen out in the shallow waters contains 5,000 conch

Conch World has 200 offshore pens which hold initially the 1 year olds (6 cm size). After 2 1/2 years in the pens or at 3 to 4 years old, the conch can be harvested.

Danver introduces us to Sally the resident female conch

Danver introduces us to Sally the resident female conch

Sally needs little coaxing to come out of her shell. Note the “foot” which is strong and powerful. 

And here's Jerry........the male conch with his male parts that Danver is pointing to.

And here's Jerry........the male conch with his male parts that Danver is pointing to.

Make sure to visit Conch World when you visit our island of Providenciales. Entry fee is only $10.00 per person and I think it is well worth it. You won’t have another opportunity anywhere in the world as this commercial farm is the only one.

See you there!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch Shell

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These two young local boys in Blue Hills were showing off a beautiful conch shell that they wanted to sell.

These two young local boys in Blue Hills were showing off a beautiful conch shell that they wanted to sell.

Blue Hills is another of my favourite areas where there’s always something great to photograph. These guys were on the beach by Da Conch Shack selling conch shells that they had cleaned.

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Conch

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The beautiful pink shell of a Queen conch is often crafted into decorative pieces

The beautiful pink shell of a Queen conch is often crafted into decorative pieces

The Queen conch live on sandy bottoms and feed on numerous species of algae and seagrasses.
Did you know that Providenciales , the Turks and Caicos Islands has the only viable commercial conch farm in the world?
The queen conch or Strombus gigas, has been a staple of these islands for at least a thousand years and it’s meat provides a major source of protein. Conch is found throughout the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A young Turks Island miss holds a baby conch
A young Turks Island miss holds a baby conch
The pretty pink conch shell is used for decorative items such as bowls, jewellery, lamps and  vases. Our guests often find shells to take home with them as well as for gift giving. You too can find your own conch shell to take home when you vacation here on our beautiful islands.
Marta
http://www.harbourclubvillas.com