Tag Archives: Green Turtle

Snorkeler’s dream day at the Bight Reef

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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.
Some of us enjoy a good book!
The underwater world is just magical
An eagle ray glides past….such beauty and grace
A brightly coloured Queen Angel fish
A pin cushion sea star that’s a beautiful orange. Please just look and enjoy!
How about these little squid

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.

Love those colourful parrotfish
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.

A hawksbill turtle at the Bight Reef

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

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

Green Turtles Released

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One of the turtles waiting to swim free in the waters at the Bight Reef

What a tremendous afternoon it was today. We were all enthralled and so happy to watch the release of six, two year old green turtles. These turtles  were all born in the Turks and Caicos Islands and brought to the Providenciales Conch farm to be raised until capable of surviving in the ocean. The bigger the turtles the better chance for survival. Once grown it is hoped that they will return to nest here in the Turks and Caicos. Today was the day as the six turtles headed into the waters at the Bight Reef by Coral Gardens.

Carefully carrying his precious cargo of green turtles.

Malaika is a little unsure as she takes a closer look at the turtles

 

Lots of kids came to watch and these two little ones were so excited.

 

Such beautiful markings on this little two year old green turtle.

 

This little guy poked his head out to get a better look at everything.

There are very few nesting turtles in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the green turtle is a threatened species. Apparently fishing for turtles in many parts of the world is not allowed but often they are caught by local fisherman and eaten by residents. In the Turks and Caicos Islands you cannot take a nesting turtle or catch one that is less than 20″ in diameter.

Eiglys Trejo holds Frack, one of the turtles she helped feed and care for at the Conch Farm.

These little guys were flapping their "flippers" ready for their first big swim in the waters by the Bight Reef.

The big moment as everyone watches them make their way into the ocean.

Free at last....a heart warming sight!

Scooting down the sand towards the water.

 

Into the water we all go.

As soon as they got to the water, it wasn't too long before they swam away and over towards the reef.

Hoping to see these turtles again as they grow and hopefully return to nest here.

So wonderful to see them swimming free.

Everyone was smiling and happy to see these little guys return to their natural habitat. I’m so glad I got to experience this moment but I’m still hoping that one day I will see hatchlings making for the water.

I’m still smiling as I write this.

Today was a wonderful day on Providenciales.

 

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