See full version: The Best Diving in Turks; Caicos in 2021
Some will say that it's called the G spot because of the abundance of gorgonians fans, other guides say it’s because the wall turns in a “G” shape, but it's not because it's notoriously difficult to pinpoint. In fact there's a handy buoy line, taking you straight onto the site, which is around 40ft/12m. [links]
It is due to its magnificent arches that the site is called Mcdonalds. So be prepared for a cheesy swim through/drive through related joke from your guide! Appropriate for all ages and levels, the starting depth is around 30ft/10m. From there you pass under the wide arches, you emerge right onto the wall at around 70ft/22m.
Whiteface is predominantly done as a night dive, with the opportunity to see a variety of moray eels, octopus and lobsters prowling about. [links]
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The best way to get certified is to do all your pool work before you go. You can knock it out over the weekend if you like. The dive shop will give you a referral letter, which you take to your destination. Two shallow dives the first day, and two 60 foot dives the second, and you’re certified. My wife saw an octopus on her first certification dive in Bonaire, and six squid showed up on her second. Once you get below the surface, the water’s generally calm-I think diving’s easier than snorkeling once you get the hang of it.
Your insight and suggestions have made our diving in Bonaire both enjoyable and informative. Thank you!!
After years of diving we are spoiled with the bounty of these beautiful waters. So now.. where to go next🤔
With what has to be the easiest entry and exit by shore of Bonaire’s dive sites, there just simply is no excuse not to dive here! more
Tip: Ask a local diver or someone with experience diving this site for information or guidance on how to best plan this dive as it is not for the Bonaire diving beginner due to the rough surf and strong current that normally makes it inaccessible. [links]
Descending down to the Hilma Hooker is a fun experience; you’re in the deep blue and will suddenly see the dark silhouette of the ship as you approach. more
As for living up to its name, this dive site certainly does deliver! more
This island is located at the heart of the Caribbean and offers some of the most incredible sightseeing and adventures fin the area. The mountainous land is brimming with a rich history, vibrant culture, delicious food, and beautiful beaches. Whether you visit for a weekend or a month, you will soon feel right at home.
The islands are warm weathered and stunning all year round, but the best time to visit Puerto Rico is November to December. Although June to November is equally beautiful. This period is just before the heavy tourist season, has warm water, and good weather perfect for visiting beaches and diving. here
The people of Puerto Rico are extremely welcoming and will surely make you feel as part of the family. There are plenty land-based and ocean related activities to keep you mesmerized for the duration of your trip. If not everyone on your trip is a diver, there are ample surfing spots and nature trials for them to enjoy. here
Puerto Rico should be on just about everyone’s bucket list. It’s one of those destinations where the old world is intertwined with the modern.
Soft white sands and large coral heads await upon first descending at Amphitheater. An easy 100’ swim to the wall and a slight turn west leads divers to a huge bowl with three sloping sides – the Amphitheater. Blue parrotfish are abundant in this area and the queen triggerfish is often seen munching on sea urchins or warding off wrasses and snappers.
A 30’ deep top sandy reef gives way to wide shelf that is nearly 100’ deep. Rugged coral formations and a variety of sponges abound on this dive site, from plate and brain coral to barrel sponges and the cerulean-colored tube sponge. A variety of Caribbean fish call this Grand Turk dive site home and scrawled filefish and Spanish hogfish are often found here. here
A cliff-like drop into the ocean abyss is what gives Coral Canyon its name. A gradual decline on the upper reef ridge suddenly drops to more than 150’ and spectacular views. Hard and soft corals provide a safe haven to the octopus and eel that teem below. here
Surrounded by the third-largest coral reef in the world, Grand Turk is home to some of the most amazing dive sites in the Caribbean. Our world-renowned wall drops down to over 7000’ and is located just 1000’ off shore, making many of our guests’ best Turks and Caicos diving experiences just a short 10-minute boat ride. Most of the marine activity is along the upper part of the wall face, around the crest of the wall, and the reef top immediately behind the crest.
Submitter Comments:
Although this is a dive site hyped by the local resorts, it isn't all that interesting or challenging for the diver. The swim from shore to reef is long; long enough that most recreational divers would consider it a boat dive. There isn't much between the shore and reef, aside from vast swaths of sea-grass. Lots of invertebrates and small fish can be found in the sea-grass area, but they can be hard to find, especially for the inexperienced diver. The seagrass area ranges from 2m/6'to 6m/20' deep. As you approach the barrier reef the water becomes steadily shallower, eventually leaving you in water 2-4m (6-12') deep. The site itself consists of scattered boulders in a mixed sand/rock/seagrass plane. Various sponges and both soft and hard corals - especially fan corals - coat the boulders, which range in size from fist-size to the size of a compact car. Around these 'islands' many small colourful fish can be found, along with various invertebrates such as nudibranchs. The adventurous can continue past the barrier reef itself, although this can be quite dangerous given the extremely shallow water (parts of the reef are exposed at low tide; and water averages less than 1m/3' throughout the top of the reef) and frequent large breaking waves. In addition, the outside of the reef is extremely far from shore, and it is quite easy to follow the bottom (which stays at 9-10m/30-35' for a long ways) to a point where getting back to shore could be a real issue. The sea-side the reef is quite steep, and rapidly drops to 9m/30' in depth. Life here is much more abundant, with the reef consisting of very large boulders (house-sized) covered in all sorts of corals. Many fish circle these reefs, plus the usual Caribbean critters like morays and lobster. Overall this dive presents many dangers. The area between the reef and shore is filled with motor and sail boats from the surrounding resorts - all operated by individuals who most likely do not know what a dive flag is (or, for that matter, know how to run a boat). Additionally, large waves breaking over the reef, and currents on the sea-side of the reef, add additional dangers to divers whom leave the shelter of the shore-side for the more interesting sea-side edge of the reef. Combine all that with a long swim to the site, and the relatively large distance between interesting items, makes this dive quite risky for fairly low return. Although this site can be dived from shore, your best bet is to take one of the free resort dive or snorkel boats instead. The cost is the same, and you can avoid the long - and somewhat dangerous - trip to/from the site.
Directions:
This dive is located on the man-made barrier reef in front of Whitehouse, Jamaica. The barrier reef is easily visible from the town, or local resorts, and is located 200m-500m off-shore (depending on exactly where you enter the water). The closest approach is from the Dutch beach at the Sandals Whitehouse Inn. Simply surface-swim or SCUBA along the bottom due south until you hit the barrier reef.
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