Caicos Tours
Turtle Cove Marina, Turtle Cove, Providenciales
The Turks and Caicos Islands are surrounded by approximately 340 miles (547 km) of a pristine barrier reef that is considered the second finest reef system in the tropical Atlantic. The reefs of the Turks and Caicos are one of the main reasons why visitors from across the globe travel to these spectacular islands.
Caicos Tours operates the Undersea Explorer, a unique semi-submarine vessel that allows tourists to experience the reefs without having to get wet. These tours are immersive, fun, and a great option for people—young and old—who don’t want to (or can’t) swim, scuba dive, or snorkel.
Caicos Tours' Reef Adventure tours are available as private and public excursions throughout the week, as is their Mermaid Adventure (where you can watch a freediving mermaid swim elegantly above the reefs). The Mermaid Adventure is a particularly magical experience for young children.
Caicos Tours also has the elegant Sea Jay day yacht, which offers custom private charters at a reasonable price.
The Undersea Explorer
The Undersea Explorer was designed for viewing coral reefs, and was specifically engineered in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel is a boat, yet the central hull allows guests to sit well below the water’s surface in air-conditioned comfort, and has large observatory windows through which you can observe passing sealife.
The vessel has seating for a maximum of 16 passengers, with a window for each passenger. A knowledgeable guide leads the tour, identifying the various fish and marine creatures, and guests are provided with fish identification cards.
Tour Destinations and Sightings
Tours take place off the north coast of Providenciales at reefs in the Turtle Cove, Smith’s Reef, and Babalua Beach area. This section of bay is relatively shallow and calm, with a large number of bay reefs interspersed between seagrass beds and sandy ocean floor. Tours depart from Turtle Cove Marina near the popular Mango Reef restaurant, and the trip from the dock out to the reefs is short.
As the tour navigates wild reefs, there’s no guarantee of what you might see. However, green turtles and hawksbill turtles are common, as are stingrays, eagle rays, and a wide array of reef fish that often includes blue tangs, stoplight parrotfish, mangrove snappers, several types of jacks, bluehead wrasse, French grunts, yellow goatfish, porcupinefish, and much more. In the seagrass beds, you can find red cushion starfish, conch, and nurse sharks, while spiny lobsters can sometimes be seen hiding in the reef.
Book Direct. Make a Difference.
When you book your charter or tour through large booking platforms, a significant portion of your payment goes to fees and commissions. But when you book direct, you’re ensuring more of your money stays with the people who make your trip unforgettable, and ensuring a more sustainable future for the TCI. Make a bigger difference with your dollars. Book direct.
Fun for All Ages
The Undersea Explorer is a wonderful way for people of all ages to enjoy the wonders of the ocean, but the Mermaid Adventure tour is especially enjoyable for visitors looking to entertain little ones. The tour includes an educational exploration of the local coral reefs with the added bonus of a mermaid sighting. The mermaid can also make private appearances for kids parties, camps, weddings, and corporate events.
The Turks and Caicos supports an incredible range of marine life, nearly all of which rely on the reefs for survival. The extensive mangrove wetlands of the Caicos Islands are an important counterpart to the reef systems, and serve as nurseries for many species found on the reefs. Many tropical Atlantic water species are represented on or around the Turks and Caicos barrier reef, which boasts a generally high diversity of species and large densities of stoplight parrot fish, Caribbean reef sharks, and a plethora of hard and soft coral species.
It can be challenging to get children and non-swimmers to engage with the underwater environment, but the Undersea Explorer opens up a whole new world to life below the surface in a safe and comfortable environment.
Private Charters on the Sea Jay
Caicos Tours also provides private bespoke day charters on the Sea Jay, a Mainship Pilot 30-foot (9 m) day yacht. This comfortable and stable vessel is perfect for exploring the secluded cays, bays, and remote beaches of the Turks and Caicos.
The Sea Jay has a toilet onboard, as well as a small cabin and a galley space. You can choose from full-day, half-day, or sunset excursions. A range of refreshments and snacks is provided according to the trip.
Located at Turtle Cove Marina
Turtle Cove Marina is a full-service marina that caters to private vessels and local tour companies. The location is the oldest marina on Providenciales, and is home to several restaurants. The broader Turtle Cove area supports low-density and upscale residences and villas.