Smith's Reef, Providenciales.
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Smith's Reef Providenciales

Editor's Comments
Although some of the reefs here can be a little difficult to find, this is the best easily accessible snorkeling spot on Providenciales. The most impressive reef can be found in the deeper water off the point between the West and Central accesses. Be aware of boats in the area if you stray from the reefs.
5-star rating for Smith's Reef by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Majestic and typically larger than the more common brown stingray, eagle rays are the highlight of a Smith’s Reef visit. Most often, you can find them in the channel between the inner and outer reefs at Smith’s Reef West.

Smith’s Reef is a beautiful snorkeling site off central Providenciales, and comprises several distinct reef systems and coral heads. The outer reefs at Smith’s Reef is the best easily accessible beach snorkeling site on the island.

Smith’s Reef is located near Turtle Cove on the north coast of Providenciales, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from Grace Bay. It’s possible to walk along the beach from Grace Bay to Smith’s Reef, yet many will find the distance too far to be pleasant.

There are several reefs in the area, with sites suitable for novice and experienced snorkelers alike. To protect the environment, ensure not to brush anything with your fins, camera, or other gear while snorkeling.

Fish, Coral, and Marine Life

The variety of wildlife and coral at Smith’s Reef varies quite a bit by each individual reef, yet nearly every reef offers great arrays of colorful reef fish.

The brilliantly patterned flamingo tongue sea snail can usually be spotted on the sea fans and soft corals at Smith’s Reef.

The larger creatures include green and hawksbill turtles, southern brown stingrays, and majestic spotted eagle rays.

There are so many colorful and unique fish to see at Smith’s Reef, including stoplight parrotfish, queen angelfish, French angelfish, butterfly fish, porcupinefish, trumpetfish, yellowtail snapper, squirrelfish, damselfish, rock hinds, French grunts, filefish, bluehead wrasse, indigo hamlets, horse-eye jacks, barracuda, and many more.

Under the ledges are spiny lobsters, slipper lobsters, banded coral shrimp, spotted moray eels, and channel crabs.

There’s a wide array of hard and soft corals, sea fans, sponges, and other sessile animals, which tend to be in healthier condition than what’s found at many of the other easily accessed snorkeling sites on Providenciales.

Above: The eastern-most part of Smith's Reef.   Top right:  Top left:  A beaugregory, at the western section of Smith's Reef.   Bottom right:  Top right:  Small squids can often be seen at Smith’s Reef.  

Night Snorkeling

At night, different creatures emerge, including squid, shrimp, large sea worms, sea snails, and the occasional octopus.

If you can fit it into your vacation schedule, revisiting to snorkel at night can be very rewarding. It’s necessary to have a dive light when night snorkeling, as even regular flashlights advertised as waterproof tend to eventually be destroyed by corrosive seawater seeping into the light. See Providenciales Water Sports Shopping.

Warnings & Regulations

If you are in charge of children, ensure that they understand and follow these guidelines.

Dangerous Currents
This beach occasionally has a strong current. Swim at your own risk.
Lionfish
Watch out for lionfish. Lionfish spines are venomous. Touching spines causes a painful, sometimes dangerous, sting.
Sea Urchins
Sea urchins are found here. Watch where you step and do not touch them. Spines are painful and difficult to remove.
Watch for Boats
Do not snorkel or swim in or near the canal into Turtle Cove Marina or at the rock jetty at the entrance. Getting hit by a boat will kill you.
No Fishing
It is illegal to fish and collect conch and lobster in a National Park. Violators will face large fines and jail time.
Do Not Take Shells or Coral
It is illegal to remove shells, corals, plants, animals, and sand from a National Park without government permission.
Do Not Touch Fish or Coral
Keep well away from all marine life. Certain fish and animal species are venomous, and touching them may result in serious injury.
Dogs Must Be on Leash
It is illegal to have unleashed dogs on the beach and in public. Keep your dog leashed and clean up after it.
No Lifeguard
There are no lifeguards present in this area. Swim at your own risk and know your own limits.
No Littering
It is illegal to litter or dump waste. This includes cigarette butts, bottles, cans, and plastic. Take trash with you.
No Loud Music or Noise
It is illegal to play music, games, or make noise to the discomfort of others. Certain events require government permission.
No Open Fires
No open fires on the beach are allowed. Fires are only permitted in a portable grill or stove. Take ashes with you.

Ocean Conditions and Dangers

Parrotfish are very common to the reefs off the north coast of Providenciales. Typically seen browsing and chewing on the reef, traveling schools such as these stoplight parrotfish can often be seen.

Smith’s Reef is generally a safe and stress-free area to snorkel. The greatest considerations are boat traffic, currents, and lionfish.

Watercraft Traffic

Smith’s Reef is located near Turtle Cove Marina, and vessels commonly enter and exit the marina. This traffic travels quite a distance from the popular reefs, yet it’s possible to stray into the entry channel. Don’t snorkel or swim in or near the canal into Turtle Cove Marina, or at the rock jetty at the entrance.

Due to the many reefs and shoals, nearly all boats entering Turtle Cove Marina closely follow the same route, so it’s easy to get an idea of which areas to avoid if you watch a boat or two.

Currents and Water Movement

School of horse-eye jacks at Smith's Reef, Providenciales.

There can be a strong current at times at Smith’s Reef. The largest reef in the area is located off a small point of land, and normal tide changes can accelerate water movement around the point. This current travels parallel to the beach, and subsides significantly after a short distance.

This current generally isn’t a major concern or danger if you understand how it works. If you find yourself in the current, simply swim at a comfortable pace toward shore, and don’t try to fight your way back against the water movement. You may end up a short distance from your starting point, but it’ll only take a minute to walk back up the coast.

If there are abnormal weather or storm conditions present, it’s best to avoid swimming in the ocean.

Strong wind conditions can cause choppy waves, which can be unpleasant to snorkel in. See Wind, Waves and Tide for a forecast and more details.

Lionfish

Lionfish (pterois volitans) at a reef in the Bight off of Providenciales
The common lionfish (Pterois volitans).

The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) can be found in the Turks and Caicos. This invasive and predatory species from the Indo-Pacific is now common throughout the warmer Atlantic and Caribbean.

Lionfish have venomous spines that are able to give very painful stings, which in worst-case scenarios can cause temporary seizures or paralysis. They are very unaggressive and tend to stay close to the reef, yet are easier to approach than other fish. Keep a safe distance from this fish.

In the rare cases of a sting, nearly all situations were swimmers or snorkelers who inadvertently touched the lionfish and were not aggressively attacked. If you see a lionfish, keep a distance of several feet or a meter away to be safe. Other animals and corals can also sting, so be sure not to touch or stand on the reef.

Lionfish are very damaging to the reef environment, as they consume incredible amounts of the smaller reef fish and have no known natural predators in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. Regional efforts are being made to remove lionfish, largely by promoting the consumption of the fish. Mature adults reach a length of about 14 inches (35 cm).

Sharks

It’s very uncommon to spot a shark at Smith’s Reef. If you’re very lucky, you may spot a docile nurse shark. Southern brown stingrays and spotted eagle rays, which are closely related to sharks, are typical sightings at Smith’s Reef.

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Smith’s Reef Beach Accesses

Two different types of plume worms on a coral head at Smith's Reef.

The Smith’s Reef area has three public beach accesses, and each offers interesting sights. It can be a little difficult to find some of the reefs. For walking distances and more information, reference the Smith’s Reef map above.

West Access

The reefs near the West access and off the rocky point are the best in the area. The two systems close to shore shelter large numbers of fish, yet the coral is a little drab compared to the deeper section of the reef, which is found across a 100-foot (30 m) wide and 18-foot (5.5 m) deep channel.

Central Access

At the Central access, two shoal reefs extend out from the beach. The corals aren’t quite as vibrant here as at the north access, yet there’s lush seagrass, southern brown stingrays, turtles, and large numbers of parrotfish.

East Access

The East access offers several small coral heads quite close to the beach. This is an excellent choice when visiting with children, due to the shallow water and the short swimming distance.

There typically aren’t any sightings of the larger sea creatures, yet juvenile reef fish, squid, and coral are abundant.

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