Providenciales Swimming
The Turks and Caicos, and Grace Bay Beach in particular, offer some of the best conditions in the world for open water swimming.
Our clear and generally calm waters allow swimmers to see fascinating marine life, including stingrays, barracudas, and, on occasion, dolphins.
Grace Bay is the perfect destination for swimmers training for upcoming races and triathlons, as well as beginners looking for a benign environment to learn in. The beach annually hosts the Race for the Conch open water swimming competition, which features races of various lengths.
Lessons and Supervised Training
Several local businesses offer both swim lessons with certified and experienced instructors as well as guided safaris. Powerboat and stand-up paddleboard escorts are also available, and such trips can be tailored for any distance.
Lessons for Children
Everyone, regardless of where they live or what their occupation is, should know how to swim. You are never too young to begin swim lessons, and many of the local instructors provide training and equipment specially designed for children.
Locations
The contiguous north Providenciales coasts of Grace Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, and the Bight Beach are incredible locations for swimming. Sheltered by the northern Caicos barrier reef, these sites offer gentle depth increases off the beach to about 12–25 feet (4–8 m) in the central bay.
Ocean conditions at the central Providenciales beaches are typically excellent. Currents, underpulls, and irregular waves are very uncommon.
The spectacular cays and beaches between Providenciales and North Caicos are an incredible setting for long-distance swims.
Safety
- Most of the Grace Bay resorts have roped-off swim zones where boats are prohibited from entering. We advise remaining in these zones.
- Know your physical limits. Do not try to swim out to the barrier reef.
- Be aware of boats. Some boat captains are reckless.
- Even swimming along the shore can be precarious if you cross boat channels.
- Do not venture from the coast unless you are with a knowledgeable guide.
Events and Competitions
The Race for the Conch Eco-SeaSwim is the premier swim competition in the Turks and Caicos. Typically held on the last Saturday in June on Providenciales, this event offers races of several different lengths for both adults and children.
