Turks and Caicos Fishing Guide
The Turks and Caicos Islands has a pristine marine environment that supports excellent deep-sea fishing, reef and bottom fishing, and bonefishing.
From many of the islands, prime trawling waters are found less than a 15-minute boat ride from shore. In the shallow saltwater flats of many of the Caicos Islands (the island group that includes Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, and East Caicos), the bonefishing is world-class.
This guide provides general information on fishing in the Turks and Caicos, including types, seasons, limits, and protected areas. For charters and excursions, see Turks and Caicos Fishing Charters.
Common Catches and Target Species
There is a rough season for catching certain species (see chart below).
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Deep-sea fishing is most affected by this seasonal variation. The winter months are better for catching wahoo, mahi-mahi, and sailfish, whereas the summer months are when you’re more likely to catch tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin.
Bonefishing tends to be good throughout the year.
The common practice for billfish such as blue marlin and sailfish is to catch-and-release. Edible species such as tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are usually kept, chilled, and can be brought back for dinner (or to a chef at some local seafood restaurants).
Deep-Sea Sport Fishing
Turks and Caicos has the perfect geography for deep-sea and big game fishing. The islands are situated on a shallow submerged plateau with a steep nearby drop-off that opens up onto deep Atlantic Ocean water. On Providenciales and Grand Turk, it often only takes 15 minutes to reach water that’s over 5,000 feet (1,500 m) deep.
Deep-sea charters usually take place on purpose-built sport trawlers, many of which offer luxurious cabins and amenities.
Common catches include yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and barracuda. Lucky anglers may catch billfish like sailfish, blue marlin, and white marlin.
Finding Fish
Seabirds are often a good ocean surface indicator of where to drop lines. Look for large congregations of birds on the horizon—as game fish attack schooling pelagic fish, birds feast on scraps that float to the surface. Part of the day’s adventure is scanning the horizon for birds to find the best spot.
Companies may use special devices that use ultrasonic waves to locate fish.
Another less common indicator is congregations of pilot whales or dolphins.
Bonefishing and Flats Fishing
The extensive Caicos Banks offers some of the finest flats fishing in the tropical Atlantic. Flats fishing is typically great throughout the year, yet the summer and autumn months are often best. This period coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season.
The best locations are hidden in the maze of shoals and channel fronting the southern wetlands of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and East Caicos. South Caicos also offers wonderful conditions. This quiet destination, home to just a few resorts, boasts expansive sounds and flats that see very few visitors.
Bonefish, barracuda, and tarpon are possible catches. The common local bonefish averages 4–5 lbs (1.8-2.2 kg), but can exceed 12 lbs (5.45 kg).
Tour companies usually provide all necessary equipment, including rods, flies, tackle, and line. Seven to nine weight flyfishing rods are the recommended size.
Successful bonefishing requires a bit of skill and experience, though lessons are available from the local guides. Don’t forget to bring polarized sunglasses—they allow you to see below the surface better. A hat, buff, and high-quality sun gear is essential to protect yourself from the intense sun.
Reef and Bottom Fishing
Reef and bottom fishing is the easiest option for beginners. It doesn’t require much strength or experience, and consequently is a great activity for children and families.
Possible catches are Nassau grouper, strawberry grouper (rock hind), lane snapper, red snapper, mutton snapper, gray snapper, yellowtail, horse-eye jack, bar jack, black jack, skipjack, mackerel, kingfish, barracuda, and various triggerfish.
Great spots can be found throughout the Turks and Caicos, though your luck varies greatly according to the season, weather conditions, and the tide. Local captains and guides will advise you on the best location according to the conditions.
Lobster and Conch Fishing
Diving for conch and lobster is offered on some island hopping and boat charter excursions. It involves using a mask and snorkel to search for these marine bottom dwellers, which are typically found in water starting from shallow depths.
Lobster has an applicable season, and there are protected areas where the collecting of conch and lobster is prohibited. The open season for lobster is typically from August 1 through March 31.
Fishing Charters
Nearly all fishing excursions in the Turks and Caicos Islands are private charters. Most businesses are located on Providenciales, though charter companies do operate on Grand Turk, South Caicos, and Salt Cay. Guests of the private island resorts on Pine Cay and Parrot Cay can usually book through one of the Providenciales companies.
Snacks, drinks, licenses, and all necessary equipment are usually included. Lunch is typically provided on 6-hour (three-quarter day) or 8-hour (full-day) charters, and some excursions include a beach BBQ on a secluded cay where you can grill your catch.
Generally, booking a charter gives you the best chance of coming home with a great catch.
Shore Fishing
Shore fishing varies throughout the country but is an option if you have your own equipment, are traveling on a budget, or don’t want to spend the day on a boat.
Decent locations can be found on land for bottom fishing and flats fishing. See the island-specific pages for detailed location information and directions.
The islands of North Caicos and Middle Caicos are arguably the best places for shore fishing. These islands are connected by a causeway and boast unspoiled and rarely visited coastlines.
On Providenciales, the Heaving Down Rock area is the only recommended shore fishing site, as it’s easy to find and access and the channel’s natural water movement is a haven for fish.
If you plan to do this type of angling, you may want to bring your own equipment. This is especially true if you’re angling on any island other than Providenciales, as supply stores are either limited or nonexistent.
It’s important to be aware of (and to not fish) in the protected areas if you’re DIY fishing. Much of the north coast of Providenciales is part of the Princess Alexandra National Park and is off-limits for fishing.
If you’re DIY fishing, it’s also your responsibility to obtain a license (see Fishing Licenses). These may be purchased from most marinas.
There are no suitable rental vessels for self-captained fishing.
Freshwater Fishing
There is no freshwater fishing in the Turks and Caicos.
Tournaments and Competitions
Several sport fishing events take place in the Turks and Caicos annually, many of which are smaller local competitions.
The Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament on Providenciales is the primary tournament for the year, and is a multi-day competition with prizes for various catches. There’s the light tackle trawling tournament and a bottom fishing tournament organized by Froggies, as well as the casual Who Cares Fishing Tournament.
Another event is Fisherman's Day on South Caicos, an annual festival that honors the country’s fishermen and features several competitions, including conch diving, as well as music and entertainment.
Protected Areas and National Parks
There are many national parks and nature reserves in Turks and Caicos, and it’s a criminal offense to fish or collect conch or lobster in these regions. If you’re not angling with a local tour business, it’s your duty to know which areas are off-limits.
Many of the popular coastlines and beaches on Providenciales, Grand Turk, and South Caicos are inside a national park or nature reserve. This includes Grace Bay Beach and nearly all of Leeward Beach, as well as the Bight Beach, and Turtle Cove. Fishing is also prohibited at the popular scuba diving sites of Northwest Point, French Cay, and West Caicos.
If you fish on your own, it’s your responsibility to be aware of regulations and protected areas. See Providenciales National Parks, Columbus Landfall National Park (Grand Turk), Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park (South Caicos), and the Ramsar Nature Reserve (North Caicos and Middle Caicos).
Fishing Seasons
There are established fishing seasons for lobster, Nassau grouper, and stone crab in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The open season for lobster is usually from August 1 to March 31, while Nassau grouper's open season is from March 1 to November 30. Hunting these animals outside of their seasons is illegal.
Shark Fishing
Shark and ray fishing is legal in the Turks and Caicos Islands, however, there have been plans to restrict this. Proposals include banning the ‘commercial exploitation’ of sharks and rays in the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) of the TCI, where the seabed depth is greater than 100 meters (around 300 feet).
Fishing Limits
A person holding a recreational fishing license is allowed to keep 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of fish (which may be cleaned) and one trophy fish (which may exceed 10 pounds or 4.5 kg in weight) per day.
Generally, most edible fish must be at least 6 inches in length to be kept.
Nassau grouper has a different minimum catch size for commercial and recreational fishing. The minimum length is 17 inches under a commercial recreational license and 21 inches (maximum 35 inches) for a sports fishing license.
Fishing Supply Stores
There are two fishing supply shops on Providenciales. The foremost is Walkin Marine near Downtown, which carries a wide selection of fresh bait, hooks, rods, reels, tackle, and lures, along with general marine, boating, and repair supplies. The small shop at Scooter Bob's Car Rental is found near Turtle Cove Marina, and stocks bait, basic rods and reels, light tackle, and general gear. Tiny pieces of conch or squid are generally the most effective bait.
Prohibited Fishing Practices
Fishing with spear guns is illegal in the Turks and Caicos. Hawaiian slings are not permitted for recreational fishing. With the sole exception of the invasive lionfish, it is illegal to collect any marine product while using scuba equipment, including conch and lobster.
Hunting Lionfish
Lionfish is a venomous fish native to the Indo-Pacific, and it is invasive in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Lionfish prey on smaller reef fish, reproduce very quickly, and have an insatiable appetite, all of which can damage and change existing food chains and ultimately deteriorate the reef.
The spines on the lionfish are capable of causing an extremely painful sting to humans, which in rare cases can cause temporary paralysis.
The most common method for catching lionfish, both in the Turks and Caicos and globally, is by spear or pole spear. Lionfish is the only species in the Turks and Caicos Islands that you can legally spear, collect in nature reserves and national parks, and harvest using scuba diving equipment. It’s not a typical practice to hook lionfish.
Lionfish are actually delicious and safe to eat, with a white flaky texture and taste similar to snapper. It also has one of the highest percentages of fillet-to-total-weight ratios, with up to 33% of its weight being edible and clean fillet.
To hunt lionfish, you must obtain a license from the Department of Fisheries (which has offices located on South Dock Road). It's strongly recommended that you learn about safely hunting and cleaning lionfish from someone experienced before attempting to do so on your own. There are no organized tours in Turks and Caicos for hunting lionfish.
Fishing Charters
