Best Snorkeling Beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Bight Reef and Smith’s Reef Offer Easy Access to Exotic Sea Life

Does your heart race when you think about being submerged under water?

Does fear set in when you imagine yourself having to see through a mask and breathe through a mouthpiece and tube?

That was my story when I first tried snorkeling. But the dazzling sight of brightly colored fish swimming up to you and the spectacular view of the marine world under the water grab your attention and your fears disappear like rising bubbles to the water’s surface.

Home of the third largest reef in the world, Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a premier location for rookie snorkelers.

“You can literally walk out into the water and go snorkeling right off the beach,” commented one TripAdvisor reviewer.

Not only is the water pristine and clear and the diversity of marine life remarkable, but it’s accessible right from the shore which makes it and ideal snorkeling beach for novices. As soon as you step into the water you can see brightly colored fish swimming right by you.

About a 10 minute drive from Villa Del Mar Resort on Grace Bay is Bight Reef, also known as Coral Gardens Reef, where one can experience one of the best snorkeling beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Probably the best snorkeling I have done… and I have done some great snorkeling!” raved another reviewer on TripAdvisor.

Bight Reef is a top snorkeling beach. In fact it was dubbed by www.caribbeantravelmag.com as one of the top 25 places in the world to snorkel. It’s situated just offshore from the Coral Gardens Resort. There is a circular area marked with red buoys. This indicates the zone is off limits to the public and protects the ecosystem of the small reef. Around this is the larger designated swimming area which is marked with white buoys. This area is ideal for recreational snorkeling.

Video of Snorkeling at Coral Gardens Reef and Smith’s Reef

“No area was as convenient or more filled with marine life than the Bight Reef in front of the Coral Gardens.” remarked a visitor on Trip Advisor.

As it’s only a few hundred feet off the beach, this site is perfect for those trying snorkeling for the first time. A lot of the reef is under five feet in depth. The sea grass beds are home to an array of fascinating creatures including eagle rays and turtles.

About a fifteen minute drive from Villa Del Mar Resort is another remarkable snorkeling site, Smith’s Reef. Located in Turtle Cove, this reef is comprised of several coral beds. There are three access points. There is the East beach access off Lower Bight Road. Alternatively, there are accesses off of Coconut Road. In one direction is the more Central public beach access. In the other direction, you’ll find a short dirt road leads to a secret beach access known as the “West Access”. Here the water is calm and the distance to the reef is short. It’s ideal for the novice.

“Those who are just learning or uncomfortable can see plenty of fish in waist deep water. The sections of the reef are very near shore,” shared a Trip Advisor reviewer.

Another Trip Advisor reviewershared, “As a beginning snorkeler, I felt comfortable navigating the waters here.”

Not only does Smith’s Reef offer a setting for beginners, but it also provides deeper waters and more challenging snorkeling for those with more extensive experience to their credit. Whichever part of Smith’s Reef that you visit, the waters are teaming with color and energy. A stellar array of marine life lives here including parrot fish, angel fish, jacks, snapper, eagle rays, grouper, and turtles.

Bight Reef and Smith’s Reef offer some of the best snorkeling beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It’s a truly amazing world under the water off Providenciales. You don’t need to be an experienced snorkeler to appreciate the brilliance of the colors and the magic in the movements. A lack of familiarity with snorkeling gear shouldn’t put you off. They are, in fact, your ticket to a sensational underwater show.