The Turks and Caicos is a picturesque group of 40 islands, fringed by white sand beaches and washed by turquoise waters. It is a beautiful by nature and Caribbean by charm, but has an air of sophistication that you would expect as a centre of offshore finance. Lying on the edge of the Gulf Stream, to the southeast of Bahamas and north of the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands are ideally situated for liveaboard cruises with plenty of underwater action.
The main attraction of liveaboard diving here is the superb shark action - the Turks & Caicos (known locally as “TCI”) are right up there with the Bahamas as the best Caribbean destination for encounters with large predators. Hammerhead sharks are found here, tiger sharks, nurse and Caribbean reef sharks. The reefs are healthy and vibrant, and the walls are amongst the deepest and most dramatic in the Caribbean. Thousands of humpback whales also pass by the islands on their way to gather at Silver Bank, off the Dominican Republic. Perhaps surprisingly, the scuba diving in the Turks and Caicos is not that challenging, and so this is a liveaboard destination suitable for all levels of diver.
The islands themselves, only 9 of which are inhabited, are quite diverse, from the main tourist center of Providenciales, the historic Capital of Grand Turk, to the uninhabitated West Caicos Island, and cays such as Parrot, Pine and French Cay. There are plenty of watersports and nature tours, as well as fine golf courses and spas.
Quite a bit of island hopping is required to see all the top dive spots here so a liveaboard is definitely the best option to explore the Turks and Caicos Islands:
This route focuses on the western region of the country, where most of the big marine life is encountered. Northwest Point Marine Park in Providenciales is home to turtles, large schools of snapper, grunts and goatfish. Caribbean reef sharks roam the reefs and walls, and dolphins, whale sharks, eagle and manta rays, and whales visit, especially during the winter months. West Caicos is where most of the dives take place. The wall that runs the length of this small island is the most breathtaking in the country and creatures both large and small can be found here. French Cay is a wildlife sanctuary and the liveaboards visit here for the chance to see the spectacular, such as hammerheads, bull and tiger sharks, lemon sharks, and mating nurse sharks. [More details on these dive sites: • Turks and Caicos].
Turks and Caicos liveaboard cruises are usually 7 nights in duration, with occasional longer 10 night trips. These safaris is suitable to certified scuba divers of all experience levels and tours run all year round apart from February and March (when the boats relocate in the Dominican Republic to snorkel with humpback whales).
> [More details: Providenciales, West Caicos and French Cay Trips]
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The summer months of July to September are the warmest in the Turks and Caicos Islands at 90°F/32°C. The winter months of January and February are the cooler at 81°F/27°C. The rainy season is September to December, and the hurricane season is June to November (1 in 7 years chance).
The warmest sea temperatures occur from August to October (84°F/29°C). Cooler waters occur from January to April (79°F/26°C). Visibility is usually excellent throughout the year. Currents are gentle, surface conditions are calm, apart from a few swells in winter.
December through May is the most popular time to visit (but not February and March). January through March is the best time to see humpback whales, and July through September is the time to watch mating nurse sharks. For more on seasonal planning, visit our Turks & Caicos diving destination section.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory, located southeast of the Bahamas, east of Cuba, and north of the Dominican Republic. It is in the Atlantic Ocean although still considered part of the Caribbean. There are 8 inhabited islands and a total of 40 small islands and cays. There are 2 international airports - on Providenciales and on Grand Turk. Our Turks & Caicos liveaboard cruises depart from Providenciales.
There are direct flights to Providenciales International Airport (PLS) from the USA, Canada (Toronto and Montreal), several Caribbean territories, and from Grand Turk (30 minutes flight). There are many airports to choose from in the USA but the shortest distance is from Miami, which is a 1½ hour flight. Airlines include Delta, American Airlines, United, Air Canada, Westjet, Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue.
For your peace of mind, we strongly advise securing comprehensive insurance that covers both scuba diving activities and potential trip cancellations. You can obtain a competitive quote through our recommended insurance program:
Extend your Turks and Caicos diving adventure by booking pre- or post-liveaboard accommodations through our trusted partner, HotelsCombined.com. Their platform offers a wide selection of hotels and resorts across the islands, easy online bookings with secure credit card payment, and price protection with their 'Lowest Price Guarantee'. Simply browse their options and book your ideal stay in minutes, knowing you're getting the best possible value for your Turks & Caicos visit:
