The Turks and Caicos Islands are two groups of tropical archipelago islands in the Bahamas. With the Caicos Islands being the larger and the Turks Islands smaller. They are located northeast of Cuba. But are there sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands?
There are sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The sharks are generally found further out in the open water. Scuba diving in the Turks and Caicos Islands offers excellent visibility with an opportunity the see a variety of sharks like nurse sharks, hammerheads, Caribbean reef sharks, and tiger sharks, and even humpback whales.
In today’s post, we will go through in more detail about are their sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands. So let’s get started!
Read more on common questions asked by divers
Where Are The Turks And Caicos Islands?
The Turks and Caicos Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean. It lies southeast of the Bahamas, northeast of Cuba, and about 1,000 kilometers from Miami in the United States.
With more than 40 small islands and cays, the eight inhabited islands are separated into two island groups.
Are There Sharks In The Turks And Caicos Islands?
Yes, there are sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands. You have the chance to see sharks like the whale shark, reef sharks, and hammerhead sharks on every dive.
You can also see other marine life like the flying gurnards, eagle rays, turtles, jacks, spades, grouper, and more.
What Types Of Sharks Are In The Turks and Caicos Islands?
The Dutch Caribbean islands are home to at least 20 species of sharks. The seas around the Turks and Caicos Islands are home to well-known sharks like reef sharks, whale sharks, and nurse sharks.
These the some of the species of sharks that are in the Caribbean sea.
- Reef shark.
- Whale shark.
- Hammerhead shark.
- Nurse shark.
- Lemon shark.
- Bull shark.
- Tiger shark.
Are There Any Shark Attacks In The Turks And Caicos Islands?
The simple answer is yes. Considering the number of sharks in and around the Turks and Caicos Islands there have only been only three recorded shark attacks on humans in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
And none of those cases resulted in the loss of limbs or fatalities.
Are There Sharks In Turks And Caicos Islands Beaches?
Sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands normally stay in deeper water where their food supply is and they can feed on larger fish. It is rare that they would come to the Turks and Caicos Islands’ shores.
Where To Go Diving In Turks And Caicos Islands?
There are a few dive operators and dive resorts on the three main tourist areas on the islands. The 3 main areas are as follows.
- Providenciales (Provo).
- Grand Turk.
- Salt Cay.
What Are The Best Dive Sites In The Turks And Caicos Islands?
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, you can go scuba diving and explore the reefs and see the amazing marine life. The dive sites more suited towards open water divers are on the south of the island.
Here are some of the best dive sites in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- French Cay.
- Grand Turk.
- West Caicos.
- Grace Bay.
- Salt Cay.
French Cay
French Cay is an amazing dive site with beautiful reefs, soft corals, and sponges. The wall has an east to west direction allowing the corals and sponges to get maximum sunlight.
There is also a chance to see marine life such as reef sharks, rays, eels, reef fish, and plenty of other types of sharks have been sighted in this area.
If you can plan to dive in French Cay between January to March you have a chance to see Humpback whales. While in July to September you can see nurse sharks cause it’s their mating season.
Grand Turk
This is home to the Columbus National Marine Park. It is called that as it marks the place where allegedly Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World way back in the late 1400s.
The dive sites here are just the start of Grand Turk. Where you will see amazing underwater steep coral walls.
It has shallow reefs where you can see Nassau groupers, Hawksbill turtles, manta rays and lionfish, and giant Sponges.
West Caicos
This is an uninhabited island but West Caico offers some amazing open water dives with a great opportunity to see a wide range of marine life. What is even better is that a diver of any level can dive here.
There is a long wall around 9 km that is very close to the shore and has great reef dive sites with depths around 12 m.
You have a chance to see a wide range of marine life such as Staghorn Corals, Groupers, Blue Tangs, Grunts, and Snappers.
Grace Bay
Grace Bay offers an amazing dive site that is surrounded by a 14-mile long barrier reef. As a result of the reef, it offers the opportunity to see and explore small walls, and canyons made of coral.
there is also a chance to see marine life such as reef sharks, turtles, snapper, barracuda, and if you are very lucky manta rays have been sighted in this area.
Salt Cay
Salt Cay has a wide range of dive sites that offer a chance to see amazing coral reefs, marine life, and great wall dives. It is also a migrating Humpback as they pass through the area from their Dominican breeding grounds.
As well as diving with whales, you’ll have the ability to dive the wreck of a British warship, which is complete with anchors and cannons.
When To Go Diving In The Turks And Caicos Islands?
The Turks and Caicos Islands have a tropical climate with average temperatures of 29°C to 32°C all year round. The Turks and Caicos Islands have two seasons which are the rainy season and dry season.
These islands rarely have trouble with hurricane season, which runs from June through October.
Wrapping Up
Finally, there are sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands but they are found generally in the open water where their food supply can be found. They don’t normally come near the beaches as they have no reason to do so. And you shouldn’t dive at the locations where they are sharks.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on are there sharks in the Turks and Caicos Islands has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
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