While Turks and Caicos is well known for its stunning wall dives, the Sandbore Channel, which is located between West Caicos’ Northwest Point and the outer West Reef offers dive sites where you can encounter giant stingrays, eagle rays, the occasional manta ray, and even hammerhead sharks, among others. With depths that begin at about 25 feet, plus steep vertical drop-offs, the region offers something for everyone. Take a few moments to enjoy this sampling of five of the best Sandbore Channel dive sites.
Land of the Giants
Named for the huge pelagics that frequent this 35 meter deep channel that runs between Provo and West Caicos, leading toward the Caicos Banks, this area is ideal for catching a glimpse of soaring manta rays and eagle rays, as well as reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead. In addition to these magnificent creatures, the site is home to shoaling fish, hunting barracuda, and the occasional traveling pod of bottlenose dolphins. There is a current, and visibility is often limited, so the site is only diveable under ideal conditions.
Tons of Sponge
With depths from 10 to 35 meters, this site is suitable for all divers, and is excellent for photography. Diveable only as the tide is coming in, the site features a lovely shallow reef covered in brilliant coral and sponge growth where tiny chromis and other fish hide, as well as huge sandy patches where you can find everything from pipefish to rays. Schooling spadefish, lobsters, and eels, as well as the occasional shark or turtle can be found here, so keep your eyes open!
Razors Edge
This fantastic reef begins 40 feet beneath the surface, and drops to 80 feet, where a level plateau dotted with coral heads leads to a second drop off into the deep blue. An excellent place to see spotted eagle rays, and ideal for spotting reef sharks, turtles, and sleepy nurse sharks, Razor’s Edge features coral archways and swimthroughs where you can find blackjacks and glassfish. As with the rest of the sites along the channel, this area is rich in nutrients and visibility can be poor at times. Still, the macro life is fantastic and you can sometimes get good wide angle shots, so be sure to bring your camera!
Flower Garden
A fantastic and colorful site where newer divers can spend their time exploring the shallows and those with more experience can take a swim out toward the wall, where huge pinnacles rise up from the seabed at about 50 feet, Flower Garden is home to a wealth of marine life, large and small. Once you’re at the wall, you can enjoy a look out over the abyss, and simply watch the passing pelagics. Look for sharks, rays, and even pods of dolphins, and don’t forget to enjoy the colorful coral and sponge covered reef, where a rainbow of smaller creatures await. Visibility is usually between 20 and 50 feet.
Gorgonian Drop Off
Named in honor of the lush, vibrantly colored deep water gorgonians that cover this dramatic wall which starts at just 35 feet, this site is populated by shoaling fish as well as larger creatures, including barracudas, sharks, rays, and others. The wall itself is home to some huge lobsters and moray eels, as well as shrimp and small decorator crabs. Exceptional for macro photography, Gorgonian Drop Off is suitable for experienced divers only, as good buoyancy control is required.
As this is just a small segment of the entire Turks and Caicos area, it is easy to understand why once you’ve experienced diving here; you’ll want to return again and again! Be sure to book your trip in advance, as these sites are in demand. Unlike some other popular dive destinations, this region is still off the beaten path and tours fill up quickly. Brush up on your dive skills, and enjoy your holiday!