Liveaboard Diving in Turks and Caicos

Explore an immense, flourishing coral reef ecosystem and spectacular wall diving in Turks and Caicos.

Opting for a Turks and Caicos dive liveaboard will bring about the pleasure of experiencing stretches of pristine marine park untouched and untainted by modern day man. Due to its protected status, the reef systems are teeming with exciting and noteworthy sea life. Channel your inner explorer and search the islands notorious dives sites for treasures abound. Areas such as North West Point, Grace Bay, French Cay and West Caicos may offer up common sightings that can include Caribbean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Hawksbill Turtles, Bottlenose Dolphins, Spotted Eagle Rays, Eels, Grunts, Snapper, Grouper, Horse-eyed Jacks, and a plethora of other common tropical Caribbean fish. If luck is on your side, it is also possible to see Blacktip Sharks, Hammerheads, Tiger Sharks, Manta Rays, and depending on the time of year, Humpback Whales. Drift along sheer walls, hover above gardens of black coral and elephant ear sponges, investigate wrecks and navigate swim-throughs. See all that Turks and Caicos has to offer underwater by way of a liveaboard dive cruise.

Turks and Caicos, an archipelago of 40 coral islands, is rich in natural beauty and cultural history. Exploring the islands and surrounding seas conjures up images of treasure maps and walking the plank in days of yore when pirates combed the area over three centuries ago. The landscape and laid back island vibe can vary greatly from island to island. Yet, what can be found consistently across the board are the unbelievable dive sites. Dive sites are plentiful and accessible, which make diving a top attraction of the islands. Located southeast of the Bahamas and surrounded by largely protected reef, the tranquil turquoise waters and dramatic ocean topography of Turks and Caicos make this a prime destination for a liveaboard dive trip.   There is no shortage of dive sites for your liveaboard to visit in and around the many islands of Turks and Caicos. In terms of a wide variety of dive sites that span a vast area, an effective and time efficient way to ensure you get the most bang for your buck is to set sail on a liveaboard dive cruise.


Liveaboard.com offers a couple of different options for sailing trips around Turks and Caicos. Tours depart from the island of Providenciales (Provo, for short) year around. Prices range from $250-$350 per day per person. The MV yachts range in length from 36.5m to 38m and can accommodate between 18 and 20 people. Travelling with a non-diver? Don't let that be a deal breaker; non-divers may be welcome and able to enjoy the views from the surface as they snorkel overhead. Enjoy the luxury of private rooms equipped with ensuite washrooms and air conditioning onboard a Turks & Caicos liveaboard.

6, 7, or 10 night tours are available. 7 night tours typically run Saturday to Saturday, with diving starting on Sunday and ending on Friday. Log up to five dives per diving day, including night dives. Tanks, belts, and weights will be provided. If needed, rental equipment is available for a cost of $150-$175 per person for the week. Proof of open water certification is necessary for diving. However, there is no minimum requirement for the number of logged dives.

All meals, alcoholic beverages, and non-alcoholic beverages are included while on board. Most meals are served buffet style and will consist of a mixture of both American and Caribbean fare. Vegetarian options will be available. Accommodations for further dietary restrictions due to religion or allergy can be arranged ahead of time.

It is important to keep in mind that itineraries for dive sites are not guaranteed. They will depend upon the captain's discretion in accordance with wind and weather conditions. For the beach and/or island enthusiast, trips ashore can be arranged at points throughout the week.

Dive Sites And Areas of Turks & Caicos

NORTH WEST POINT is a sheer wall with a dramatic drop off located off the northwest coast of Provo. Easily accessible dive sites in this area include the Black Coral Gardens, The Crack, The Dome, The Hole in the Wall, Shark Hotel, and the Amphitheater.

GRACE BAY is located off the north coast of Provo. It is protected by a 14-mile stretch of the unspoiled barrier reef. Dive sites such as Aquarium, Graceland, Grouper Hole, and Coral Gables boast walls, sizable coral gardens, and an abundance of marine life.

FRENCH CAY is a small island located 29km south of Provo. Impressive vertical walls plunging to extreme depths of up to 2000 meters are a highlight of this area. Visit the spectacular and unique dive sites of Double-D, G-Spot, Rock and Roll, and West Sand Split.

WEST CAICOS is a small uninhabited island approximately 16km southeast of Provo. The plummeting walls and large pelagic fish sightings here are a big draw for liveaboard diving. There is a rich profusion of dive sites located in this area. Driveway, Gullies, Rock Garden Interlude, The Anchor/Whiteface, and Elephant Ear Canyon are several notable sites around West Caicos.

When To Go

Turks and Caicos is lovely to travel to for a liveaboard cruise year round. Low average rainfall, high average days of sunshine, consistent average water, surface, and air temperatures, serene seas and breezy trade winds mean there is really no bad time to go. If going ashore is of interest, something to keep in mind is that the lowest prices and fewest tourists will be found throughout April and May. However, the peak season prices from December through March may be well worth the additional expense, as migrating Humpback Whales are passing through the area from January through March.

Average water temperatures will typically range from 28-29C/82-84F in the summer months and 23-26C/74-78F in the winter months. Average visibility is 25m-40m. Average air temperatures will typically range from 29-32C/85-90F.

Tips For Travellers

Presentation of current certification card is required upon diving. Don't forget to bring along your dive log as well so as to track dive specs and record amazing sights seen.

English is the national language of Turks and Caicos. The boat crew members speak English. The US dollar (USD) is the national currency of the islands.

Electricity is 110-volt. American electronics are suited for this level of current, but it may be necessary to travel with an adaptor if travelling from Europe or with European electronics.

Turks and Caicos is in Eastern Standard Time Zone, and Daylight Savings Time is nationally observed.

How To Get There And Ports Of Departure

The main international airport, Providenciales International Airport, is located on the island of Provo. In addition, there are international airports located on the islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos. Airlines that fly into Provo are American Airlines, Delta, Air Canada, Jet Blue, United Airlines, WestJet, and British Airways. Direct flights are available from some locations.

The liveaboard cruises departure ports are located on Provo. Depending on the tour operator, transportation to and from the airport may be included in the package. The yacht embarks on its voyage from either Turtle Cove Marina or Caicos Marina and Shipyard.

Considerations

There is a government issued departure tax of $35, due at the time of exit. This fee may be included in the cost of airfare. This should be confirmed at the time of booking, so to avoid any surprise fees upon the completion of travel.

Excluded from all tours are a port/bed tax, travel insurance, and dive insurance. Port/bed taxes range from $85 to $142. This fee is calculated according to the tour operator and length of stay. Investing in dive insurance is highly recommended.


Turks and Caicos Diving Reviews

  • 8.9 Fabulous
  • 48 Verified Reviews
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ronald P
  • United States United States

It was great fun.

Diving Turks and Caicos in May on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Douglas P
  • United States United States

Great!

Diving Turks and Caicos in August on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Kenneth M
  • United States United States

Over all was amazing experience.

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • ole L
  • United States United States

Very rewarding

Diving Turks and Caicos in January on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Kyle S
  • United States United States

Best trip yet. Saw my first Octopus (two actually) on a night dive, and the reefs were full of life. Wasn't a dull dive out of the 27 we did!

Diving Turks and Caicos in July on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Paul A
  • United States United States

This trip opened my eyes to new way to dive away from the normal with being able to get more diving during my vacation and seeing more things while diving with the crews knowledge of there area what was to be found and some times finding more on my own. This was my 1st live aboard trip and with all the good diving and good food to keep going was Great

Diving Turks and Caicos in August on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Timothy S
  • United States United States

It had been over 20 years since my last visit. This was so much better.

Diving Turks and Caicos in August on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • SYLVIA M
  • United States United States

Excellent.

Diving Turks and Caicos in August on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tatyana A
  • United States United States

It was excellent. I strongly recommend this trip to all who loves diving.

Diving Turks and Caicos in April on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 7.6 Good
  • Laurel W
  • United States United States

Very good. Some days of low visibility but most dives were very enjoyable.

Diving Turks and Caicos in May on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Elizabeth P
  • United States United States

Loved every minute of it!

Diving Turks and Caicos in May on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Sandra P
  • United States United States

We only saw leatherback turtles 2 times. We saw 2 large rays. We saw 2 small rays. Would have loved to see more of these larger animals. The reefs were beautiful.

Diving Turks and Caicos in May on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 6.4 Review score
  • jurek H
  • United States United States

27 dives, very good vertical visibility, good horizontal. Many nurse sharks.

Diving Turks and Caicos in May on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Giancarlo D
  • United States United States

Great diving and visibility....saw sharks every dive, healthy reefs with lots of sea life

Diving Turks and Caicos in May on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Doug B
  • United States United States

Great walls and a wonderful time.

Diving Turks and Caicos in June on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Lenora A
  • United States United States

Beautiful. Would do it again

Diving Turks and Caicos in July on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Jason H
  • United States United States

Diving was above average overall. Better than most Carribean sites I've been to. Good value.

Diving Turks and Caicos in August on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Peggy B
  • United States United States

Didn't know what to expect, but I was not disappointed.

Diving Turks and Caicos in October on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Kiley S
  • United States United States

Great diving overall; nice and easy dives with plenty to see.

Diving Turks and Caicos in January on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 6.8 Review score
  • Karin S
  • United States United States

Other than the shark hunting dives at French Key, the diving was lackluster.

Diving Turks and Caicos in January on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Robert W
  • United States United States

The staff was great. Loved the sharks but the reef was pretty sparse.

Diving Turks and Caicos in February on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • David M
  • United States United States

Love the water temp , coral , wall , great visibility and different dive sites everyday made this a very memorable trip I will go back soon

Diving Turks and Caicos in March on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brendan B
  • United States United States

The dive sites were basically all wall dives which made for easy navigation and a variety of sights at different depths.

Diving Turks and Caicos in March on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • ROBERT W
  • United States United States

Great experience. Diverse marine life and comfortable water temperature. Visibility was fair at times, but the sites and marine life more than made up for it.

Diving Turks and Caicos in September on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Carin D
  • United States United States

Turks is a great location. Diving is excellent and the water is warm so no bulky wetsuits or shivering after dives. There aren’t so many big animals here (but reef sharks) but really solid diving with pretty reefs and sealife.

Diving Turks and Caicos in October on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Leon Y
  • United States United States

Loved each dive spot, and crew did great showing us what we were looking for at each site.

Diving Turks and Caicos in November on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 7.6 Good
  • Sandra S
  • United States United States

OK. Not the diversity or abundance of sea life that I enjoy in Indonesia, but it's easier to get to.

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 6.4 Review score
  • Robert D
  • United States United States

Average at best, lack of fish, sharks big plus.

Diving Turks and Caicos in February on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Kiley S
  • United States United States

All in all, a nice trip. Breezy everywhere, so viz was always a bit silty.

Diving Turks and Caicos in March on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 7.2 Good
  • Tim B
  • United States United States

It was an enjoyable week, but I don't thinking I will come back soon. Reefs are really not in very good shape and as a result small reef marine life was lacking.

Diving Turks and Caicos in October on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Leslie D
  • United States United States

Clear blue turquoise water teeming with life. Our new favorite!

Diving Turks and Caicos in November on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Steven A
  • United States United States

Very good diving very easy to do.

Diving Turks and Caicos in April on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Melissa D
  • United States United States

Great experience. The coral had been damaged from heat last year and was recovering but there was still plenty to see.

Diving Turks and Caicos in January on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Simon M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Really good and would like to return sometime to visit other sites

Diving Turks and Caicos in January on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Michael M
  • Canada Canada

Excellent destination and dive trip. Thanks to the crew on Turks & Caicos Aggressor

Diving Turks and Caicos in January on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Kevin H
  • Canada Canada

I'm new to diving and was blown away but the experience. Visibility was consistently amazing and saw lots of wildlife. Just never did catch that octopus.

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Marco
  • Brazil Brazil

It was overall a very pleasant experience, I highly recommend that!

Diving Turks and Caicos in April on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Vania C
  • Brazil Brazil

Nice wall dives

Diving Turks and Caicos in June on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.4 Very good
  • mathieu R
  • Canada Canada

very good. the water visibility was amazing

Diving Turks and Caicos in July on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 7.6 Good
  • Brendan B
  • Australia Australia

Turks & Caicos is a beautiful country, the diving was great, but it did show some signs of devastation due to the hurricanes and water temperature rising.

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • FABRICE N
  • France France

very good experience

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Sarah B
  • Bermuda Bermuda

Great. Enjoyed seeing sharks on all dives. Very little current, excellent visibility and interesting marine life.

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Stella Y
  • China China

A lifetime experience you must have.

Diving Turks and Caicos in October on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Gijs D
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Great dive sites and a wide variety of underwater marine life. I will be back.

Diving Turks and Caicos in March on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II

  • 6.4 Review score
  • Carolina B
  • Argentina Argentina

Diving was good. Lots of micro stuff

Diving Turks and Caicos in December on the Turks and Caicos Explorer

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Thorsten J
  • Denmark Denmark

- Variation in reef health within small distance. - Some big game around but not too much overall.

Diving Turks and Caicos in September on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II