Caicos Islands

South Caicos

Turks and Caicos Islands

Go out towards the drop-off from the mooring, turn left at the wall and continue for 10 minutes to the Grotto.  Large coral structures make up the environment.  Schools of Horse-eye Jacks are common, as are sharks and eagle rays.  From late January to mid March the occasional Humpback Whale passes through.

This a dive site from a permanent mooring and buoy.

Cockburn Harbour

The Grotto

This site is the wreckage of a cargo plane that went down just short of the South Caicos runway (contrary to stories about it being a drug plane that was shot down).  It was towed to its current location to create a dive attraction.  Currently all that remains are the wings.

The plane sits at about 15m slightly out and left from the buoy towards the drop-off.  The wreckage also provides an excellent reference point for night diving.  More experienced divers will enjoy the impressive wall.



The Plane

Immediately left from the buoy is a ridge that provides shallower reef environments for less experienced divers.  Straight out towards the drop-off, across a flat sandy area, leads to an area of impressive coral blocks.  These blocks sit on a ledge at 30m (perfect for advanced open-water training).  There are more beyond 30m.

Left from the drop-off is the chain (whether or not it is truly from a Spanish ship is unknown).  Also to the left you will find an anchor and an underwater cable leading towards Grand Turk.  There's not much to the right along the drop-off from the coral blocks.



Spanish Chain

This site gets its names from a large conical metal object that sits around 30m on the first ledge down the wall.  The object is neither a Bell nor a Warhead, but rather the nose cone of the plane from the adjacent site.

The plateau provides ample diving for open water divers, but the wall is the real attraction.  This is probably the most impressive section of drop-off in the area.  Straight out from the buoy to the right is a nearly dead vertical wall with impressive sponges.  Along the drop-off to the left, you will find the "Warhead."



The Warhead is also known as The Bell.

The Warhead

The plateau area is shallow enough for novice divers, while the wall provides ample diving for more experienced divers.

Go left at the drop-off to find a small arch formation.



Troys Dream

This a natural coral arch feature.  It is relatively low risk to swim through the arch, which is approximately 7m wide, 2m tall, and 3m long.  The arch can be found about 25m to right of the mooring (when facing away from the shore) and about 10m out.  In typical wind and wave conditions, the buoy and boat float even closer to it.

The arch is at about 14m.  There is a second plateau slightly deeper, at about 25m.  The drop-off is a longer swim, but is reachable.



The Arch

Turtles are quite common at this site.

There is a small "swim through" or cavern formation on the wall - go to the wall, turn right, and find the entrance around 30m deep after a 5 to 7 minute swim.

Divers can stay reasonably shallow (10-15m) by going immediately left from the buoy along a ridge.



The Maze

The first plateau provides a great area for novice divers.  The second plateau is good for advanced open water divers.  The drop-off is quite far from the mooring but can be reached.



Fish Bowl

Northwest Dropoff is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Turks   Caicos, Grand Turk which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Northwest Dropoff

Point Pleasant is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Turks   Caicos, Grand Turk which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Point Pleasant

Rookery is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Turks   Caicos, Grand Turk which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

The Grotto

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at The Grotto