War Eagle Snorkeler from DC's Dive Log

The actual name for this snorkeling/dive site is Smith's Reef. Smith's Reef is a great site for snorkeling or scuba diving right off the beach (Providenciales, Grace Bay Beach) in the Turks and Caicos Islands with many varieties of corals, sea anemones, sponges, eels, rays, turtles and fish to see. I was there in December 2012, the air temperature was in the low 80's each day with no humidity and the water temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In January and February the water temperature gets down to around 78 degrees which will likely feel chilly for most snorkelers/divers. A light upper body wetsuit is recommended during the short 'winter' months. Smith's Reef is actually 4 or 5 large separate reef 'mounds' and some smaller reef 'patches' all relatively close to each other. Between the reef mounds there are grassy and white sandy areas. Snorkeling Smith's Reef (and any other reefs) is best during the late Spring, Summer and early Fall months when the sun is much higher in the sky, allowing for more direct sunlight on the reef and better viewing. The beach at this site has a lot of flat rocks at the water line. To safely enter the water find a sandy 'entranceway' between rocks then swim a short distance out to the reef. Water depth around the reef ranges from several feet to around 26 feet. The water is normally very clear depending on tide, wave and wind conditions. Another very nice right off the beach snorkeling reef that is close to Smith's Reef is Bight (Coral Gardens) Reef. This reef is a single reef 'mound' that is not too far from Smith's Reef along Grace Bay Beach. Water depth around Bight Reef ranges from several feet to about 18 feet. Not too many people scuba dive at this reef because the water is not too deep and it is a small reef. While snorkeling at these two reefs, I used my GoPro Hero 2 video camera underwater with a 6 foot long monopod and recorded many hours of great high definition video. If you are in Providenciales of the Turks and Caicos Islands and want to snorkel or scuba dive right off the beach, then these two reefs are highly recommended sites. The water here is very clear, calm, and has an amazing turquoise color.