Marine Adventures in the Turks and Caicos
If you have always wanted to learn to dive or snorkel, come to the Turks and Caicos like I did. I came here last week with a couple friends from the university, intending to have a blast on the beach playing beach volley ball and swimming and may be roll the dice in the casiono. Derek, the guy at the reception, mentioned the dive center nearby and said we could give it a try. Water sports for me meant water ski, windsurfing, jetskis and banana boat rides. For some reason, I used to associates divers and snorkelers with serious marine biologists or environment conscious eco-tourists. I did not associate fun or thrill with activities like diving and snorkeling. Believe me, all that changed after I was initiated into scuba diving, snorkeling and snuba diving. Do you know Turks and Caicos.Islands are surrounded by magnificent coral reefs spread over 65 miles. These reefs extend up to 200 miles. The guide told us that there are almost 40 islands and cays where divers and snorkelers explore the rich marine life of the coral reefs.
We went to a wall dive site in the Northwest Point Marine Park. I was amazed by the beautiful colors of the sponges that covered the wall and the variety of fish, turtles and rays that called it home. The guide pointed out different types of sponges but of course, encouraged us not to touch anything. The idea of leaving the coral as we found it was reiterated several times. We enjoyed snorkeling near shipwrecks like Endymion Swimming through underwater caves, and the chimney which was home to eels filled with wonder. Glimpses of sharks and whales can send a shiver of excitement down the spines of any diver or snorkeler.
Apparently the pleasant climate year-round in the Turks and Caicos attracts divers and snorkelers for the exceptional diving experience here. A few of the popular dive sites in the Turks and Caicos are Salt Cay, French Cay, Pine Cay, Northwest Point and Princess Alexandra National Park
