Diving
The reef walls that surround South Caicos are part of the third-largest reef system in the world. The reef starts at about 50 feet and then drops dramatically to around 6,000 feet. Most sights on the walls have no names, but you can dive anywhere along them. The visibility is ideal—consistently more than 100 feet and most times beyond that.
The Caves on Long Cay (which you can see out your window at the South Caicos Ocean & Beach Resort) are really five caves under the water that were made for exploring. The Maze, suitable only for expert divers, will keep you swimming at 105 feet through tunnels before you pop out at 75 feet. The Arch, so named because it resembles the kind of natural bridge found on Aruba (only under the water), offers the opportunity to see both eagle rays and sharks.
The Blue Hole is similar to the Blue Hole in Belize, but this one is under the ocean rather than on land. It's a natural sinkhole in the middle of the ocean between Middle Caicos and South Caicos on the Caicos Bank that drops to 250 feet. From the air it looks like a dark blue circle in the middle of a turquoise sea.
Sharks, barracuda, octopus, green morays, eagle rays, and lobster are only some of the sea creatures that are common to these waters. During whale-watching season from mid-January to mid-April you can whale-watch, and you can observe them underwater if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
Unfortunately there are no dive companies on the island. You can organize an excursion through Big Blue Unlimited on Provo; note that the Turks Island Passage is too difficult to cross because of deep waters, winds, and inconsistent weather, so no dive companies come over from the much closer Grand Turk or Salt Cay.
Big Blue Unlimited. This company offers everything you need to enjoy these pristine waters (weather permitting). Trips depart from Big Blue Unlimited's Providenciales location in the morning; the trip takes about two hours. Your excursion (about $2,600 for up to four people) includes equipment, food that's been personally prepared with you and your partners in mind, the boat trip to and from South Caicos, and their local knowledge of the waters and what you will see en route. Big Blue also offers bicycle and kayak rentals for the more independent traveler. Leeward, Providenciales. 649/946–5034; bigblueunlimited.com.
