T& C vacation
 

Hi, going to turks and caicos next spring with my 3 sons, 14, 12 and 8. Staying at the Coral Gardens and would like to take them snorkling. However, I'am nervous with the little one. Can he snorkle safely? He is a good swimmer, but i wonder how deep the water is and the currents. can anyone comment? thanks. ron

Hi Ron. I think your son will do just fine. I would say the water is probably maybe only about 10 to 15 feet at the deepest around the trail. We've been there in March and September and we never had to deal with currents. You could get him a snorkel vest to wear and that might make you more comfortable. Enjoy!

hey ron, you and your boys are going to have a wonderful time at coral gardens. the area is very open, normally calm, and really no current at all. the beach is wide and water entrance gradual.
the snorkel vest is a good idea. probably more for you than him and they are so brightly colored that he will be easy to locate. i find the sea water adds alot of buoyancy anyway.
also there is a huge floating rope marking off part of the reef where there is fire coral, that he could grab onto it for a minute if he got tired of swimming (the rope not the coral!). they have placed markers in the sea telling you what corals are nearby and ass't other info.
please make sure your boys understand how important it is to Never touch anything with their hands or flippers.
after you have been on island for a few days and they have gotten used to snorkeling and their limitations you might try going to smith bay reef. its near turtle cove marina. the reef is great - they might see some bigger things like spotted rays and turtles. but the water is deeper,a tad rougher and the places you need to be careful of are not marked off.
you should take them on an excursion to the conch farm on the east end of the island. a great restaurant is the tiki hut, at turtle cove marina. you sit outdoors and watch the boats and seagulls hang around... they have good burgers, and its reasonable.

T&C Coral gardens is probably one of the best places to teach a child how to snorkle - no current, no crashing waves and stuff to see in shallow water. I have seen kids as young as 4 or 5 snorkeling there.

Rone

I agree that Coral Gardens is a wonderful place to learn to snorkel - for any age. Very calm water and there are fish that come into the very shallow water so your son won't have to go much above his waist height before he will be able to see fish.

Just a thought though, if your youngest hasn't snorkeled before take him into the pool first until he gets the hang of it. There's nothing like a mounth full of salty water to put a little one off - YUK! :-(

Hello Rone! The water is usually much rougher in the winter, you should be Ok with your little one in the spring. He will love it and the water should be perfect that time of year and it stay pretty shallow for a good piece out.

Thanks to all for your information. I really appreciate your comments. We are all looking forward to the vacation. I will post when we return. God Speed.

Ditto, Coral Gardens is one of the best places anywhere for beginner snorkelers and/or swimmers. You'll have a great time. If he gets really good and comfortable with it try Smith's Reef.