The Barrier Reef

The Turks and Caicos Islands are surrounded by a massive barrier reef that consists of about 60 species of coral. Hard coral varieties include brain, elkhorn, pillar, staghorn, and star corals. Soft coral varieties include sea fans, sea whips, and sea plumes. About 547 km (340 miles) of barrier reef surround the islands of the Turks and Caicos.
Marine Life
An incredible range of marine life can be found at Turks and Caicos, and most of it is seen either on the reef or is supported by the extensive reef. An abundance of tropical Atlantic water species can be spotted here, including the Caribbean reef shark, nurse sharks, parrotfish, barracudas, wrasses, triggerfish, jacks, black durgons, angelfish, blue tangs, southern brown stingrays, and eagle rays.

The Grand Turk Wall

Dubbed as the “Grand Canyon of the Caribbean”, the Grand Turk Wall is a popular dive location just outside of Grace Bay on Grand Turk. The wall drops over 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) into the ocean, and in the area, there are numerous excellent dive sites with vertical coral drop-offs and thermal formations. The Grand Turk Wall features a plethora of marine life both close to the surface and deeper down, so the spot is perfect for both beginners and snorkelers and the more experienced scuba divers. It’s also a favorite spot among freedivers.

Wrecks

Turks and Caicos’ barrier reef is known for being a dangerous region for vessels. In the past, the numerous wrecks lead to an industry of ship salvaging called “wrecking”. Because of this importance of this practice for the economy of the poorer islands in the archipelago, some vessels were deceived into wrecking. Thousands of ships are estimated to have sunk around the islands in the last few centuries. Among the most famed wreck dive sites in Turks and Caicos is the HMS Endymio, a 44-gun Roebuck-class fifth-rate frigate wrecked in 1790.