The Turks & Caicos Islands Itinerary

The Turks & Caicos Islands are located 575 miles southeast of Miami and were first populated by the Lucayan or Arawak Indians. Columbus claimed the islands for Spain in 1492, which then in 1670 ceded them to Britain. Dependencies of the Bahamas until 1874, the islands were subsequently controlled by the Jamaican government. In 1962 the islands became a British Commonwealth Colony, which they remain today.

Casual attire is appropriate on board, as well as throughout the islands. The US Dollar is the official currency of the Turks & Caicos; power outlets and 115-volt power are the same as in the USA. Passports are now required for all visitors; an ongoing or return ticket is required.

French Cay & West Sand Spit are visited weather permitting. Grand Turk, South Caicos diving are on special itineraries only.

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Daily Schedule

Scheduling 5 dives daily, including night dives, the vessel boards in Providenciales each Saturday and offers 5 1/2 days of diving each week (including up to 5 night dives). You’ll explore the 5 different black coral species at Black Coral Forest, the reef sharks of Provo’s Shark Hotel, the deep-water gorgonians of G-Spot, and the spotted eagle rays of Double D, along with a multitude of other dive sites along the region’s plunging walls. See the photo gallery here.

Our regular Turks and Caicos cruise itineraries depart from and return to the Marina at South Bank (Caicos Marina and Shipyard), Providenciales (Provo). We also offer special Grand Turks itineraries (diving Grand Turk, South Caicos, French Cay, and/or Salt Cay) on a full charter basis; contact us for details.

Days aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II® generally involve breakfast from 7 am to 8 am (cold breakfasts are available for late risers), followed by two-morning dives, lunch at 12:30 pm, two-afternoon dives, dinner at 6:30 pm, and a night dive. Island shore excursions will be arranged when possible for those interested.

turks caicos map diving

Turks & Caicos Sample Cruise Itineraries

Sample Schedule

Please note also that this Turks and Caicos cruise itinerary is an example only, and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain’s discretion.

  • Saturday: Please see the Arrival section under FAQ for information on how to reach the vessel. Due to tides, weather, the vessel’s size, and available facilities in Providenciales, the location and departure schedule of the vessel may change.
    • 1500 Guests may begin to board the Turks & Caicos Explorer II
    • The vessel will normally be located at Caicos Marina but may depart early due to tides or weather. If you are staying on the island, please check in with the vessel on Saturday morning to determine when and where to meet the boat. If you are arriving on Saturday, you will be met at the airport.
    • 1830 Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
    • 2000 Captain’s Briefing, documents, etc.
  • Sunday: Provo’s Northwest Point. Four to five dives, with the night spent at mooring.
  • Monday: Two morning dives at Northwest Point, followed by a 2-hour trip to West Caicos. Three dives, with the night spent at mooring.
  • Tuesday: Up to five dives at West Caicos, with the night spent at mooring.
  • Wednesday: Two dives at West Caicos, transit to French Cay, three dives at French Cay, with the night spent at mooring.
  • Thursday: Five dives at French Cay, with the night spent at mooring.
  • Friday: Dawn dive and morning dive at French Cay, with departure for the 2-hour trip back to port. Afternoon at leisure; dinner ashore, with the night spent aboard the vessel.
  • Saturday: 0700/0830 Continental breakfast
    • 0900 Depart the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, you may leave your luggage aboard for pickup later. However, cabs are very expensive and it can be costly to return to the vessel. Due to the necessity of readying the vessel for our next cruise, we must strictly enforce the 9 am departure.

Grand Turk Area

Grand Turk is one of the most peaceful islands in Turks and Caicos, with lovely white secluded beaches and healthy wall diving. The island is only 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide and is the capital of the Turks and Caicos. The island is reminiscent of Colonial Bermuda with many historical buildings. The Turks and Caicos National Museum is worth a visit and houses fascinating artifacts from the oldest known shipwreck in the New World, the Molasses Reef Wreck from 1513.

Located approximately 75 miles from the island of Providenciales (also known as Provo) Grand Turk benefits from being very close to the Grand Turk Passage which plunges to depths of more than 7,000 feet. A wall of coral runs parallel with the entire island and gradually slopes to amazing depths. While exploring the sandy-bottom divers will find very healthy reefs with a large fish and animal population. Sea turtles and rays can be spotted almost any time of year. Most divers find the wall to be the highlight of diving in the Grand Turk area. Large animals such as mantas, eagle rays, and sharks are regularly seen cruising the open ocean.

South Caicos Area

South Caicos is known to some as the big fish capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. These waters are known to have some of the best diving in the area. Divers will witness numerous large pelagics; squadrons of Eagle Rays and a variety of sharks. Along the wall divers will find gorgeous corals and sponges.

French Cay and West Sand Spit areas

Located approximately 6 miles apart, these dive areas offer pristine coral formations, sandy bottoms where stingrays, schools of goatfish, various species of sharks, ocean trigger, and sargassum file fishes are found, and another opportunity to see the big guys in the blue off the walls. The sandy plateau holds large barrel sponges, massive brain corals, beautiful sea fans, and pillars of coral. It has been said that this is one of the Turks & Caicos diving jewels. A lucky diver may also witness one of the very large (reported the size of a small car) groupers who call the area home.