There are some great snorkeling spots on North and Middle Caicos. A surprising thing about snorkeling on North and Middle Caicos is that every site is unique and has something to offer different than other sites just a short distance away. Visit every site you can as each is a new experience!
When wind and wave conditions are good for a snorkel, the visibility will probably also be very good. Very close to shore visibility of 15 feet are the norm; out on the deeper reef or rocks visibility is usually better than 50 feet. In other words, the bottom and surrounding areas are clearly visible, and keeping track of where you are is easy.
The water is warm and most folks snorkel in a swimsuit and T-shirt. If you’re particularly warm-blooded (like me) a thin shorty or rashguard will keep the chill away.
In general, snorkeling on North and Middle Caicos for visitors means snorkeling from shore. There are some folks who do fishing charters that can take you out for a snorkel off the reef, but I’m unaware of anyone who does this regularly.
For the novice snorkeler, or those wishing to reacquaint themselves with the water before tackling more challenging waters, I recommend the pilings off of the abandoned Prospect of Whitby. They’re easy to get to, the water is well protected and just a few feet deep. Schools of fish are always there. For easy snorkeling I also recommend Mudjin Harbor if the seas are calm. The rocks just off the beach, especially those near the bluff, are an easy place to see a wide variety of reef fish in water that’s not any deeper than a swimming pool.
Lastly, for those staying at the Bottle Creek Lodge, the stone jetty is a great introduction to easy snorkeling, with a wide variety of reef fish at hand. This is probably also true for many spots along Bottle Creek. Bambarra Beach is a surprisingly nice site to snorkel. Every old conch shell is home for small wrasse and other baby fish.
For those comfortable with longer swims, anywhere along the beach in Whitby is good. It’s a bit of a haul out to the reef (about 1/2 mile) over the sand and turtle grass, but well worth it. On your relaxed swim in or out, be on the lookout for conch, rays and nurse sharks, which are often seen in this area. When you get to the reef, you’re in shallow water full of coral, sponges and reef fish. There are smaller coral heads closer in, but I can never find them on the way out. Once out, it’s easy to follow a spur back inward toward the beach.
For those comfortable with deeper water (what I would call skin diving instead of snorkeling), the rocks out by Dragon Cay in Mudjin Harbor are great! The wave surge can be strong, though, so be thoughtful about whether the seas are calm enough to go out. Enter the water anywhere along the beach in the harbor, then swim out along the beach to Dragon Cay. Follow it along to the left. There’s lots to see in both shallow and deeper water. The outer wall of the cay is nice, and you can follow the spurs and grooves in either direction.
If you have a boat, or someone to take you out, “The Rock,” northeast of the mouth of Bottle Creek, is an excellent snorkel site with both shallow and deeper areas to explore. For the more adventurous, almost anywhere along the outside face of the barrier reef is good for skin diving.
If you go online and look up info about snorkeling on North Caicos, you will inevitably see recommendations for Three Mary Cays. My experiences with this site have been disappointing, both for snorkeling and shore SCUBA dives. Once in the water, the currents and tides can be a problem, and the receding tide can easily leave you without enough water to be in on the west side of the cays. There’re some things to see in the deeper water on the east side of the cays, but in my opinion, you’re better off at other sites on North and Middle Caicos.
Lastly, of course, are the required warnings:
- Never snorkel alone, the buddy system is your lifeline. Plus, you get to show your friend all the cool stuff you’re going to see, and they’ll help point out the things you overlook!
- Never snorkel when the water is wild. Mother Nature has no mercy, and the visibility won’t be any good anyway. You’re doing this for fun, so if it’s not going to be fun, go get a drink and some conch fritters instead.
- Always tow a dive flag when you’re in the water. Since you’re off the beaten path, boaters aren’t much used to seeing folks in the water away from shore.
- Last, keep your hands (and feet, and fins, …) to yourself. Coral and urchins are sharp, and lots of things can sting or bite you. If you’re bleeding in the water, you will attract the sorts of creatures that are attracted by blood. On the other hand, nothing will bother you if you observe from a non-threatening distance and don’t touch. Plus, keep in mind that your touch is very likely to injure delicate sea life. Be adventurous but respect mother nature.
Article written and submitted by Jim Brown.
Jim hails from North Carolina these days, but grew up in both Indiana and Florida, and lives on North Caicos part-time. His first visit to the island was in 2004. For his honeymoon, Jim and his wife (both scientists) created a spreadsheet of all the islands of the Caribbean, Bahamas, Etc., and North Caicos came out on top for what we wanted. Middle Caicos was second!
Jim and his wife now own the Bottle Creek Lodge which is newly open again after being closed for 12 years! The Bottle Creek Lodge is now a Bed & Breakfast, with 2, 1-room cabanas available for rent. In December 2020, a 2-room cabana will be ready for rent. Learn more about The Bottle Creek Lodge at BottleCreekLodge.com.
