There are two good snorkeling from shore locations on the island of Providenciales ("Provo"). The two snorkeling spots are known as The Bight Reef (also sometimes called Coral Gardens, which is the name of the hotel in front of the Bight Reef) and Smith's Reef. Both snorkeling from shore reefs are off of Grace Bay Beach on the North side of Providenciales. Grace Bay Beach is part of the Princess Alexandra National Park. We offer seascooter rentals at both snorkeling from shore locations. See the What to Know page for more information on where to park and access the beach for seascooter and snorkel gear equipment rental drop-off locations at Smith's Reef and the Bight Reef. Also check the Bight Reef map and Smith's Reef map to see additional details about the area. If you are not sure if you want to try snorkeling from the beach or if you would prefer a snorkeling boat cruise, check out the Beach or Boat page.
A few things you should know if you are planning a trip to the
beach...
And if you plan on getting in the water...
How to Snorkel from Shore (with a seascooter)
Turtles! There is a good chance that you might see a sea turtle
at either the Bight Reef or Smith's Reef snorkeling from shore
locations. The two types of turtles which are common to the area
are green turtles and hawksbill turtles. These two types actually
look quite similar, but the hawksbill has more of a curved beak
and a scalloped shell.
One way to really see the life teeming on the reefs is to stop
swimming and stare at a particular spot for a few minutes. Many
fish and sea creatures will swim into the spot you are watching.
There is a good chance that you will see several different kinds
of colorful, active fish while you are snorkeling. At both Smith's
Reef and the Bight Reef, you will likely see angelfish, sergeant
majors, horse-eye jacks, yellowtail snappers, parrotfish,
squirrelfish, triggerfish, blue and yellow head wrasse and even a
grouper. If you see a puffy fish with a puppy dog face, that's a
porcupine fish!
Additionally both snorkeling from
shore reefs have some colorful hard and soft corals. The large
rounded corals, which look like yellowish brains are appropriately
named brain coral! You will also have a chance to see pillar
coral, elkhorn coral, staghorn coral and purplish sea fans and sea
plumes.
If you are lucky, you could see some of the less frequent visitors
to the reefs. Stingrays and Eagle rays are sometimes spotted
gliding along the edges of the reefs. When snorkeling from shore,
you will likely go over open sandy spots, keep your eyes peeled
for Queen Conch nestled in the sand. Another one to watch the
sandy bottom for is a nurse shark. These shy creatures can
sometimes be seen near the reefs. Barracuda tend to "hang" near
the surface. They seem to hover or hang in one spot without
moving. If you dive down and peer into some of the shadowy cracks
and crevices of the reef, you might be rewarded with a glimpse of
an octopus or moray eel. Spot a spiny lobster by looking for long,
stick-like antenna poking out of a dark hole.
You should definitely bring an
underwater action camera, if you have one. The seascooters have
mounts for a GoPro type camera, which keeps your hands free to
control the seascooter. Snorkeling with a seascooter allows you to
get close to the subject you are trying to film. Dive down with
the seascooter and point the camera upwards. This allows for the
natural sunlight to frame your subject. Leaving the camera on and
continuously shooting video, while cruising along the reef will
give you a lot of footage, but you can always edit the video into
multiple slices and leave out the captures of other snorkelers
thrashing about. Remember not to touch or take anything while you
are snorkeling with a seascooter. Respect the reef!
Go snorkeling from shore with an underwater seascooter and see more of the reef!
