Grand Turk Island has miles of pristine white sandy beaches that are often unpopulated and ready to be explored. Several uninhabited cays are located near the beaches that offer travelers an abundance of snorkeling opportunities. Grand Turk Island is approximately six miles long and one mile wide. Different beaches are recommended for excellent snorkeling opportunities and include Governor's Beach, Pillory Beach and Bluff Point Beach. These beaches offer seclusion and clear water, which are optimal for snorkeling.
Since the beaches of Grand Turk Island offer clear blue water, there are a variety of snorkeling opportunities that are presented to travelers. On a typical day in the Grand Turks snorkelers only have to swim a few minutes from shore to experience spectacular views of coral and a variety of tropical fish. Other marine wildlife such as Manta Rays, sea turtles and dolphins can be found when in the water. When snorkeling at Pillory Beach, don't forget to investigate the sheer reef wall that is located only 400 yards from the shoreline.
The best time to snorkel at Grand Turk is during the summer time. During the summer water temperatures stay at a comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the Grand Turks experiences warmer weather there are typically more aquatic animals that can be seen when snorkeling. Manta rays tend to swim in warmer waters allowing snorkelers more views of this fantastic animal.
For snorkelers that swim outside of the summer season in the Grand Turks, you can still expect great snorkeling experiences. During the winter time waters stay in the mid to upper 70s, so exploring the coral reef during this time would be more appropriate as you might not view as much aquatic sea life.
When visiting the Grand Turk Island, there are many opportunities to purchase or rent equipment when interested in snorkeling. Since diving and snorkeling is one of the main tourist attractions in the area many stores are available for visitors. If interested in snorkeling on Pillory Beach, you can rent or buy equipment from the Bohio Dive Resort and Spa, which is located right on the beach.
The different shops also provide visitors and snorkeling enthusiasts with up-to-date information on the best dive spots in the area. Visitors can obtain dive and snorkeling maps that lead you to the different coral reefs, which you can explore.
Grand Turk Island offers some of the best coral reefs in the area. Coral Gardens is a great place to snorkel and is located in Grace Bay and easily accessible from the beach's shore. Smith's Reef and the White House Reef are also excellent snorkeling areas, as they both well preserved and offer fantastic views of marine wild life and different limestones.
