Prior Experience & Snorkel Instruction

No prior snorkel experience is required on our 4-hour snorkel eco tour excursions with Big Blue, or any private charter but participants should be comfortable swimmers. Big Blue guides can provide some basic snorkel instruction in the field including advice on use of equipment and body position in the water. Some snorkel experience is preferred for the ‘Edge of the Banks’ snorkel adventure as distance from land or the boat may be increased.

Snorkel lessons are available at Big Blue Collective with experienced scuba instructors. This can start beachside to maximize comfort and progress to deeper water as students improve their skills and confidence.

Snorkelers already comfortable with the sport and able to swim underwater may benefit from learning some basic freediving techniques. All the Big Blue guides can assist with breath holding and duck diving practice but caution must be taken before swimming through any overhead environment.

Sea Conditions

The flow of the tide can make a significant difference to the clarity of the water on certain reefs. Big Blue does its best to coordinate excursion times to coincide with optimal conditions.

Although the Turks and Caicos are blessed with excellent weather and sea conditions the majority of the time, the islands are situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and can experience both large ocean swells and local wind driven waves.

Big Blue Collective will always assess the sea conditions before departing the marina to determine suitability of the snorkel conditions. On occasion conditions might not be what is expected and an excursion may need to be diverted to more protected areas of the reef or rescheduled to ensure a safe and quality experience.

Snorkel Safety

Please listen to the thorough briefing given by your guide or boat captain before entering the water. Big Blue guides will often pair snorkelers into buddy teams who should stay close together (5-10ft) and check on each other regularly.

To maintain the best angle to breathe through your snorkel and keep water out look down at an approximate angle of 45 degrees. Keep your body flat and use power from the upper part of your legs rather than bicycle kicking with your calf muscles which can cause cramp.

We offer provide snorkel flotation belts for those who would a little extra buoyancy.

When you stop to look around above the surface of the water or talk to your snorkel buddy be aware of where your legs are and what is beneath you. It is easy to kick or drift into coral without meaning to. Remember, the fire coral fights back!

Snorkel Gear

Big Blue Collective provides high quality and complimentary Cressi Sub snorkel equipment on all its excursions including children’s sizes. Staff will help size and fit equipment correctly.

Snorkel belts are available.

The North Shore.

The North Shore is a 8-12 mile stretch of barrier reef that starts near Turtle Cove by Provo and runs north east towards Parrot Cay and North Caicos. We snorkel all along this reef choosing the best location depending primarily on tide (high), surface conditions and where we can be away from other operators during our half day / 4hr snorkel eco tours.

There are perhaps 6-8 areas we frequent, the two most popular being Leeward Reef, about 5 mins from our dock and Ft. George, about 20 mins from our dock. 

West Caicos.

West Caicos is a guest and team favorite for many many reasons. This uninhabited 7 mile long island is about 50-60 minute journey away from our base in Leeward but as is so often the case getting there is just as much fun and being there. Usually we take the ‘outside’ the reef route to get there. Open ocean dolphin encounters are common and when we can we get in. 

West Caicos itself is lined with a stunning iron shore coastline, with few beaches, save for the north end. As such the visibility and the calmer surface make snorkeling conditions here incredible. 

With the 6000′ drop off right behind the boat the colours here are simply spectacular and this is where we often go during our Edge of the Banks snorkel safari and full day private charters.

French Cay.

French Cay, once home to pirates, this tiny bird sanctuary is nestled on the edge of the Caicos Bank, directly due south 45-50 minutes from our base is unique. The journey there crosses turquoise water no deeper than 10′-12′. The sandy bottom gives way to seagrass beds (a vital marine habitat) as one approaches this Cay that is about as big as a football stadium.

Surrounded by reefs on one side as well as the drop off, French Cay has always been a fishing mecca for islanders and for us snorkelers that means lots of life.

Eagle Rays, schools of fish and beautiful corals surround French Cay which is equally for the diver and snorkeler alike.

We often come out here during the Edge of The Banks snorkel safaris and full day private charters on our way to other outer reefs.

South Caicos.

AKA The Big South has a special place in our hearts. It’s unique on every level. A real step back in time. The traditional fishing capitol of the country, South Caicos’ location, 40 miles south west of our office, sits on the eastern edge of the banks and as such receives all the deep water nutrient up welling from the 6000′ deep Turks Passage.

Tides and currents, waves and winds have shaped these cays in the most stunning of ways. The crystal clear seas are perhaps only rivaled by the remote beauty.

Full day snorkel charters & adventures here are really special as snorkeling becomes just one of the many highlights to see and experience.

Perhaps the best part is that no one else comes here from Provo. Which means when we do come, we have the places to ourselves.

If you haven’t joined us on this trip, ask us. You will love it.

The Out Islands.

There are dozens of out islands. The ones we love going to are truly off the beaten path. East Caicos, Joe Grant’s Cay, The Ambergris Cays,  The Seal Cays, McCartney Cay, Long Cay….

The list is long and thus the adventures and experiences never end. The options are only limited by time and weather. We have the boats to cover ground quickly and in comfort and we have the knowledge of where and when to go. 

During the whale migration and mating season we often go far and wide to these places to find them. During the summer we have lots of time to explore to your hearts content.

Good weather, full, full days and early starts make these days some of the best days on the water.