HISTORY & CULTURE
The Turks and
Caicos Islands, named after the Turk's Head "fez" cactus
found on the islands. Caicos comes from the Lucayan, caya
hico, meaning string of islands. The islands first settlers
were the Taints, these left little else behind but ancient
utensils. By the middle of the 16th Century, the people
Columbus named as the Lucayan's had all been either used for
slaves, pearl divers or died from imported disease. Columbus
was said to be the first to discover the islands in 1492,
but some will still argue that Ponce de Leon was the
first.
In the 17th century the Bermudans settled on the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos and used slaves to rake salt for British colonies in America. Cotton and Sisal Plantations were set up by British Loyalists who were taking refuge from the American revolution, these were laboured by imported slaves. Cotton and Sisal were sold in London and New York, and solar salt became the main economy of the islands. Due to other competition and the thin soil, the cotton plantations were slowly deteriorating and after a hurricane in 1813 the cotton plantations were to perish.
Excellent
viability (up to 200 feet), pristine reefs, abundant tropical flora
and forna, fish and other marine life, quality diving services and
easy conditions make the Turks and Caicos Islands a world class
diving destination. There is exceptional wall diving starting in
shallow turquoise water and dropping off into the deep blue gives a
thrill. Shipwrecks, old and new further increases the multiplicity of
the islands as an outstanding diving destination.
Grand Turk: This represents a
wealth of tremendous experiences for the diver. Less than a quarter
of a mile off shore and starting in just 25 to 45 feet of water a
coral wall runs the full length of the island, with profiles ranging
from steeply sloping terrain to interesting coral undercuts and
perfectly vertical drop-offs. The sponge growth and fish population
are spectacular and distinctively different from the other Turks and
Caicos sites. You can expect Manta Rays in the summer, Turtles
year-round and Whales in the winter. This a primary corridor for
migrating Humpback Whales from December through April.
North Caicos:
Diving across the north end of North Caicos, as in the other islands,
takes the form of spur and groove formations that drop from in a
mini-wall from 30 - 70 feet. This is the same barrier reef that
stretches across the entire northern boundary of the Caicos Islands,
and the diving is similar to that found on the northshore of
Providenciales. This area sees far fewer divers, with a subsequent
increase in marine life. Expect an excellent fish population with the
occasional larger visitor. Divers based at North Caicos frequently
visit the fine sites at the nearby Pine Cay and the other Caicos
Islands.
Dive Tips:
While summer waters (82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface) are
certainly warm enough for swimsuits, protection in the form of light
coverup (such as Lycra, Darlexx or Polartec) is welcomed by most
divers. In the winter, water temperatures of 74 to 78 degrees
Fahrenheit would suggest the use of a 2 to 3mm (1/8 to 3/16 inch)
wetsuit. Computers are an advantage owing to the multi-level nature
of diving in the Turks and Caicos.
British West Indies