North West Point Liveaboard Diving

Liveaboard Diving in North West Point

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A NORTHWEST POINT LIVEABOARD

North West Point liveaboards visit this area as one of the highlights of diving in Turks & Caicos. Famously unique dive sites, coral gardens, sheer walls, and the abundance of exciting pelagic sightings make this area one of the world's top diving destinations.

Because there are so many to choose from, opting for the perfect dive site may prove somewhat of an overwhelming task. Eliminate 'the fear of missing out' and maximize your dive experience by choosing a Turks and Caicos liveaboard dive cruise. With 5 daily dives including night dives, choosing a liveaboard yacht will ensure that you get to visit a diverse number of dive sites in a short amount of time.

NORTHWEST POINT UNDERWATER

Dropping to depths of 3000 feet and beyond, the spectacular walls of North West Point are the main attraction of this rich area. In addition to the walls, North West Point houses some extremely unique underwater features. Common species to be sighted in the area include turtles, lobsters, eels, rays, bottlenose dolphins, Caribbean reef sharks, hammerheads, lemon sharks, bull sharks, humpback whales, barracuda, jack, yellowtail, and angelfish.

DIVE SITES OF NORTHWEST POINT

Liveaboards to North West Point will take divers to a variety of dive sites in the area on a Turks & Caicos itinerary. A few of which are outlined below;

BLACK CORAL FOREST - Absorb the sights of the beautiful black coral species that thrive on the wall at this dive site. Hammerheads are often found in this area, making this site a great location for the adventurist. This site, which can only be reached by boat, is about a 30-minute ride from the coast. If underwater photography is your passion, this is a great site to capture wide-angle shots.

SHARK HOTEL - As this dive siteís name suggests, Shark Hotel is a hot spot for reef shark sightings. Drift along the wall at this exhilarating dive site among the apex predators and sizeable schools of snapper and grunts.

THE CRACK - A fantastic wall dive that drops to a ledge approximately 40m deep. The name of this site is derived from the fissure that runs the height of this wall, starting at a depth of 15m. Swim through the crevice to find species of sponges, coral, and gorgonians that flourish here. Grouper commonly hang out inside the fissure. It is also a good spot to see pelagic shark and ray species.

THE DOME - A unique site, this is a site like no other. A steel dome structure, originally used as a set for a French reality show, it is now a thriving artificial reef that offers protection to schools of smaller fish and organisms like vivid nudibranchs and flamingo tongues. This is a superb spot for macro photography.

TOP TIPS FOR DIVERS

Packing light is highly recommended on liveaboard trips. While accommodations are quite comfortable, storage can be limited. Casual and lightweight clothing is acceptable to wear. A lightweight jacket or sweater may come in handy for evenings, as temperatures on the water are usually cooler than on land. High quality, biodegradable sunscreen is a necessity in the strong tropical sun.

The weather and water temperature around North West Point are ideal. Warm and tranquil waters make diving a dream. A rash guard or a 3mm shorty wetsuit is typically all that is necessary for the near-perfect conditions of Turks and Caicos.

Be sure to pay close attention to the dive brief and leads, as well as your depth gauge while diving. Maximum depths are carefully considered to ensure diver safety. It can be easy to exceed the depth limits on a wall dive if distracted. Never exceed the depths of the dive lead in accordance with the RDP.

The visibility around North West Point is typically 30m or better, making this area ideal for the underwater photography enthusiast. Be prepared and equipped with the type of lens that each unique dive is well suited for. Each liveaboard dive yacht boasts photography stations for the active hobbyist.

North West Point is a large protected marine park. Therefore, it is imperative that divers take only pictures and memories, and leave only bubbles. Disturbing marine life in protected areas is not only frowned upon, but it is also illegal.

GETTING THERE

The most efficient way to experience North West Point is by Turks and Caicos liveaboard. North West Point is located off the northwest coast of the island of Providenciales, or Provo for short. The main international airport of Turks and Caicos is conveniently located on this island, as are the ports of departure for the available liveaboard dive yachts.