Turks and Caicos
Whale watching in the Turks and Caicos Islands is an unforgettable experience, offering visitors the chance to witness the annual migration of North Atlantic humpback whales from late December to April. These majestic creatures travel from the cold North Atlantic to the Caribbean to breed and give birth, passing through the Columbus Passage and the Turks Island Passage, which funnels them close to Salt Cay—the country’s premier whale-watching location.
In recent years, the whale-watching industry has grown, making Grand Turk another popular destination, largely due to its proximity to Salt Cay, where conditions are ideal for encounters with humpback whales in the archipelago’s crystal-clear waters.
Beyond Salt Cay and Grand Turk, multi-day charters from South Caicos and Providenciales explore the waters around Salt Cay and Big Sand Cay, increasing the chances of unforgettable sightings.
Most encounters occur off Salt Cay’s shores, thanks to its unique ocean topography. Shallow waters in the north provide shelter for nursing mothers and their calves, while deeper waters off the western and eastern coasts serve as a migration corridor. Whales swim southward toward their main breeding ground at Silver Bank and northward at the end of the season as they return to their feeding grounds in the North Atlantic.
They often travel so close to shore that you can simply sit at a local café by the marina, enjoying lunch or a sunset cocktail, and watch them pass by.
Tour operators provide boat excursions where visitors can witness whales breaching, tail-slapping, and even hear their haunting songs through hydrophones.
While humpback whales are the stars of the show, the surrounding waters are also home to bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and pantropical dolphins.
Swimming with the Whales
One of the most sought-after activities for whale watchers is the opportunity to swim with these gentle giants. Although some tour operators offer in-water experiences, they emphasize that swimming with whales is not guaranteed on every tour. Before departure, the captain or guide provides a briefing on the tour and the best practices for in-water encounters.
The Turks and Caicos Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) has guidelines in place to ensure responsible wildlife interactions. These include: No direct approach closer than two animal body lengths, No touching the whale, No free diving into the whale’s space, and allowing the whale to approach on its own terms.
However, malpractices still occur, mainly because adherence to these guidelines is voluntary rather than strictly enforced. The most problematic situations arise when multiple boats crowd around a single whale or group of whales. In these cases, the pressure to provide an in-water experience can lead some operators to disregard best practices.
That said, most encounters are well-regulated compared to other swimming with the whales destinations world wide. Passengers are encouraged to enter the water in small, compact groups, minimising disturbance while maximizing the chance of an ethical, respectful experience with these incredible marine mammals.
