SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and northern West Indies - the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands. The islands are separated by the Caicos Passage from the closest Bahamian islands, Mayaguana and Great Inagua.  Geologically, Turks and Caicos are located on the Caicos Bank, which together with the Florida-Bahamas Platform is a section of continental crust rifted away from North America during the rifting open of the Atlantic Ocean. During a drop in sea level during the Pleistocene glaciations, limestone was exposed as plateaus as sand dunes accumulated atop them and a karst landscape developed with caves and blue holes.

Located on the Western Caicos Bank is Providenciales - the largest island in population, is the third largest island surrounded by coral reefs. The western half of Providenciales is mostly barren wilderness, home to the island's best natural attractions, Chalk Sound National Park and Northwest Point Marine National Park, which extends to nearby reefs and several saline lakes.


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Exploring the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Exploring the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Provo's saline lakes attract breeding and migrant waterfowl.
Provo's saline lakes attract breeding and migrant waterfowl.
Turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Long Bay Beach, on the southern, windward side of the island.
Turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Long Bay Beach, on the southern, windward side of the island.
"Conching" at Cooper Jack Bight, Providenciales.
"Conching" at Cooper Jack Bight, Providenciales.
Dr. Alshuth exploring the karst landscape and rocky intertidal at Northwest Point, Provo.
Dr. Alshuth exploring the karst landscape and rocky intertidal at Northwest Point, Provo.
Thorny Sea Star (Echinaster echcinophorus) - found in nearshore communities and on shallow reefs.
Thorny Sea Star (Echinaster echcinophorus) - found in nearshore communities and on shallow reefs.
Nearshore reef with scleractinian corals and gorgonians at Turtle Cove - northern shores.
Nearshore reef with scleractinian corals and gorgonians at Turtle Cove - northern shores.
Dr. Alshuth exploring the coral reef community at Northwest Point Marine National Park.
Dr. Alshuth exploring the coral reef community at Northwest Point Marine National Park.
Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula) - found at coral and rocky reefs surrounding Providenciales Island.
Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula) - found at coral and rocky reefs surrounding Providenciales Island.
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) - important commercial fishery in West Indies - has been endangered by overfishing.
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) - important commercial fishery in West Indies - has been endangered by overfishing.
Spanish "Slipper" Lobster in Turtle Grass Beds at Lizard Island reef.
Spanish "Slipper" Lobster in Turtle Grass Beds at Lizard Island reef.
Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) at Grace Bay reef.
Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) at Grace Bay reef.
Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - a critically endangered sea turtle - at Grace Bay reef.
Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - a critically endangered sea turtle - at Grace Bay reef.
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Northwest Point reef.
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Northwest Point reef.
Shark cruising the shallow reefs at Chalk Sound National Park.
Shark cruising the shallow reefs at Chalk Sound National Park.

TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

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