Chalk Sound Approach
Chalk Sound lagoon (exterior) · Five Little Cays approach
21°45.36'N 72°17.46'W
Depth
2–4m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for good holding on sand in 2–4m. CRITICAL: Chalk Sound itself is NOT accessible to keelboats — the lagoon entrance is a few inches deep at low water. This exterior anchorage has the full 0.6–0.9m TCI tidal range — at low water, the 2m minimum depth can fall to 1.1–1.4m in the shallowest spots. Constant depth monitoring required. Do not drag south — the water shoals rapidly toward the Banks.
About This Anchorage
Chalk Sound is one of the most photographed natural wonders in the Turks & Caicos — a brilliantly turquoise landlocked lagoon studded with dozens of tiny mangrove islets, visible from the road on Provo's south side and from the air as a patchwork of impossible blues and greens. The lagoon itself cannot be entered by any vessel with a draft over 30cm — it is accessible only by kayak, paddleboard, or a very shallow-draft tender at high tide. The exterior anchorage south of Provo allows sailors to visit the area and access Chalk Sound by dinghy for an unforgettable paddle through the islets. The Five Little Cays off the southwest coast are a good snorkelling destination and home to a nurse shark nursery. DECR protects the entire Chalk Sound area — no fishing or coral disturbance.
Protected From
N · NE · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: CHALK SOUND LAGOON NOT ACCESSIBLE by any vessel with draft > 30cm — approach by kayak/SUP/tender only; DECR protected area — no fishing, no coral or seagrass disturbance; anchor in sand only in exterior waters.
Hazards
- !CRITICALLY SHALLOW — entire Chalk Sound area 0.1–0.5m deep; keelboats absolutely cannot enter the lagoon
- !Exterior anchorage shoals to 1.1–1.4m at low water given 0.6–0.9m tidal range — depth monitoring essential
- !Coral heads throughout exterior waters — approach only in good light with bow watch
- !Southern exposure — wind and swell from south makes anchorage uncomfortable
- !Remote area with limited VHF coverage and no assistance available
Skipper's Tips
- →Chalk Sound by kayak is a bucket-list experience — the turquoise colour of the water and the tiny mangrove islets are extraordinary
- →Hire kayaks from Provo operators who run guided Chalk Sound tours — or bring your own paddleboard
- →Visit at high tide for the best water depth in the lagoon entrance — the colour is most intense in morning light
- →The nurse shark nursery off Five Little Cays is remarkable — snorkel here in calm conditions
- →Road access to Chalk Sound from Provo town is easy — consider visiting by land taxi if anchoring elsewhere
Facilities
No facilities. Turtle Cove Marina 6nm NE. Sapodilla Bay 2nm W has seasonal beach bar.
Nearest provisions: Turtle Cove Marina (6nm NE) (6nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May. Day anchorage for Chalk Sound exploration. Not recommended as overnight anchorage due to southern exposure and extreme shallowness.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
In TCI waters, the 0.6–0.9m tidal range means your depth at anchor changes significantly overnight. Drag toward coral reef can cause serious damage. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can sleep with confidence.
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