Grand Turk Southeast Wall
SE Wall Grand Turk · Grand Turk east coast dive anchorage
21°26.46'N 71°07.44'W
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m radius applies only in calm conditions on dive moorings on the east coast. This is a dive-stop anchorage NOT suitable for overnight or in any trade wind conditions. The Grand Turk wall drops from 8m to 3,000m — absolutely never anchor on the wall itself. Use dive moorings only; 75m alarm is a safety reference for the mooring hold, not a standard anchorage radius.
About This Anchorage
The Grand Turk east coast wall is one of the world's great dive sites — a sheer limestone wall beginning in just 8–10m of water and plunging vertically to over 3,000m (the floor of the Turks Island Passage). The wall is draped in black corals, deepwater sea fans, tube sponges and barrel sponges, and patrolled by Atlantic pelagics — eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks, blacktip sharks, and occasional whale sharks. The Grand Turk wall is consistently ranked in the top 10 dive sites on Earth. Dive operators based at Cockburn Town (Oasis Divers, Blue Water Divers) run twice-daily trips to the wall. Approaching by private vessel requires motoring around to the east coast — a brief exposed passage in trade conditions. Dive moorings are placed on the reef plateau; use these only and never anchor on the wall itself.
Protected From
W · NW
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Dive moorings only — fee may apply
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- TCI cruising permit required. Dive mooring fees may apply to the dive operators managing the moorings.
Restrictions: NO ANCHORING on the wall or reef — dive moorings only; east coast exposed to trade winds — use only in calm conditions; DECR protected; no collecting, no coral touching.
Hazards
- !EXPOSED EAST COAST — trade winds 15–20kt make this coast uncomfortable and unsafe in normal conditions; day calm visits only
- !THE WALL — drops from 8m to 3,000m; absolutely no anchoring; mooring mandatory
- !Dive boat traffic — Oasis Divers and Blue Water Divers run scheduled trips; stand clear of dive boat operations
- !Strong tidal current along the wall — drift diving possible but requires boat pickup
- !Round-island passage from west to east coast in trade conditions — short but exposed
Skipper's Tips
- →The Grand Turk wall is one of the world's premier dive sites — if you dive, this is unmissable; consider hiring Oasis Divers rather than doing it alone
- →Whale sharks are sighted here November–April — ask dive operators for recent sightings
- →The wall at Grand Turk starts at 8m — one of the shallowest wall starts in the Caribbean; accessible to recreational divers of any level
- →Hire a Grand Turk dive operator — they know the best sections of the wall and provide moorings, guides, and equipment
- →The east coast passage in calm conditions at sunrise is remarkable — the wall profile visible through the water in the early light
Facilities
No facilities on east coast. Return to Cockburn Town (3nm N) for all services.
Nearest provisions: Cockburn Town Front Street (3nm N) (3nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May for dive visits in calm conditions. The Grand Turk wall is diveable year-round for those with dive operator support. Not an anchoring destination — a dive-stop destination accessible from Cockburn Town Roads.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In the Turks Islands, open roadstead anchorages with 0.6–0.9m tidal range and strong Turks Island Passage current mean careful monitoring is essential. Safety Anchor Alarm keeps watch while you sleep.
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