coral gardens reef

Great location for snorkelling. busy with the surrounding condos and hotel guests. must bring your won umbrella and chairs. must go to somewhere cafe if there.

Was great to be able to walk in and snorkel. It was very windy most our trip, but we did get to do some snorkeling at this spot and I had a large turtle swim by me while I was snorkeling. This is the kind of spot that you could come back to every day and see something different.

If you want to do some snorkeling close to shore the reef at Coral Gardens is fun. They do a good job protecting the reef by having it roped off and a staff member keeping an eye to make sure people stay out of the enclosed area. There are some artificial reef structures that have some growth which is very encouraging. The signage above and below the water is a great way to educate people about reefs. I snorkeled for about an hour and saw two hawksbill turtles, a big barracuda and a decent amount of fish.

This used to be a wonderful snorkeling spot, but too many unskilled snorkelers have trodden on the reef and damaged it. Still excellent viewing if you go out into the deep water at the far side of the buoys.

Coral Garden's is fairly easy, you just follow the buoys and you on your way, many types of fish, we even saw a huge sea ray

First place we went to snorkel on Grace Bay. It was easy to get in and get out. They roped off the center of the reef to allow for regrowth which is fabulous. I've seen better but there was a good amount of coral, fish, and I even got to see a sea turtle! Great place to start but Smith's Reef was better.

I was staying walking distance from Coral Gardens; so we Snorkeled here 4 different days. On calm days, this place was exceptional spite the traffic. Many forms of fish, a turtle, a sting ray, and others were seen (especially just past the end of the roped off reef). Wavy days the water got a bit cloudy and aquatic traffic was a bit less. Overall great though.

I do not know what this person is talking about. We are staying at Windsong right next door and there are no jet skis what so ever and the wind was not bad that day. The ropes are slimy and perhaps best not to touch the buoys anyway. This is a wonderful place and credit to Turks and Caicos for nurturing the environment they have as best they can and facilitate tourists. Let's all stop complaining and just suck it up as you yanks like to say!,,,

We went here because we were advised it was calmer than Smith's Reef. Unfortunately, due to the wind, and also the nearby excursion boats and jet skis, it was too windy for me. I had to wait until my husband was done going with the boys, to go with him, hanging on to the ropes. I did not feel comfortable really relaxing, to enjoy the snorkeling here. Also both my husband and son touched the buoys, and got a bad skin reaction from it, likely from coral growing on the buoy. There should be signs posted to warn you about not touching the buoys, just the ropes.

It is on the beach, but other then that fact, not really that great. Shallow water makes it difficult to get in and navigate without hitting something. You have to have mask and snorkel and unless you are staying the resort, will cost you.

It is nice beach, with easy beach access in the Grace bay. My kids spend hours enjoying snorkeling and it is close to the shore.

It was nice when you swam out a little deeper.I would not suggest this activity for kids.The fish are not very friendly ,but it was entertaining and beautiful.

We swam to the reef from our resort and honestly saw more exciting things on the way over there (nurse shark and stingray) than at the reef. The reef is set up in a circle and is buoyed off so you have to swim around it -- you CANNOT enter the middle of the reef. This makes it a little hard to see things...but they do a good job of having informational plaques on the ocean floor to read and get a better idea of what you're looking at. If you really want good snorkeling I'd recommend going on a tour.

The water was a bit rough, clarity not so good. There is a roped off area keeping you to the outside area. There is beach access nearby, off Lower Bight Road (look for the sign at Penn's Road), but go on a calm water day.

Nice to know these coral reefs are protected and recovering. Snorkeling was good. Go early. Lots of snorkellers in the afternoon.