Turks & Caicos

Dive Site: Cathedral

9–40 mIntermediate Wall
© EsriSource: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive Cathedral?

About Cathedral

The Cathedral dive site is nestled in the Grace Bay area of Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, offering a convenient and iconic diving experience. It's a classic site well-suited for shorter half-day dive trips, being just minutes away from local docks. This location is part of the larger reef system near Providenciales, which is celebrated for its pristine conditions and diverse marine ecosystems, contributing to the region's status as a top diving destination. The topography features coral formations and a wall that begins at around 40-50 feet (12-15 meters) before plunging dramatically. Dives typically stay within a depth range of approximately 30 to 130 feet (9-40 meters), allowing divers to explore the vibrant reef structure. Along with other sites in the Northwest Point area, Cathedral offers a sheer drop-off into the blue. While specific marine life sightings for Cathedral itself are not detailed, the surrounding Providenciales and Northwest Point areas are known for healthy reefs teeming with schooling fish, reef sharks, nurse sharks, marine turtles, and eagle rays, which are present year-round. Given its proximity, similar encounters can be expected here. The overall visibility in the Turks & Caicos is excellent, often reaching 100-150 feet (30-46 meters). Diving at Cathedral typically involves boat entry, and the site is often part of a two-tank dive excursion. Conditions in the Northwest Point area, where Cathedral is located, are generally calm with excellent visibility and minimal current, making it suitable for a range of dive levels.

Highlights

Grace Bay proximityWall divingSheer drop-offHealthy reef structureSchooling reef fishMarine turtle encounters

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good
Off-Season

Jan – Apr

Best visibility, whale season, calm seas, perfect conditions

May – Jul & Nov – Dec

Great diving with warm water and good visibility

Aug – Oct

Hurricane season but still diveable with warmer water

Dive site facts: Cathedral

Depth
9–40 m
Current
Mild
Entry
Liveaboard or dayboat
Level
Intermediate
Dive type
Wall, Wall
Region / port
Turks & Caicos
Coordinates
21.8497° N, 72.1969° W

Conditions & Currents

The Cathedral dive site, located in the Northwest Point area of Providenciales, is well-regarded for its generally calm underwater conditions. Divers can expect excellent visibility, often extending to 100-150 feet (30-46 meters), and almost no current, providing a comfortable diving experience. This area is also notably well-protected from the easterly Tradewinds, contributing to stable water conditions. Boat entry is standard, with the site being just a short ride from the docks, making it ideal for efficient dive planning. These favorable conditions, which are less susceptible to tides, allow for year-round underwater diving and mean that divers of varying certification levels can comfortably explore its depths. Gas planning should accommodate typical wall diving profiles within the 30-130 feet (9-40 meters) range, though currents are minimal.

Why dive Cathedral from a liveaboard?

Cathedral is one of Turks & Caicos's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Cathedral on their Turks & Caicos itineraries.

Liveaboards diving Cathedral

These liveaboards may visit Cathedral on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Turks and Caicos Explorer II liveaboard at Cathedral

Turks and Caicos Explorer II

Turks & Caicos

20 guests
Turks & Caicos Aggressor II liveaboard at Cathedral

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II

Turks & Caicos

18 guests37 m

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© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

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Access
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Depth
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Theme
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The dive site known as "6 Toed Cat" is not a recognized dive location in Mexico; rather, it refers to the polydactyl felines, many with six toes, that inhabit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida.

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Aaron's Backyard is a noted dive site within the Roatan Marine Park in Honduras, part of the extensive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

Suitable for
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Current
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Access
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Depth
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Theme
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2 liveaboards run the Cathedral route.

Three to four guided dives a day on Cathedral and the other signature sites in the Turks and Caicos Islands, sleeping right above the reef.