Dive Site: Chimney

About Chimney

The Chimney dive site is situated off the Northwest Point of Providenciales in Turks & Caicos, forming part of a dramatic wall system that drops into deep ocean trenches. This area is renowned for its vertical topography, featuring swim-throughs, crevices, and large rock formations. The site is characterized by a distinctive vertical swim-through, ascending from approximately 80 feet (24 meters) to 40 feet (12 meters), where divers can watch their bubbles rise like smoke. The dive typically involves exploring this unique geological formation, which exits into the open blue waters, and then continuing along the wall, which features plate and brain corals. The wall itself descends from a shallower plateau at 35 feet (10 meters) to a ledge around 100 to 120 feet (30-40 meters), before plunging to depths exceeding 6,000 feet (2,000 meters). Marine life at Chimney includes Channel Clinging Crabs often found in the nooks and crannies of the swim-through. The surrounding Northwest Point area is known for varied schooling fish and diverse reef creatures inhabiting the coral-covered walls, along with sightings of Caribbean reef sharks and Hawksbill Turtles. While not explicitly mentioned for Chimney itself, the broader Turks & Caicos waters host seasonal visitors like humpback whales, and regular sightings of turtles and eagle rays are common. Diving at Chimney, like much of Turks & Caicos, is generally suitable for various skill levels due to consistent conditions. The dive is usually approached as part of a larger exploration of the Northwest Point's wall dives, allowing for multi-level profiles that begin deeper and finish in shallower reef areas to extend bottom times. The site is accessible by boat, typically taking about 40 minutes from local docks.

Dive site facts: Chimney

Depth

12–24 m

Current

Mild

Entry

Liveaboard or dayboat

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Wall, Wall

Region / port

Turks & Caicos

Coordinates

21.8761° N, 72.3469° W

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Chimney, and generally across Turks & Caicos dive sites, are typically gentle, contributing to the destination's appeal for divers of all levels. Consistent water movement is noted in the region, which promotes coral growth, but strong, unpredictable currents are not a defining characteristic of these dive sites. Visibility consistently extends beyond 100 feet, thanks to the low-lying coastlines lacking silt-laden rivers, which ensures exceptional clarity on dives. Water temperatures remain warm, averaging 78-84°F (25-29°C), minimizing the need for thick wetsuits. Entry is usually from a live boat, and the typical dive profile involves starting on the deeper wall and then working back up to shallower reefs, allowing for extended bottom times.

Liveaboards diving Chimney

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

Turks and Caicos Explorer II

Turks & Caicos

20 guests

$187/day

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II

Turks & Caicos

18 guests36.6 m

$287/day