Smith’s Reef — Attraction in Providenciales

Short walk (~1/4 mile) from parking lot at end of Coconut (at the marina) to the reef. The best spots start about 200 yds. beyond the palm/hammock (see picture attached). Reef areas are 10-40 yards off shore. Water depth 6-20ft. The sun's rays illuminate the coral. Water conditions can vary quite a bit depending upon wind conditions and time of year. Slight current. Late spring (May-June) tended to have calmer water. Spectacular waters, on calm days like clear blue glass! Healthy reef with abundant and diverse fish population, rays, and corals. Strictly a “bring your own gear” site. Best for adult swimmers. Note: Leave valuables at home. We were advised to leave car windows down when parking the car in remote lots. Thieves will get the message that there is nothing of value. Also Note: This review is based on two visits, 2015 and 2016. The island experienced a hurricane since then. The resort area has been fully restored. I do not know what, if any, damage the storm, and climate change, have done to the reef. Check more recent photos for...

A great reef marked by bouys. There are several areas outside the marked area that are also fantastic. We saw octopus and turtles here. Coral in various stages and forms. Very much alive and full of fish. This beach is rocky for an entry for most of the way. The reef is about 300 yards east of the parking area. It's worth being in the water 75 to 100 yards before the marked area if the beach is crowded. Parking area is safe but leave no valuables in your car. There are no guards or attendants. There are alot of sand burrs between the parking area and beach so I would wear flips fyi. Would recommend putting on fins and backing into the water if you are on a rock entry. Swim as soon as it is deep enough. Rock entry is painful on bare feet. All beaches are public, you can set up your beach spot in front of the villas near the tide line. Reef safe sunscreen is a great idea and remember to keep your fins up high to not...

Getting here is a bit tricky. Take a left onto Coconut Road and follow until it dead ends. There is a narrow gravel driveway at the end of the road that looks like it might be private property. It isn't. Keep driving back the lane and it will open up into a parking lot. From here, you can walk straight onto the beach. If your going to snorkel, once you get to the beach, take a right and walk for about 1,000 to 1,500 feet. You'll know you found the reef when you see the orange buoys that surround it. The walk is worth it. This is some amazing snorkeling. From the moment you step into the water, you can see swarms of fish, even before you get close to the reef. We saw 6 or 8 turtles (including a baby). They surfaced about 2 feet away from me. So cool. We also saw a giant ray and just a ton of beautiful fish. I could have spent all day out there. If you are at all interested in snorkeling, you've got to check...