Providenciales Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Turks and Caicos is a great destination for deep-sea sport fishing and pelagic fishing, and the island of Providenciales is the center for this type of angling in the country. Numerous charter companies operate out of the two main marinas (Turtle Cove Marina and Blue Haven Marina) on the island's north coast.
The great fishing is largely due to the geography and underwater topography of the archipelago. The Turks and Caicos is situated on a distinct marine plateau. The edges of this plateau are quite sheer, with depth quickly dropping from around 40 feet (12 m) into the thousands. The islands are found near the edge of this marine shelf, so deep water and fertile fishing grounds are often less than 10–15 minutes from the dock.
While deep-sea sport fishing is popular with experienced anglers, no prior experience or extreme strength is required to try it. Charters have crew onboard who do most of the work—they rig the lines and will help you reel in larger and heavier catches if necessary, gaff larger trophy fish, and teach you the techniques. That being said, reef and bottom fishing charters tend to be better suited to families with young kids.
Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Deep-sea fishing charters in Turks and Caicos are typically offered as half-day (4 hour), three-quarter day (6 hour), or full-day (8 hour) private excursions. Shared tours generally aren't offered.
This type of fishing typically takes place on the north side of the island, as it's a shorter boat ride to the deep Atlantic waters. Once they reach deep waters offshore, charters will drop numerous lines in the water and begin trolling. Boats can travel as far as Middle Caicos, depending on the charter length.
Most vessels are modern sport fishing yachts in the 40–60 foot (12 to 18 m) range from manufacturers such as Hatteras or Bertram. These comfortable yachts offer spacious fighting decks and air-conditioned cabins with relaxing salons and bathrooms. The large sport yachts have ample space with room for 10–15 passengers. Luxury charters may offer additional amenities, such as gourmet catered lunches and top-shelf beverages.
Some companies run deep-sea fishing trips on smaller open-console vessels, which can be a good choice for shorter excursions.
What's Included
Typically included in your charter are complimentary refreshments (water, soft drinks, and local Turk's Head beer), snacks, fishing licenses, and all equipment, rods, and bait. On 6-hour and 8-hour fishing charters, lunch is usually included. Lunch ranges from catered sandwiches and wraps to a full gourmet lunch.
Some companies also include pickup and drop-off in Grace Bay.
Common Catches and Trophy Fish
There are fairly defined seasons for many of the big game species found off Turks and Caicos, which affects what you are realistically able to catch on your vacation.
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Sailfish, wahoo, and mahi-mahi (dolphinfish) are more likely catches in the winter months, whereas blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, and white marlin are more common in the summer from May to August.
Skipjack, mackerel, great barracuda, horse-eye jack, and sharks can generally be caught year-round.
Billfish are catch-and-release species (generally, so are sharks). Edible fish such as wahoo, mahi-mahi, tuna, and mackerel are typically kept and given to charter guests. If you don't have a kitchen at your accommodation, consider having a local restaurant prepare your fish for you. A few establishments, such as Mangrove Bay Restaurant, will happily season and grill up your catch.
What to Bring
Big game fishing requires you to spend significant time out on the water. While many of the luxury sport fishing yachts have air-conditioned cabins and shade, it's important to prepare for intense sun.
Bring a hat, neck gaiter (buff), long-sleeve rashguard, sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses. Consider packing anti-motion sickness medication (such as Gravol) if you're prone to seasickness.
Fishing Competitions
The main game fish event in the Turks and Caicos is the annual Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament. Several charter companies offer guests the opportunity to fish with them in this tournament, which spans multiple days. Throughout the year, numerous smaller light tackle competitions take place on Providenciales.
Before it gained a global reputation for having some of the best beaches in the world, Turks and Caicos was one of the best-kept secrets for sport fishermen and scuba divers. In the past, Providenciales hosted several top regional events which attracted yachts from around Florida and the Caribbean. These competitions had quite impressive openings, with dozens of sport fishing boats filing out in a convoy at the start of each morning.
Visiting Turks and Caicos by Yacht
The Turks and Caicos is a great destination for cruising and yachting, is easy to enter, and high-quality fuel is available at a decent price. If you'd like to try deep sea fishing on your own vessel, you'll need to obtain a recreational fishing license beforehand.
For general information on fishing, protected areas, limits, and more, see our Fishing Guide.
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