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Sunset on a beach in Providencia

Diving Turtle Rock, Providencia

Turtle Rock is a dive about topography: a large rock separated from the Providencia wall by a deep crevice that runs all the way round it to the base. The two sources that describe it, both from 2008, agree that it’s a deep site and on a detail that’s unusual in recreational diving: black coral.

Depth: From about 23 m; bottom beyond 40 m

Get the details
Depth 23 m 40 m+ From about 23 m; bottom beyond 40 m
Island
Providencia
Level
Advanced, with deep-diving experience
Type of dive
Isolated rock beside the wall
Ideal for
Advanced divers and fans of underwater topography

Site profile

Open Water limit · 18 m Advanced limit · 30 m

What the dive at Turtle Rock is like

The star is the rock: a block about 10 m wide whose top begins at around 23 m, according to Scuba Diving. A divers’ site profile from the same period puts its height at about 12 m and describes the crevice that separates it from the wall and runs round it to the base.

Circling the rock and peering into the crevice is the whole point of the site, but at these depths your no-decompression time runs out quickly, so the guide will set clear limits for the route.

What you’ll see

Black coral and a crevice whose walls are covered in coral, sponges and algae. It’s more of a seascape dive than a wildlife dive: what impresses is the shape of the rock and the feeling of passing between two walls.

A word about the name: none of the sources we’ve reviewed mentions turtles at this site, so don’t choose it for that. There are also sites called Turtle Rock in Curaçao, the Philippines and Thailand; don’t mix them up when you look for information.

Level, depth and conditions

The figures don’t quite match. Scuba Diving puts the top of the rock at around 23 m; a divers’ site profile gives a maximum of 40 to 43 m for the site. The actual depth of your dive will depend on the exact spot, the day’s conditions and your certification.

No source sets an official level, but given the depth it’s a dive for advanced divers, ideally with the Deep Diver speciality. The water can be cooler down there: 25 °C has been measured at about 26 m in Providencia in January.

Turtle Rock on a trip to Providencia

Providencia has around ten dive sites about 15 minutes by boat from the shore. Turtle Rock is one of the deep ones, so it only makes sense if the group has the level and the sea allows it; on Siete Azules trips each day’s plan is adjusted to those two things. If you’re catching the plane to San Andrés afterwards, leave at least 18 hours after your last dive.

What you’ll see

  • Black coral
  • Sponges
  • Coral lining the crevice
  • Algae on the rock
  • The Providencia wall in the background

More dive sites

Green hills and blue sea in Providencia Felipe’s Place A coral platform that ends in a wall, with a natural tunnel and a submerged statue of Christ at about 24 m that PADI describes as damaged.
Beach with palm trees and a swing in Providencia Tete’s Place A shallow reef of about 9 m that diving magazines describe as one of the fishiest sites in Providencia, with pillar coral and octocorals.
The Lovers’ Bridge between Providencia and Santa Catalina Manta’s City Patch reefs on sand at about 12 m, with stingrays, cushion sea stars and plenty of macro.
Green hills and blue sea in Providencia The Spiral A tunnel that spirals down between about 24 and 35 m and a network of passages that ends among coral pillars.
Beach with palm trees and a swing in Providencia Confusion A wall with a ledge jutting out over the blue and encounters with reef sharks.
The Lovers’ Bridge between Providencia and Santa Catalina El Planchón An upturned, almost intact hull covered in coral at the entrance to the harbour area.
Sunset on a beach in Providencia Bajo de San Felipe A shallow coral garden, 11 to 12 m at most, off Lazy Hill.
Green hills and blue sea in Providencia Chromis Reef sharks over a forest of sea fans, near Manta’s City.
Colourful fish in the clear water at West View, San Andrés Blue Wall (La Pared Azul) The most famous dive in San Andrés: a wall on the east side of the island that starts a few metres down and disappears into the blue.
Wreck lying on the seabed off San Andrés Nirvana A simple reef full of life on the west coast, at around 14 m.
Turquoise water and coral on the west coast of San Andrés, the sea of seven colours Trampa Tortuga (Trampa de Tortugas) An east-coast reef known for very clear water.
Blue water by the rocks at West View, San Andrés La Pirámide (The Pyramids) A very shallow reef, around 4 m deep, at the northern tip of the island.
El Acuario, shallow crystal-clear water off San Andrés West View y la estatua de Poseidón A natural pool on the west coast with a statue of Poseidon at around 8 to 9 m.
Platform with diving helmets for underwater walks at West View Blue Diamond (naufragio) A cargo ship sunk off the west coast, now an artificial reef.
The stranded ship at Rocky Cay, San Andrés Bajo Bonito A reef with sandy patches at around 15 m, the kind that invites you to slow down.
Johnny Cay seen from the sea Reggae Nest A reef on the west side, down to around 20 m, with coral described as being in very good condition.
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Frequently asked questions

How deep is Turtle Rock?

The rock starts at around 23 m and a divers’ site profile gives a maximum of 40 to 43 m for the site. Your depth is set by the guide according to your certification and the conditions.

Can you see turtles at Turtle Rock?

The sources we’ve reviewed don’t mention them. What stands out at the site is the rock, the crevice around it and the black coral.

Do I need Advanced to dive Turtle Rock?

It’s recommended, ideally with the Deep Diver speciality, because the rock starts at around 23 m.

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