La Famille Express is a grounded shipwreck and popular landmark near the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos. The history of the La Famille Express (also known as the Long Bay Shipwreck) began in 1953. The vessel started as an oil rig service ship, transferring supplies to remote offshore oil wells. At its initial launch, the ship was christened the Форт-Шевченко, or Fort Shevchenko in English, after the military port town in the Caspian Sea.
The Fort Shevchenko was decommissioned in 1992. It was used as a regional freighter ship in the Caribbean until 1999, when it became the La Famille Express under the Panama flag. After this point in its life, the ship was in poor condition and being used to transport bulk rock; a freighter in such good condition would never be allowed to serve this way.
When Hurricane Frances barreled through the Turks and Caicos in 2004, the La Famille Express coasted to a stop just meters from shore at Grace Bay Beach. The unmanned vessel dragged its anchor from the South Dock area of Providenciales, almost 12 miles (19 km). This anchor is still in the water near the ship.
Snorkeling is a fun activity for all ages, as well as an excellent way to spend time in the water with family and friends. The shallow, clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands makes it an amazing spot for snorkeling where you will see an abundance of marine life, from sea turtles to coral formations, eagle rays, stingrays, and starfish. In fact, Turks and Caicos is one of the top three diving destinations. Turks and Caicos is the third largest reef in the world – with over 700 different species on our shores! Proving that life is always better on the water.
The island of Fort George Cay is uninhabited and popular with locals and visitors alike. This stunning island lies between Dellis Cay and Pine Cay and is one of our most popular snorkeling spots. Spectacular beaches are found on both sides of the island. On the western coast near Pine Cay, sandbars have accreted, creating an incredibly beautiful setting. On the eastern side and adjacent to Dellis Cay, a less extensive yet equally beautiful beach can be found, complete with casuarina trees for shade.
The story of Fort George Cay is a fascinating one. A small fort on the north end of Fort George Cay served various purposes over its two-hundred-year life. From defense against pirates, privateers, and revolutionary forces throughout the Caribbean. This tiny islet has suffered from erosion over the years until today its barely a few feet above sea level. A look at the history of this place although small reveals some intriguing facts that make it worthy of a visit to see this historical monument today.
Dellis Cay is a small island, less than a mile long and half a mile wide. The island is known for the white sand beaches that surround it, especially on its western shore. This cay is currently uninhabited and does not have any finished hotels or residents.
The island’s ownership changed hands recently, sparking some hope that renovations might be completed soon.
The beach on Dellis Cay is one of the top beaches in all the Turks and Caicos. Beautiful white sand and calm waters are perfect for swimming, sunning, or shelling.
Little Water Cay is the unofficial “home” of the Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana and one of our favorite spots in the islands. This tiny island and its iguanas are major tourist attractions, but it’s a great place to relax, enjoy some snorkeling and be surrounded by these unique animals.
Little Water Cay is one of the most biodiverse islands in the Turks and Caicos. There are two loop boardwalks on the island, one on the north side and one on the south side. Both offer a similar experience, although the northern part of the island offers several saline wetland ponds where you can see all sorts of tropical plants and animals with your own eyes in their natural habitat.
Sadly, these animals are classified as endangered. The introduction by humans of cats and dogs quickly led to their rapid decline and extinction on the other islands.
When visiting Iguana Island, please use the boardwalks and do not feed the iguanas. Please do not litter and pets are prohibited.
The protected cove is surrounded by crystal-clear water and offers calm waters, white sand beaches and shallow depths for larger vessels.
Nearby is an exquisite sandbar and shallows system that leads from Fort George Cay and is another popular stop when touring the area.
You may encounter bottle nose dolphins including the famous Jojo and the newest addition “baby dreamer”. Neither animal should be touched – even when they approach humans in their natural environment!
If you are looking for a beautiful place to relax and enjoy your time in the water, Fort George Cay is the place to be. With shallow waters and beautiful sandbars nearby, it is surrounded by beautiful turquoise water, and at lower tides a sandbar island is exposed.
Try your luck at finding sand dollars which are part of the urchin family.