MARATHON - Providenciales
Marathon isn't about depth, it's about story and accessibility. This tug, beached in 1969 while towing the Coppedge No. 4 barge, sits right on the shoreline. We're talking 1 meter deep, maybe even less, making it a perfect spot for snorkelers or even just a casual wade out from the beach. What we love about Marathon is how time and the ocean have sculpted it. The bow is often exposed, a rusty sentinel against the blue, but the stern section is where the magic happens. Here, the structure is broken down into an artificial reef. You’ll weave through ribs and plating, finding schools of juvenile snapper flitting in the shadows, or a shy parrotfish munching on algae. Visibility here is usually excellent, especially on a calm morning before the wind picks up. It’s a fantastic photo opportunity, with the sun dappling through the shallows onto the wreck. Don't expect dramatic swim-throughs, but do expect a surprisingly vibrant ecosystem thriving in what was once a working vessel. It's a testament to nature's ability to reclaim, and our pick for a relaxing, easy exploration.
- Location
- Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 21.203333, -73.006670
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 1m
Best Time to Dive in Providenciales
The warmest water temperatures in Providenciales occur in January, averaging 26.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.4°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 26.4°C (air: 25.1°C)
- February: 26.4°C (air: 24.8°C)
- March: 26.4°C (air: 24.9°C)
- April: 26.4°C (air: 25.5°C)
- May: 26.4°C (air: 26.8°C)
- June: 26.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
- July: 26.4°C (air: 28.4°C)
- August: 26.4°C (air: 28.6°C)
- September: 26.4°C (air: 28.7°C)
- October: 26.4°C (air: 28.3°C)
- November: 26.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
- December: 26.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Providenciales
- ALEGRIA NO.1 - 0m (wreck)
- Awesome
- BOKADO III - 5m (wreck)
- CESSNA 182 - 2m (wreck)
- COPPEDGE NO.4 - 1m (wreck)
- Coral Gables (reef)
- Coral Gardens Snorkling Trail (reef)
- CORDION - 5m (wreck)
- DANY V - 9m (wreck)
- East Reef (reef)
- Football Field - 50-70fsw
- Golden Rock (reef)
- Grouper Hole - 21m
- Half Mile Reef - up to 85fsw (reef)
- HERALD - 1m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to MARATHON
Marine Life in Providenciales
Home to 127 recorded species including 105 reef fish, 16 hard corals, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 whales & dolphins, 1 other, 1 octopus & squid.
Notable Species
- Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
- Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
- Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
- Blackfish (Melichthys niger) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Blueman (Scarus vetula) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
- Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) - Reef Fish
- Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for MARATHON
Based on average water temperature of 26.4°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories