A British Crown Colony the Turks and Caicos Islands lie beyond the South eastern tip of the Bahamas chain. Only eight of its 30 islands and cays are inhabited. The Caicos Islands, including Providenciales, sit atop the Caicos bank. They are separated from the Turks Islands by the 48 Km wide, 2,000 meters deep, Turks Island Passage, also known as the Columbus Passage, which links the Atlantic with the Caribbean. This passage serves as a major route for migrating Humpback Whales between December and April.