Turks and caicos, is it worth it ?

[funscuba]

Everything in the title, but for september.
I've read in a few articles that this area isn't that good anymore as it used to be 20 years ago for sharks and this and that. Is it the right season to go and dive there ?
Thanks !

 

[GrafCanuck]

September is peak hurricane season in this area. Hence why it is typically less expensive to travel in the Caribbean at this time of the year.

I've only been to Provo once and that was 10 years ago. At this time I was not a diver. Personally, my wife and I much prefer Curacao and Bonaire. Virtually hurricane free 12 months a year. Excellent diving and snorkeling. Beaches are nice in Curacao and virtually non-existent in Bonaire. Many more dive shops in Bonaire and Curacao. Tons of shore diving and boat sites.

 

[funscuba]

mmmhhh ok ... so that explains the cheaper rates for liveboards then, not really so interested in the middle of a hurricane on a liveaboard.

 

[Saboteur]

I dove T&C twice and the diving is great. On par with GC. The downsides are the dive sites are a bit farther and a longer boat ride. In my experience there are more sharks to see and the barracuda are bigger. I don’t think any destination will be as good as it was 20 years ago. I go to the Caribbean every year in September or October and with trip insurance you should be fine. Personally I can’t wait to get there again but my partner prefers GC because I get back from morning dives sooner. Just book it, get trip insurance and go and enjoy your trip.

 

[funscuba]

Would you say the same for soccoro ?

September is peak hurricane season in this area. Hence why it is typically less expensive to travel in the Caribbean at this time of the year.

I've only been to Provo once and that was 10 years ago. At this time I was not a diver. Personally, my wife and I much prefer Curacao and Bonaire. Virtually hurricane free 12 months a year. Excellent diving and snorkeling. Beaches are nice in Curacao and virtually non-existent in Bonaire. Many more dive shops in Bonaire and Curacao. Tons of shore diving and boat sites.

 

[W W Meixner]

Everything in the title, but for september.
I've read in a few articles that this area isn't that good anymore as it used to be 20 years ago for sharks and this and that. Is it the right season to go and dive there ?
Thanks !

FS...

The West Caicos wall is a fabulous dive...for all skill levels...

If all you want is sharks...any NC wreck dive charter will give you all the sand tiger sharks you'll need to fill any shark desire...up close and personal...

W...

 

[Esprise Me]

I don't really understand the mindset that says "don't bother going to X; it's not as good as it was 20 years ago." What does that have to do with anything? Unless traveling back in time 20 years is an option, the question is what's most worth your while now. If destination X has deteriorated from a 10 to a 5, while Y has remained steady at a solid 4, X is still the better bet, no?

 

[Aviyes]

I just got back from the T&C Explorer 2 Liveaboard and I had a great time. We saw 3-4 reef sharks on most of the dives and even had the good fortune to see, rare for the area, a Hammerhead shark on a few dives.

 

[GrafCanuck]

mmmhhh ok ... so that explains the cheaper rates for liveboards then, not really so interested in the middle of a hurricane on a liveaboard.

T&C tends to be on the high price side compared to most of the popular Caribbean islands. If you can get a real good deal then it might be worth it. Research the hurricane risk so that you are at least aware. PS - the hotels on Provo are very pricey. We rented a guest cottage near the beach through VRBO. It was roughly 1/2 the price. Cheers.

 

[Bubbles McGee]

We had sharks on every dive in May of this year in Turks. We even had a family of Dolphins swim by on their merry way.