Best small Caribbean island diving

[mikeycanuk]

Hi Gary, seriously looked at Carriacou. The only issue (and the one that eventually put me off) is that the last flight from Grenada to Carriacou is 45mins after we land. Too tight! No hope of getting to Carriacou same day and chartering a 5min flight $500+! And I think this was one way!!!! Drove me crazy until I just figured I might as well stay on Grenada. Not up for a overnight as check-in next day is usually in the afternoon. I want to be settled the day I arrive, especially as this trip would have been over the Christmas week. Who needs this hassle? I am planning on going to Grenada in 2014, unless of course we decide to go back to Grand Turk.

Some needs to talk to SVG if they want more tourism on Carriacou!

 

[numerator]

Hi Mikey,

We've started to get people to come to Carriacou from Barbados. Its not the most official route, but gets you here in one day from most of the US and UK. Fly from Barbados to Union Island in St Vincent & the Grenadines and then have the local dive operation pick you up from Union and clear you into Carriacou. The boat ride is short (its only 4/5 miles). My mother just came over from the UK and was here 10 hours after getting on the plane in London, whereas if she went via Grenada she'd still be on the plane and facing an over-nighter.

We've tried having discussions with SVG and Osprey (Ferry), but since other stakeholders are more interested in getting tourists to stay in Grenada their schedule remains 'unhelpful'!

Gary

 

[mikeycanuk]

Funny you bring that up. We were planning to go to Carriacou for the 2week Christmas week in 2014/15. As of today Air Canada has moved the YYZ-GND flights to Thursday meaning 2 weeks wouldn't be feasible as my son would miss a few days of school. It's an IB program so its very demanding. So I ended up up looking at the YYZ-BGI route but LIAT...... GND? Hmmmmm
I figured maybe just spend some coin on a private charter via SVG. Are they reliable? Seems the money saved on a villa there (vs elsewhere) would go a long way to cover the charter route. Plus I wouldn't have to spent a night on Grenada to leave for BGI @ 6:15am and hanging around until 4pm.

Are you with Deefer?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[numerator]

Hi Mikey,

SVG run two flights a day from BGI to Union. They're pretty reliable as we've seen, and shuttle off to Canouan afterwards. The flight we tend to use leaves at 4:30pm and gets the divers into the dive centre in Hillsborough for about 6:30pm - just in time for a cold beer and watch the sun go down. The flights to BGI are more frequent and cheaper than GND, and the transfer is $340 return. If there was a full plane load it would probably work out cheaper to charter the plan from SVG too. We bring our 30' catamaran over to Union and do the collection and bring you right into town. It's only 4/5 miles and quite a pleasant trip.

Yes, I work with Deefer now - bought into it last year.... love it here too.

 

[mikeycanuk]

Thanks Garry! The BGI flights are perfect for me as I can use my Aeroplan points via Air Canada (plus the duty free ON ARRIVAL~!!!). That would sure be an interesting way to travel. Only question is do I have to come in on a certain day? We would arrive Friday leave the Sat (15 days in total). You don't want to know the price of the charter.....!

Funny I did plan of diving with you guys too. Showed my wife all the animals picks and she said that's who were're diving with! We have 4 cats, all rescued.

 

[gizmo1972]

Guys
when you talk about the Turks & Caiocos islands please remember that grand turk is the capital of the chain diving is very good
but Providencialis IS the main populated island and the diving is stunning!! if you do land base check out Dive provo Awsome company great boats great crew all trips to west caicos french cay and north west point are 40 mins to 55mins (thats all operators !) or 15 mins out to grace baydive provo has boats both sides of the island BONUS!!
or you have the choice of 2 livaboards Aggressor or Explorer the Aggressor is higher quality but with all the deals going around they both work out about the same but better bang for your buck with Aggressor!! stunning crew great captain Amanda.
the diving is stunning walls lots n lots of caribean reef sharks and stunning little stuff to keep the most avid macro shooters will love!
have fun!!

 

[mikeycanuk]

Just out of curiosity did we dive with you with Dive Provo? Loved the sites FC/WC but eating the whole day away was too much and every island I check out now I make sure we're back by 1:30pm at the latest. Plus Provo was too busy/commercial, really missed Salt Cay and wished I hadn't split the trip.

 

[gizmo1972]

who was the dive crew when you were there???

 

[mikeycanuk]

first day, Thorsten and Allen and a super cranky woman who took delight in belittling us among others along with the Marine who was in triathlete training. Really necessary to THROW our gear? The 4 days after that I remember Jon, Justin and Selma. I believe one day Nigel was on the boat as well. Fun times.

 

[numerator]

Mikey,

Fly in/out any day except Sunday... flights don't quite line up on a sunday, but every other day works. Even better if you can use points too....

Gary.

Thanks Garry! The BGI flights are perfect for me as I can use my Aeroplan points via Air Canada (plus the duty free ON ARRIVAL~!!!). That would sure be an interesting way to travel. Only question is do I have to come in on a certain day? We would arrive Friday leave the Sat (15 days in total). You don't want to know the price of the charter.....!

Funny I did plan of diving with you guys too. Showed my wife all the animals picks and she said that's who were're diving with! We have 4 cats, all rescued.