Trip Report Disappointing Experience on the Turks and Caicos Explorer II

[DC Diver46]

1) TCI is EXPENSIVE. $1500 is not a lot of cash to bring down there (or anywhere) for a vacation. Bringing enough cash for an emergency in a foreign country is always a good idea. There are plenty of ways to secure it when traveling. A budget friendly destination this will never be.

2) Sorry to hear about the quality of diving, most days of the year vis is 100ft+. You haven't said anything about the sea conditions. If there was a north swell you generally have to hide on the southwest sites and it severely limits options.

3) All the more reason to stay in Grand Turk, eat whatever you want and make 3 dives a day (5-15 minute boat rides). Spend the extra money on diving the Endymion off of Salt/Great Sand Cay and have beers at sandbar after.

4) Cous cous is not exotic or fancy. I'll die on that hill.

Not to mention that this boat accepts credit cards without the typical markup.

 

[Beth3141]

The dive sites were disappointing, and the crew knew this before we left the dock. You go on a liveaboard to reach dive sites that are usually inaccessible from the shore and are among the best diving around. Most of our dives were off West Caicos, and they were all poor.

I've had 2 disappointing experiences (Turks and Caicos Explorer II and the Tiburon Explorer in the Galapagos) with the Explorer Venture fleet and will no longer book with them. My T&C trip had a substitute captain. Later I met a couple that was on the boat 2 weeks earlier with the regular captain. They said it was a great trip. For my trip the first 2 days of diving were just as you described (there was honestly nothing to see), we didn't go to French Cay with the captain claiming bad weather, and the 2 Friday morning dives were canceled because the captain said we couldn't make it back to port before the tide went out making the water level too low to reach the dock. Those on board doubted the captain's statements because he started the trip saying we might not go to French Kay because of the weather and during the entire trip the weather was excellent. Why would the itinerary list 2 Friday morning dives if we had no chance of doing them?

The Tiburon Explorer is a beautiful boat (excellent food, luxury cabins, great crew), but I experienced one of the worst dive masters I've ever had. He shot through the water disregarding the critters to be seen and never slowed down no matter how many times we asked.

 

[ontdiver]

A couple of quick comments:

• Captains and crew rotate regularly for all the reasons you would want them to be doing so;
• The captain has absolute authority with respect to the risk posed by weather;
• Weather sometimes gets better; sometimes it gets worse;
• If you are unhappy with a particular DM you should raise this with the Captain; he will want to know what happened and should be expected to take corrective action as required.

 

[Beth3141]

A couple of quick comments:

• Captains and crew rotate regularly for all the reasons you would want them to be doing so;
• The captain has absolute authority with respect to the risk posed by weather;
• Weather sometimes gets better; sometimes it gets worse;
• If you are unhappy with a particular DM you should raise this with the Captain; he will want to know what happened and should be expected to take corrective action as required.

Honestly, your reply seems to assume I am clueless. My post was regarding a pretty nutty captain (by the end of the trip, all the divers thought he was a bit nuts after he threw a tantrum over a simple question asked tactfully by one of the divers) and a DM that nothing would have helped while onboard and you think my asking the captain to speak to him would have helped? I didn't list all of the issues. On one of the last dives of the trip, he actually left the water 20' into the dive w/o telling anyone. He got cold. Yes, that can happen, but you don't just take off. Fortunately DMs were rotated and the 2nd DM was very good.

 

[ontdiver]

Honestly, your reply seems to assume I am clueless. My post was regarding a pretty nutty captain (by the end of the trip, all the divers thought he was a bit nuts after he threw a tantrum over a simple question asked tactfully by one of the divers) and a DM that nothing would have helped while onboard and you think my asking the captain to speak to him would have helped? I didn't list all of the issues. On one of the last dives of the trip, he actually left the water 20' into the dive w/o telling anyone. He got cold. Yes, that can happen, but you don't just take off. Fortunately DMs were rotated and the 2nd DM was very good.

With respect, your initial post was lean on details.

 

[Still Kicking]

The Tiburon Explorer is a beautiful boat (excellent food, luxury cabins, great crew), but I experienced one of the worst dive masters I've ever had. He shot through the water disregarding the critters to be seen and never slowed down no matter how many times we asked.

I totally agree the DMs can make or break a trip. I've had great guides (Humboldt Explorer, Quino El Guardian) and poor guides (Nautilus Belle Amie). As long as a boat is safe, I am there to dive so I take everything else as it comes. Generally, I have found food good and plentiful, accommodations clean and comfortable, if basic. No complaints.

The Belle Amie was a great boat in all regards except the guiding -- park everyone on a reef and wait for someone to hit minimum gas. I wouldn't go back.

On a separate note, the OP's review seems to confirm the general consensus that -- sad to say -- Caribbean diving is bad and declining fast. I am heading to other destinations.

 

[Lorenzoid]

It wasn't fine dining, but we've been on a few liveaboards on never saw these type of dishes. It was unexpected to say the least. We never went hungry at anytime. For us, we thought they were showing off.

I haven't done many liveaboards (three, I think), but the one that had the "showiest" food was the Red Sea Aggressor (the one that burned). The dishes were tasty and just fine--no complaints--but some of the presentations bordered on over-the-top, like a fancy hotel buffet. I suspected the Egyptian cook had attended a culinary school with emphasis on hotel service and was proud of his skills. (You can get a lot for your money in Egypt.) We didn't find it impressive so much as amusing.

The couscous and carrot soup you mentioned are hardly exotic--we have made those things at home--but I would be happy with almost anything, so long as it is plentiful, good quality, flavorful, and not cooked to death.

 

[ontdiver]

I was on the old RSA as well (prior to the fire).

I am kind of surprised with the reaction to being served meals that reflect the price being paid for certain LOB trips. I have no doubt that the chef on the RSA probably did attend culinary school and was proud to showcase his national cuisine. This is IMHO - and with respect - neither showing off. nor over the top, and really shouldn't be characterized as amusing. Our group of divers on that particular trip appreciated the varied menu and looked forward to each day's offering.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I was on the old RSA as well (prior to the fire).

I am kind of surprised with the reaction to being served meals that reflect the price being paid for certain LOB trips. I have no doubt that the chef on the RSA probably did attend culinary school and was proud to showcase his national cuisine. This is IMHO - and with respect - neither showing off. nor over the top, and really shouldn't be characterized as amusing. Our group of divers on that particular trip appreciated the varied menu and looked forward to each day's offering.

From the reactions of my fellow guests, I would say most of us found it delightful. They clapped and such when a fancifully plated dish came out of the galley. The same menu, the same dishes, could have been plated in a more utilitarian manner, but I would agree that if the cook was able to do it up as he did, then why not?--it certainly didn't detract from our enjoyment of the food. I'm glad this cook had the opportunity to work for the boat, and he was clearly pleased to put everything he had into his job.

 

[EVMarketing]

Hello @buster243, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience aboard the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. We understand your remarks about marine life and visibility—these natural elements are indeed beyond anyone's control, and as fellow divers, we empathize with the disappointment when conditions aren’t ideal. We also share your concern about the challenges facing reefs worldwide. That's why we’re deeply committed to sustainability, working closely with local organizations like Turks & Caicos Reef to monitor and support these vital ecosystems. Despite these challenges, there are still many areas of stunning marine life on all of our itineraries.

Regarding the linens and towels, in line with our sustainability efforts we typically change these items once a week. However, guests are always welcome to request fresh towels more frequently if needed. We also have dedicated maintenance on staff to address any issues that may arise during and after each trip.

We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the food on your trip. We understand that personal preferences can vary widely, so we offer a variety of menu options throughout the itinerary. We’re also happy to accommodate special requests and dietary needs when notified ahead of time.

We strive to be transparent about any additional fees, which is why we disclose them upfront when booking, include them in the trip paperwork, and make them available in our FAQ section on our website, including customary gratuities for crew this service industry.

Once again, we appreciate your feedback and value the input of every guest. Our team works tirelessly to ensure everyone receives exceptional care and service, while upholding our commitments to safety, authenticity, and sustainability. If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us at info@explorerventures.com. Thank you again, and happy diving!