Diving from Provo

[Ishkrbibbl]

Hearts lots about diving in Provo and seems like all mention distance to sites and time on boat.
Is this a fair portrayal?
Spoiled after other islands w ten minute travel times to sites.
Is the dive worth the ride?
Also lots of talk about the poor health of the reef.
Any experience w Salt Cay, dive wise?
Thoughts?
Thnx

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[tkaelin]

I took 2 dive trips to Provo and thoroughly enjoyed the diving. Boat ride times vary depending on upon the sites but I always enjoyed them. I just looked at possibly booking a third trip but decided to pass and booked Bonaire instead. The price of a single two tank boat dive with air was more than 6 days unlimited diving with nitrox. The price of food, meals out and lodging were also significantly more. While I enjoy an occasional boat dive I enjoy shore diving more. The beach at grace bay on Provo is by far the nicest beach I have seen anywhere.

 

[Damselfish]

Shorter boat rides may be possible from Prove, but the long rides get you to the better diving. I don't think I would plan a trip there if the priority is short rides. Maybe look into Grand Turk. I haven't done either in a long time, so no idea of reef health.

I dove some at Salt Cay from a liveaboard (which is no longer running there.) I don't remember being all that impressed. South Caicos had some good stuff, but conditions there are tough for land-based diving much of the time, apparently the wind is usually the wrong direction. There was briefly a dive resort there that didn't work out and is getting converted to a Marriott.

 

[ThatsAmore]

Our dives in Provo were all at either West Caicos or Northwest Point, and the boat rides were 45 minutes to over an hour. The problem for me wasn't the time on the boat, which I find relaxing, it was that we didn't get back to the marina until 2:30 or so. That screwed up the rest of the day for us, because we're used to grabbing a quick post-dive shower and something to eat and then spending the afternoon in our rental car exploring whatever island we're on. Getting back to the condo we rented so late in the day kind of shot those plans in the ass. The exploring felt rushed so we ended up just lounging around and reading until dinner.

The diving was great, though, so if I had to do it over again I would absolutely do Turks & Caicos as a liveaboard. In fact that's on the my short list as a first live aboard experience.