Trip Report East Bay Resort: South Caicos Oct 2 - 9, 2021

[Brant Emery]

Which PCR test did you use: nasal or saliva? T&C is not clear on this.

 

[tridacna]

Which PCR test did you use: nasal or saliva? T&C is not clear on this.

Neither. Antigen test is all that's needed. I went to CVS. Result in 20 mins. You can do a PCR test too but I'm not sure why anyone would do that.

T&C is clear. From their tourism page:

The accepted test types are as follows:

A Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (RT-PCR)
A Nucleic Acid Amplification test (NAA)
An RNA or molecular test
An Antigen test completed via nasopharyngeal swab

 

[Brant Emery]

Thank you.

 

[sea_ledford]

Unfortunately diving is done on the windward side of the island. The leeward side is just too shallow. You can pretty much walk for miles and miles in the ocean on that side. Quite incredible actually.

This means that diving is subject to the vagaries of the wind which can be dicey especially during hurricane season. I really wish that we had been able to get the East Caicos dive sites. Word from Mateo (DM and passionate ecologist) is that East Caicos sites are awesome. He named the finest after his son.

What is interesting about South Caicos weather is that the salt flats make a significant heat reflector. The rising heat keeps clouds and rain away from the island (for better and worse). You can watch huge afternoon rain storms blowing in and they just part and go around the island. It is super frustrating when you need some rain, which is pretty much always since there is no ground water on South. But it does make for pretty stable dive conditions.

Five miles away can have completely different weather that what South is experiencing.

 

[KathyV]

@tridacna Thank you so much for the detailed report. I am so glad that your group finally got to do a dive trip together and that you had a good time. The East Bay Resort sounds lovely!

 

[Fringehead]

I'll need to get tested (and upload all the paperwork) on the 9th for a flight leaving the night of the llth and arriving on the 12th. How long is TCI Assured currently taking to get their assurance to tourists? I've heard so many negative things about that, that I'm a bit concerned.

 

[tridacna]

I'll need to get tested (and upload all the paperwork) on the 9th for a flight leaving the night of the llth and arriving on the 12th. How long is TCI Assured currently taking to get their assurance to tourists? I've heard so many negative things about that, that I'm a bit concerned.

Saturdays are the worst days to travel. My daughter is flying tomorrow and it took her and her friends a few hours to get approved. You should have no problem.

Complete the auth form immediately after you get your neg antigen test. Don’t sweat it too much - won’t help.

 

[Cornellxc]

If arriving on Saturday, consider booking TCI fast pass. I hate to do it but it saves me at least an hour lately when arriving (Saturday only, otherwise don't bother). Granted, its only allowing me a few extra beers at Gilleys while waiting for the plane to GT. That being said, waiting in line at customs in provo during a pandemic is the nut low.

 

[tridacna]

If arriving on Saturday, consider booking TCI fast pass. I hate to do it but it saves me at least an hour lately when arriving (Saturday only, otherwise don't bother). Granted, its only allowing me a few extra beers at Gilleys while waiting for the plane to GT. That being said, waiting in line at customs in provo during a pandemic is the nut low.

It really wasn’t that bad for us. I had over 20 peeps and it didn’t take that long for us even on a busy Sat. They deplaned from the front and back. Better tip is to sit closer to one of the exits!

…and I kinda like Gillies!

 

[Cornellxc]

I'm glad to hear. It really depends lately on Saturdays whether you get screwed with multiple planes at the same time. The JFK flight is always annoying enough for me to warrant it. And yes, sitting near the front of the plane and hustling to customs is a pro tip. I'm usually carrying on so the customs line irks me more than if you have to wait for checked bags anyway. Glad you guys liked big south.