ScubaBurt
Contributor
We just returned from a wonderful return trip to Grand Turk Island. We flew American Airlines from Raleigh/Durham NC, to Miami, to Providenciales, and Sky King Airlines to Grand Turk. Had no trouble with carrying Regs, Camera and Strobe through security. They seemed to know what they were and only gave them a glance during inspection. My advice to anyone flying, get there early. We had a 6:15 am flight and were told to be at the check-in counter at 4:30 (The real problem was getting Flo out of the bed at 3:30 to get ready). We were checked in and through security in about 40 minutes. Inspection is based on random selection at the security checkpoints. The security agent that inspected our bags at the first security point said by noon the day before, there was a 2 1/2 hour wait to get through security. As the day and flights increase so do the lines and wait time. The next inspection came as we gave our boarding passes at the gate. Selected patrons were again wanded and bags inspected before entering the jet way onto the plane. This random inspection at the jet way happened at each airport including Provo. I did not see anyone complaining about the security inspections and it definitely made us feel safer.
We stayed at the Arawak Inn on Grand Turk. If anyone has stayed there before, it has gone through a total restoration. Everything is new; flooring, appliances, bathroom, and furniture. The grounds have been landscaped, new pool, and a very nice bar and restaurant. They also have a beautiful beach and a dive site just off shore. I highly recommend the Inn. It is located on the south end of the island so we rented a car for the week instead of taking a taxi into town.
We dove with Oasis Divers, owned by Dale and Everette, controlled by Riley their 10 month son (Riley already has his own wetsuits, definitely going to be a diver). Paul Dickerson was our DM. He really knows the dive sites and dives an excellent profile. The walls and reefs on GT are awesome. You have to really watch your depth gauge because the water is so clear and the walls just go down forever. The humpback whales were migrating, but not close enough in for us to see or snorkel with them. Definitely heard the whale songs, both mother and baby. Makes you feel very relaxed just hearing their beautiful songs. Had a pod of bottlenose dolphins cruise past the dive boat just as we were leaving the beach area. Before we could get mask and fins on, they swam around and under the boat and then they were gone. Man, are they fast and beautiful. We dove 10 dives in 7 days with 32 %Nitrox, boats are 24 Carolina Skiffs and a max of 6 divers. Oasis is a very professional dive operation. They pump Nitrox (32%) and have Rebreathers.
The island itself is very relaxed. It is British, which means you drive on the left side of the road. The locals are very friendly. They have yet to become a commercialized tourist money trap. It is a wonderful feeling when the hand extended to you wants to shake yours and not just wanting you to put money into it.
The GT government and Holland America Cruise Line are lobbying to get cruise ships to come to GT. I think this will destroy reefs and marine life as well as the culture of the locals. There are already discussions about the shops that will replace the beautiful old structures that make up Front Street. The government wants everyone to believe that the cruise ships will bring megabucks to the island. They play down the major expenses required to create the environment that will attract the cruise patrons. They forget that a visitor that stays on the island for a week will spend money on airfare, lodging, food, diving and other things that generate jobs for the locals.
Well, I guess you know where I stand on this subject. :flame: Sorry for the soap box.
If you want wonderful diving, great food, friendly locals, and a very relaxed vacation,
GO TO GRAND TURK.
We stayed at the Arawak Inn on Grand Turk. If anyone has stayed there before, it has gone through a total restoration. Everything is new; flooring, appliances, bathroom, and furniture. The grounds have been landscaped, new pool, and a very nice bar and restaurant. They also have a beautiful beach and a dive site just off shore. I highly recommend the Inn. It is located on the south end of the island so we rented a car for the week instead of taking a taxi into town.
We dove with Oasis Divers, owned by Dale and Everette, controlled by Riley their 10 month son (Riley already has his own wetsuits, definitely going to be a diver). Paul Dickerson was our DM. He really knows the dive sites and dives an excellent profile. The walls and reefs on GT are awesome. You have to really watch your depth gauge because the water is so clear and the walls just go down forever. The humpback whales were migrating, but not close enough in for us to see or snorkel with them. Definitely heard the whale songs, both mother and baby. Makes you feel very relaxed just hearing their beautiful songs. Had a pod of bottlenose dolphins cruise past the dive boat just as we were leaving the beach area. Before we could get mask and fins on, they swam around and under the boat and then they were gone. Man, are they fast and beautiful. We dove 10 dives in 7 days with 32 %Nitrox, boats are 24 Carolina Skiffs and a max of 6 divers. Oasis is a very professional dive operation. They pump Nitrox (32%) and have Rebreathers.
The island itself is very relaxed. It is British, which means you drive on the left side of the road. The locals are very friendly. They have yet to become a commercialized tourist money trap. It is a wonderful feeling when the hand extended to you wants to shake yours and not just wanting you to put money into it.
The GT government and Holland America Cruise Line are lobbying to get cruise ships to come to GT. I think this will destroy reefs and marine life as well as the culture of the locals. There are already discussions about the shops that will replace the beautiful old structures that make up Front Street. The government wants everyone to believe that the cruise ships will bring megabucks to the island. They play down the major expenses required to create the environment that will attract the cruise patrons. They forget that a visitor that stays on the island for a week will spend money on airfare, lodging, food, diving and other things that generate jobs for the locals.
Well, I guess you know where I stand on this subject. :flame: Sorry for the soap box.
If you want wonderful diving, great food, friendly locals, and a very relaxed vacation,
GO TO GRAND TURK.