Turk & Caicos

[Tim Ingersoll]

I think it was more to do with the water temperature being a bit lower and that seemed to drive away some of the bigger life. Just a theory advanced last time I was down there.

 

[Scuba65]

Has anyone been to T&C in Dec.??? if so how is the weather/water temp. at that time?? I'll be going there at the beginning of Dec. and just curious to know how it is then. thanks for any info.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

I was there end of November last year and water temps. were 80-82. Check out Fifi's water temp. chart at: http://www.tcidiving.com/CA_aboutislands.htm

 

[Scuba65]

Cool thanks

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Just notice that's an air temperature chart not a water temp. I thin that water temps. in the winter are mid to high seventies. I wore a 3 mil farmer john with a 3 mil. shortie over it and was fine. Good luck!

 

[joeabroad]

Has anyone used Provo Turtle Divers? They are just a few steps from the hotel where I'll be staying in January.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

Turtle Divers runs a good op. I used to use them before a I switched over to Caicos Adventures. IMHO Caicos Adventure is better all around and they will pick you up at your hotel.

 

[BubbleBunny]

Just got back from diving West Caicos (out of provo) and Grand Turk. Visibility sucked on both islands. Maybe we just had bad luck --less than 60 feet. Not a lot of big stuff. If the visibility was better, the reefs, fish, and coral would have been excellent. Dove with Oasis on Grand Turk - they were great.

Hi there. I'm getting ready to head out to Grand Turk next week with a group of close family and friends. My heart skipped a beat when I read your post! Did they give any reason or excuse for the poor vis on GT? Tropical storms, building of the port?????
Our group decided to go in summer despite the hot weather for a chance at 125'+ vis.

Granted where I live and dive, 20' is an awesome day! So, even 60' blue would be a huge improvement over our emerald waters. Call me an optimist.

We're diving with Oasis as well. Glad to hear their service was great. So far, Dale has been a pleasure to work with.

Where did you stay? Since we have a group of 13 divers, we're at the Osprey. Any inside advice?

 

[Mantasscareme]

Quick question, does Provo have anything to offer for the non-diver? I'm thinking of taking a trip that would involve some diving but I'm not planning on diving the whole time. Is there anything on Provo (besides casinos and clubs) that would warrant a look between diving days, or does one have to go to Hawaii for decent land activities?

 

[christophermcgrady]

Didn't get any reason for the visibility. It was excellent diving -- but not as brilliant as cozumel. We stayed at Osprey as well. Overall, the service on the island was average to poor. It was a great trip but I wouldn't go back given the other great dive destinations around the world. You cannot drink the water on Grand Turk. Osprey sells water by the gallon for $5. The courtyard cafe (next to the saltraker inn sells gallons of water for $2.5 -- that's the type of crap which annoyed me. The Hotel jacks up the price of water. In addition, my wife had a knee injury and the Osprey told me that I would have to buy ice because they needed all of their ice for bar service. Bring your own coffee beans and creamer. Coffee on the island sucks. Bring your own non-dairy creamer -- The island uses milk for creamer - if you can get it. The grocery store is stocked on Tuesdays - but ask around to be certain of the date that it gets re-stocked. If you don't go on the day the grocery store is stocked - you won't get certain items. Another annoyance - Osprey does not have beach umberellas or little huts on the beach! - how strange. In addition, they only have approximately 10 beach chairs (some of which are broken.) There is a bakery shop about 5 blocks away - again you have to get there early. The islanders are very friendly, but the service sucks. Bring all the sunscreen products with you. The Oasis dive shop is very good. Oasis is very friendly (Dale). There is not a lot to do on the island other than diving. If you like wreck diving, see if Dale can arrange a trip to dive on the HMS Endymion - You need to arrange the dive in advance. I didn't dive it. If Oasis isn't going to the Endymion - call blue water divers (or look on the internet). This dive must be arranged for in advance. I did not use a wet suit. But you may want to keep one on for protection from coral stings. Oh, Sky King will rip you off going to Grand Turk (by charging you for being overweight) but they won't charge you for being overweight when you leave the island - jerks. I don't want to sound overly negative about the island service. You just need to have lower expectations. Oh - bring bug spray for the flys.

Hi there. I'm getting ready to head out to Grand Turk next week with a group of close family and friends. My heart skipped a beat when I read your post! Did they give any reason or excuse for the poor vis on GT? Tropical storms, building of the port?????
Our group decided to go in summer despite the hot weather for a chance at 125'+ vis.

Granted where I live and dive, 20' is an awesome day! So, even 60' blue would be a huge improvement over our emerald waters. Call me an optimist.

We're diving with Oasis as well. Glad to hear their service was great. So far, Dale has been a pleasure to work with.

Where did you stay? Since we have a group of 13 divers, we're at the Osprey. Any inside advice?