Turks & Caicos

[Giggi]

Please don't flame me for asking, but we're going to Turks & Caicos (Providenciales) at the end of October, and I know absolutely nothing about the place, except that it's somewhere down there by Cuba and the Bahamas, there's scuba diving, and we will be staying at the Comfort Inn (I think).

First of all, and I'm embarrassed to ask, what language do they speak? I always try to pick up phrases in the native language to help me along a bit.

Secondly, what kind of cuisine can I expect? Are they going to kick me off the island if I ask for vegetarian food?

Thirdly, since I've only dove tropically in Cozumel and am used to seeing lots of big fish and nice coral, what types of marine life and coral formations should I expect to see while diving this area? I know we will be boat diving, but is it drift diving as well? What kind of vis and water temp can I expect? If I use nothing but a skin in Coz, will that be sufficient thermal protection for Turks & Caicos?

Sorry for the weird, unitiated questions, but I am totally clueless about anything but Cozumel and the local quarry.

 

[loudives]

Go to www.tcidiving.com Fifi is the best. He has the best boats on the island. He will pick you up at the comfort Inn and bring you back. His web site has more info. It is true about sites no one else knows about! The boat trips are longer than the other operators but the dives are worth it. He knows a place with a Jew Fish (big Grouper) that must be 500 lbs. It's as big as a large SUV. SKin is good 80 plus temp at 100' vis about the same as Coz. Most dives to and from boat, occasional drift.

Across the street from Comfort Inn is Allegro Resort with the only casino (very small) on the island. They also have a buffet you can purchase with lots of veggies. There are a few restaurants within walking distance and they have salads, pasta's, etc. Comfort has breakfast. There is a rest. at one of the harbors that has all you can eat ribs on one night a week for $10 (2 years ago) they had a veggie dinner also, about 5 miles from the Comfort.

English and a Caribbean dialect of English,French,dutch spoken. English dominant. Lots of multi million $ homes on beautiful beaches. Lots of bankers, lawyers, CEO types own homes there due to easy and private laws banking. Must go to sunset beach you can walk out about 200 yards into water only knee deep with powdery sand bottom. Dry beach is only 10 yards wide and 1/2 mile long but best to see sunset! Rent car and drive the road by the $ houses and what a view of the shallows with lots of tiny island just off shore-- green vegetation against an aqua marine water.

Fifi can give you directions on a free map you pick up at the airport or hotel. We had a great time.

BTW they are a set of Islands just south of the Bahama's and 100 miles north of Haiti/Dominican Republic.

 

[kallardnyc]

No Allegro, no casino. Seven Stars now (not completed).

 

[travelmadness]

The CIA world factbook in an incredible reference before you travel to a foreign country. I always like to look up some random facts (including language) before I go on any trip.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/tk.html

 

[Damselfish]

English works - T&C is a British territory. There's plenty of restaurants with all types of food you will be fine. I suggest renting a car, you will have a few things you can walk to but otherwise things are spread out. It's definitely not the cheapest island around.

It's not drift diving like Coz, and is known for the wall diving with sharks and rays cruising by when you're lucky. You want to go with an op such as Caicos Adventures that takes you to those dive sites (mostly West Caicos or French Cay) instead of diving right around Provo which is much closer but not nearly as good. If you were happy in a skin drift diving in Coz, you should be happy in a skin in T&C in October.

 

[THX1138]

Here is the tread from my trip report to T & C Provo last year. Hope it helps. John




http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=111928&highlight=thx1138

 

[colby]

Giggi,

I was down there in October of last year and had a great time. The Comfort Inn isn't on the beach, but it worth it to get there. The water and sand is fantastic.

I don't have any experience with Caicos Adventures, but have heard good things. I dove with Provo Turtle Divers, who also pick up from the Comfort Inn who they have a dive package deal with, and we had 6-8 divers on the boat and had a great time. Healthy snacks, fruits and vegetables, available during the SI.

My gallery has my first attempts at underwater photography with my pictures from T&C.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

I can add that most of the restaurants have at least one vegetarian entree.

 

[joeabroad]

Also, Dive Provo is right next door to the Comfort Inn--although, as others have noted, any of the dive ops will come pick you up. The boats, as I discovered, aren't necessarily anywhere near the shops so you'll most likely be on a shuttle bus sooner or later.

I stayed in an area called Turtle Cove when I was there recently--if you're down that way an Italian restaurant called Bacci is very nice.

Wonderful diving whoever you go out with--have a great time!

 

[Giggi]

I'm not sure who our dive op will be. The trip is arranged through our LDS, so the op will already be arranged (we go with a private charter in Cozumel, and I imagine this will be similar).

Thanks for all the valuable info...especially the CIA link. I'll have to check that out.

SBers are the best!