Turks & Caicos

[Marcus]

I am looking into booking trip to Turks & Caicos next November. Read a previous thread about which dive operation to use. Would like recommendations on the best resorts to stay in Turks & Caicos. My wife and I both dive, and will probably go with another couple who doesn't dive. Thanks for the help.

[WestTnDiver]

If you're going with a non diving couple you might check out the Club Med. I'd dive with a local op and not them as they are very regimented and don't want to go too far from the resort. There's plenty of stuff to do for the non divers and the food is great. They run specials occasionally and depending on where you live you might could get an all inclusive air and room deal.

[Chocoholic]

I haven't seen much about the Turks and Caicos online so I am watching this thread with interest.

[CamaroChick]

I dove with Caicos Adventures out of Provo in June 2006. The staff was good, but the dive boats were just way too crowded for my liking... 25 - 30 divers each time we went out, with 6 to a DM. We dove West Caicos and didn't see much of anything - no turtles, eagle rays, sharks, or doplhins... just lots of parrotfish Just luck of the draw I guess. If you don't like crowded boats, I heard Provo Turtle divers has smaller groups.

[CamaroChick]

Sorry - I just noticed that you were looking for resorts, not dive ops. We stayed at the Sands, which was a little busy but very nice. They seemed to have the nicest stretch of beach (not much snorkeling though), and the rooms were large. There were a few too many kids for me, but it was tolerable. I hear they just remodeled the rooms...

[Doug B]

Originally Posted by CamaroChick

I dove with Caicos Adventures out of Provo in June 2006. The staff was good, but the dive boats were just way too crowded for my liking... 25 - 30 divers each time we went out, with 6 to a DM. We dove West Caicos and didn't see much of anything - no turtles, eagle rays, sharks, or doplhins... just lots of parrotfish Just luck of the draw I guess. If you don't like crowded boats, I heard Provo Turtle divers has smaller groups.

hmm... I hope it's not that bad. I'm scheduled to dive with them in early April 2007. Other folks here on ST forum highly recommended them. Said to do French Cay and West Caicos....

I guess I'll find out.

[CODMAN]

Hmm... That sucks! That,s the complete opposite of my experience diving with them! We were 10 on the boat (for 2 DMs) and in just 2 dives, saw 3 turtles, 4 sharks, and tons of cool stuff. It wa sthe greatest wall diving I did in the Turks. Caicos adventures has a really really good reputation, and my personal (although limited) experience agrees with this reputation. I'm sorry to see you didn't have a good a time with them.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by CamaroChick

I dove with Caicos Adventures out of Provo in June 2006. The staff was good, but the dive boats were just way too crowded for my liking... 25 - 30 divers each time we went out, with 6 to a DM. We dove West Caicos and didn't see much of anything - no turtles, eagle rays, sharks, or doplhins... just lots of parrotfish Just luck of the draw I guess. If you don't like crowded boats, I heard Provo Turtle divers has smaller groups.

[CODMAN]

Marcus, where in the T & C are you going? Providenciales? or another of the islands?

From my experience on Providenciales, Club Med has the nicest section of beach (it's mind boggling). But most of the resorts along that section are almost as nice. But don't dive with a resort. Go for a dive operation that will take you to the best places such as West Caicos and french cay.

If you're going to another of the islands, I'm sorry but I can't help you out!

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Marcus

I am looking into booking trip to Turks & Caicos next November. Read a previous thread about which dive operation to use. Would like recommendations on the best resorts to stay in Turks & Caicos. My wife and I both dive, and will probably go with another couple who doesn't dive. Thanks for the help.

[TCB]

If you don't necessarily want the resort atmosphere, consider renting a private villa. We rented the Ocean Palms villa from Sea Feathers a couple of years ago and loved it. Most of the villas are at least 3BR, but split between two couples, the prices are competitive with the resorts. In addition to the lodging tax (10%), most resorts charge a resort fee of about 10% in addition. The villas don't charge this extra fee, so remember to calculate it all when comparing rates.

You won't get the resort "atmosphere" and won't be right on Grace Bay, but the experience is second to none. Another plus for us was that the villas in the Turtle Tail area are on the same road as the south side dock that Caicos Adventures uses.

[divenuts.net]

We were there July 2007. Had a great trip!! We were on the Explorer w/5 dives a day, great accomodations and crew. Not sure if your friends would want to hang out on the boat all day? There's plenty of space to relax and hang out. I'd do it, if I couldn't dive it.

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