Instant Reader Report
on Caicos Adventures / The Sands in
Turks and Caicos / Providenciales on
2002/07
by
Michael Kamens , Ohio, USA
Report Number 020728193507921

 [Unspecified] 

Dive Conditions

Offered option to dive on own with computer and buddy with little to no
restrictions or to follow divemaster on computer.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

I had read the previous chapbook reviews on Fifi and his Caicos Adventures
and was expecting a one of a kind dive trip.  Unfortunately a lot has
changed over the past year or so.  While I expected small groups at
pristine sites and superior customer service, I was discouraged to end up
on a boat with close to 30 divers making for a typical cattle boat
experience.  The boat was chaotic, the diving crowded and frankly aside
from one fantastic dive master (Canard), the service was very poor.  The
fish life was not quite what was advertised either.  We saw a couple reef
sharks and two beautiful eagle rays, but there was little activity on the
reefs and the vis was at best 75 feet or so.  The walls seemed healthy but
not void of damage and were very monotone in their appearance.  As
advertised we dove exclusively off West Caicos and French Cay.  On our
last day, the boat was reduced to a total of 8 divers (as I expected for
the whole trip) and while the sites were not earth shattering, at least we
were able to enjoy the dives without seeing more humans that fish.  My
guess is that success has changed Caicos Adventures into another run of
the mill dive operation and that is a shame.   

The Sands was fantastic on the other hand.  The facilities were clean and
the staff attentive and very pleasant.  They have a gorgeous pool and
landscaped grounds that made for relaxing afternoons.  They offer free
usage of hobey cats and non-motorized water sport equipment and the beach
was breath taking. 

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