Instant Reader Report on Diving
Oasis Divers/Island House in
Turks and Caicos/Grand Turk in
2002/07

 Jamaica; Akumal, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico 

Dive Conditions

Recommended maximum depth, no time limit  

[None]  

Overall Rating

Dale at Oasis Divers very helpful in arranging trip and recommending
interisland air(Sky King-within an hour of on-time) and hotel. Diving very
good.  DM Paul was courteous and helpful but did not point out much
underwater.  Small boats comfortable for about six, but there were up to
ten divers on the boat some days and it took over 10 minutes to get them
all in the water.  Basic routine;  walk to front of boat, put on equipment,
back roll into water, wait for group, 30 minute tour of wall, use up rest
of air around boat, 5 minute safety stop, hand up equipment, climb up
ladder on back of boat.  Patch reefs and wall next to boat anchorage were
generally interesting. Wall only 300 yards offshore and boat rides only
5-10 minutes.  Shortest dive was 58 minutes, longest was 72.  Had a short
fill on the 58 minute dive, told DM, always 3000 psi thereafter.  Fishlife
good but not as good as Cozumel(less fish and smaller).  Many small tame
Nausau Grouper, get right in your face.  Turtles on every dive, lots of
tropicals.  Many shrimp, crabs, flamingo tongues, and featherdusters.

The Island House is a great place to stay.  Suites are spacious and clean.
Always a breeze-never used the AC.  Colin, the owner, was very helpful.  He
gives a tour of the island upon arrival. The room comes with a vehicle.  We
had an older S-10 pickup.  Very convenient-throw gear in the back and five
minutes to dive shop.  Nice to drive around the island in the afternoon to
see the wild horses, burros, cattle, and the bird life.  Adequate groceries
available on the island except for meat, fish, and fresh fruits and
vegetables, which are flown in only on Wednesday.  Take your own coffee if
you want good coffee.  Not much to do on the island except dive and relax. 
The manager of the museum is an overbearing Englishman.  The museum is
interesting but avoid his tour if you can.  Islanders very friendly.  The
best meals were at the Salt Raker Inn and The Regal Beagal(fried fish and
cracked conch very good and inexpensive).      

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. It is presented here to provide Undercurrent readers with timely information on dive operations worldwide. The material may contain errors, typos, ... Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above. An edited version of this report will likely appear in the next Travelin' Divers' Chapbook, which will be sent to newsletter subscribers and published online for Online Members.