Instant Reader Report
on Big Blue Unlimited / Sands At Grace Bay in
Turks and Caicos / [N/A] on
2003/04
by
Gregory Oppenhuizen , MI, USA
Report Number 030420095932630

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 Carribean/Pacifc 

Dive Conditions

You were given Carte Blanche freedom to dive within your experience,
training, and confidence with conditions.  

I did not observe a dip tank on the boat, but there was space on the boat
to securely place cameras as well as a functional fresh water shower.The
biggest advantage for photographers is an unlimited dive profile.  

Overall Rating

Big Blue Unlimited is a very good operation for divers who prefer to dive
their own profile. You may stay down until you are ready to come up (60+
min). I would recommend nitrox for this area to increase your no deco
limit, since most of the diving is in 50-80 ft with no shallow 15-30 ft
reef.For experienced divers, you can do your own thing and nobody will
hassle you or for novices you can be guided.

The boat is a 39 ft twin hull design well suited for diving and in good
repair. They provide soft drinks, sandwiches, fruit and snacks.The food is
good since many sights are nearly an hour away.You leave at 8:20 AM and may
return as late as 2:30 PM for two tanks.

Big Blue takes no more than eight divers but does charge about 10% more
than the other dive operations which may carry 20+ "guided"
divers. BB dives all the sights including the nice sights around Provo
which I found as good or better than West Caicos and French Cay. I enjoyed
"Football Field" and "Northwest Point" best, both of
which are off Provo. I dove for 7 days.

The dive personal were friendly, capable and equiped to assist with modest
technical problems.


The Sands At Grace Bay is a nice resort with its own restaurant less than
10 years old. It is somewhat expensive, but all prices in Provo are nearly
comparable to Grand Cayman. A typical fish entree will be $22-29. With
soup, salad, and wine expect nothing less than $50/person for dinner. You
can do sandwiches and beer for quite a bit less or go to IGA the first day
and get light food, beer and wine, or bring your own wine with you.

The Sands provides a shuttle for a fee (they claim less than the taxi) to
restaurants and stores although there is complimentary pickup and return
to the airport. 

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