Dive Review of Dive Provo/Sibonne in
Turks and Caicos/Providenciales

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Dive Provo/Sibonne, Aug, 2004, by Greg Yarnik, IL, US ( Sr. Reviewer 8 reports with 7 Helpful votes). Report 1263.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	While there are no "dive resorts" per se on Provo, one established shop, Dive Provo, has entered into agreements with several Grace Bay hotels to provide specially-priced multi-day dive packages. We chose a 6-day dive package at a small, well-appointed, "boutique"(their term) resort called Sibonne, with only 29 rooms and a friendly, attentive staff with on-site restaurant and bar. They have probably the best and most low-key beach location on Grace Bay, away from the larger Club Med and Beaches resorts. Our oceanfront room(50-step walk to the beach) was part of a recently-built new wing of the resort and was large and bright, with air conditioning, safe, large fridge, and all the necessary amenities. Dive Provo picked us up at the hotel each a.m. for 10-15 minute trip to the harbor, where the boats were loaded(10-12 divers on average) for trips to either West Caicos or Provo's distant Northwest Point. A shallower reef site in Grace Bay is usually the first dive site chosen when new divers arrive, presumably so that Dive Provo staff can assess divers' skills and experience before traveling to the deeper, distant wall sites of West Caicos and Northwest Point. Dive Provo staff were mostly professional, skilled and knowledgeable(esp. Lucy, Sam, Jules, and Chris). They provided my wife with much-appreciated personal assistance entering/exiting the water, as she is healing from recent knee surgery. Exceptions were a couple of younger guides who need a bit more seasoning and experience as they were a bit detached from their work and the other divers and didn't seem to know a whole lot about the underwater environment. Dive briefings were minimal and not very detailed, but some divemasters often took time below to point out interesting critters. You had the option of diving with a buddy on your own profile if you desired. Everone was urged to return to the boat with no < 500 psi in their tank. One unique policy was that eveyone who dived had to have a computer, either their own, or one rented from Dive Provo. This policy likely exists because nearly all sites are wall sites with 100'+ profiles just above the 7000'-deep Caicos Trench. The 42' boats were excellent, roomy and stable for the hour-long+ trips to distant sites. Snacks/drinks were provided and everyone's gear is stored, rinsed, and set-up each day by Dive Provo for the duration of their package. I know many divers wouldn't risk having someone else set up their gear, but a quick reg/valve/connection check prior to donning greatly reduces the chance for error. We had absolutely no problems and viewed this service as a welcome departure from most dive operators. Viz was a bit lower than expected, but heavy plankton/productivity did attract spotted eagle rays, stingrays, turtles, sharks, and spotted dolphins(a highlight were the 3-4 dozen dolphins that played in our boat wake for 30 minutes on our trip back to harbor on the last dive day--thanks to Captain Lucy for slowing up and letting us enjoy the encounter as long as possible). All in all, Dive Provo is recommended for their overall professionalism and well-run operation. Although several staffers are young and inexperienced, most are knowledgeable and confident. Boat quality is exceptional and the Provo-area diving was better than expected with large pelagics common and reef habitats in good to very good condition, depending on the site.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	51-100 dives
Where else diving	Grand Cayman, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, Anguilla, Aruba
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	calm, noCurrents
Water Temp	82-86°F / 28-30°C	Wetsuit Thickness	0
Water Visibility	60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	depth limits on walls, divers had to either own or rent a computer
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	Squadrons
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	Boats provided camera-only rinse bath and segregated shelving for camera and equipment.

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Dive Review of Dive Provo/Sibonne in Turks and Caicos/Providenciales

Dive Provo/Sibonne, Aug, 2004,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Dive Provo/Sibonne in
Turks and Caicos/Providenciales