Dive Review of
Turcs & Caicos Explorer in
Turks and Caicos

Greater Caribbean, Mexico, Australia

Dive Conditions

Return to the boat with 500 psi  

Has a separate table for photography, including a huge rinse tank for
camera use only.  We were able to leave our camera in the tank, and were
lucky to discover a small leak before we took it down to depth.    

Overall Rating

We arrived at Provo a day early, hoping to get a chance to explore the
town, only to discover there really isn't a town to explore.  We always
arrive a day early for a live-aboard, just to avoid jet lag, or luggage
delays.  Another group of 4 people were delayed due to weather, and didn't
arrive on the boat until the second day.
The TCEII was captained by Jean-Francois, also known as JF.  Probably the
best captain I've toured with, he has an easy-going but hard working manner
that puts you at ease and gets the job done.   We were worried that we
might have to return to Provo to pick up the missing divers (and miss a
dive) but the captain worked it out for us to stay at the dive site while
they sent the tender to retrieve them.  We did dive the same site all day,
but that was better than not diving at all.
The boat's cabins are reasonably sized for a live-aboard, all with private
bathrooms; there are queen or double beds in each room, and two suites
upstairs, although I do not believe that they had more space than the
downstairs rooms.  
The dive deck itself was fairly roomy, although I felt like the actual
set-up areas for the divers was a little cramped.  Fortunately, divers took
turns in gearing up and it wasn't much of a problem.  The dive briefings
were detailed: where to go, what to look for.
The dive staff was also above average.  A DM would be on every dive, and
would lead a dive if you requested.  Sometimes that is good, because trying
to find that one blue anemone on that wall of coral can be difficult! Most
of the dive sites were similar type walls, and there was a lot to explore. 

We were fortunate to have good weather and the captain took us out to West
Sand Spit, where there was no other boats to be seen.  Here the diving was
pristine.  A lone dolphin joined us for an incredible adventure.  Later
that day we spotted whales and had an afternoon of whale watching from the
boat.  Another incredible dive location was JF's secret dive site - the
Smoke Stacks - names for the huge barral sponges found along the dive. 
Lush soft coral forrest abounded on this drift dive.
The food on board was average – no complaints here.  We don’t eat red meat,
so the chef always had a separate plate prepared for us.
There were mechanical problems on our trip.  Some of them could be
upsetting and ruin your dive trip.  But we chose not to let it bother us
and enjoyed our vacation for what we had.  I  would highly recommend the
TCEII, and especially captain JF.
Departing TC, we choose an mid-afternoon flight, hoping again to be able to
explore the town. But since there really isn't anything to explore, and the
boat is a very long way from anywhere, it makes no sense to delay the
departure. I  recommend taking the first flight of the day – not as many
people, no lines at security.
 

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