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Dive Review of Caicos Adventures/Carribben Paradise Inn in
Turks and Caicos/Providenciales

Caicos Adventures/Carribben Paradise Inn, Feb, 2003,

by Barry Zigas, DC, USA (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 7 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 396.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Well-run dive operation, with spirited crew that is knowledgeable, professional and courteous. Captain "Fifi" Kuntz ran a tight ship but made it easy. Divemasters like K. Cruikshank also qualified and friendly. Went on successive days, first to French Key and second day to West Caicos. Very calm for the crossing to French Key. The large twin-hulled boat made it quickly and comfortably. Fresh water, O2, marine head. Divers set up gear for first dive, second by divemasters. Divers for multiple days leave gear on board and crew rinses and puts out for second and subsequent days. First day had about 12 divers, in three groups. Wide mix of experience and training. Second day more cozy and relaxed with only 6 of us. Generally dives to sandy bottoms then over the wall to 60-85 feet. No dive under 45 minutes, with ample shallow degassing time and mandatory 3 minute safety stops on bar with hanging regulator. Lunch of grocery store sandwiches (ask for tuna in advance if ham and cheese ain't your thing!) served between dives during long surface interval of at least an hour. Second day more choppy but quick trip to West Caicos. Both days great dives with lots of sharks and eagle rays, black grouper, tons of tropicals, lobsters, etc. Hard coral, gorgonians and sponges galore. I did my Advanced Open Water certification dives on this trip and after some initial confusion -- I'd signed up but they seemed to have forgotten -- got very thorough and professional check out. Highly recommended.
Carribbean Paradise Inn is small -- about 20 rooms -- bed and breakfast place a short walk from the beach at Grace Bay, nearly adjacent to Royal West Indies Resort. Comfortable rooms, firm beds, fans and AC, plenty of hot water in clean full bathroom, cable TV with plenty of movie channels, plain but filling continental breakfast every AM, rooms arranged in 2 stories around a nice pool. Lockers and dunk tank for divers, but most guests were non-divers. Host Cliff is always around and very hospitable. Rates are comparable to other places (including taxes assume $200/night or more), but if you're looking for a quiet, comfortable place this is for you. I would definitely go back. Good website for reservations and preview, as well as good links to T&C features/attractions. Nearby West Indies resort has a nice, relatively affordable bar/restaurant and the main restaurants, discos and the casino are a short 10 minute walk down the road (bring a small flashlight for walks after dark.) No beach frontage, but a short walk to gorgeous beach for at least a mile in either direction. For local "color" try Smokey's on the beach in Blue Hills. It's about a $50 round trip cab ride, but great local fish, conch and lobster served in a low key island setting.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Caymans, California, N.Carolina, Mexico, Curacao
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 65-70°F / 18-21°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-75 Ft/ 15-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Very good dive briefings, groups led by divemaster and captain. Depth restrictions provided but always generous. Computer users allowed to dive own profiles. Hard rule was turnaround back to boat when first diver had 1500 lbs of air.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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