Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

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

Dive Provo/Sibonne, Aug, 2004,

by Greg Yarnik, IL, US (Sr. Reviewer 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 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
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
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Boats provided camera-only rinse bath and segregated shelving for camera and equipment.
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 400 dive reviews of Turks and Caicos and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest, Dive & Adventure Travel
A full service dive travel agency that specializes in Turks & Caicos. We know the best Caribbean and Pacific diving

Want to assemble your own collection of Turks and Caicos reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

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.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.18 seconds