When are you going in Dec? We'll arrive on the 21st. You asked if we would have liked to stay put? For sure, while Provo was fun, the day was essentially shot by the time we got back -starving! So we drank, cooked and cleaned gear (gopro, lights, masks, wetsuits x 3) in the villa and were stuffed/wiped by 5:30pm. Never got to go out for dinner until our last non diving day. Dining out is one of the main attractions on Provo. Would have loved to stay put in SC but probably would have had enough by then, the grocery and restaurants options are very limited. Essentially 1 beach bar (coral reef) and one upscale (porter island thyme).
We are diving with Smitty from GT divers, got a glowing passionate review from someone on TA who's been diving with Smitty for years. Mitch @ Blue Water is equally good from what I hear, can't go wrong with either. Mitch is a local musician as well!
In Dec I highly doubt any shops will venture further out due to rough seas. Never got to do the Endymion in SC (weather-damm it!!!!) and asked GT divers if they go but the weather isn't conducive at that time of the year I was told.
Also I froze in the water, I'm taking my 7mm down (I don't have a 5mm) this year. I took down my thermoprene explorer only last year and as soon as I hit the water knew the high-tech non-boyant suit wasn't going to cut it, brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Even putting a 3mm over it was *just* enough. There were other divers in t-shirts only though..?!?!? Just something to keep in mind.
Use Caicos Express. I've already booked our upcoming flights.