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pm3009:Hi
I've pretty much narrowed my decision for my next Dive trip down to Grand Turk. I've been reading everything I can find on this board for it. Couple more questions.
I can only go on my son's school vacation (so that I can have arrangements for him to be watched while I'm away) either during the end of February or the end of April.
I've read that February is Whale season in T&C....which I'd LOVE to see....but I'm a bit concerned that the water will be pretty cold. It would be the very end of Feb into March. I've read around 74-78 degrees for water temp. Has anyone been at the end of Feb? I chill pretty easily and wear a 3mm suit with a 3 or 5mm vest on top of that.
So, I hate to miss the possibility of seeing whales (LOVE the big stuff), but also don't want to freeze in the water. So is it warming up by the very end of Feb??
Also....I have read that all three dive ops are great. Also read that Sea Eye might be in trouble and weren't doing good. Is that true? If you had to choose one out of the three dive ops...which would it be and why? I really want to be on a boat that takes very small groups, and I've read that all 3 do.
For hotels....we want to be right on the beach. We're looking at the Osprey Hotel and
the Salt Raker Inn. Any experience with these? Are they both on the beach? Any opinions on which is nicer?
And finally.....I'm not interested in Provo because of the looooooooooong boat rides, and don't need all the activity on Provo.... but what about West Caicos and South Caicos ? Which has the BEST diving between GT, West and South??
Thanks so much!!!
Pam
1. Water temps. It rarely gets down to 74 off GT. In late Feb look for scuba temps of 76 plus/minus a degree. Still, you might be more comfortable going the end of April. BTW, the whale trips are snorkel, not scuba.
2. I believe that the Sea Eye report you saw may have been an anomaly. However, you shouldn't be disappointed with either Blue Water or Oasis.
3. IMHO, one of the renovated rooms in the Osprey is a better choice than the older Salt Raker (not right on beach). It's quiet & on the beach. Same owner.
4. As for South Caicos, South Caicos Ocean Haven, which was the only dive op and diver's resort on the island, has been closed for about 2 years now. The island made it so difficult & unpleasant to do business that lovely Bob & Diane, who had the patience of saints, finally threw in the towel. Last I heard they were on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica doing various water-related tourism activities.
The only way to dive it at present is via Salt Cay. Salt Cay Divers will do day trips, which are about 90-minute boat rides over sometimes rough water and very weather-dependent. They also can arrange for stays at the now slightly renovated South Caicos Ocean Haven and provide the boat and DM. Of course all such arrangements require a minimum number of divers, which I believe is about 5. Obviously it's iffy & a hassle.
5. West Caicos has no tourist facilties. It is dived from boats from Provo or the two liveaboards serving the area. There is a large construction project going on now building a marina & pricey housing, but these are incomplete and will be private ownership. It is, however, messing with the vis.
I'd rate the diving, from best on down, South Caicos, Grand Turk, West Caicos.
Responsive?
Best regards.
DocVikingo