This was quite an adventure. First one of our group was delayed out of LA, missed his connection in Houston, could not find a way to the island for over two days, gave up and went home.
We liked Turquoise Bay, nice rooms, dining room, etc. Menu was good, but got old after a 3-4 days. Beach is pretty, water was cloudy off the beach but there had been rough weather the week before. The cost was pretty good because the it includes the 16% taxes and hotel gratuities. Our total cost for the week was the $966. The only add-onÃÔ were bar tabs and dive staff tips.
The first two days the weather was coming from the north so they carried us across the island to dive on the south side, 2 dives per day. The weather calmed and we dove the rest of the week on the north side. On Wednesday there was a strike against the power company and the citizens blocked the road in several places. This make it hard for the dive staff to get there so we only make two dives on wed and thurs and chose to take care of gear Friday afternoon. Weather was windy, very little rain, temp in the 70ÃÔ mostly, water temp 78 to 81.
Only one large problem. I Walked into the compressor room and thought I smelled burnt oil. Looking around there was an oil line on the Nitrox broken, and the air intake for the Nitrox mix wand right above the compressor. I had made several dives and felt nauseous and thought it might be seasickness, but it could have also been bad gas. We switched to air (outside intake) and everyone felt much better. The shop credited us for the $75 Nitrox charge for the week, but this was a problem that could have been avoided if the staff had been paying attention.
Think our next trip may be to cayman.......