Located 575 miles southeast of Miami, the idyllic islands of the Turks & Caicos sit surrounded by turquoise waters containing over 1,000 square miles of living coral reef. A Mecca for divers from all over the world, the Turks & Caicos Islands are known for their expansive underwater visibility, high-voltage wall dives, and the profusion of marine life of all sizes located within their boundaries. Low annual rainfall and reliable ocean currents contribute to the remarkable visibility, as well as provide nutrients for the many large pelagics common in these waters.
Caribbean reef sharks are common, as are spotted eagle rays, jacks, grouper, and turtles. Also spotted on a frequent basis are blacktips, tiger sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays. Famous for its spectacular walls filled with huge gorgonian fans, barrell sponges, hard-coral arches and macro life, the Turks & Caicos Islands truly offer a dive experience for everyone.
Though many of the dive sites visiting are outside the boundaries of the Princess Alexandra National Park, which provides strict protection for much of the marine life surrounding Provo, all of the dive operators in the area enthusiastically support marine conservation and preservation measures which ensure that the waters of the Turks & Caicos remain pristine for future visitors.
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Turks & Caicos
- Itineraries: 8 day/7 night itineraries
- Departing: Providenciales, Turks & Caicos each Saturday
- Accomodates: 20 passengers in 10 air-conditioned double staterooms
- Water temperatures: 76 degrees in February to a high of 84 degrees in August
- Visibility: Normally between 60 and 100+ feet
- All diving done from the vessel
The Turks and Caicos Explorer II's regular itinerary departs Providenciales each Saturday. Carrying 20 passengers, the luxurious 124-foot Turks & Caicos Explorer II features large and well-appointed common areas, and individually-controlled air conditioning in each stateroom. The two spacious VIP staterooms each feature a queen bed, large windows, private bathroom and shower. The main deck features spacious staterooms forward, each with queen or twin beds and private bathroom. The lower staterooms each feature portholes, twin beds, large wardrobe, and private bathroom and shower. The expansive flybridge offers a comfortable, shaded seating area, as well as built-in barbecue and wet bar; the sundeck, one level below, offers lounge chairs and seating, as does, the well-appointed full-width main salon which is located aft of the staterooms. The dive deck provides individual gear lockers, air and nitrox filling station, large camera table, charging station and ample storage and room for gearing up. Large staircases lead down to the dive platform, for easy access to the ocean.
Days aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II generally involve breakfast beginning at 7 am, followed by two morning dives, lunch, two afternoon dives, dinner and a night dive. Island shore excursions will be arranged when possible for those interested.
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