Dive Review of BEACHES in
Turks and Caicos

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BEACHES, Nov, 2004, by Charles Levine, PA, USA . Report 1458.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Beaches is billed as an "all-inclusive, family resort." All non-motorized water sports are "included." I attended a conference at the resort with 70 divers. We were asked no less than three times in the months and weeks leading up to the conference about diving abilities, dive log histories, etc., and yet had to complete yet another questionaire on arrival to the dive shop. Several divers who hadn't dived in 18-24 months found out, last minute, that they'd have to do a full refresher course, at additional cost, instead of diving the first two days! Most would have done a refresher at home before arriving in Turks had they known this policy in advance. The dive operator was woefully unprepared to accomodate 70 divers with their three 42 foot boats. Divers were randomly assigned 30-36 per boat, regardless of skill level or previous diving experience. We were so late in leaving the dock first afternoon that the second dive became a twilight/evening dive, much to the DM's chagrin. Dive briefings were poor to non-existent. Dive profiles were straightforward: 60 feet for 30 minutes max. I've never come back with so much air after each dive. Weather washed out our fourth day, but when we showed up on day 5, we were told that since we had missed the previous day, and hadn't signed up for day 5, we couldn't dive, despite booking a six day/two tank/day package! When we then tried to sign up for the sixth and final day, we're told that we had to sign up 24 hours in advance (0900 on day 5 for 0800 departure on day 6) but had missed the deadline!! Needless to say, Beaches left several dozen divers attending a conference at their resort VERY upset and displeased. Reefs (what we saw of them) looked reasonably healthy. Sponges and corals don't show much evidence of damage or overuse. Fish variety was adequate, but the "follow the leader" requirements and limited depth/time profiles left little time to explore and absorb the wildlife. If you have a family with young children and want a clean, family oriented resort and are willing to spend several hundred dollars/person/day, Beaches is for you. If you want to dive to your abilities and explore Turks and Caicos underwater, Beaches is definitely NOT for you. This is a resort that just happens to have some boats, some instructors, and some dive equipment...period.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Bahamas, Florida, St. Vincent, Pennsylvania
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy	Seas	calm, choppy, surge
Water Temp	80-82°F / 27-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	30-75 Ft/ 9-23 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	Regardless of level of experience, number of dives, presence of buddies, dives were restricted to a maximum of 60 feet for 30 minutes on all dives. Night dives $60 per diver, not done.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	No safe place on the boat to work on cameras, no fresh water rinse tank on boat. Shared fresh water tank with fins and masks on shore!

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Dive Review of BEACHES in Turks and Caicos

BEACHES, Nov, 2004,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of BEACHES in
Turks and Caicos