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Dive Review of Provo Turtle Divers/Royal West Indies in
Turks and Caicos/Provinciales Island

Provo Turtle Divers/Royal West Indies: "Labor Day In The Turks and Caicos", Sep, 2016,

by Mark Sinz, NY, US ( 1 report with 1 Helpful vote). Report 9299 has 1 Helpful vote.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments GOOD:
* If you are looking for a high quality boutique diving experience, this is it. Small group diving with flexibility for independent diving by more experienced divers. Boat accommodates camera gear and in fact captain Dave goes down during lunch hour with some excellent photo gear.
* Provo Turtle Divers are the oldest and most experienced dive outfit on the island.
* In my several trips with Turtle Divers rental equipment has been kept in good shape.
* Friendly, caring captain and dive masters. Easy conversation. Dave and Art are highly seasoned professionals who love what they do and care about their divers. Melinda runs a super-efficient and friendly dive shop and handles the scheduling.
* Dove at: Northwest Point, The Gully off West Caicos, and Yankeetown where I saw a five-foot leatherback turtle.
* Divers are a diverse mix of visitors and locals of all ages.
* Emphasis on safety both in the water and on the boat.
* Nice vibe whether you love to socialize with the crew and other divers or if you prefer to just enjoy the sea.
* Morning and afternoon dive off the boat with snacks of crackers, chips, peanut butter and chopped fruit of pineapple and watermelon with sodas.
* Pick-up and drop-off to all the major resorts for the 15 minute drive to the shop and boat dock.
* Have never gone in early September which is just before the slow season. I was a little apprehensive about what I would find and what the conditions would be. Turns out, it is an excellent time to go. Resorts and restaurants are less crowded. Weather was ideal. Water temperature is at maximum since it has had all summer to warm up. Air temperature is cooler coming off the brutal heat of August. Dove with a tee shirt and swimming trunks.
* This time of year sharks come up to the wall for mating. Saw multiple reef and nurse sharks on every dive. Have never seen so many in my other visits. Healthy reef with abundant coral, sponges and creatures including barracuda, lobster, porgies, snapper, jacks, angelfish, butterfly fish, and parrot fish. One diver got multiple videos of her with the reef sharks following us nearby.
* This was my first visit when I did not see lion fish. The locals claim there are now predators for the nasty beasts and the ecosystem is slowly coming back into balance.
* We had a disabled diver on board. He was fully accommodated with help in and out of the water and had a great experience.
* Stayed at the Royal West Indies resort, a mid-price resort on Grace Bay. Great air-resort packages on Expedia. Tips: get a ground floor unit for convenience and a patio. Spring for a suite with a full kitchen if you can.
* Many restaurant choices near the resort are within walking distance on the beach or off; even more if you catch a local taxi. Personal favorites were dining under the palms at the upscale Coco Bistro and sushi at the appropriately named Sushi Bar Japanese Restaurant.

BAD:
* The only bad experience came from another group of divers who forgot what day they were diving and held up the rest of the group. Happily they didn't go on the dive that day.

WISH I HAD KNOWN:
* Take the sunscreen. The gentle breeze disguises a strong sun.
* How great it is to visit in early September.

Websites Provo Turtle Divers   Royal West Indies

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 26-50 dives
Where else diving Florida Keys
Saint Lucia
Closest Airport Provo Airport, PLS Getting There Direct flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York JFK, Charlotte. Flights from Kingston and Port Au Prince through InterCaribbean Airways.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 80-80°F / 27-27°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 80-90 Ft/ 24-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions * Depth limits
* No sunscreen sprays on the boat deck
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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