DIVING
Days aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II generally involve breakfast from 7 am to 8 am (cold breakfasts are available for late risers), followed by two morning dives, lunch at 12:30 pm, two afternoon dives, dinner at 6:30 pm, and a night dive. Island shore excursions will be arranged when possible for those interested.
The weather in the Turks & Caicos Islands is remarkably consistent year-round. The temperatures range from the 70’s (F) or higher in the winter months to the low 90’s during the summer, with nearly constant sea breezes. Water temperatures range from a low of about 72 degrees F in winter to a high of about 82 degrees F in summer. There is normally little appreciable current at the sites we visit, and visibility is generally between 75 and 150 feet. Most divers are comfortable with a 3 mm wetsuit in summer and a 5 mm wetsuit with hooded vest in winter.
T&C has started a NEW environmental program to help manage, learn more about and ensure that no one and no reef is hurt while trying to cull the invasive lionfish from its waters. The Marine Park Fee will allow us to participate in this new program. We are the only group so far that EV trusts to even attempt the compliance effort required on their part because of our maturity, ability to stop hunting when things become too frenzied and that other than a few stings no one was hurt nor acted irresponsibly and we obeyed all the Capt's orders regarding hunting. This is a really big compliment and corresponding responsibility. If we are unable to comply with their program requirements both as divers and as the vessel ....then we will have to abandon the idea. BUT we sincerely hope that time is on our side and we can make this work out for our divers.
DIVER REQUIREMENTS
To ensure your safety, we require the following of all divers:
- All divers must be certified as open water scuba divers by an internationally recognized certification organization.
- All divers should have logged at least one dive within the 12 months prior to boarding the vessel, or are encouraged to participate in a refresher course on board.
- All divers must adhere to the buddy system, unless certified, equipped and adhering to standards for solo diving.
- All divers must log in and out of the water with a member of the diving staff.
- All divers must have a submersible console including SPG & depth gauge, timepiece or dive computer with these functions.
- On night dives, a cyalume lightstick or marker beacon must be worn by each diver.
- Decompression diving is not allowed under any conditions. The maximum allowed depth is 130’ (110’ on nitrox).
- Diving activities must cease when the consumption of alcohol begins.
- Please note that, due to a combination of staff and equipment logistics, insurance requirements and local diving regulations, rebreathers, diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) and multi-cylinder configurations (except for a small pony bottle) may NOT be used aboard Explorer Ventures Fleet vessels.
LIONFISH HUNTING
- The Marine Park Fee required for this trip will allow those interested in hunting lionfish to do so.
- Because the program is very new, there is a slight chance it may not exist at the time of our trip.
- We are confident that the rules of the program will continue to evolve so we will keep you apprised as to where things stand going forward.
- If the program is abandoned and/or is not possible to be complied with...at the last minute we will make the decision to either proceed but just make a marine park donation or to scrub the idea until the program has settled out and refund your donation fee.
- As we get closer to the trip we will know if the fee will be $75 or $100 or somewhere in between.
- You can find more detailed information about this program in the Forums, HERE
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note also that this itinerary is an example only, and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion.
Saturday: Please see the Arrival section under FAQ for information on how to reach the vessel. Due to tides, weather, the vessel's size and available facilities in Providenciales, the location and departure schedule of the vessel may change.
- 1500 Guests may begin to board the Turks & Caicos Explorer II
The vessel will normally be located at Caicos Marina but may depart early due to tides or weather. If you are staying on island, please check in with the vessel on Saturday morning to determine when and where to meet the boat. If you are arriving on Saturday, you will be met at the airport.
- 1830 Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
- 2000 Captain's Briefing, documents, etc.
Sunday: Provo's Northwest Point. Four to five dives, with night spent at mooring.
Monday: Two morning dives at Northwest Point, followed by 2-hour trip to West Caicos. Three dives, with night spent at mooring.
Tuesday: Up to five dives at West Caicos, with night spent at mooring.
Wednesday: Two dives at West Caicos, transit to French Cay, three dives at French Cay, with night spent at mooring.
Thursday: Five dives at French Cay, with night spent at mooring.
Friday: Dawn dive and morning dive at French Cay, with departure for the 2-hour trip back to port. Afternoon at leisure; dinner ashore, with night spent aboard vessel.
Saturday:
- 0700/0830 Continental breakfast
- 0900 Depart the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, you may leave your luggage aboard for pickup later. However, cabs are very expensive and it can be costly to return to the vessel.