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Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving Travel and Accommodations

General Information

The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast of Miami. Covering 193 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands has the third largest coral reef system and the best tropical beaches in the world, making it a premier beach, diving and snorkelling destination and an ideal location for romance, family vacations, ecotourism and adventure seekers.

Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving Travel and AccommodationsThere are eight inhabited islands: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay. East Caicos and West Caicos along with several other fascinating cays are uninhabited.

The Columbus Passage, 22 mile-wide channel, separates the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands. This 8,000 foot deep passage serves as major transit lines for migrating *Humpback Whales, Spotted Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Turtles and Dolphins.

Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving Travel and AccommodationsExcellent visibility, pristine reefs, abundant tropical flora and fauna, fish and other marine life, quality diving services and easy conditions make the Turks and Caicos Islands a world class dive destination. World famous walls are lushly landscaped in rich marine decor and play host to a tremendous variety of sea creatures. Shipwrecks, old and new further enhance these islands as an outstanding diving destination.

Turks and Caicos has assured that for generations to come, divers will be able to enjoy this underwater wonderland. A series of marine parks and nature reserves have been set aside to protect these beautiful and fragile areas. A system of moorings is in place which protect the reef from anchoring damage at popular dive sites.

*From late December through April, the entire Atlantic herd of 2,500 Humpback Whales pass through the shores on their annual migration to the Mouchoir Bank, just 20 - 30 miles southeast. During this period divers can listen to an underwater concert of the whale's' songs.


Climate 75 - 90F 24 - 32C
Water Temp 77 - 85F 25 - 29C
Visibility 100+ ft 30+ m

Dive Centers & Accommodations


Big Blue Unlimited
Providenciales

Caicos Adventures Diving
Providenciales

Oasis Divers
Grand Turk




New Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. More Details...

Getting There

The Turks and Caicos is only 75 minutes from Miami, less than 3 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, 3 hours from New York and 3 and a half hours from Boston and can easily be reached with direct flights from the US, the UK, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Haiti.

There are several regular direct flights to the island of Providenciales from the US, Canada and Europe:

  • American Airlines www.aa.com flies from Boston, Miami and New York
  • US Airways www.usairways.com flies from Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Raleigh and Richmond, VA through Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Delta www.delta.com offers seasonal weekly flight from Atlanta to Provo.
  • Charter flights are available from Toronto, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale
  • British Airways www.britishairways.com operates direct flights from London
  • Flights are also available through connections in Canada www.aircanada.com, the Bahamas www.bahamasair.com, Jamaica www.airjamaica.com, Dominican Republic and Haiti


Arriving in Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay.

Sky King and Air Turks & Caicos fly international and domestic flights to these islands.

Provo Airport is 1 mile (1.6km) west of Providenciales town and has plenty of taxis. The airport on Grand Turk is 2 miles (3.2km) south of Cockburn Town. A taxi may be there to meet incoming flights; if not, you can call one from the airport. On South Caicos, Cockburn Town Airport is 1.5 miles (2.4km) north of town. The sole taxi driver on the island will no doubt head for the airport when he sees your plane land.

Entry Requirements

Visitors require passports, visas are necessary for noncommonwealth countries of the former Eastern Bloc. You are advised to contact the nearest British Consulate Office for visa applications.


All visitors must hold a round trip ticket.

Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days; this is renewable one time only.

DEPARTURE TAX: $23 is levied on all persons over the age of 2.

For luggage restriction, individual airlines should be consulted.

Duty free goods that may be brought in to the Islands include: 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1.136 liters of spirits or wine and perfume for personal use.

There are no restrictions for travellers on the import of cameras, film or sports equipment except spear guns.

To bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), you must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police. Controlled drugs and pornography are illegal.

Travel Tips

Getting Around
There are no public buses on any of the islands, so taxis are the best all-around transport option. Taxis are readily available in the Turks and Caicos. All fares are priced according to the distance traveled. It is always best to verify the cost to a particular destination before the taxi takes off. You can also hire taxis as guides for a day of sightseeing. Most hotels offer complimentary airport transfers (check with the hotel first).

Cars and motorcycles can be rented on Provo and Grand Turk; elsewhere, car rental options are virtually nil. A government tax of $10 is levied on each car rental, and $5 on scooter rentals. Driving is on the left. Bicycles can be rented at many hotels and concessions but are limited to unwieldy one-speeders. They're fine for tooling around but a hard slog on longer trips. A valid driver’s license from your place of residence is required when renting a vehicle.

Getting between the islands is easiest by plane. All the islands except West and East Caicos are served by air from Grand Turk and Provo. Sky King, InterIsland Airways and Turks & Caicos Airways fly between the islands on a quasi-scheduled basis. A sole ferry, the Caicos Express, operates sporadically between Provo and Sandy Point on North Caicos. It stops en route by request at Pine Cay, Parrot Cay and Middle Caicos. Sand Dollar Tours has a private boat service between Salt Cay and Grand Turk.

Clothing
Shorts are worn in town as well as on the beach, but bathing suits should be restricted to beach and pool areas. During the day, it is advisable to wear sun hats and sunscreen. In the evenings, light sweaters and jackets can occasionally be worn, and those wishing to visit some of the island's more elegant eating establishments may want to bring along more formal attire. Nudity is illegal throughout the islands but some hotels do allow it.

Electricity
Electricity follows the U.S. standard: 120/240 Volts/60 Cycles.

Water
The water is safe to drink, but it tastes different.

Phone Service
The Islands enjoy direct worldwide telephone access. Available telecommunications devices include fax machine, telexes, cellular phones, and Internet connections. Public phones operate by phone cards.

Country code is 649. Network is through Cable and Wireless. Pay phones, calling cards, facsimile, Internet, cell phones for rent at various locations.

If you have cell service in the USA please bring your phone with you because if you have International Roaming service with a cellular carrier that has a roaming agreement in the Caribbean then your phone will be able to make a receive calls while in the Turks and Caicos. If you do not have roaming then you will be able to make calls using the credit card platform.

Time Zone
Turks and Caicos is on EST and Daylight Savings Time is observed from April to October.

Weather
Turks and Caicos travel, accommodations and services informationBring your sunscreen. The Turks and Caicos average 350 days of sunshine per year. The tropical climate and cool island breezes are comfortable year round. Temperatures range from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperatures rarely dip below 74 degrees. It’s like taking a bath.

There is an annual rainfall of 21 inches on Grand Turk and South Caicos, but as you go further west the average rainfall could increase to 40 inches. In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine.

Hurricane season can vary but usually runs from June to October.

Tipping
15 percent gratuity is standard for wait staff, drivers and housekeeping personnel.

Medical Assistance

There is a hospital on Grand Turk, and an emergency care facility on Provo.

 

 

Rates & Services as well as travel regulations are subject to change without notice.

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