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. There 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. Excellent 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. There is exceptional wall diving starting in shallow turquoise water and dropping off into the deep blue giving a real thrill. The reef is relatively close to the beach which makes for accessible beach dives. Shipwrecks, old and new further enhance these islands as an outstanding diving destination. *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 Services/Accommodations
Big Blue Unlimited PO Box 159, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands British West Indies Tel.: (649) 946 5034 & (649) 231 6455 Fax.: (649) 946 5033 bigblue@tciway.tc http://www.bigblue.tc Genuine small group recreational scuba diving and technical diving, sea kayaks, eco adventures and private charters in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. The main dive boat, a 40ft power catamaran, departs daily at 8.30am for 2 dives with a maximum of 9 guests. Caicos Adventures Diving PO Box 47 Providenciales Turks & Caicos Ph. (649) 941-3346 Fax. (649) 941-3346 Caicos Adventures is always the best rated among dive operaters in Turks and Caicos Islands. Why? Because we cater to our divers needs. Our goal is to provide you the best scuba diving experience for your carribean diving vacation. » Number of Dive Boats: 2 Catamarans » Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: Caicos Cat - 22, Hercules - 8 » Gear Provided: At an additional cost » Rental Gear Available: BCD, Regulators, Wet Suits, hoods, mask fins and snorkel, computer » Nitrox Available: Yes » Type of Diving Available: Wall & Reef » Total Dive Sites: 80+ and uncharted sites » Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 35 » Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 45 » Certification Agencies: PADI » Courses Offered: Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, Rescue, Dive Master, Specialties, Discover Diving divucrzy@tciway.tc http://www.caicosadventures.tc   Explorer Ventures Ltd. PO Box 488 Mabank, TX 75147-0488 USA 800-322-3577; 903-887-8521 903-887-8526 info@explorerventures.com http://www.explorerventures.com Liveaboard diving vacations for 16 to 18 passengers, to Saba and St. Kitts in the Northeastern Caribbean, Turks and Caicos, and to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea from Cairns, Australia.   Harbour Club Villas and Marina Box 77, Venetian Road Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Phone: 1 649 941 5748 Fax: 1 649 941 5748 harbourclub@tciway.tc http://www.harbourclubvillas.com Six, one bedroom cottages within steps of our own private Marina. Dive boats leave daily heading for Providenciales' most spectacular dive sites - uninhabited West Caicos and French Cay each a 40 minutes ride from our dock where the wall drops to deep blue depths of 7000 feet.   Oasis Divers - Grand Turk PO Box 137 Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands Ph. 649-946-1128 or 800-892-3995 Fax. 649-946-1128 oasisdiv@tciway.tc http://www.oasisdivers.com The goal of Oasis Divers is to make their guest's diving experience the best. With the combination of excellent service, the best wall diving in the Caribbean and the charm of the Grand Turk you can't go wrong. » Number of Dive Boats: 5 » Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: Depends on boat. We have smaller boats max is 8, we have boats that can accommodate groups traveling that can accommodate 22. We usually use the 8 passenger boats unless it's a group. » Gear Provided: Tanks & weights » Rental Gear Available: All rental gear available. Aqua Lung BC and Regs., Computers, mask, snorkels, fins, wetsuits. » Nitrox Available: Yes » Type of Diving Available: Wall and Reef » Total Dive Sites: 25 » Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 5 » Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 15 » Certification Agencies: PADI, SSI, Universal Referral » Courses Offered: Open Water through Divemaster oasisdiv@tciway.tc http://www.oasisdivers.com
Travel To Turks & Caicos
Flight Information   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. Arriving in Providenciales British Airwarys - Direct from London American Airlines - Daily flights from Miami, weekly flights from New York and Boston. U.S. Airways - Direct flights from Charlotte four times weekly. Bahamas - Direct flights from Nassau 3 times per week. Air Jamaica - Direct flights from Montego Bay 4 times weekly. Sky King - Direct Flights from Puerto Plata and Cap Haitien. Arriving in Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay. Sky King and Inter Island Airways fly international and domestic flights to these islands.   Entry Requirements   US Citizens traveling by air to the Turks & Caicos Islands will are required by the US Government to have a valid US passport. Visitors from Canada may enter without a passport, if they have an original birth certificate (or, a notarized copy) and a photo id (e.g.. Driver's License). Visitors from other countries do require passports, but no visas are necessary except from countries of the former Eastern Bloc. They are advised to contact the nearest British Consulate Office. * All visitors must hold a round trip ticket. * Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days; this is renewable one time only. * For luggage restriction, individual airlines should be consulted   Visitor Tips and Information Clothing Throughout the islands dress is casual. Shorts are worn in town as well as the beach during the day, it is advisable to also wear sunhats and sunscreen. In the evenings, light sweaters and jackets may be occasionally needed in the winter. Dinner is not formal most restaraunts accept dress shorts while others require pants and collard shirt for gentlemen and dress slacks or dresses for the ladies. Public Nudity is illegal throughout the islands. Electricity Electricity follows the U.S. standard: 120/240 Volts/60 Cycles. 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. In the Turks and Caicos you can be as active, or inactitive as you want to be. In addition to diving, there are many activities to be enjoyed throughout the islands such as: Beach Cruise & BBQ's Bird Watching Cycling Dining Out Eco Tours Fishing Golf Heritage Walks Horseback Riding Island Festivities & Events Middle Caicos Caves Parasailing Private Island Getaways Sailing Semi-Submarine Tours Shopping Sky Watching Snorkeling Spa Treatments Tennis Windsurfing Or find a nice, quiet beach (that's easy to do), kick back and relax!!