THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

Year:2002

A tranquil and unspoilt Caribbean paradise

Season: Year-round diving

Visibility: 30-50 metes

Water temperature: 25-29°C

In the Turks Island Passage, which links the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the warm, tropical Caribbean Sea, a string of small islands trails off the end of the Bahamas. These are the Turks and Caicos Islands. To the west lies Cuba, to the south lies Hispaniola. Only eight of these 30 islands and small coral cays are inhabited. Several hundred years of salt producing industry have left their mark. Vegetation is sparse on these low-lying islands as, in the past, almost every tree and palm was chopped down in an attempt to discourage rain, as year-round desiccating winds and low humidity converted trapped sea water into natural salt.

Gin clear water shading from deepest cobalt to pale turquoise surrounds the islands with their many largely-undiscovered diving sites that have, as a consequence, sustained very little damage by divers. The government are making every effort to conserve and protect their wonderful natural resource and have established several marine national parks.

A fascinating parade of interesting marine life passes through the waters of these islands, including the awesome sight of the Humpback Whale migration. Between February and April the humpbacks migrate through the Turks Island Passage to reach their breeding grounds on the Mouchoir and Silvers Banks on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Divers frequently hear the beautiful and eerie sounds of calling whales. In the summer months these blue tropical waters hold Manta Rays. As the Great Blue Herons come to feed at the pools, wild dolphins leap and dance offshore amongst the waves. The Turks and Caicos Islands are nature lover's islands, where the adventurer and the escapist will find peace and tranquility.

THE CAICOS ISLANDS

If you elect to take a cruise on Sea Dancer or Turks & Caicos Aggressor you will have the chance to explore a wide range of dive sites around the northern and western Caicos Islands. Vertical walls are found off the coast of many islands and it is here that unusual and magnificent corals and sponges thrive. A huge 3-metre diameter Orange Elephant Ear Sponge growing on the reef wall gives its name to Elephant Ear Canyon. Three species of the rare and highly prized black coral can be found overhanging the hollow cut in the reef wall at Amphitheatre. A school of Horse-eye Trevally cruises through the corals searching for food. A 5-metre column of coral grows vertically from the ocean bed dwarfing the usual 2-metre formations at Driveway. Fascinating growths of corals and sponges occur here and there is always a healthy population of Yellowtail Snappers, Yellow Goatfish, Queen Angelfish and surgeonfish.

Many lucky divers will experience the joys of encountering Bottle-nosed or Spotted Dolphins, either above or below the water. These playful characters sometimes stay with the boat for a long time and there can be few more gloriously spontaneous diving delights than leaping into the water with them and allowing the dolphins to show off like children in a playground. Squeals of delight fill the water as the dolphins exhibit their skills, leaping above the waves or diving suddenly into the deeps, or merely besport themselves to show their sleek undersides and graceful movements in the water. Southern Stingrays and beautiful Spotted Eagle Rays 'fly' in these waters and there are frequent meetings with eerie large barracuda that lurk in cuts in the reef or in the shadow of the boat. Large, friendly, dark-banded Nassau Groupers often come to greet the divers and hang around watching these unusual visitors to their watery world. Hawksbill Turtles flap serenely by on many of the dive sites and have even been known to follow divers on occasions! During the late summer months Nurse Sharks gather to mate in the shallows of French Cay. If the weather is right there may be opportunity to snorkel here and witness this wonder of nature.

South Caicos, which features on the Wind Dancer itineraries out of Grand Turk, provides some 'last frontier' diving by local standards as the dive sites are still being explored and developed. It is already evident that the island offers some of the finest diving in the entire Turks & Caicos.

GRAND TURK

Grand Turk, six miles long and just over a mile wide, is the administrative centre of the Turks and Caicos archipelago. Delightful Cockburn Town, where the main street runs along the shore, is Grand Turk's 'capital city'. The colonial elegance and character of the town is reflected in the old timber buildings, with wooden shutters and weathered balconies, built along the beach road. Cockburn Town has a colourful past as pirates such as Calico Jack Rackman made Grand Turk their home and a centre for their buccaneering escapades!

Visiting the Grand Turk museum, under the direction of the curator, is a vital part of the holiday. It will give you a glimpse into history as you learn about the original settlers. The ground floor of this beautiful waterfront museum is devoted to the famous Molasses Reef wreck. Now known to have sunk before 1513, this is the earliest recorded European wreck in the New World. There are numerous wrecks round the island, very many of which have not yet been discovered. On Grand Turk there really is the chance of finding sunken treasure!

All diving is conducted within the waters of the Turks and Caicos National Park. As with diving in any national park, you are asked to observe certain rules simply in order to conserve the beauty of the reef. Because these laws prevent any form of fishing or anchoring in the marine park, it is delightfully refreshing to see that the fish show no fear of divers and you can feel a true closeness to nature. Grand Turk is famous for its wonderfully quiet, white, soft, sandy coral beaches and the spectacular and famous Grand Turk Wall.

Teeming with aquatic life, this wall on the western (leeward) side of the reef is very close to the shore, so that boat trips are short, with the farthest dive site being only 20 minutes away. The reef begins at depths of only 7 metres in some areas. The wall itself consists of a tumbling series of sheer rock faces, cracks, crevices and ledges plunging away dramatically to over 2,000m. There is ample opportunity to explore these canyons, caves and overhangs and become familiar with the staggering variety of sealife that occurs in these habitats. Keep looking above and behind you at all times ­ pelagic encounters are common here and there are almost always going to be impressive fish stories to tell back on the boat! If you have had the misfortune to be on overcrowded boats and over-dived sites and want a change, the Turks and Caicos Islands are the delightful and perfect antidote ­ undeveloped diving, a special treat!

At Black Forest, one of the prime dive sites on Grand Turk, the wall begins at 20 metres and drops almost vertically but with a severely undercut section over 30 metres wide. A dive light, to reveal the true beauty of the natural colours, proves very handy as much of the area is in shade until late in the afternoon. Here, because the undercut is sheltered from surge or summer storm damage, all five varieties of black coral, tube sponges and rope sponges grow in profusion. The top of the wall is home to the Great Barracuda. If you have never been the subject of the eerie, silent watch of the hovering barracuda, now is the time to try!

An ancient anchor, encrusted with years of coral and sponge growth, marks The Anchor, another remarkably fine wall dive where Spotted Eagle Rays may be seen cruising beyond the lip of the wall. The arch at McDonald's is at 20 metres, and from there it is a straight drop into the depths. The reef fish in this area are exceptionally friendly and allow divers to come very close. Under the cloak of darkness, many invertebrates awakening from their sleep come out to feed, making this dive site an interesting choice for a night dive.

The Tunnels, one large and one small, cut through the prolific coral growth of a wall at a depth of 15 metres. For those with experience of deeper diving, keep finning through the tunnels and pop out of the other end at a depth of 30 metres!

A visit to South Dock should provide good views of some more unusual fish. Although there is little coral and sponge growth here, the shallow sea bed is home to Flying Gurnards, Frogfish, delightful little seahorses and several varieties of batfish, including the rare and bizarre Pancake Batfish.

Until now the opportunity to dive the stunning Grand Turk walls has been limited to shore-based holidays, but the basing of the Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet vessel Wind Dancer in Grand Turk from the beginning of 1999 means that the finest liveaboard diving is now also available in this marvellous part of the Caribbean.

SALT CAY

Remote Salt Cay can be reached by shore-based operators on Grand Turk on days when the weather permits, but now that Wind Dancer is based at Grand Turk the ease and reliability of diving Salt Cay has greatly increased. At Kelly's Folly the top of the reef is at about 12 metres and is decorated with both hard and soft corals. A sand-bottomed canyon, falling at a gentle angle, leads out onto the wall. You can search here for interesting invertebrates, such as anemones and urchins, or look outwards into the blue for great views of Queen Triggerfish, Queen Angelfish, Blue Tangs and Blue Parrotfish. Sometimes washed with a fairly strong tidal current, Point Pleasant is a shallow dive of only 5 metres. Huge coral heads and stands of Elkhorn coral rise to the surface and it is possible to see a surprisingly varied collection of fish in the swim-throughs and overhangs. Tiger Groupers, schools of Blue Tangs and African Pompano can be found here with the occasional Nurse Shark making its way round the reef.

SALT RAKER INN, GRAND TURK

The intimate and informal Salt Raker Inn was built 150 years ago as a shipwright's home. All the comfortable and pleasant rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, refrigerator, cable TV and private balconies or patios. Perched right on the beach, Salt Raker Inn's schedule is run to match the diver's routine, rather than the diver matching his or her routine to that of the hotel.

In the evenings the outdoor restaurant and bar attracts both guests and locals. The atmosphere is very relaxed and informal, yet lively. Some evenings live entertainment is provided, and you might well recognize the entertainers ­ especially when you hear the words they sing ­ 'they'll take you diving all day ... then you drink some rum and listen to them play' ­ yes, it's the lads from the dive centre! Even the proprietor of the hotel is a diver, so consequently she understands the diver's priorities and runs her hotel accordingly!

Garden rooms have queen size or twin beds and are built around the garden courtyard. Sea View rooms have king size or twin beds and a terraced area, with a view of the sea through the picket fence at ground level. Sea View suites are luxurious and spacious with king size or twin beds and private balcony overlooking the ocean. All rooms have air conditioning. There is one single room which is available at no extra charge. This is a smaller, more modest room and although it has private facilities, refrigerator, air conditioning and television there is no ceiling fan or patio area.

Our chosen dive centre on Grand Turk is the exceptionally friendly and caring Blue Water Divers. The owner, Mitch Rolling, personally supervises the diving and the tuition, working very hard to make sure that each diver gets the type of diving experience they are looking for. Blue Water divers offers a full range of PADI courses, which are taught in small groups, often one to one! Dive boats take small groups of 10 divers maximum. Shore diving is available at any time, day or night. Simply request a tank and make sure you have a buddy! Our dive operators are very keen and enthusiastic to share their knowledge of the beautiful Grand Turk Wall with visitors.

Whichever dive site is chosen for the day's activities, each morning you will be collected from the beach right by the hotel and taken out to dive. Since the dive sites are usually no more than five or ten minutes boat ride away, the usual schedule is to depart in the morning for a two-tank dive and return to the hotel at lunch time. Extra dives can be arranged locally, in which case you will be returned to the hotel for lunch and picked up at the beach again for the next dive. Night diving can also be arranged locally.

Garden Room

£525 (non-divers: £286) from 1 January-31 October.

£551 (non-divers: £300) from 1 November-31 December.

Sea View Room

£594 (non-divers: £355) from 1 January-31 October.

£624 (non-divers: £373) from 1 November-31 December.

Sea View Suite

£690 (non-divers: £451) from 1 January-31 October.

£725 (non-divers: £474) from 1 November-31 December.

Please note that intermediate rates will apply for stays that straddle seasons.

Includes:

· Airport transfers.

· 7 nights room-only accommodation on a twin/share basis at Salt Raker Inn.

· 6 days diving (2 boat dives a day and unlimited shore diving tanks), dive guide on boat dives, cylinders and weights.

Meal Plans:

£25 per night for breakfast and dinner

£32 per night for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Additional Nights:

Garden Room

£79 (without diving: £39) from 1 January-31 October.

£83 (without diving: £41) from 1 November-31 December.

Sea View Room

£88 (without diving: £48) from 1 January-31 October.

£93 (without diving: £51) from 1 November-31 December.

Sea View Suite

£103 (without diving: £63) from 1 January-31 October.

£108 (without diving: £66) from 1 November-31 December.

Single Occupancy Supplement:

Garden View Room

£25 per night from 1 January-31 October.

£28 per night from 1 November-31 December.

Sea View Room

£33 per night from 1 January-31 October.

£36 per night from 1 November-31 December.

Sea View Suite

£43 per night from 1 January-31 October.

£47 per night from 1 November-31 December.

Deposit: £100

SEA DANCER

The elegant Sea Dancer, sporting the famous blue and white livery of the Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet, carries a maximum of 18 passengers in 9 staterooms. The two Owner's Suites have one queen-sized bed (or, optionally, two single beds), private head and shower and a porthole view. The three Master Staterooms have a queen-sized or a double bed, private head and shower and a window view. The three Deluxe Staterooms have one double bed (and, in addition, two staterooms have a single upper bed) with private head and shower, but no window or porthole view. The Twin Stateroom has two single beds (one upper and one lower), private head and shower and a window view. Each cabin provides a quiet and elegant space for relaxing, reading or sleeping. Towelling robes are provided for your stay on the boat. Clean towels are provided daily and clean sheets are provided mid-week. Complimentary toiletries are placed at the wash basin. Six crew service offer superb service at all times, from morning coffee in your room to taking your tank at the dive platform on your return to the boat or providing hot towels at the end of a night dive.

The dive deck features a water fountain, mask defogging station, weight belt area, two showers, and a supply of fresh towels. Special rinse tanks for cameras are situated on the dive deck. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. For safety and convenience a special hanging bar is raised and lowered from the dive platform and is maintained at a constant 5 metres below the boat during dives. Of special interest to underwater photographers is the spacious multi-tiered, carpeted photo-table complete with photo supplies and small towels. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A full camera and video rental service is available at daily or weekly rates. The boat has a photo pro on board who will assist you with your photography and also, if you wish, take a customized video of your diving holiday. Sea Dancer offers Nitrox facilities at an extra charge and a range of courses including PADI Advanced Open Water, IANTD, TDI and PADI Nitrox certification and Paul Humann Fish and Creature Identification. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental.

After diving most people head for the sundeck where they can relax (either in or out of the sun) and help themselves to iced drinks and delicious snacks. Freshly baked breads and biscuits show up in the morning and appetizers are served in the afternoon. Beverages and snacks are available at all times in the salon (along with a well-stocked bar). The chef on Sea Dancer, Stanley Simmons, is renowned for his superb cooking. Notable snacks include coconut-chocolate chip muffins and freshly baked brownies. Hot breakfasts are cooked to order. Lunch is usually a buffet-style spread and dinner is a waiter-served gourmet feast. Wine is served with dinner and after dinner drinks are always offered.

Sea Dancer operates out of the harbour at Caicos Marina and Shipyard, Providenciales for 7 nights cruises in the northern and western Caicos Islands, departing every Saturday throughout the year.

A Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet brochure is available from our office on request.

£1237 in a Twin Stateroom.

£1308 in a Deluxe Stateroom.

£1377 in a Master Stateroom or an Owner's Suite.

Includes:

· Airport transfers on Providenciales, if arriving/departing on Saturdays.

· 7 nights cruise on Sea Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits.

· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

· Port tax.

Non-divers: A 10% reduction applies.

Additional Week: A 10% discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies and the deposit requirement is doubled.

Deposit: £450

WIND DANCER

Wind Dancer started her career as a luxury liveaboard with the famous Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet in 1995 after a complete refit. Wind Dancer carries a maximum of 20 passengers in 10 comfortable cabins each with private head and shower. The Master Stateroom has a queen size bed, private head and shower, TV/VCR and porthole views. Eight Deluxe Staterooms on the Dolphin Deck have one lower double bed and one single upper bed, private head and shower and porthole views. The Deluxe Stateroom on the Main Deck has one lower double bed and one single upper bed, private head and shower and porthole views. Beautifully decorated with wooden panelling, each cabin provides a quiet and elegant space for relaxing, reading or sleeping. Towelling robes are provided for your stay on the boat. Clean towels are provided daily and clean sheets are provided mid-week. Complimentary toiletries are placed at the wash basin and each cabin has a built-in hairdryer. Seven crew offer superb service, from morning coffee in your room to taking your tank at the dive platform on your return to the boat or providing hot towels at the end of a night dive.

The dive deck features a water fountain, mask defogging station, weight belt area, two showers, and a supply of fresh towels. Special rinse tanks for cameras are situated on the dive deck. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. For safety and convenience a special hanging bar is raised and lowered from the dive platform and is maintained at a constant 5 metres below the boat during dives. A motorized dinghy is also used for transportation to smaller islands or kept ready to assist divers. Of special interest to underwater photographers is the spacious multi-tiered, carpeted photo-table complete with photo supplies and small towels. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A full camera and video rental service is available at daily or weekly rates. The boat has a photo pro on board who will assist you with your photography and also, if you wish, take a customized video of your diving holiday. Wind Dancer offers Nitrox facilities at an extra charge and a range of courses including PADI Advanced Open Water, IANTD, TDI and PADI Nitrox certification and Paul Humann Fish and Creature Identification. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental.

After diving most people head for the sundeck where they can relax (either in or out of the sun) and help themselves to iced drinks and delicious snacks. Freshly baked breads and biscuits show up in the morning and appetizers are served in the afternoon. Beverages and snacks are available at all times in the salon (along with a well-stocked bar). Meals are one of the highlights of the day. Hot breakfasts are cooked to order. Lunch is usually a buffet-style spread and dinner is waiter served. Wine is served with dinner and after dinner drinks are always offered.

Wind Dancer operates out of the South Dock, Grand Turk for 7 nights cruises around Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos, departing every Saturday throughout April and May and from September to December.

A Peter Hughes' Dancer Fleet brochure is available from our office on request.

£1237 in a Main Deck Deluxe Twin Stateroom.

£1377 in a Dolphin Deck Deluxe Stateroom.

£1448 in a Master Stateroom.

Includes:

· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on Saturdays.

· 7 nights cruise on Wind Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks, wine, beer and spirits.

· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

· Port tax.

Non-divers: A 10% reduction applies.

Additional Week: A 10% discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies and the deposit requirement is doubled.

Deposit: £450

TURKS & CAICOS AGGRESSOR

Turks & Caicos Aggressor is a very comfortable liveaboard that carries a maximum of 14 passengers in 6 cabins. Five cabins have a lower double and a single upper bed and private head and shower. One cabin has four single beds and a private head and shower located next door. Each cabin has TV/VCR units and individually controlled air-conditioning. Five crew provide superb service throughout the cruise and make sure your diving holiday runs smoothly. Between dives guests can relax on the sundeck (either in or out of the shade) or try the amazing hot tub!. The salon has an excellent collection of books, videos and music to enjoy. A personal computer station provides e-mail facilities (for a small charge) along with a colour printer and slide scanner.

The dive deck covers the aft third of the main deck. Large gear lockers double as seats and line the rails and centre. Two tanks are mounted at the back of each locker, so it is easy to don your equipment at your seat or ask for the tank to be taken to the dive platform. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. A large three-tiered camera table has plenty of space for camera assembly or preparation and separate rinse tanks are kept for cameras and videos. The photography department provides rental cameras and accessories as well as the services of the photo pro if you require a model or expert advice. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered on Turks & Caicos Aggressor including Nitrox training and facilities. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental by pre-arrangement.

For after the dive there is a freshwater shower and clean towels awaiting, as well as the chef's freshly prepared snacks to appease the after-dive hunger pangs! Delicious barbecues, American-style and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and baked snacks come strait from the oven. Most meals are served buffet-style.

Turks & Caicos Aggressor operates out of the harbour at Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales for 7 nights cruises in the northern and western Caicos Islands, departing every Saturday throughout the year.

A Turks & Caicos Aggressor brochure is available from our office on request.

Cruises departing between September-December

£769 in a quadruple cabin

£1121 in a twin cabin

All other cruises

£981 in a quadruple cabin

£1332 in a twin cabin

Includes:

· Airport transfers on Providenciales, if arriving/departing on Saturdays.

· 7 nights cruise on Turks and Caicos Aggressor on a twin/share or quadruple/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.

· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note: A local bed tax, currently US $30 per person, will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.

Non-divers: A £141 reduction applies.

Additional Week: A £141 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.

Deposit: £450

FLIGHTS

Sea Dancer, Wind Dancer and Turks & Caicos Aggressor packages run from Saturday to Saturday, which means leaving London on Saturday morning by American Airlines.

Those bound for Salt Raker Inn on Grand Turk, or taking a combination holiday, can depart from, or return to, London on any day of the week by American Airlines, or use the British airways flights on Sundays.

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Depart by American Airlines on Saturday morning from London (Heathrow) to Providenciales via Miami, arriving in the early evening. Those travelling on Wind Dancer continue on Turks & Caicos Airways to Grand Turk, arriving in the evening. Return from Grand Turk and Providenciales on Saturday afternoon via Miami, arriving at London (Heathrow) on Sunday morning.

£553 for departures 1 January-21 March, 1-30 April, 1 November-19 December.

£624 for departures 1 May-30 June.

£660 for departures 1-31 October, 25-31 December.

£772 for departures 1-30 September.

£896 for departures 22-31 March, 1 July-31 August, 20-24 December.

Weekend Supplement: £12 each way for departures from London or Providenciales on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Miami/Providenciales/Miami/London (Heathrow) by American Airlines.

Grand Turk Supplement: £92 for scheduled flights Providenciales/Grand Turk/Providenciales by Turks & Caicos Airways.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

British Airways flights depart from London (Gatwick) on Sunday morning, arriving at Providenciales in the afternoon. Return flights depart from Providenciales on Sunday evening, arriving at London (Gatwick) the following morning.

£572 for departures 1 January-20 March, 1 April-30 June, 1 September-13 December.

£749 for departures 1 July-31 August, 25-31 December.

£826 for departures 21-31 March.

£991 for departures 14-24 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Miami/Providenciales/Miami/London (Heathrow) by British Airways.

Grand Turk Supplement: £92 for scheduled flights Providenciales/Grand Turk/Providenciales by Turks & Caicos Airways.

COMBINING THE TURKS & CAICOS WITH WALKER'S CAY

It is very easy to combine a visit to Turks & Caicos with a visit to Walker's Cay in the Bahamas with its incredible shark diving. Simply add the total cost of a holiday in the Turks & Caicos Islands, including airfare, to the cost of a stay at Walker's Cay. In addition, there is a Miami airline stopover charge of £50.