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  Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Where are you located on the island?  We have 3 locations. Our main shop is in Turtle Cove Marina, the blue building just behind the Tiki Hut Restaurant.  We also have satellite retail shops at Ocean Club and Ocean Club West Resorts.
  2. Will I need a wetsuit?
    Water temperature ranges from a high of 82 - 84 degrees in the summer to a low of 74 - 76 degrees in the winter. For most people a 2mm shortie seems to work year round. We have both 2mm & 3mm shorties and 3mm jumpsuits for rent, if the suit you bring with you isn't enough.
  3. What type of rental gear do you have?
    We have ScubaPro BCD's and regulators in sizes XXS (for small children) up to XXL (for large adults) and Henderson wetsuits. We also rent Uwatec wrist dive computers.
  4. How big are your dive groups?
    When diving with us, we put a maximum of 7 divers, unless otherwise requested, with each divemaster.  We believe in small group diving so everyone can see the critters!
  5. How many people do you put on your boats?
    Our dive boats are set up for many more divers than we put on board.  "Chucks Honey" is 42 feet and is set up for 32 divers. We put a max. of 21 on board for 3 groups of 7 divers.  "Chucks Mate" is 36 feet and set up for 26 divers, we put a max. of 14 (16 in a pinch) for 2 groups of 7.
  6. Where do we dive?
    We dive all 6 major locations: Pine Cay, Grace Bay, NW Point, Sandbore Channel, West Caicos and French Cay. Some sites are more weather dependent than others which is why we don't run a schedule. However, we do try to start the week close to home (i.e. Grace Bay) and then travel to the more distant areas. During the course of 5 or 6 days of diving you can expect to visit all 6 main areas. See Dive Sites for more information.
  7. How long does it take to get to the dive sites?
    Grace Bay is a 15 minute trip. Pine Cay is 35 minutes. North West Point is 45 minutes, West Caicos is around 55 minutes, Sandbore Channel 40 minutes and French Cay is 60 minutes.  The trips to the south sites (Sandbore Channel, West Caicos and French Cay) are mostly over shallow banks of sand - so the boat ride may be choppy but not too rough.
  8. How many dive sites are there?
    We have over 50 named sites. Some are visited more often than others. Some are only diveable at certain times. There are more than 10 sites at North West Point alone so your chances of diving the same site twice are slim (unless, of course you request to return to a site!)
  9. Do you provide snacks and drinks?
    Yes we provide fresh fruit, cookies, crackers, chips, granola bars, carrots, celery and peanut butter as well as cold water on our morning 2 tank dive. We provide only drinks on the afternoon and night dives.
  10. Do I need to bring anything on the dive boat?
    Bring a towel as we do not provide towels.
  11. Do I need a refresher course?
    If it has been more than a year and you less than 25 dives, then we strongly suggest that you take a refresher course.  If it has been more than 18 months and you have less than 10 dives, then we do require a refresher course - see our Dive Rates.
  12. How do you treat Scuba Diver ratings?
    We require that you hire a Private Divemaster for $150, to take you diving as you are limited to 40 feet.
  13. Can Jr OW Divers age 10 and 11 dive with you?
    Yes we accept all levels of divers. Divers aged 10 and 11 are required to dive with a guardian and are limited to 40 feet in depth. We ask that you stay at 40 feet and stay within visual contact with your divemaster.
  14. I hear a lot about French Cay. When do you go there and what's so special about it?
    French Cay is a site that is extremely weather dependent. It can have a strong current running and since the dive sites are at least 1/2 mile from any land it can be quite rough. But, when the weather is perfect, it's worth the trip. We NEVER promise that we will go on any particular day. It is always the captains call. Some days they don't make the decision to go until they have left the dock! If you are lucky enough to go, it is some of the best diving the area has to offer. The visibility is never great (70-80 ft is average), due to the water movement off the banks, but that is the reason why there is so much life. Soft corals are predominate and huge eagle rays are often seen as well as sharks and all kinds of fish. During June and July nurse sharks gather at the Cay to mate.
  15. Do you offer day trips to South Caicos, Grand Turk or Salt Cay?
    Even though it doesn't look it on a map, South Caicos, Grand Turk and Salt Cay, are much too far to go for a day trip.  These islands are very popular as an overnight trip accessible by a short plane ride.  A reservation is highly recommended well in advance - especially during the popular whale season (January - April).
  16. Is there shore diving?
    We have no shore diving on Provo. There is a shallow reef in the Turtle Cove Marina area (Smiths Reef) which we sometimes use for training such as our Rescue Course.  The deepest depth at high tide is 20ft with the median depth of 12 feet. There can be a strong surge present, depending upon the tide. Check with our dive shop at Turtle Cove Marina about snorkeling there - which is excellent!
  17. When's the rainy season?
    We don't actually have a predictable rainy season, so any time it rains for more than 1 hour a day, two days in a row......it's the rainy season!  Don't believe any weather report you see unless it is a marine weather report - they all say chance of rain everyday which is not true! The island is a "Dry Tropical Rain Forest" with the emphasis on "dry". There are many cacti that grow here. There is almost always a breeze and clouds that sit offshore - hence the perdition for rain.
  18. Do you have bugs?
    We have small 'no-see-um's' that are out mainly at dusk. We do have mosquitoes - especially 4 or 5 days after it rains - but luckily no malaria or West Nile has ever been reported here.
  19. What kind of money do you use?
    The U.S. dollar is the legal tender. There are several ATM's to get cash - but they do not accept all bank cards.  They also are out of money sometimes. Most businesses on the island take cash, traveler checks and credit cards.
  20. What kind of electricity does the Turks & Caicos use?
    The same as in the States and Canada - 110/220 volts.
  21. Can my kids dive?
    As long as they are at least 10 yrs old and certified divers. They are welcome on the dive boats as long as they are accompanied by a adult diver. Non-certified kids can be enrolled in either a Discover Scuba Diving class or a Junior Open Water Course.
  22. Can the kids go as bubble watchers?
    Kids 10 yrs or older, can come out on the boat as long as there is room and they are accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Our crew members have other duties and cannot be responsible to watch them. Check with the main office at Turtle Cove Marina for details and availability.
  23. How hot does it get in Summer?
    It reaches the upper nineties for a couple of weeks in August and September, but during the rest of the year, the average is in the mid 80's. In the winter, nights can drop into the high 60's.  Be sure to pack a light sweater or jacket.  Throughout the year, there are pleasant tropical breezes.
  24. Besides diving, what else is there to do?
    There are plenty of other activities available - parasailing, beach cruises (snorkeling/shelling), 1/2 or full day sailing excursions, glow worm cruises, sea kayaking, beach walking, fishing, hobie-cats, windsurfing, golfing, day trips to other islands...We can make arrangements or refer you, at any of our three locations!
  25. Do the hotels have meal plans?
    There are only two resorts that are considered all-inclusive: Beaches and Club Med.    However, there are numerous restaurants on island featuring fresh seafood, Caribbean specialties, Italian dishes, sports bars etc. In the Turtle Cove area alone there are 6 restaurants within walking distance of both the Turtle Cove Inn and our dive shop.
  26. What about renting a car or bicycles?
    There is a car rental agency right in Turtle Cove that rents cars, jeeps and bicycles for a reasonable price. For more information please go to Scooter Bob's.
  27. How can I call home from Provo?
    You can do one of several things. You can dial from your hotel room using the local phone company and their direct dial rates or you can use a major credit card (hotel service charges also apply). You can buy a phone card and use one of the pay phones. Or you can directly access AT&T and use a calling card. All phone calls are very expensive.  You can also rent or buy cellular phones while here.
  28. Can I drink the water from the taps?
    All water from the tap is perfectly safe to drink. The water is from a desalinization plant and may taste a little "flat" or "burnt". Bottled water is readily available for sale.
  29. Is there somewhere on the island to buy the items I may have forgotten to bring?
    There are numerous shops which carry the necessities like toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, sun block, etc. However, you will find things much more expensive than your home drug store so stock up before you come.
  30. Where can I buy food on the island?
    There are several supermarkets on Provo, which depending on the day of the week, have a wide array of produce, beverages, sandwich makings, cereal, milk and snack products. The biggest selection can be found at the IGA on Leeward Highway - just past Turtle Cove towards Leeward - any taxi driver can take you there.
  31. Where is the nearest hospital and decompression chamber?
    There is a clinic staffed with very knowledgeable doctors on Provo which can take care of basic needs. For serious emergencies you would need to be flown to Miami. Provo has a decompression chamber on island and a doctor is always on call. Be sure to have your DAN insurance current!


    Any other questions, be sure to email us at info@provoturtledivers.com