Welcome to the Turks and Caicos Islands
Price band: ££££
The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. The islands are southeast of the Bahamas and east of Cuba and north of the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti.) Technically, the Turks and Caicos are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea. They are a British overseas territory. English is the official language and the US dollar the official currency.
The average temperature ranges from 29-32 degrees Celsius from June to October. From November to May the average temperature is 27-29 degrees Celsius. Water temperature in the summer is 28-29 degrees Celsius and in winter about 23-26 degrees Celsius. In the colder months you may need a 5 mm wetsuit, but 3 mm is generally enough in summer.
The sheer walls of Providenciales, West Caicos and French Cay begin at 12 metres, plunging into the deep blue abyss. Cracks, crevasses and ledges are decorated with huge orange Elephant-Ear Sponges, purple Gorgonians and crimson Rope Sponges. Scorpionfish, lobster and tiny nudibranches bring the wall to life. Nurse Sharks, Reef Sharks and Eagle Rays cruise the deep blue looking for prey. And that’s just a sample of the awesome marine life Turks & Caicos Aggressor II guests experience from April through January on one of our many scuba itineraries.
February through April, the Silver Bank comes alive as migrating North Atlantic Humpback Whales give birth to young calves and bold males show off to attract new mates. During week long Aggressor whale excursions, guests board custom built skiffs that skim the ocean, searching for whale activity.
Once the whales are located, guests slip into the water to snorkel face to face with these graceful giants. Saturday to Saturday whale charters depart from the Ocean World Marina, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
| Turks and Caicos Aggressor IIThe luxurious Turks and Caicos Aggressor II offers guests a week of thrilling wall diving along the coasts of Providenciales, West Caicos and French Caye. The tinerary April through December departs from Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. |
| Whale Excursions:Here’s what’s included in a typical, seven-day Turks & Caicos Aggressor II cruise:
Accommodation
LENGTH: 120 feet |
| Explore ALL of Turks & CaicosWith Four Saturday-to-Saturday Itineraries: Provo-Provo (April through mid-January): Begins in Providenciales, diving Providenciales, West Caicos, French Cay and West Sand Spit. Provo-Grand Turk (mid-January): Begins in Providenciales, diving Providenciales, West Caicos, French Cay and West Sand Spit. The yacht continues on to South Caicos, Salt Cay and Grand Turk. Guests depart from Grand Turk at the end of the trip. Whale Excursions (Mid-January through March): Snorkel with Humpback Whales in the Silver Bank near the Dominican Republic. The season’s first charter departs from Grand Turk and arrives in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Throughout the whale season, charters operate in and out of Puerto Plata. The last charter departs from Puerto Plata and arrives in Grand Turk. Grand Turk-Provo (Late March): Guests board the yacht in Grand Turk diving around Grand Turk and then venturing to Salt Cay, South Caicos, West Sand Spit, French Cay, West Caicos and Providenciales. Guests depart from Providenciales at the end of the trip. Accommodation • 1 x Luxurious, “Master” stateroom with queen size bed, private head and shower, closet, port light, granite floors/shower and flat screen DVD player • 6 x “Deluxe” staterooms with double private head and shower, closet, port light and flat screen DVD player • 2 x "Twin" staterooms with (2) single berths, shared head and shower, lavatory, closet, port light and flat screen DVD player. *The two twin cabins have adjoining bathrooms which are entered through the cabin. |
| SAMPLE SCUBA DIVING ITINERARY(PROVIDENCIALES, WEST CAICOS, FRENCH CAY) A Week of Adventure and Memories Saturday: Afternoon arrivals are met at the airport and transferred to the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II. Boarding is available after 3:00 p.m. The chef serves a delicious dinner at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, the Captain gives a detailed welcome and safety briefing, followed by a champagne reception. Sunday: At dawn, the vessel departs for the first dive site. Dive briefing! Guests may enjoy up to five dives each day. All dives are conveniently made from the mothership. Excellent snorkelling is available for non-diving passengers. While you are diving, the chef prepares delicious snacks and scrumptious meals, served on schedule. Night dives are offered throughout the week, conditions permitting. Monday through Thursday: Diving continues at remote sites like The Anchor, Elephant Ear Canyon, Rock-N-Roll and Rock Garden Interlude. If you are on a special Grand Turk-Providenciales charter, you will also explore sites near Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. Friday: After diving, the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II returns to port at approximately 1:00 p.m. Guests may use this opportunity to shop or sightsee around the island. The Captain and crew host an evening cocktail party at 6:00 p.m. There are three fine restaurants near the yacht dock. Saturday Checkout: Checkout time is 8:00 a.m. Guests are transferred to the airport or local hotel. Dinner on Friday is not included in the charter rate. SAMPLE HUMPBACK WHALE ITINERARY Itinerary may vary due to weather conditions and logistics. Saturday: Afternoon arrivals are met at the airport by an Aggressor representative and transferred to the yacht. If you are already on the island, please make your way to the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II anytime after 4:00 p.m. Guests may board after 4:00 p.m. Saturday. The yacht departs for the Silver Bank at 9:30 p.m. Sunday: Daylight brings scenes of breaching whales in the distance. As we arrive at the Silver Bank mooring, a brunch/late breakfast is served while the crew prepares the inflatables. The first inflatable run begins at 2:00 p.m. Guests return to the mothership at approximately 5:00 p.m. Monday-Wednesday: First inflatable run will commence immediately after breakfast. The second outing is after lunch. The crew hosts “Sundowner” cocktail parties on the sun deck every afternoon following whale runs. As the sun sets, the whales put on a spectacular display lobtailing, finning and spyhopping on the horizon. Thursday: Two inflatable runs are offered prior to departure from the Silver Bank. (During the last whale charter of the season, the vessel departs the Silver Bank late Thursday afternoon due to longer transit to port of entry in Grand Turk.) Friday: Transit to port of entry in the Dominican Republic. Dinner will be at a local restaurant. Saturday: Check out is 8:00 a.m. For a small fee, an excursion may be arranged by the Captain. Guests are transferred to the local airport. Dinner on Friday is not included in the charter rate. |
| Sample Dive SitesSites may vary due to weather and location. Black Coral Forest: features an exciting overhang with at least five species of Black Coral. Shark Hotel: The wall levels off at 90 feet in a plateau covered with Plate Corals. At 100 feet, a chimney cuts through the reef exiting at 130 feet. The top of the wall is covered with beautiful stands of Pillar Coral. The Crack: The wall doglegs to the south forming a crack in the wall, which divers can swim through. At 85 feet, you will find an awesome Barrel Sponge, schooling fish and turtles. Double D: Simply the Garden of Eden. Divers explore two huge coral mounds that are home to countless fish and macro critters. A resident Scorpionfish often poses for photographers. Keep an eye out for passing Eagle Rays. G-Spot: An absolutely beautiful wall with many huge Deep Water Gorgonians and orange Elephant Ear Sponges. Sharks are always nearby. Most Aggressor guests vote G-Spot as their favorite site of the week. West Sand Spit: Lush coral formations like Pillar Corals, Barrel Sponges and Deep Water Gorgonians cover the wall. Look for Nurse Sharks, French Angelfish, triggerfish and stingrays. Driveway: One of the most diverse dive sites along West Caicos. Divers may swim over the wall, through a large sand chute, or explore the many coral heads in the shallows. There are anemones growing in only ten feet of water. Gullies: Swim through a chute, which starts at 13m and ends at 23m. There are beautiful sponge formations at the edge of the wall and schooling fish on top. Rock Garden Interlude: Encounter friendly turtles and spotted Scorpionfish. The sand flat on top of the wall has numerous coral heads and is the home to Garden Eels. The Anchor: Swim through a gully with a 17th Century anchor wedged in the north side of the gully. A beautiful, white anemone sits at about 30m. Great night dive with lobsters, octopus and Nurse Sharks. |
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If you would like more details or to obtain a quote then please contact us on 020 7159 8628 or e-mail info@oysterltd.com.
