Location
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos is around 12 hours flying time via Antigua and departs twice a week (Thurs & Sun)
Showered with blazing sunshine all year-round, the Turks and Caicos lure divers to come and experience this world class dive destination for themselves. Thrilling wall diving and pelagics are what await here. There are even historic shipwrecks at Molasses Reef.
Covid Travel Information
Turks & Caicos is exempt from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.
It is an approved travel corridor. You do not need to self-isolate on your return to England from one of the travel corridor countries, territories or regions
From July 22nd 2020, all travellers to the Turks and Caicos Islands will be required to visit the TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal in order to obtain a travel authorization for arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Any travellers arriving to the Turks and Caicos Islands must have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test from a reputable facility at least 5 days before departure, proof of health/travel insurance with COVID-19 cover and must complete a health screening questionnaire.
All visitors will be required to wear masks on arrival to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
All travelers will be subject to screening and temperature checks upon arrival which may result in further clinical examination.
Please visit the TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal for the latest information about travelling to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
You have to complete this form online before you arrive in the UK from any country:
Form to provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK
Last Updated: 13NOV 2020
Weather and Climate
The average temperature on the Turks and Caicos ranges between 29°-32°C between June and October. Late summer month can be even warmer. Between November and May the air temperature is cooler, averaging 27°-29°C. There's a fairly constant trade wind, keeping conditions comfortable and cool. Water temps in the winter months are between 23-26, increasing to 27-29 in the summer.
Travel
Flight options
For the 2020 winter season (Oct onwards) flights will route from London to Antigua and onto Turks & Caicos twice a week (Thurs & Sun).
We are not offering transit via the USA for the winter 2020/21 season.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Providenciales, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
As our preferred flight routing stops in Antigua, you can partner your Turks & Caicos holiday with a stay at Sandals Grande Antigua (min stay 7 nights). Talk to your travel consultant for more info. We are not offering transit via the USA for the winter 2020/21 season.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
UK passport holders are able to obtain a 90 day visa on entry. to Turks & Caicos You must have a valid ESTA before travel or to transit through the USA. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here
What happens when I arrive?
Guests arriving at Provo international airport by a staff member in uniform who will have a sign. Our representative will be just outside at the international arrivals area. Baggage handlers may offer to help for a fee. It can take over an hour for everyone to clear customs.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
Airport transfers are always included in your holiday package. A representatives will advise where to find your transfer outside of the airport.
If you have made your own flight arrangements to land in Provo, please confirm at the time of booking if airport transfers are included or available at an additional cost
Departures
You will depart for the Provo airport in the morning. The departure tax is approx US$20, which can be paid only in US dollars or with a credit/ debit card.
Info
Tipping
Friday dinner is not included in your cruise - the crew will make recommendations and reservations
Currency
On board payments can be made in USD or with mastercard, visa and American Express
Phone coverage
No internet on board - phone coverage can be patchy
Plugs and electricity
Electrical outlets onboard are standard US 110 volt.
Extras
Hire equipment
Please prebook - a full price list available on request
Extras
Please prebook - a full price list available on request
Souvenirs
The boat has a small on board boutique
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox for the week costs $150
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for Turks and Caicos Explorer will be £1000. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
5% off plus £100 bonus for repeat customers travelling within 12 months
Travel again with any Explorer Ventures liveaboard in 12 months and join the 5-5-5 programme. Book your next trip with only a 5% deposit and extra 5% discount. You can enjoy up to 5 dives a day (where possible) and there's no charge if you have to reschedule your trip within 6 or 8 mths (depending on destination). Is this your 6th full price Explorer Ventures liveabaord? Then the fleet will apply the average price paid for those trips toward the standard retail rate of your sixth trip with us – which, depending on the itinerary you choose, could be absolutely free!
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Onboard you have 7 nights on a full board basis (twin/double share cabin) - cabin upgrades available - plus social servings of alcohol and soft drinks. Friday dinner is not included in your cruise.
A 12lt tank, air fills and weights are included with up to 5 dives a day (except first and last day)
Transfers cannot be prepaid in Turks & Caicos. We will pre-book a transfer taxi for you but this needs to be paid for locally (approx $45)
Excluded
This holiday excludes international flights to Providenciales PLS.
To pay locally are the departure tax, fuel surcharge $80, port fees $95, nitrox $150, optional land tours, kit hire and any on board souvenirs.
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Totally enjoyable. The dive briefings were great, no hype, but when they said to look for something it would quite often be there. They provided a friendly and comfortable feeling from start to finish ... The crew paid attention to the divers and the divers needs. They were very informative about dive sites in the dive briefings. Fills were always completed in a timely manner with full tanks