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Dive Review of Explorer Ventures -- T&C Explorer II in
Turks and Caicos


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Explorer Ventures -- T&C Explorer II: "A Swingin' Boat", Nov, 2014,

by Eric A Frick, IL, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 30 reports with 24 Helpful votes). Report 8620.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A

Overall Rating
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments My dive shop, DJ's Scuba Locker (djscuba.com) chartered the boat for the week following Thanksgiving. Despite some rocky weather early on, we had a very nice cruise. Divemasters Jo and Pippa did a fine job of guiding us through the boat's usual divesites. Some of the dive briefings were a lot more like a floor-show than a briefing but it was never boring. The cook kept us well fed and the crew made sure we were well served. A few of us on board had hoped that we would have been able to experience a somewhat different itinerary that might have included Grand Turk but somewhere in the run-up to the trip, that thought got set aside.

The T & C Explorer II has a rep as a boat that swings (at anchor, that is). Evidently the design of the boat's above water and/or below water architecture causes it to swing through a wide arc as it rides at anchor. I found myself being guided back to the area beneath the boat, only to see it slowly swing away and then begin to make its way back. It took some getting used to. Weather and sea conditions necessitated on a couple of occasions that the boat make way while divers were in the water. Our group stuck together and safety sausages were deployed to let the captain know where we were so I did not feel unsafe but less experienced divers might have a tougher time under these conditions.

My cabin was on the main deck so life was easy since that is where the dining salon and the scuba deck are. Divers don equipment and, carrying fins, descend a short stairway to the dive deck that is often awash with a few inches of water.

For those seeking a solid Caribbean live aboard experience, this is a good bet.
Websites Explorer Ventures -- T&C Explorer II   

Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Great Lakes, Hawaii, miscellaneous Caribbean, Florida Keys, Fiji, Solomon Islands
Closest Airport Providenciales (Provo) (PLS) Getting There I flew from Chicago, connecting through Charlotte

Dive Conditions
Weather sunny, windy, dry Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 40-80 Ft/ 12-24 M

Dive Policy
Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Divers followed the guide who, after guiding the group back to the boat, usually ascended, leaving divers to complete their dives and return within an hour and with at least 500 p.s.i.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw
Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Dedicated camera rinse tank.
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Other dive reports on Explorer Ventures

All Turks and Caicos Dive Reviews and Reports
Diving Guide to Turks and Caicos
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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