In September, my husband and I flew down to Turks & Caicos (T&C)  for a week of relaxed diving and underwater photography/videography aboard the T&C II Aggressor, a liveaboard dive boat.  It’s a direct route from Houston. But because of all our dive gear and camera equipment, we have to fly large planes, i.e., 737s or larger. Our route took us from Houston to Providenciales, the main tourist center, via Charlotte, N.C. on US Airways. We try to avoid Miami, if possible, due to an unusual amount of dive/camera equipment thefts while in transit.

The Aggressor charters are Saturday to Saturday. Once all were onboard, gear stored, cabins assigned, luggage unpacked, and vessel safety procedures heard, we took sail for the leeward side of Provo. We had a great crew, with Capt. Amanda, at the helm, taking care of all of our needs. Jim and I have been on several Aggressor boats but this was the best of the best. Not only does the Aggressor fleet run a safe ship but the food/dining has always been excellent. We enjoy liveaboard diving because you don’t have to put much effort into it. Once the gear is set up that’s where it stays until the end of the week. And, if you have every been diving, either shore or day boats, it can be a hassle schlepping dive gear and camera equipment to and from the boat every day. The true luxury . . . coming up from a dive, enjoying a nice hot shower (swimsuit/wetsuit) on the dive platform, with a warm towel to greet you, then proceeding to the top deck for a little R&R. Oh, and did I mention the freshly made cookies, muffins, snacks to munch on while relaxing and reading your book, listening to your music, downloading your photos, or just enjoying the quiet peace of the serene seas and the fantastic views of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

T&C is a chain of islands located just south of the Bahamas and east of  Cuba. This small Caribbean country consist of 40 different islands and cays, only eight of which are inhabited. These islands are almost as diverse as its people. From the main tourist center of Providenciales to the quiet and tranquil islands of North and Middle Caicos to the historic Capital Island of Grand Turk; each one offers a different experience and a unique character but all offer year round great climate, beaches and underwater activities. I sound like a tourist board, don’t I?

The Caribbean has lost status as a premium dive location. With the recent issue (December 2011)  of Scuba Diving Magazine, featuring the Top 100 Diving locations, only Bonaire and Little Cayman were listed in the top “spots” for Caribbean diving. I would have to argue that T&C should be right up there at the top. Each dive spot provided a unique area to photograph. The corals and sponges living on the wall proved to be one of the healthiest we have seen in a long time. And, for the big fish . . . there were sharks on almost every dive, a city of stingrays, and turtles cruising the top of the wall and reefs. And, it is noted that the humpback whales can be seen in January through March. For example, on one pactricular dive, we swam to the anchor line, and explored a small clump of coral heads. The reef was teeming with sea life, and cruising around were numerous large Queen triggerfish, something quite unusal these days. But a first for me was to photograph a rare purplemouth moray.

But I digress . . . we were rescheduled for September, and the weather was perfect, granted it was right in the heart of “hurricane season.”  Each dive begins at 40 to 50 feet, just at the edge of the wall, which means that it was more important to be diligent with the dive computers, i.e., deco time, because of the deeper depth. T&C’s wall has a nice ledge at about 100 feet or so, which is great for me . . . the person terrified of heights. I know, I know, it’s the water stupid. How are you going to fall over the wall? Its a phobia, what can I say. This ledge enabled me to get over my fear of falling into the abyss. I went right over and down the wall to photograph some pretty incredible tube sponges.

SHARKS!

Stingrays

An Ending Thought