The Private Diving Experience
Scuba diving is all about the experience – your experience. We always felt a lot was missing when diving in big groups, with schedules, max times and depths limiting every aspect of every dive. We believe in a flexible diving program to accommodate weather, tide, dive site profiles, likely fish life, habits and encounters. But most importantly your own personal diving history and experience.
That is why we focus on PRIVATE DIVING. If you are a seasoned diver then you should be given the freedom to exercise your passion to the maximum. Equally, if you are a new or nervous diver then you will want the attention and comfort offered by being surrounded by top level professionals whose sole concern is your safety and enjoyment. EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE.
1 TANK Diving
If you only have a couple of hours or are doing a DSD (Discover Scuba Course) then doing a 1 tank dive is the way to go. We can be in and under the water in about 20 mins if we head to the Grace Bay sites and a little more if diving around Pine Cay.
2 TANK Diving – North Shore
Two tank dives are the standard with an extended surface interval in between the first and the second dive allowing for maximum bottom times on both dives. The dive site of Grace Bay, Pine Cay, North West Point offer some truly exceptional opportunities close to shore and thus these trips can be back around or just after lunch time.
2-3 TANK Diving – Full Day
Extended bottom times, flexible profiles, small groups, attention to detail all under the supervision of our expert guides. The 2-3 tank full scuba adventures allow us to really showcase the epic dive sites of both West Caicos and French Cay as well as remote sites in between like Sandbore Channel.
Price from $1620 (certified up to 4 divers depending on vessel) Discover Scuba from $1995 (2 students)
Prior Experience
You DO NOT have to be a seasoned scuba diver to dive with Big Blue! We love teaching beginners and showing the beauty of the underwater world while introducing you to our philosophy and way of diving, which we are sure will spoil you forever, in a good way.
Come with us no matter your skill level. The better you are the more you have to gain – Bottom time, bottom time and more bottom time.
‘Discover Scuba Diving’ Experience
Known as the DSD or ‘Try-Dive’ this PADI entry level course provides an amazing opportunity for a supervised and easy dive in ideal tropical conditions. Basic training keeps you safe whilst minimizing the need to learn complex dive theory during valuable vacation time.
PADI Courses
Big Blue Collective is a PADI training center offering a full range of course. The most popular way to learn to dive and obtain your PADI Open Water certificate is to sign up for eLearning at home and complete the course work prior to your arrival in the Turks and Caicos. Then you’re straight into pool training and your 4 open water certification dives. Most certification courses are conducted privately on demand.
Price from $1495 (certified up to 4 divers) Discover Scuba from $1995 (2 students)
Small groups - Flexible profiles - Extended surface intervals
We only do small group diving, really small groups from 4-6 on our smaller vessels to MAXIMUM 9 on our 40’ foot vessel. Less is more in every sense of the word when diving. Think about this for a minute: you want attention. In small groups you’ll be the centre of attention. Less people in a group means more time to get ready.
We also SEE MORE wildlife. With only a handful of divers on the reef, our encounters with sharks, rays, turtles as well as all the those living on the reef are truly unforgettable. With less bubbles and therefore less noise in the waterr scaring away fish life it makes easier for our guides and instructors to watch you and show you the cool stuff.
Our impact is reduced, which is better for the marine life and coral life. YOU WILL SEE MORE.
Less People, More Flexibility
We can change plans at a moment’s notice, swim with dolphins or whales. No rush, no crowds. We do not set maximums outside of industry standard recommended time and depth limits. We issue computers free of charge and if you can stay under for 60 minutes we want you to. If you want to explore, we let you. If you want to be guided, we will guide you. We are down there to have an amazing time and want to share that with you. If we have a good time, you will have a good time, guaranteed.
While traveling to and from dive sites, across the blue, we often see dolphins and in winter, humpback whales. When we can, we always try and get you in the water with them! No guarantees of course, but over the years we have led the way in soft in water open ocean encounters. This is where the small group advantage really shines.
Our scuba team is the most well-rounded and experienced dive team in the Turks and Caicos. Our combined scuba experience alone exceeds well over 200 years!
We know diving and in the Turks and Caicos some of us have been diving since the late 80’s and early 90’s. We know when to go, where to go and when not to go.
Conditions
For the most part we can go diving almost any day of the year, winter or summer. Weather does play its part and to that end when we get strong cold fronts piling in from the North courtesy of North American winters, diving can be very difficult indeed. There are a few spots we can get to but strong winds out of the west and north are not ideal for the dive sites. Turks and Caicos dive sites thrive on weather from the east. Trade winds, heavy or light don’t really affect these sites. Grace Bay, Pine Cay, West Caicos and North West Point are protected, the latter two being very protected. Often boat rides can be rough while dive sites and underwater can be very calm. Don’t be fooled. Trust us, we don’t like diving in bad visibility either.
The Turks and Caicos Islands don’t have mountains and thus there is almost no run off from rivers, which we don’t have or rain. Our visibility is affected by wind, current, tide and recent weather history, which we watch very closely. Bottom line, these Islands were made famous and put on the map by scuba divers and so you should be very excited to jump into some of our world class dive sites.
Visibility average varies from 50’ to over 150’. Tidal movement, currents, prevailing winds and particulate (eg plankton etc) all play their part. Some sites are far more susceptible to tide and as such flexibility is required to dive them, as they are often the best dive sites as well. We take all these factors into consideration when choosing dive sites.
Weather conditions on the surface do not always reflect diving conditions underwater. While westerly winds can reduce visibility, traditional trade winds from the NE and E often have little or no effect.
We are fortunate and blessed to get to see and swim with some amazing pelagic animals. While diving we usually see sharks, turtles and eagle rays. Be ready and keep your eyes open.
Nitrox
An enriched air nitrox tank has an increased percentage of oxygen and a reduced amount of nitrogen. It is used to increase the safety factor of a dive or extend non-decompression limits. It should be the gas of choice for all recreational dives but it is particularly recommended as divers get older or are not as physically fit as they could be. The nitrox course covers the theory behind mixed gas and the importance of analyzing the dive tank. It is a short course that can be combined with a 2-tank dive trip.
Gear
We use some of the best equipment on the market today – Cressi-sub mask, fins and snorkel, O’Neill wetsuits, Aqualung BCD’s and Sherwood regulators. The gear is constantly maintained and upgraded where required to make sure you only think about the underworld and not a leaky mask!
Be prepared for scuba diving
- Stay hydrated.
- Be well rested.
- Refresh your skills: ask about taking a Refresher with one of our dive instructors or the PADI ReActivate course if it has been 2 years or longer since your last dive.
- The Divers Alert Network “DAN” also provides some worthwhile information about returning to diving safely: https://dan.org/safety-prevention/return-to-diving-safely/
Talk to your dive guide and let him or her know about your dive experience. For example: when was your last dive, how many dives you have done, and where you have done most of your diving?
Dive insurance
It is recommended that all scuba divers have travel insurance that includes scuba diving or insurance specifically provided for divers. DAN offers membership and insurance https://dan.org/membership-insurance/membership/
Decompression Sickness (DCS)
Decompression Sickness should be taken seriously. Tell your dive guide if you feel symptoms including fatigue, joint and muscle aches or pain, clouded thinking, numbness, weakness, paralysis, rash, poor coordination, or improper balance.
While most people might feel symptoms of DCS within 10-15 minutes after a dive, it is also possible that you can start to feel symptoms many hours later.
Hard physical workouts after a dive can be a cause of DCS so should be avoided after scuba diving.
Recompression chamber
There is a dive re-compression (hyperbaric) chamber located on Providenciales at the Associated Medical Practice. If you feel any symptoms of decompression after you return to your residence in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you should contact the Associated Medical Practices as soon as possible.
Contact info:
- Office: +1 (649) 946 4242
- After hours: +1 (649) 432 2111
Address: 5A Windward Rd, Leeward Highway (Next to Glass Shack building), Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. A map is included on the website: https://doctorstci.com/contact-us/
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Friday:08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
- Saturday:08:00 AM – 04:00 PM
- Sunday:09:00 AM – 12:00 PM
If you cannot reach the medical staff at the Associated Medical Practice, you can reach the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre (hospital) located on Providenciales at +1 (649) 941 2800 https://www.tcihospital.tc/
You can also reach the DAN emergency hotline for advice in the USA at +1-919-684-911
- Small Groups
-
We only do small group diving, really small groups from 4-6 on our smaller vessels to MAXIMUM 9 on our 40’ foot vessel. Less is more in every sense of the word when diving. Think about this for a minute: you want attention. In small groups you’ll be the centre of attention. Less people in a group means more time to get ready.
We also SEE MORE wildlife. With only a handful of divers on the reef, our encounters with sharks, rays, turtles as well as all the those living on the reef are truly unforgettable. With less bubbles and therefore less noise in the waterr scaring away fish life it makes easier for our guides and instructors to watch you and show you the cool stuff.
Our impact is reduced, which is better for the marine life and coral life. YOU WILL SEE MORE.
- Flexibility
-
Less People, More Flexibility
We can change plans at a moment’s notice, swim with dolphins or whales. No rush, no crowds. We do not set maximums outside of industry standard recommended time and depth limits. We issue computers free of charge and if you can stay under for 60 minutes we want you to. If you want to explore, we let you. If you want to be guided, we will guide you. We are down there to have an amazing time and want to share that with you. If we have a good time, you will have a good time, guaranteed.
While traveling to and from dive sites, across the blue, we often see dolphins and in winter, humpback whales. When we can, we always try and get you in the water with them! No guarantees of course, but over the years we have led the way in soft in water open ocean encounters. This is where the small group advantage really shines.
- Instructors & Guides
-
Our scuba team is the most well-rounded and experienced dive team in the Turks and Caicos. Our combined scuba experience alone exceeds well over 200 years!
We know diving and in the Turks and Caicos some of us have been diving since the late 80’s and early 90’s. We know when to go, where to go and when not to go.
- Conditions
-
Conditions
For the most part we can go diving almost any day of the year, winter or summer. Weather does play its part and to that end when we get strong cold fronts piling in from the North courtesy of North American winters, diving can be very difficult indeed. There are a few spots we can get to but strong winds out of the west and north are not ideal for the dive sites. Turks and Caicos dive sites thrive on weather from the east. Trade winds, heavy or light don’t really affect these sites. Grace Bay, Pine Cay, West Caicos and North West Point are protected, the latter two being very protected. Often boat rides can be rough while dive sites and underwater can be very calm. Don’t be fooled. Trust us, we don’t like diving in bad visibility either.
The Turks and Caicos Islands don’t have mountains and thus there is almost no run off from rivers, which we don’t have or rain. Our visibility is affected by wind, current, tide and recent weather history, which we watch very closely. Bottom line, these Islands were made famous and put on the map by scuba divers and so you should be very excited to jump into some of our world class dive sites.
- Visibility
-
Visibility average varies from 50’ to over 150’. Tidal movement, currents, prevailing winds and particulate (eg plankton etc) all play their part. Some sites are far more susceptible to tide and as such flexibility is required to dive them, as they are often the best dive sites as well. We take all these factors into consideration when choosing dive sites.
Weather conditions on the surface do not always reflect diving conditions underwater. While westerly winds can reduce visibility, traditional trade winds from the NE and E often have little or no effect.
We are fortunate and blessed to get to see and swim with some amazing pelagic animals. While diving we usually see sharks, turtles and eagle rays. Be ready and keep your eyes open.
- NITROX
-
Nitrox
An enriched air nitrox tank has an increased percentage of oxygen and a reduced amount of nitrogen. It is used to increase the safety factor of a dive or extend non-decompression limits. It should be the gas of choice for all recreational dives but it is particularly recommended as divers get older or are not as physically fit as they could be. The nitrox course covers the theory behind mixed gas and the importance of analyzing the dive tank. It is a short course that can be combined with a 2-tank dive trip.
- Gear
-
Gear
We use some of the best equipment on the market today – Cressi-sub mask, fins and snorkel, O’Neill wetsuits, Aqualung BCD’s and Sherwood regulators. The gear is constantly maintained and upgraded where required to make sure you only think about the underworld and not a leaky mask!
- SAFETY
-
Be prepared for scuba diving
- Stay hydrated.
- Be well rested.
- Refresh your skills: ask about taking a Refresher with one of our dive instructors or the PADI ReActivate course if it has been 2 years or longer since your last dive.
- The Divers Alert Network “DAN” also provides some worthwhile information about returning to diving safely: https://dan.org/safety-prevention/return-to-diving-safely/
Talk to your dive guide and let him or her know about your dive experience. For example: when was your last dive, how many dives you have done, and where you have done most of your diving?
Dive insurance
It is recommended that all scuba divers have travel insurance that includes scuba diving or insurance specifically provided for divers. DAN offers membership and insurance https://dan.org/membership-insurance/membership/
Decompression Sickness (DCS)
Decompression Sickness should be taken seriously. Tell your dive guide if you feel symptoms including fatigue, joint and muscle aches or pain, clouded thinking, numbness, weakness, paralysis, rash, poor coordination, or improper balance.
While most people might feel symptoms of DCS within 10-15 minutes after a dive, it is also possible that you can start to feel symptoms many hours later.
Hard physical workouts after a dive can be a cause of DCS so should be avoided after scuba diving.
Recompression chamber
There is a dive re-compression (hyperbaric) chamber located on Providenciales at the Associated Medical Practice. If you feel any symptoms of decompression after you return to your residence in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you should contact the Associated Medical Practices as soon as possible.
Contact info:
- Office: +1 (649) 946 4242
- After hours: +1 (649) 432 2111
Address: 5A Windward Rd, Leeward Highway (Next to Glass Shack building), Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. A map is included on the website: https://doctorstci.com/contact-us/
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Friday:08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
- Saturday:08:00 AM – 04:00 PM
- Sunday:09:00 AM – 12:00 PM
If you cannot reach the medical staff at the Associated Medical Practice, you can reach the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre (hospital) located on Providenciales at +1 (649) 941 2800 https://www.tcihospital.tc/
You can also reach the DAN emergency hotline for advice in the USA at +1-919-684-911
Dive Sites
Big Blue Collective is located in the ideal location in the Leeward Channel on the east end of Providenciales. From here the dives boats can head to both the north side and south side dive locations with equal ease. West Caicos and North-West Point are approximately equal distance in either direction around Providenciales.
This provides flexible to ensure the smoothest boat ride possible, look for Humpback Whales during their winter migration or pick-up private charter guests at their villa docks along the south shore of Provo. Experience, knowledge and this unique ability to access all the dive sites ensures that Big Blue Collective delivers the most versatile and adventurous dive program in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
New This Season
South Caicos has always been famous for its pelagic marine life including squadrons of eagle rays and schooling fish. The beautiful trip across the Caicos banks from Providenciales takes a little more than an hour and half and there are numerous established dive sites and miles of wall to explore on a drift. The rougher surface conditions, more common on this side of the archipelago, can be punctuated with surface intervals behind the shelter of the Long Cay National Park or walking around the historic parts of town whose heyday was the 19th century salt production. Lunch can be enjoyed onboard or at a waterfront restaurant. It is definitely an exceptional true out island experience.
Grace Bay dive sites are located along the north shore of Providenciales and only 10 minutes from Big Blue. The dive sites range from 30 feet to 100 feet at the bottom of the ‘mini’ wall. The top of the wall is characterised by lively spur and groove coral formations and large plateaus of sand, which provide some picturesque diving in easy conditions. Grace Bay is located within the Princess Alexandra National Park and as such is vibrant and healthy. The tidal currents and Atlantic weather patterns can govern the condition of the water. Dive trips are timed accordingly when possible.
Pine Cay is a 15-minute boat journey from Leeward and lies to the north east of Providenciales. This area is a little deeper than Grace Bay and is characterised less by sand and more by large undulating coral hills. Large schools of fish, lobster and turtles are common here. It is an excellent area to dive offering high water clarity. It is one of the favourite dive areas for the Big Blue instructors.
North West Point is famous for its steep wall and is approximately 45 minutes from Leeward on the west coast of Providenciales. Starting at 40 feet in the sand it does indeed drop off several thousand feet into the blue. There is an incredible amount of life on the walls, which is also marked by several gullies, cracks and overhangs. It is worth bringing a flashlight on these dives, as much of the marine life is lives in the recesses along wall. North-West Point is also an excellent training area offering good sand and coral in a 20-30ft-depth range.
French Cay French Cay can be among the best diving in the Turks and Caicos and is another favourite destination for Big Blue. The diving is more advanced here with potential currents, heavy seas and deeper water below the boat. The sea life is outstanding with a high chance of encountering reef sharks and eagle rays. The top and sides of the wall host an estimated 80% coral cover and support large amounts of fish and invertebrates life. French Cay is a 60-minute boat ride away from Big Blue in Leeward.
West Sand Spit is 6 miles south of French Cay. Its namesake derives from a long sand bar that marks the end point of the westward drift of oolitic sand across the Caicos Banks from the Ambergris Cays. The protection afforded by the sand bar has allowed a healthy coral system to flourish and its remote location sees few divers.
West Caicos also offers some excellent diving about 75 minutes by boat from the Leeward. Stretching along its leeward shore there is an outstanding and awe inspiring wall that starts at 50 feet and disappears into the abyss. Here too there is a good opportunity to see eagle rays, reef sharks and other large pelagic. The proximity of the wall to the shore provides favourable surface conditions and is a popular location for private boat adventures as well as Big Blue’s ‘Edge of the Banks’ Adventure. Just north of West Caicos lies Sandbore Channel, which, although very tidal when timed accordingly, does offer exceptional, if not some of the absolute best diving with prolific marine-life.
What to bring and what to wear
Mask, fins & snorkel
We provide them (CRESSI),
you can always bring your own
Go Pro
Once up and riding,
it’s time to take a selfie!
Water
H20, Drink, Drink, Drink.
Stay hydrated.
Rashguards
Excellent sun protection, more reliable
than sunscreen as you don’t have to reapply.
We sell these.
Hat
A hat is always a good idea
when on the ocean
Water
Drink lots and
stay hydrated. We provide water.
Wetsuits
Sometimes a good idea in winter,
we also can offer these before departure
Camera
Of course a great way
to capture the magic. GoPros rock!
More information on Instruction & dive courses
Big Blue Collective provides high quality dive instruction on a private or semi-private basis. Thorough training is essential at all stages of diving and no more so than at the beginning of a student’s dive career or during their first ‘try dive’ experience’. Scuba diving can be a daunting prospect for some and a natural extension of snorkeling for others.
It is a sport that should be taken seriously by all and there is no substitute for good instruction, a solid knowledge base and a good habit of safe diving practices. The Big Blue instructors teach through the PADI agency; a respected and professional organization the world over.
Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)
This is a relatively quick, non-certifying course for beginners that include pool training and a supervised dive(s) to a maximum of 40ft. If you do not have much time to spare on your vacation, or you are just looking for quick introduction to the sport then this can be an excellent choice. Sea conditions in Grace Bay on Providenciales or at the North-West Point of the island are usually ideal for this beginner course and provide a safe and easy location for your first underwater breathing experience. The DSD training can be credited towards the full open water certification if this is continued within less than a year.
PADI Open Water
The course is a full certification course. If you want to do more than just a single day of diving and you want to know how to dive with other divers along the famous Turks and Caicos walls, or in other locations around the world then becoming certified is a must. You will learn all the basics of diving and start building on that essential knowledge base and skill set. You will receive training both in a swimming pool and in the open water. You will learn about the science of diving as well as dive equipment, planning, safety and execution. Traditionally a four to five day course, it is broken down into modules, some of which can be completed before you leave home – highly recommended. Your training is recorded in your training logbook where you can also record you future dive experiences.
Coursework: the preferred method is to sign up for a PADI online course that will take you step by step through the theory of diving. Knowledge reviews are completed after each chapter and a multi-choice exam completes the 5-6 hour coursework. We recommend that students do the online work just before embarking on the next phase of the course so that the information stays fresh.
Pool training: provides you with a safe and controlled environment to learn and practice the basic dive skills. This portion can also be conducted through a dive shop in your home country or our Big Blue instructors.
Open water dives: The waters around Providenciales are a great place to do the 4 open-water training dives that complete the PADI Open Water course. Skills are honed both on the surface and underwater. You will dive to a maximum of 60ft and your instructor will provide plenty of feedback and time to practice.
PADI Advanced Open Water
The next level of training after the Open Water course is the PADI Advanced Open Water course. This provides the opportunity to investigate different disciplines of diving and includes 2 core dives and 3 elective dives. One of the two mandatory dives builds on the basic underwater navigation you learned in the Open Water course, the other exposes you to a deep dive beyond 100ft. ELearning online coursework accompanies the practical portion of the training and also includes an exam. Choose from a variety of elective dives including drift dive, u/w naturalist, night dive, and photography.
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