Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard (Explorer Ventures) Reviews & Specials - Bluewater Dive Travel

Turks and Caicos Explorer II (Explorer Ventures)

4.5416666666667
(6 REVIEWS)

Destination: Turks & Caicos

Itinerary: Provo, West Caicos, French Cay - Turks & Caicos (7 nights) | From $371++/night

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Turks & Caicos Explorer II Quick Pitch

The Turks and Caicos Explorer II is a spacious 124-foot luxury vessel operated by Explorer Ventures, designed specifically for liveaboard diving. Expect spacious and comfortable accommodations, high standards of diving and amazing all-year round dives in the warm Caribbean waters of Turks & Caicos!

 

Why You'll Like Turks and Caicos Explorer II  

  • Custom-built for diving
  • 10 cabins for up to 20 divers
  • Up to 5 dives daily & 5 1/2 days of diving each week 
  • Suitable for all skill levels
  • Photography facilities
 

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Accommodations - FacilitiesNEW! Schedule, Rates & Availability - Dive Info & Itineraries

Other Information - Booking & Inquiry - Underwater Gallery

Need more options? View our selection of Turks and Caicos liveaboards (with live availability and online booking!)

 

Dive Overview

A Mecca for divers from all over the world, the Turks & Caicos Islands are known for their expansive underwater visibility, high-voltage wall dives, and the profusion of marine life of all sizes located within their boundaries. Discover 5 different black coral species, reef sharks, deep-water gorgonians, spotted eagle rays and more in the warm Caribbean waters of Turks & Caicos!

[See: Turks & Caicos Dive Travel Guide] 

Check Out This Great Video from Turks and Caicos Explorer II!

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

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Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Accommodation Details

Turks and Caicos II offers 10 cabins for up to 20 passengers: 2 VIP Staterooms on the Boat Deck and 8 Staterooms spread across the Main Deck and Lower Deck.

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard

VIP Stateroom (LEFT) and Main Deck Twin Stateroom (RIGHT)  

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard

 

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Cabin Details

  • VIP STATEROOMS 1 & 2 (BOAT DECK):
  • The VIP staterooms 1 & 2 feature individually-controlled air conditioning systems, as well as a queen-sized bed, desk, chair, and private bathroom and shower. Forward of them is the expansive pilothouse, with access to the Captain's Stateroom.
  • STATEROOMS 3 & 4 (MAIN DECK):
  • Staterooms 3 & 4 on the main deck each have twin beds, desk with chair, hanging closet, wardrobe, storage, individually-controlled air conditioning, and private bathroom and shower
  • STATEROOMS 5-7 (MAIN DECK):
  • Staterooms 5-7 on the main deck each have twin/queen beds, desk with chair, hanging closet, wardrobe, storage, individually-controlled air conditioning, and private bathroom and shower.
  • STATEROOMS 8-10 (LOWER DECK):
  • Staterooms 8-10 are accessed via a circular staircase from the main salon; each includes twin upper/lower beds, wardrobe, hanging closet, individually-controlled air conditioning, and private bathroom and shower.

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General Facilities

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Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard

 

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Boat Features

  • Air-conditioned main saloon
  • Entertainment center with TV/DVD & stereo
  • All-inclusive meals freshly cooked onboard
  • Sundeck with ample lounge chairs
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Satellite phone (extra charge)
 

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Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Deck Plan

Turks and Caicos Explorer II LiveaboardTurks and Caicos Explorer II LiveaboardTurks and Caicos Explorer II LiveaboardTurks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard

 

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Liveaboard Dive Facilities

  • Nitrox
  • Individual gear bins & wetsuit hanging area
  • Rinse tanks
  • Camera table & recharging facilities 
  • Ramp-style stair access to the swim platform
  • Freshwater showers & bathroom
  • Dive equipment rental (must be pre-booked)
  • Dive courses (must be pre-booked) 
 

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Schedule, Rates & Availability

Turks and Caicos Explorer II Schedule & Rates

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Prices are in USD, per person and do not include port/hotel tax and fuel surcharge.

[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions]

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Inclusions

  • 7 Nights/8 Days Aboard The Vessel
  • Up To 4 or 5 Dives Daily (Weather Permitting and Depending on Season)
  • 3 Meals Daily, Except Friday’s Evening Meal
  • Between-Dive Snacks
  • Alcohol And Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • Towels
  • Use Of Tanks, Weights, And Weight Belts

 

Exclusions

  • Flights  
  • Airport Taxes  
  • Hotel Tax and Port Fees: US$95 per person
  • Fuel Surcharge: US$160 per person
  • Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belts)
  • Nitrox: US$10 per fill or US$150 per week
  • Rental Gear & Dive Courses  
  • Transfers currently run US$45 for up to two people (each way) and US$25 per person thereafter.
  • Optional Land Tours  
  • Travel And Dive Insurance  
  • Guaranteed Single Occupancy Is Billed An Additional 65% Of The Stateroom Price

 

RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more information on other departure dates, rates, and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Itineraries

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Itinerary Overview

itineraries run from Saturday to Saturday, and depart from and return to the Caicos Marina and Shipyard, Providenciales (Provo). Special Grand Turks itineraries (diving Grand Turk, South Caicos, French Cay and/or Salt Cay) are also offered on a full charter basis; contact us for details.

 

Turks & Caicos Explorer II

 

Sample Itinerary

Days aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II generally involve breakfast from 7 am to 8 am (cold breakfasts are available for late risers), followed by two morning dives, lunch at 12:30 pm, two afternoon dives, dinner at 6:30 pm, and a night dive. Island shore excursions will be arranged when possible for those interested. Please note also that this itinerary is an example only, and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain's discretion.

  • Saturday: Due to tides, weather, the vessel's size, and available facilities in Providenciales, the location and departure schedule of the vessel may change.
  • 15:00 Guests may begin to board the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. The vessel will normally be located at Caicos Marina but may depart early due to tides or weather. If you are staying on the island, please check in with the vessel on Saturday morning to determine when and where to meet the boat. If you are arriving on Saturday, you will be met at the airport.
  • 18:30 Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)
  • 20:00 Captain's Briefing, documents, etc.
  • Sunday: Provo's Northwest Point. Four to five dives, with night spent at mooring.
  • Monday: Two morning dives at Northwest Point, followed by 2-hour trip to West Caicos. Three dives, with night spent at mooring.
  • Tuesday: Up to five dives at West Caicos, with night spent at mooring.
  • Wednesday: Two dives at West Caicos, transit to French Cay, three dives at French Cay, with night spent at mooring.
  • Thursday: Five dives at French Cay, with night spent at mooring.
  • Friday: Dawn dive and morning dive at French Cay, with departure for the 2-hour trip back to port. Afternoon at leisure; dinner ashore, with night spent aboard vessel.
  • Saturday:
  • 07:00/08:30 Continental breakfast
  • 09:00 Depart the Turks & Caicos Explorer II. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, you may leave your luggage aboard for pickup later. However, cabs are very expensive and it can be costly to return to the vessel.
 

[See: Turks & Caicos Dive Travel Guide]  

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Other Information

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Boat Specifications

  • Registry: Turks & Caicos
  • Boatmaker: Swiftships, 1975/1995
  • Recommissioned: 2005 
  • Construction Material: All aluminum
  • Length: 124 ft
  • Beam 22 ft
  • Draft: 8.0 ft maximum
  • Displacement: 99 tons
  • Maximum Speed: 14 knots
  • Maximum Range: 1500 nautical miles
  • Engines: 2 John Deere 6135AFM75 main engines, 500 HP each
  • Generators: 1 John Deere Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 100 KW capacity; 1 GM 671 Diesel producing 110 V AC/220 V AC, 75 KW capacity
  • Fuel Capacity: 5,600 gallons
  • Freshwater Supply: 2 Reverse Osmosis watermakers, 5,000 gallons per day total, 4,500-gallon storage
  • Air Systems: 2 Bauer K-14 9 cfm compressors, electric, with cascade-type storage banks, located in lazarette
  • Max Guests: 20
  • Number of cabins: 10
  • Number of crews: 10

 

Practical Information

  • Payment Onboard: Credit cards or cash
  • Currency: U.S. Dollar
  • Power Outlets: 220 V & 110 V AC power (110 V AC 3-prong grounded outlets are available in all cabins and heads)
 

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Got Questions? Ready to Book?

Call us today at 310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com

And let us book your dream vacation!

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Underwater Gallery 

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Turks & Caicos Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer IITurks & Caicos Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer IITurks & Caicos Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer IITurks & Caicos Explorer II Turks & Caicos Explorer II

 

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Reviews (6)

5
5
3
5

Hello fellow divers, back in January of this year (2021) we dove the Turks and Caicos Explorer 2 for the third time. The staff is awesome! Very helpful and know what they are doing! The divemasters were also great! We saw sharks, sharks, sharks, and more sharks!!!!!! Also saw a few turtles! The turtles here were the biggest I have ever seen since getting certified and started diving in 1998. The rooms on the boat were very nice. LOTS of hot water for showers... and last but not least STAN (the cook) is out of this world with his cooking!!!!! The food was most excellent to say the least!

Visited on 01/2021 - Submitted on 04/13/2021
4
4
3
4

This was a nice boat but it was the only boat that I have been on where the back of the boat always swinging from side to side aggressively in the water. It made it hard to get back on the boat. You would catch the tag line and then during the decompression stop you would be hanging on and looking like a flag blowing in the wind.

Visited on 03/2008 - Submitted on 03/11/2021
5
5
5
5

Easy to get to, great crew that made you feel welcome and safe with good Covid practices.
The boat's accommodations are similar to all other liveaboards in the Caribbean and they keep it clean and updated. Plenty of storage for your dive gear out on the dive gear and for your personal items in the cabins.
On the dive deck, they have compressor hot air venting up onto your wetsuits which I really like!
Marine life is good for Caribbean - with a lot more sharks than most other places if you are into those.

Visited on 09/2020 - Submitted on 03/11/2021
5
5
5
5

I have been on two trips with the Explorer II. One, a dive trip to Turks and Caicos. We arrived the day after Hurricane Sandy had barreled through but the crew did an amazing job of finding good dive sites and providing a load of fun...the underwater jack-o-lantern carving contest was excellent! Even though the conditions were not the norm, the crew made our trip memorable. The second trip was a humpback whale trip in the Dominican Republic last March. The crew was again amazing with food that made us all gain weight. Going again in February of this year for another humpback trip so obviously I like the boat and crew. Highly recommend this trip!

Visited on 03/2015 - Submitted on 11/10/2015
5
5
5
5

Great fun! I was on the boat in spring 2013. The room were very comfortable, a little small with bunk style but plenty for me(single traveler that trip). Plenty of warm water. The crew was great and made sure we were safe but not overbearing.
After the night dives they poured warm water over your neck which felt awesome since after 4-5 dives in a day I was getting a little cold. Plenty to eat, buffet style, good food. Snacks almost always available. The diving was fun, plenty of gray reef sharks who just want to hang with the divers. No one was bothered by them. Nice variety of small and large fish with healthy coral and invertebrates. Would definitely repeat this trip. i'll pack warmer clothes next time, long sleeve t-shirt or two, fleece.

Visited on 02/2015 - Submitted on 02/19/2015

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