Aqua TCI, Aqua Scuba Limited

Located in Providenciales, Aqua TCI was established in 2014 by Stephanie and Bill Wallwork. The centre was founded to bring a high level of personal service and professional standards to the diverse aquatic environments of the Turks and Caicos Islands. By focusing on small groups of divers, the team ensures a relaxed, professional atmosphere that prioritises the quality of the diving experience.

The centre is situated near the Grace Bay area, accessible via the Harbour Club Villas & Marina. From the dock, you are positioned to reach some of the most significant reef systems and wall dives in the region, including the long transit to West Caicos, which reveals a transition from sandy bottoms to plunging walls.

The centre is run by founders Stephanie and Bill Wallwork, who bring global diving experience to the local operation. Their approach is built on providing a personalised service that moves away from the large-scale tourist model, focusing instead on the individual needs of each diver.

Instruction is provided in English, covering everything from introductory experiences to advanced certifications. The team manages both public trips and private charters, allowing for a more tailored itinerary depending on your experience level and interests.

Aqua TCI offers a comprehensive range of training through both PADI and SSI affiliations. For those new to the water, they provide the PADI Resort Experience (DSD), SSI Basic Diver, and the standard Open Water or Scuba Diver courses.

For more experienced divers, the centre runs Advanced Open Water courses, including the Advanced Adventurer and Combined Advanced Course with Specialties. They also facilitate Open Water or Scuba Diver Referral Dives for those looking to complete their training elsewhere.

The fleet consists of two custom-built vessels designed specifically for diving. Chucks Mate is a 36ft Newton “Dive Special” boat, built to handle the local conditions while providing a stable platform for divers.

Aquatic Safaris ii is a 30ft custom-built Island Hopper. Both boats are used for public trips and private charters, providing access to both the nearby reef flats and more distant sites like West Caicos.

A full rental service is available on-site for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, dive computers, and snorkeling gear. For those looking to capture their dives, digital underwater cameras are also available for hire.

For certified divers, the centre provides tanks and weights as part of their standard dive reservations. All divers are required to provide proof of certification and complete the necessary medical and waiver documentation before diving.

The walls and reefs are home to a vast array of larger species. You will frequently encounter Caribbean reef sharks, Nurse sharks, and Hawksbill turtles patrolling the blue. Schools of Amber Jacks, Mackerels, and Horse Eye Jacks are common, alongside Nassau Groupers and various species of Snapper and Grunts.

In the sandy areas and shallower sections, look for Southern Stingrays and Garden Eels. You may also spot Seahorses, Pipefish, and the Shortnose Batfish near the sandy patches and headlands.

The macro life and smaller inhabitants are diverse, including Secretary Blennies, Morays, and various invertebrates. Keep a close eye on the crevices for Neck Crabs, Channel Clinging Crabs, and Yellow Headed Jawfish, or look for the elusive Frogfish near the sponge-covered structures.

The diving environment is characterised by a range of habitats, from shallow reef flats to deep walls. Some sites, such as Double D, are known to experience strong currents which feed the growth of soft corals on the mounds.

Water temperatures typically range between 24°C and 30°C. The geography of the area includes long transits, such as the 45-minute journey to West Caicos, which crosses the Caicos Banks to reach more remote diving sites.