With over twenty years of experience, Big Blue Collective knows the TCI terrain in and out. We spent two full days on Big Blue’s aquatic and island eco adventure tours, and I cannot speak highly enough of our time. Here’s a glimpse into our experience.
Day 1: North + Middle Tour
Our first day with Big Blue was spent exploring the North and Middle Islands on their customizable North & Middle Adventure Tour. Our private guide, Mark, met us bright and early with a rented SUV, stocked with waters and snacks for the day (they bring homemade brownies and mini-muffins!!). Basically, the guide and the day are yours. You can request visits to particular locations, or, you can leave it up to your guide and see where you end up. We left everything up to Mark, and he did not disappoint.
Our first stop was to the famous Cottage Pond, a blue hole formation that contains both salt and fresh water. Mark knew the entire backstory and science of the pond, as he has explored its underwater caves countless times. Next up was Flamingo Pond, a breathtaking combination of uniquely colored waters, and, if you’re lucky, flamingos. The unique birds gather so closely together they create vibrant pink clusters against the turquoise waters. The sight is phenomenal.
As we transitioned from location to location, Mark did a great job of explaining anything worth noting. Additionally, we were able to stop and explore anything we wanted; Big Blue means it when they say the trip is customizable to your needs. We paused at countless sightseeing spots and passed through the local Kew Village.
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​One of the most famous stops on North is Wade’s Green Plantation. Records show the first groups of slaves brought to TCI were African, transported from Bermuda in the late 1700’s. Until around the time the British Parliament outlawed slavery in 1834, Wade Stubb’s plantation was home to over 380 slaves. Today, the descendants of those individuals make up the majority of the native Turks and Caicos Islanders. The abandoned plantation is aesthetically beautiful, but comes with a dark understanding of our past. Now a historical site, the TCI National Trust maintains the plantation. Admission to all sites is included with your Big Blue tour.
Once we made our way over to West Caicos we stopped for a bite to eat at the famous Mudjin Bar & Grill. The tiny restaurant overlooks the natural beauty of Mudjin Harbor. Be sure to take a walk atop the cliffs to the left of the restaurant. Eventually you’ll find an isolated staircase that leads down into a cave and out to a secluded beach. While on West there are a few secret spots your guide can share with you. A common theme on TCI is for large companies to begin projects and leave behind abandoned machinery, and even buildings, when the projects fall through. Although the thought of leaving behind trash on the breathtaking island is heartbreaking, there is an absolutely beautiful spot where rusted machinery contrasts against the turquoise water and white sand. This is an ironically unique sight.
Day 2: The Edge of The Banks Tour
Our second day with Big Blue was just as unique and jaw dropping as the first. We met at the Big Blue Collective location on Provo around 8:00 AM. If you’re coming from North, be sure to hop on the earliest ferry. From here we were introduced to our captains for the day, two young, fun, and knowledgeable gentleman. With just one other family sharing the boat with us, we had an extremely intimate and personalized experience; much like during the land tour. The day began with a half an hour boat ride to our first dive spot. During the entire ride, the color of the ocean was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Depending on the depth, the colors transitioned from the clearest turquoise hue to deep, vibrant blues.
The first dive location was isolated and private – our boat was the only one in sight as we explored the world under the water. Big Blue provides everyone with scuba gear, including flippers. All you need to bring is a towel and biodegradable sunscreen (ONLY biodegradable is allowed – Big Blue cares deeply about preserving the nature they come in contact with, another reason I love them!).
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The format of the day was extremely casual and easygoing. Our guides never once rushed us; rather, they waited for everyone to mosey back to the boat once they felt they had ample time at each site. We set the tone for how quickly we moved and never felt as though we did not have enough time, nor were we ever tired of staying at one location.
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Once we reached our second dive location, about half an hour away from the first, we hopped right back into the water (which is like a bath, btw) and once again explored freely. One of the guides is in the water with you at all times while the other mans the boat; whomever is in the water does a fantastic job of pointing out unique underwater creatures when he sees them.
Upon reaching our third spot, the most beautiful location of the day IMO, the team docks the boat and sets up a homemade lunch. No need to bring snacks with you; Big Blue does not leave you hungry! Premade sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit skewers, chips, and of course their famous muffins and brownies are spread out across the boat. After lunch you’ll dock as close as possible to the cliffs edge in a small cove. The swift change in depth of water along the coast creates beautiful imagery straight out of a movie. The turquoise blues pop against the white stone edges. If you’re up for it, climb up the edge and cliff jump. I highly recommend it!
Not far from the third location is the final destination of the day; the Edge of The Banks. Here you’ll experience a completely different vibe from the rest of the tour. The depth of the ocean increases dramatically, and you literally swim on the edge of the bank, where you transition from visible, blue waters to a black abyss. Due to the increased depth, you’re likely to see reef sharks swimming around below you. They won’t harm you – just remember not to drift too far from the boat!
Overall, our experience with Big Blue Collective was unparalleled. Not only were the sights indescribably gorgeous, but also the staff was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable. They truly made the trips, both inland and on water, experiences of a lifetime. I highly, highly recommended exploring all TCI has to offer with Big Blue.