Are you looking for a vacation that you and your dive buddy, whole family or group — including new divers — can enjoy?

Whatever your reason for wanting to plan a special and unique dive vacation that is appropriate for all skill levels, Aggressor Liveaboards has the answer. The itinerary offered aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II will not only make it easy for a brand-new certified diver to enjoy exploring the reefs but it will also provide flexibility for more advanced divers.

“Not only has family vacations delivered unforgettable adventures, but providing our guests the same experience has been part of Aggressor for 40 years,” says Justin Brown, Aggressor’s assistant operations manager. He was certified as a 15-year-old at the same time as his father, Aggressor’s CEO Wayne Brown. Wayne encouraged everyone in his family to get scuba-certified so that they could enjoy an activity together on vacations. “It’s a bond we share,” says Justin. “Our last liveaboard trip as a family was unique — it was when my oldest son received his open water diving certification. To see his excitement and joy at finally being able to do full dives with his grandfather, his aunt and uncle, and his mom and dad is something hard to describe.”

“Family diving has been their lives,” Mary Frances Emmons says of the Brown family. “I knew it wasn’t just a label that they were sticking on a trip to sell boats — they actually live it.” As the former editor-in-chief of Scuba Diving magazine, Emmons has taken liveaboard trips all over the world, and she’s had some electrifying experiences in places as diverse as Raja Ampat, the Solomons and Cuba. After her then 16-year-old niece Zoe was certified, Emmons wanted to take her on a liveaboard trip that was appropriate for brand-new divers. She chose a Turks & Caicos Aggressor II trip. “I knew the crew would celebrate and cater to any new divers on board. Plus, the water is always warm and calm in the Turks and Caicos. It was perfect for Zoe.”

Turks and Caicos Islands: An Ideal Destination

The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II is a popular charter for families or groups as the dive sites and water conditions are perfect for both beginners and advanced divers. “The diving from Northwest Point to French Cay has no or very minimal current, beautiful walls, and a variety of ocean life,” says Justin Brown. “Because many of the dives begin on coral reefs that lead to walls, dive profiles can be adjusted to the guest’s comfort level. These combinations make it perfect for dive groups with multiple skill levels to experience an overall relaxed diving itinerary.”

“I knew the destination was like the Bahamas, and Zoe would have calm conditions,” recalls Emmons. “She also really, really wanted to see sharks, and I knew she’d have a chance to see them on this trip without it being an advanced, Cocos-type experience.”

A Vacation that Has Something for Everyone

The Turks & Caicos Aggressor II itinerary offers so much more than diving and napping on lounge chairs. “We did island walks and other kinds of watersports, too,” Emmons says. When you book the trip, you can also arrange for a new diver to complete their certification by doing their checkout dives on board or you can ask about available specialty courses, such as nitrox.

The boat crew is committed to making sure all your needs are attended to, from taking care of your gear and tank fills to serving drinks while you relax on the sundeck. “I love the gourmet meals served on board, but the chef will cook kid-friendly meals if you’ve got a picky eater,” Emmons says.

It is a yacht and destination that is perfect for groups, especially when some of your group members are new divers. For Brown, group travel means a family dive vacation. “Although other vacations with my family are memorable, nothing will compare to sharing my love for diving with those closest to me,” says Brown.

Emmons seconds that sentiment. “I had seen and talked to other people diving with children or grandchildren, but I didn’t really understand how special it is to be underwater with them,” she says. “Until you do it, you don’t fully get how you experience the diving through their eyes and see everything as fresh and new.”

In addition to the easy-peasy diving in the islands, “Grace Bay in Providenciales has amazing beaches and plenty of extra activities that can be booked to add even more fun,” says Brown. (See the “Get More” section for a link to the Aggressor Detours Travel Department.)

It all comes back to the mission of Aggressor Liveaboards. Aggressor’s “work family” — from the home office team to the boat crews — is dedicated to ensuring you have “an adventure of a lifetime” during the week.

GET MORE

Providenciales is best known for Grace Bay Beach, a sugar-white strand that’s lapped by the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea. Families flock here for its wide array of resorts, restaurants and activities, including parasailing, tubing and dune buggy beach-hopping. The Aggressor Detours Travel Department can assist you in planning a pre- or post-trip stay on the island.

BOAT SPECS

Length/Beam: 120 feet/22 feet

Passenger-Staff Ratio: 18-6

Staterooms/Beds: 9/18

Bathrooms: Staterooms have private head and shower (two twin staterooms share a bathroom), toiletries, fresh towels daily and hair dryer

Sundeck: Yes, with Jacuzzi, wet bar and shaded area

Food/Beverages: Yes, including local beer and wine

ONADVENTURE NETWORK

Guests can purchase a Seafi code for internet access.

NEED TO KNOW

Home Port: Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales

Dive Conditions: Little to no current; excellent visibility; water temps average 78˚F-84˚F

Travel Tip: Don’t forget to pack for the land-based excursions, too — plenty of sunscreen, sun hat and sturdy shoes for beach walking.

CONTACT INFO

800-348-2628

[email protected]

aggressor.com