Mariana & Rafaella from Peru meet Mermaid Bella !

A sweet account by Mum Mariana, a family vacation all the way from Lima, Peru and a surprise encounter arranged for them whilst in the TCI ...


A few months ago I went on a family vacation to turks and Caicos. I was thriller with the island and its wonderfull landscape. We had an amazing time and did a lot of fun activities. One day before leaving the island my uncle told me and my daughter he had a surprise for us ...

... I couldn't imagine what it was . We went to a place near the beach and we star walking to the shore and it was there were we saw this wonderful mermaid. It was a dream come true , we were so happy to see a real mermaid. We walked towards her and we start talking. She told us about how mermaids live , what do they do and we had a blast with her !!!

We really enjoyed spending some time with Bella and my daughter , Rafaella , still think a lot of bella . She made a drawing and went to the beach to throw it into the sea for bella and we will always remember this magical experience. I really recommend it to everyone.

A Love Story ... Daughter, Mother & Mermaid

A Mother's Tail of her Daughters love for a Mermaid ...

My 3 year old daughter loves Bella the Mermaid. In fact she loves Bella the Mermaid so much that I love Bella the Mermaid. Her joy and excitement is SO strong that when I see Bella's alter ego, Josie, out of the water my heart races because looking at her reminds me of the moments where we've seen or talked about Bella. 
My daughter is fortunate enough to have gotten to see Bella 4 times in the last year. Three times on the Undersea Explorer and once at a private pool encounter. And every time has been a magical moment that has created a memory that will last a life time. I try to share the experience with every family member that comes on island and everyone has said the same thing. "Magical."

Bella, Juliette & their friends

The first time we saw Bella was in a magazine when we moved to Turks and Caicos. The picture was so beautiful and Bella looked so ethereal my daughter and I were both immediately drawn to her. I let my husband's visiting family take Juliet on the Undersea Explorers 'Mermaid Adventure'. When they came home the reviews were all the same. "Magical." "Best thing we've done." "Amazing." 

Because I hadn't gone on the trip myself I didn't really believe them and thought they might be exaggerating. The following week my family was on island and we all went on the same trip. This time my daughter required a full mermaid costume complete with pearls to ride the boat. After seeing all the sealife and turtles we saw Bella. "Magical." "Best thing we've done." "Amazing." Seeing my daughters face light up as Bella touched her window and blew her a kiss filled my heart with so much joy and is literally something I will never be able forget (and the time she drew a J on my daughters window who quickly proclaimed "she knows me!" with a flurry of excitement).

Juliette in her Mermaid Dress and Pearls, pictured with her Aunt <3

Josie does such an amazing job of making a personal connection with every individual on the semi-submersible that you can't help but be touched by her love and passion for her job. The following day we had to purchase a conch shell horn (which my 3 year old can blow...amazing) so that we could call Bella by ourselves. And has since been brought with us on our subsequent trips on the mermaid adventure.

Mermaid Bella & Juliette <3

Even with all Captain Jack Swift's "bad jokes" all I know is that this mermaid has affected me so much that to this day when I see Josie teaching yoga or walking around I see her through the eyes of my daughter and to me she will always be filled with magic and fairy dust. I am so grateful to Josie for her mermaid dedication so that Juliet has this magic and fairy dust in her life. We're truly lucky.

Bev's Snorkel Lesson - a first hand review Feb '15

Learning to Snorkel......

I'm definitely not a water baby, without much persuasion I can be very scared in the water. So when Josie suggested she would be able teach me to snorkel I was a bit sceptical to say the least...me put my head under water voluntarily...probably not!

However, I really wanted to give it a go...so down to the water we go...snorkel masks and flippers oh and the flotation jacket (a definite requirement) and a whole load of fear.

First step put on the mask and put face in water, not easy against the motion of the waves and the frantically increased breathing rate. However, with a bit of practice, gentle guidance and patience from Josie.....she was always going to need a lot of patience...I did it. Head under water and breath.

What a feeling of achievement. I can't say its my natural environment and the floatation jacket, whilst essential to keep me afloat, was a bit of hindrance but I managed to do something I didn't think I could.

After some practice with the breathing and the flippers we headed out to the artificial reef in the bay and what a revelation. Seeing fish underwater just going about their business is AMAZING. With Josie's watchful help we went out well beyond what I could have imagined I was capable of. The colours of the fish are truly magnificent and with Josie as a guide to point out the various species and things of interest this was a truly memorable and remarkable experience.

Having someone to guide you through your fear with patience and compassion is extraordinary.

Thanks Josie.X


Dearest Bev

So very proud of you!  You achieved what you clearly believed you would not, and that's an awesome accomplishment.  

What Bev doesn't tell you is that we then went over to Grand Turk and took a boat trip out to a snorkel site ... Bev plopped herself over the side of the boat and, if only for a brief while, snorkeled in 30ft of water and along the edge of what we call 'The Wall'.  

What's 'The Wall' we hear you ask?  It's the 7000ft sheer(ish) drop that lines edges of the TCI.  It's where the Whales play and the Eagle Rays glide and it's the richest deepest darkest blue.  It's an awesome sight that non-divers don't often get to see, and Bev got to experience it.

Josie
xxxx



We also have a Flukes & Flippers website as well as a dedicated Freediving website.  There's also a Facebook page set up, and we're currently thinking of what silliness can be got up to with the power of the Instagram and that little bird.

Jon & Mike - AIDA 1 Star Review

Awesome Intro to Freediving

My name is Jon, and I am writing-in (blogging?) because Josie ran such a great course for freediving that I wanted to share my experience.  If you think even for a minute that you may want to freedive, you have to check out one of her courses.

This was my second time to TCI, and this year, I wanted to get into scuba diving.  So I did all the PADI prep work before the trip, and while I did, I started reading about freediving and became more and more interested.

I’m kind of a traditionalist in a lot of things that I do, so there was an immediate appeal to the idea of diving comfortably, on a single breath, and without being strapped to a ton of equipment.  I Googled “Freediving Turks and Caicos” and found that Josie has the url (freediveturksandcaicos.com)! Providenciales is not the biggest island, so what luck that I could try my hand at freediving too.

Got in touch with Josie and she was super-helpful in getting me set up for a course, and very accommodating for a family-on-vacation schedule.  I did the Aida 1 course with my friend Mike, as our families were staying together. 

Josie is both a truly professional instructor and awesome personality which made the whole experience a lot of fun.  Josie met us at our place in Sapodilla Bay which was really convenient.  We learned how to breathe properly to prepare for an apnea, and following that did a static apnea (breath hold in water without moving).  I surpassed my expectations of how long I could hold my breath and this was definitely was a confidence boost for the open water session to come. Josie also taught us the correct way to practice this with a buddy and necessary safety techniques.  

We did the open water part of the course at Coral Gardens which had a cool reef on the way out. This part of the course allowed us to practice descending an apnea line (rope that goes straight down from the surface), first without finning and then with.  Josie did a great job demonstrating the not-so-intuitive techniques, never hesitating to show us one more time - I needed more than a few demonstrations of the old “duck dive”.  She always made sure that we were executing proper safe recovery, which I am grateful will be part of my diving habits.

We had a lot of fun getting started in this very cool sport.  If this interests you at all, you really need to check it out and sign up for a course.

Josie - Thanks again, and can’t wait to take it to the next level when we come back!



We also have a Flukes & Flippers website as well as a dedicated Freediving website.  There's also a Facebook page set up, and we're currently thinking of what silliness can be got up to with the power of the Instagram and that little bird.

Mermaid Treasure Hunt with Turtle Voyager

Meet John & Stephanie Ward, the Husband & Wife team behind the Mermaid Treasure Hunt ...

Together they run 'Turtle Voyager' a Yacht Charter company here in Providenciales, TCI.

They heard that there was a Mermaid in town and thought to themselves how fabulous it would be to create the most wonderful family fun day EVER ... so the Mermaid Treasure Hunt was born!

The day begins with the search for Bella, who is somewhere to be found around the North Coast of Providenciales ... you MUST find her as she holds the Clue that will lead you on your hunt for Treasure, however, these things aren't just given away, so first be prepared to accept the Mermaids Challenge ... you have to earn that magical Clue!

If you rise to the challenge and impress Bella with your team efforts, then the Clue will be given and you're off on your TREASURE HUNT!  With Captain John at your side you can't go wrong, he's been a TCI resident since 1969 so he knows every nook and cranny of these islands and he'll help you to decipher her riddle.

Your journey will take you along pristine coastline ...

To secluded Beaches for swimming, snorkeling and simply being together.

You'll hang out together on the beautiful MV West ... and maybe take a turn at the wheel?

If Treasure Maps lead to Treasure ...

Then Treasure leads to Memories ...

... and sometimes it's the Memories that are the biggest Treasure of all.

This day charter is a full but relaxed excursion with magic at its heart.  There'll be food and drinks, sightseeing, investigation, stories, laughter, exploration and mystery as well as swimming, snorkeling, fishing and more.

The Mermaid Treasure Hunt is available through Turtle Voyager as a Full Day Charter.  All logistical requirements are arranged directly with Stephanie, who is quite simply a very very lovely lady who will do her utmost to ensure you and your family have the most wonderful day.

Captain, John H. Ward & Stephanie Ward, Esq

USA: 706.255.6239

TCI:  649.441.3497

www.turtlevoyager.com

All photos used on this entry are by the most talented team at Paradise Photography.  Capturing those real moments, the truth within the scene, is what they do best.

I want to learn to Freedive !!??

You're drawn to the Ocean and chances are you can't explain why, and if you tried, you'd sound really odd ... phrases like 'drawn to the blue' or 'one with the Ocean' fall from your mouth and they don't really come close to expressing how you feel.

Or you really really really want to see how deep you can get, but without that 'argh I've got to get back to the surface' feeling that kicks in?

Whatever your reason is, you don't have to justify it.  If you're drawn, and you want to learn how to do it properly, then you have options :)

An entry level course can be either 1 day, or 2.5 days.

The 1 day is great for those restricted with time, or just want to learn some good techniques.  There are no depth, distance or time requirements with the 1 day, the focus here is on technique and getting comfortable in the water.  The 1 day course is $180pp and includes:

• Breathing & Breath Holding Session
• Theory Session & copy of Presentation Slides
• Freedive Session
• Certification

The 2.5 day is a comprehensive course, with emphasis on safe & excellent technique, giving you opportunity to challenge yourself further (safely), get that little bit deeper (safely) and stay just a little longer (yep, you got it, safely).  For those that have time to commit and want the full experience the 2.5 day course is $495pp and includes:

• Breathing & Breath Holding Session w/ Static Apnea
• Dynamic Apnea Session (Distance, horizontally)
• Theory Sessions
• 2 x Freedive Session (First from shore, Second from boat)
• Manual & Certification

Whether 1 day or 2.5, all the modules are done either in or by the pool or ocean.  Always somewhere that reminds you you're on vacation :)  It's informal and it's relaxed, but it still demands your attention and commitment.  You'll get far more from the course than you had anticipated, including the Certification Card when objectives are met.  You'll have to work for it, but it wont feel like work.

You need to be min. age 14 for this course, be in good overall health and willing to complete a medical form stating so.  You need to be comfortable in the water, know how to use mask, fins & snorkel.

If you've not used snorkel gear before then please learn how to before signing up or speak with Josie and she can factor in extra time to get you proficient before you start the course.  You don't head up the slopes if you can't ski, right?

Mostly it's about attitude.  If you really want to learn then Josie really wants to teach you.

Email Josie on info@flukesandflippers.com or on freedivetci@gmail.com.

Or call Josie on +649 344 9915.

See you in the Blue!

xxx

We also have a Flukes & Flippers website as well as a dedicated Freediving website.  There's also a Facebook page set up, and we're currently thinking of what silliness can be got up to with the power of the Instagram and that little bird.