Has anyone stayed here or heard any good/bad about the property?<BR><BR>Booking within a week, and want to make sure that this is the one for us.<BR><BR>We were deciding between 3 properties: The Sands, Royal West Indies and Coral Gardens. We decided with CG because they had off-shore snorkeling right off the beach in front. And that really interests us.<BR><BR>Thanks for you input!<BR>Happy Holidays too!

Have stayed at Coral Gardens 8 times and really like it. Response too long to post here but E-mail me and I will provide you detailed info

Hi Erica,<BR>I've also heard nothing but really good things about Coral Gardens and Howard is very knowledgeable, so I'd encourage you to take advantage of his offer.<BR>The snorkeling in front of CG is very good.<BR>We stayed at the Sands in October and were very happy with all aspects of our stay.<BR>Have a great time!

Hi Howard and Nancy,<BR><BR>I've enjoyed reading posts about Provo by both of you--they're always very informative. I know people have often asked this question before, but how bad ARE the crowds in front of Coral Gardens, because of the great snorkeling there? I'll be staying at Coral Gardens in mid-February. I'm really looking forward to it, but the crowds issue was my only hang-up about choosing the place. Do you think that in February it won't be much of a problem because kids are in school? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Thank you MW!<BR>When we were there in Oct., there were hardly any people in front of CG at all - maybe 5 or 6 besides us in the 1 1/2 hours we snorkeled.<BR>(Of course, that is low season.)<BR>There may be more during Feb., but I can't imagine it being too bad.<BR>The problem, apparently, is when Beaches or one of the other AI's brings in a load of people to snorkel, or with a bunch of kids for their kiddie programs.<BR>I don't know how often this happens or how bad it gets.<BR>Howard could probably tell you, or you could check with CG via e-mail. (I'm sure they'd be happy to help you.)

Thanks, Nancy. E-mailing CG is a good suggestion. Also, it's reassuring that there were so few people there in October; sounds like it couldn't get very bad, even at its worst. To an East Coast beachgoer, I'm sure it will seem like a VAST improvement!

mw,<BR>Oh boy, are you in for a treat!<BR>We live on the N.C. coast and travel frequently to the Caribbean and Mexico, and the trip to Provo &quot;wowed&quot; us. (Literally.)<BR>When we first got to the resort and went down on the beach, all we could say was &quot;WOW!&quot;<BR>The people are incredibly warm and friendly, and the whole area is covered with gorgeous beaches - some totally deserted.<BR>You will have a wonderful time!

Just got back from 10 days on Anguilla and am having a litle trouble reentering and keeping up with the E-mail. For some reason the &quot;Crowd&quot; thing at Coral Gardens has gotten blown out of proportion. Not like the crowded beaches in the states with wall to wall bodies. There is about two miles of deserted beach west of CG with no resorts. We have been at CG in April and again in June the last two years. The most people I have seen on the reef is probably about 40 and it is big enough to accomodate everyone. There are snorkelers that come down from Beaches starting at about 10:30. They can only check out equipment for 2 hours so they don't stay long. At times I have been the only one snorkeling on the reef around 9 AM or after 3 PM. In Feb you won't be getting any kids which helps. If you e-mail me I can direct you to my review of Coral Gardens and some Restaurant recommendations. You'll love Provo and Coral Gardens

Thanks, Howard, that's encouraging. And I believe I've seen your review and restaurant recommendations on another website, as well as your recommendations on this website. I'll be taking full advantage of them!

We're from NY and the kids have off from school the week of Feb 15th. I hope that's not the week you'll be at CG if you're looking for &quot;less crowds&quot;. We'll be snorkeling on your turf...

Crowds??, when thinking of crowds I think of Destin, state side beaches where you are 20 feet from someone and they can hear your conversation while you visit with your sweetie or family members. The groups of people(crowds do not apply) are small, a few families, a few couples that come and go, but they snorkel briefly and are gone. We were at Coral Gardens in later April and early May and I had the reef to myself on any given day, several time a day or was one of 5,6,7 out snorkeling.<BR>Coral Gardens is absolutely wonderful, THE MOST CONVENIENT, beautifully furnished, villas for the luxury of snorkeling several times daily instead of the one time a day that the other resort guest come down to do. Will be going back and taking our sons, and Coral Gardens IS THE ONLY PLACE FOR US.<BR>Have a great time, get out and explore the island, there are several beaches you can find that you will have all to yourself, the people are extremely hospitable, Safe Travel.

Thank you, Denette--that's what I was hoping to hear! I feel much better now.

We loved staying at the Coral Gardens and the restaurant had some of the best cuisine we've ever found in the Caribbean. You can read my review at http://www.scubamom.com/turks-caicos/provo.htm

Who hasn't seen Howard's review over &amp; over &amp; over again promoting Coral Gardens.What's up with that?

Yo Joe,<BR>Lighten up.<BR>Howard gives a lot of very good advice and he has been to Provo many times and loves Coral Gardens - so what?<BR>If someone has good advice and good information to give, people appreciate the help in making expensive vacation decisions and avoiding mistakes.<BR>I went to Provo in October and found Howard's restaurant advice very helpful.<BR>And your contribution would be???

My advise would be to stay at Royal West Indies or the Sands. I think both are beautiful properties &amp; much better deal for your money.Studios are much larger than Coral Gardens &amp; both have fridges &amp; microwaves.Also, bikes &amp; hobies complimentary at Sands &amp; RWI along with snorkeling gear. Hemmingways is excellent &amp; reasonably priced.

I agree with Joe, I went to see the Coral Gardens and the pool is NASTY, if your intentions are to enjoy the pool then Coral Gardens is not the place for you. I personally didn't even go in the pool once at the Sands b/c the Beach was sooo incredible BUT I don't know you plan to or if you have children who want to. The Beach in front of Coral Gardens is a bit of a mess, no landscaping whatsoever. And a very narrow Beach at that. We saw mostly an older crowd, no children. Most of the reef was roped off and it is dying. BE CAREFUL. I knocked into 3 people when snorkling there..maybe I was clumsy but someone knocked into my husband as well. Crowded! yes..and I Snorkled in the off season. At the Sands you get free use of Hobie Cats, Kayaks, bikes (sp?) etc. etc. etc. sorry, just my opinion. Bring a wet suit..water will be cold in Feb to snorkle for long periods of time. Just going by what I was told by the locals.