Directions to Conch World

[day-day]

I've visited this Conch World website (http://www.conchworld.com/go/en/home.html)and the map/directions aren't available. Where is Conch World located? We are considering renting a golf cart but we will only be in port for 6 hours (1pm to 7pm).

[bruce-r]

From that website:

Special Note for Cruise Ship Passengers: The Conch World Tour is available as part of a Shore Excursion package from many of the cruise lines visiting Grand Turk. This Shore Excursion package includes round-trip transportation from the Grand Turk Cruise Center and other features that are not included in the above described tour. For more information, please contact your cruise line shore excursion desk or web site.

I did some additional searching with little result. I did find that it is on the islands East side.

[catherinescruising]

We were in Grand Turk last week and rented a golf cart (great fun). Nathan will point out Conch World if you ask, both on the simple map you get and visually. It is on the east side of the island. We got quite lost trying to go there, but complete strangers stopped and gave us directions. There are small signs pointing the way once you get somewhat close, just the name and an arrow. When we finally found it (we were just going to look at the gift shop) a tour was just starting. I'm sure they were all from one of the two ships in port. If you want a tour perhaps you should try to time your arrival when they will have a group - I think we were there about 3pm.

If you look at the island map on the www.grandturkcc.com (http://www.grandturkcc.com) website, I think you would take the main road north past the airport, and head east somewhere around the Catholic church, before you get to town pond. Don't worry about getting lost, the people of Grand Turk couldn't be nicer. We also went up to Pillory beach, which was really nice. Enjoy!

[barberesr]

Would you be kind enough to tell me how much does the golf cart cost and how many can fit in it? Thanks bunches

[catherinescruising]

The golf carts fit 4 people, 2 facing forward and 2 backward. I think we paid $85 for the day, and we put in $10 of gas. It was a great day, we really enjoyed it. I reserved with Nathan before we left, and I know all his carts ended up reserved.

[taxgal]

But the basic question has still not been answered: Is Conch World worth the trip (and $) or is it just another thing that Carnival has funded to separate us from our money?

[bruce-r]

But the basic question has still not been answered: Is Conch World worth the trip (and $) or is it just another thing that Carnival has funded to separate us from our money?

Actually, if you go back and read the OP, you will find that you are the first person to ask this question.

I don't believe that Carnival has funded this operation. The Turks and Caicos is the only place in the world that has an active program to farm conch. Conch World is an offshoot of that.

As to whether it is worth a visit, that will be up to each individual. For example, some people rave about Carlos and Charlies, but I'd never consider going there.

[taxgal]

Maybe I was the first to ask the $ question, but one does not need directions if it is not worth the trip...It would have to be a great experience for the $35pp the ships charge.

Here is the press release:
MIAMI (June 9, 2009) —The Grand Turk Cruise Center, owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, has partnered with Cockburn Village & Farm, Ltd., to develop Conch World....

It goes on to talk about how this Carnival partnership is a tourist destination.....

and I do understand, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I just wanted to know what others thought of the value and experience.

[rkacruiser]

My traveling companion and I went to Conch World when we were on the Noordam in January and felt that it was an interesting tour. We had a very good driver who gave an interesting narration en route to and from Conch World and we saw a good part of the island. The time spent at Conch World was educational. Have you ever seen a conch come almost fully out of its shell? Learning to tell the differences between the sexes was interesting, too. I would recommend the tour.

[Frozen Tundra Belgian]

We rented a car during our short visit to Grand Turk and drove up to Conch World about a 20 minute drive on very bumpy hilly roads, it is a very small operation and charges $15 per person for viewing a short movie telling about the conch and seeing live conch at different stages in life, $5.00 admission is about all this tour is worth but to someone else it may be worth the $15. The cruise ship charges $39 for a shuttle trip and admission.

[taxgal]

Thanks, FTBelgian!
That's kind of what I thought might be the rest of the story behind this attraction.