islandhop2009

Hi everyone,

 

Will be in georgetown in 1 week! My sister and I will be alone (25 years old) and we are on ship sponsored excursions throughout our week next week. However, we feel this place is safe enough that we can do our own thing...

coffeeaddiction12345 - If you are going to be in Georgetown, you will be on the island of Grand Cayman, which is part of the Cayman Islands. This forum is for the island of Grand Turk, which is one of the Turks Islands and is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The responses on this thread are about Grand Turk, so if you are looking for information about Grand Cayman, you may want to try the Cayman Islands forum at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=147.

Have a fun trip!

After not getting a reply for almost 3 weeks, I just called him and he advised that he's been having problems with his internet service for a few months. I was able to confirm my reservation for next week. I reached him at 649-231-4856, so you might want to try calling him.

The internet service on the island of Grand Turk has been down quite frequently of late, so a phone call is a good backup if you don't get an email response.

I am having no luck finding a boat for my day in Grand Turk-not that they are full-rather they are empty! I am not paying $200 to charter a boat for myself and do not want to do the HAL excursion because they make you wear a vest and follow the leader like sheep for only an hour in the water. I know it is too far to swim to any of the spots. Has anyone had experience in finding an excursion when they get into port? I don't care about the size of the boat or of there are snacks-I just want to snorkel snorkel snorkel :D

You may be able to find a snorkel excursion after you arrive in port from one of the vendors on the beach, but you will want to confirm that you are choosing a licensed, established operator if you decide to do so.

Who did you dive with? I am lucked out of my cruise since the Scuba excursion is sold out. I'm looking to book something on my own. They are so many Scuba shops in Turks without review. How does one choose? hahahaha Loved your video, by the way.

If you want to book on your own, there are two independent dive operators on Grand Turk offering both scuba and snorkeling: Blue Water Divers and Grand Turk Diving. You can see reviews on Trip Advisor for both shops at: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...nd_Caicos.html. I hope this helps!

I do wish that somebody with knowledge will respond. We'll be there Nov. 23 , 2013 with Princess. They sold out the scuba in Turks. I was checking out Scuba shops there, to go independently - but they are soooo many scuba shops there but no reviews.

There are two independent dive operators on Grand Turk: Blue Water Divers and Grand Turk Diving. You can see reviews on Trip Advisor for both shops at: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147397-Activities-Cockburn_Town_Grand_Turk_Turks_and_Caicos.html

Is it possible to get to the wall from Bohio beach, then?? I've been reading that it isn't possible. How long of a casual swim speed would you say it is???

It is possible, but not very advisable. Even if you decide that you are a strong and fit swimmer with the ability to get all the way to the wall and back safely under your own power, you should definitely wear a floatation device as well as something that can clearly be seen by boat drivers. The majority of boats on Grand Turk are small skiffs and it is sometimes hard for those boat drivers to see snorkelers/swimmers, especially when they are in an unexpected location (like near the wall). On cruise ship days, there are quite a few boats operating in the marine park and usually if there are people in the water far from shore (i.e. past the sandy/grassy bits) or by the wall, they are divers with a clearly displayed "diver down" flag so the boat drivers are aware there are people in the water. There have been visitors who have tried to swim to the wall, became too tired to swim back and had to flag down a passing boat to rescue them. Not the best way to spend what should be a relaxing holiday!

If you walk down the beach past Margaritaville you'll also find local tour operators that are much more reasonable than booked tours via the ship...they are fun and the restaurants along the beach makes it the perfect hangout spot for a beach day..banana boat rides, snorkelling, tubes rides, fishing tours...the less crowded pool at White Sands, massages, horseback riding etc.....you can make a fun day while not spending so much money...

 

Hope that helps...

If you decide to find a tour operator on the beach instead of booking an independent tour with a local business in advance, you will want to confirm that they are a fully licensed operator.

DH just booked a dive through Carnival - anyone know which dive company they use?

Oasis Divers