curacao

Is there any shopping in the Grand Turk port. Really don't want to book a tour, just want to look around the port??

Margaritaville is just beyond the port stores. Go left ... there is a lot of beach. Lots of shade. Further down the beach is Jack Shack. they have a nice beach too and friendly folks and much quieter than Margaritaville. They also have the Best Jerk Chicken in the Caribbean. Rent a golf cart or vehicle and tour the island. John Glenn has a monument to honor is landing in the sea there. I lived in Curacao for a year, but Grand Turk is my Favorite Island. Feel safe in Grand Turk. I will be there again In March... looking forward to my 6th visit. OH< there is a lot of shopping at the port. Have fun.

There are two independent dive operators on Grand Turk who offer snorkeling tours: Blue Water Divers (www.grandturkscuba.com) and Grand Turk Divers (www.gtdiving.com). You can also view additional information about Grand Turk activities on TripAdvisor here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147396-Activities-Grand_Turk_Turks_and_Caicos.html

I went thru Blue Water Divers on 3 visits to Grand Turk. they take you to 2 nice places to snorkel. Saw all sorts of fish, 2 sharks (nurse sharks), squid and the water temp was wonderful. they have a nice dive shop.. the best on the island, In My Opinion.

What makes the rice and peas special? :confused:

I wonder the same thing. I always have my last call at Jack's Shack !!! Guess I will have to try the rice and peas !!! :) the jerk chicken is the best :)

On my last trip to GT I did an excursion which took us maybe 3 isles over to a nice coral garden - we spent about 45 minutes there, very nice. Then a short hop to a nearby beach where the guides enticed some sting rays to "visit" with us, a mini "sting ray city". While we were in a group around the guide holding up one of the rays, a baby 3 foot (not a nurse maybe tiger? lemon? don't remember) shark got inquisitive and circled us twice. Didn't bother the guides at all although they watched it carefully as I nervously did.

check out Blue Water Divers... they offer snorkel trips. That is what I am doing in October. I am a diver, but not traveling with a diver on this cruise. Looking forward to this excursion.

Probably not. They do party from new years eve until the sun comes up on new years day. The sun reminds them to go home.... They have no closing hours for the parties. It was totally dead the new years day that i was there, but makes for great day to dive.

Was told of a nice public beach, with beach bed and lounge rentals, as well as bar/restaurant service on the beach, located next to Breezes. Could someone tell me the name of the beach, so I know what to tell the taxi driver? I was told Copacabanna (or something like that) but I can not find anything on the internet listed for that). Also, can you tell me how far it is from the port, by taxi, and whether or not it is good for snorkeling?

Mambo Beach or KonTiki Beach....all the same. It is good for snorkeling, but most beaches in Curacao are good for snorkeling. It is about 20 minutes by Vehicle, but only 7-10 minutes if you walk across the foot bridge and hail a cab from over there. They have a straight shot to the beach from Punda area (across the channel from Port!). If you get a cab at Port, you go the long way around, over the bridge, through the neighborhood and then down the street from where you need to be. Takes longer and on cruise day it can be crazy. If you look on line for "Dolphin Academy" you will see Mambo Beach, KonTiki and Lions Dive Beach area...It is just one long beach separated by bars and places to eat. Hemingways is a nice place to eat and sit in the shade.

Were you diving or snorkeling? What month of the year did you see the seahorse?

I do both. Not sure what month ...as I was there a year. They really do not have a change of seasons there. It is just one long summer. I saw a few seahorses, just never always had a camera with me. You really have to look for the little guys, but I did see a black one at The Dive Bus, Pierbaai Beach, out in the open, all by himself. Now, that was awesome, but no camera.

has anyone seen seahorses at any of the snorkel sights in Curacao?

Yes saw several. It is like swimming in an aquarium in Curacao. I saw this one and several on the Tugboat dive site and a really small black one at The Dive Bus area on Pierbaai (? spelling) Beach area. I have attached a picture of the one I saw and a picture of squid at Pierbaai.

Can anyone tell me which site would be considered Blue Bay Resort? Or which site it would be closest to?

check out Best Western Blue Bay (Baai) on line. I think I uploaded a picture of the beach at Blue Bay. It is a great beach.