Conch Graveyard?

[kcbutterfly]

I've heard there is a place called the "conch graveyard" on Grand Turk. What is it like? How do you get to it? Thanks!

[pghsteelerfan]

Yes, there is such a place. It's where the conch shells that have been harvested for their meat (animal removed) are dumped. There are hundreds of them in all stages of condition, from poor to good.

 

If you are on the ship and looking at Grand Turk, the "conch graveyard" will be to the right. From the ship, you will notice a small pier and the "point" and you will start seeing the empty shells after the pier but before you get to the "point". There are also a bunch of empty conch shells on the other side of the "point".

 

I'll post a few pictures to help with the descriptions:

 

The "point" from the ship:

 

The "conch graveyard" just before getting to the "point":

 

The beach, with more empty, or "harvested" conch shells on the other side of the point:

[Missiowa]

can you pick up and keep some conch shells off the graveyard?

[pghsteelerfan]

can you pick up and keep some conch shells off the graveyard?

 

In May 2010 I had no problem getting mine back on Carnival Glory (they have to be empty, which those from the graveyard are), but I have seen other posts where people have mentioned that some other cruise lines (don't know which) will not allow them back onto the ship.

[Brentonsmom]

About how far of a walk is this from the ship?

 

Thanks

Tina

[K&RCurt]

HAL allowed them on the ship.

 

We collected quite a few on our forst trip to Grand Turk. Our next stop was San Juan and we thought "Why not mail them home and save space in our luggage?"

 

There is a post office within about 100 yards of the piers. PR is just like being home as far as the new "One price for whatever fits in the box" parcel service the USPS offers. So we got two of these boxes from the Post Office, brought them back to the ship, packed up the conch shells (wrapped in our laundry - to save bringing that home!) and headed off to mail them.

 

THAT is when the issue occured. The ship's Security people wouldn't let me off the ship with the boxes without "Customs doccumentation". I went to the Front Desk and they had NO IDEA what kind of doccumentation I should have, and saw no reason I couldn't mail home the shells, yet Security still wouldn't let me off the ship with the boxes.

 

The Front Desk Manager ended up calling the Port Agent, who had to come onto the ship and escort me off, with my boxes (and she gave the Security guys a LONG dirty look as we went by!).

 

Moral - If you want to mail back shells, put them in a back pack or tote bag and put them in the box at the post office!

[K&RCurt]

About how far of a walk is this from the ship?

 

Thanks

Tina

 

 

A few hundred yards to 1/2 a mile down the beach. There is a large spread of shells!

[kalvik]

Any trouble getting the shells back home through customs??

[pghsteelerfan]

Any trouble getting the shells back home through customs??

 

No, I didn't. Our ship was out of Miami, FL and going through customs was a breeze. I didn't declare it, but I didn't see anything on the forms where you have to declare seashells. Since we were flying, I had mine packed in my checked luggage, in a large zip lock plastic bag and wrapped in a towel. I had read that they can not be taken in carry-on on an airplane. When we got home, the shell was still in my suitcase and intact.

[pghsteelerfan]

kalvic,

 

I think I gave you some incorrect information in my previous answer regarding getting shells back home through customs. Before answering the question, I failed to notice that you live in Canada. I have seen other posts on CC about not being able to bring conch shells into Canada, but I'm not positive on that, it's only what I've read. If so, I don't know why that is if it's an empty shell. I had no problem going through US customs when I got off the ship.

 

Maybe someone else who lives in Canada will be better able to answer this question for you. Sorry for the misinformation.