Grand Turk or Cozumel for a quick 7 day dive trip?
- Thread starter Robertcrockett
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Gorgeous, have fun and please post a report when you come back, we don't get enough information about Grand Turk.
OP
Robertcrockett
Contributor
OP
Robertcrockett
Contributor
....Cornellxc you will have to give me the lowdown on all the tastiest little local places to eat and find the best frozen drink. Any tips that you want to give about things to do or see would be highly appreciated. In the end GT won out because of its off the beaten path nature... We love laid back places that have a less "resorty" feel. Excited to have you point us in a few directions...
The road to the last "resort" we visited on Little Corn.
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The road to the last "resort" we visited on Little Corn.
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Cool! You guys are going to have a lot of fun. Like I said, from where you are staying, if you'd like to fully enjoy the island rent a car or golf cart, even for a few days. Depending on who you're diving with you can get solid directions to all of these spots, you might even get a ride if you offer to buy lunch! My favorite dinners are always buying fish at the fish market on west road and grilling outside. I'm pretty sure you guys have a bbq at that house, if not, there's definitely one in the common area behind it. Be prepared for the area where you're staying to look a little rough, we lost 4-5 houses on that block in irma (including mine). It's a great neighborhood though and you don't have to worry about anything.
Basically all of the local hole in the wall spots are mainly lunch places. They are awesome, priced fairly and really delicious. If you're going out to eat for a proper dinner you most likely will want to stick to the more established restaurants.
Local Spots (hours and days open are super variable, ask your divemaster):
Doo Doo's ribs (friday and saturday? just like it sounds, amazing ribs and a great local bar. He usually runs out around 4pm so get there early)
Mangos? (honestly not sure its the name) if you ask for the haitian spot up by the hospital they'll know. It's pretty new but the food is amazing. Fried plantains there are great.
Haitian place next to barbies (go there and get the Griot, maybe the best thing on island).
Jamaican food truck: you'll see it on your ride from your house to the dives. solid lunch option.
Dominican Bakery (middle street): the best meat patty's for a dollar you'll ever have. I have lived on these multiple trips when super broke.
All of those spots are probably sketchy looking to most basic folk. Everyone is super nice and the food is fantastic. They definitely are for takeout though and I would plan on waiting up to 40min or so for your food to get cooked and boxed up. Pretty much all lunch/early dinner. Grab a beer and hang out.
Classic GT restaurant/bar Spots:
Sandbar (heaven on earth, best beer with a view): you won't be able to miss it, right down the street from blue water and grand turk diving.
Osprey: great happy hour and solid more upscale food
Saltraker: Amazing bar, also has solid food and the best breakfast on the island
Bohio: its on the north end of the island, great spot for a special dinner/meal (pricey!)
Jacks shack: only open when the cruise ship is in, best jerk chicken on island and really worth going if you like fun.
Turks head inne: solid modern bar and the few places you can get a proper cocktail. Food is ok though a bit pricey.
The Ridge Restaurant: Have not been, very new but looks and sounds like possibly the best fine(ish) dining spot on island outside of bohio. They're growing their own veggies and stuff, pretty cool.
If youre diving with Grand turk diving, Jason and smitty will be happy to point you in the right direction for these spots. With blue water Henry and Kristen might even take you there.
Bars, there are like 30 local bars on island other than what I listed. None are catering to tourists. most are a little sketchy. Many are just called whatever color their painted (blue bar, pink bar etc..) Definitely never been a problem for me but it depends on your level of adventure.
The beach 100 yards from your rental is the greatest beach anywhere. You won't see anyone. Then again, I'm biased. Feel free to yell at the guys pouring concrete at my place to hurry up. DM me if you have specific questions but I figured it would be good to have this info public in case anyone else likes to go off the beaten path when visiting.
PS. if you can cook, think about cooking some dinners. head to the fish market around 430, pick out whatever you want from Cocky (fisherman). I'd personally stay away from parrotfish/barracuda due to ciguatera risk. I try to go with snapper and grunts when available. They'll all be yelling and its a bit intense, just how it is. Have them scale the fish or clean the conch and stop at any of the grocery stores on the way back to your house to grab sides and veggies to grill. Nothing beats a fresh catch in my opinion.
Basically all of the local hole in the wall spots are mainly lunch places. They are awesome, priced fairly and really delicious. If you're going out to eat for a proper dinner you most likely will want to stick to the more established restaurants.
Local Spots (hours and days open are super variable, ask your divemaster):
Doo Doo's ribs (friday and saturday? just like it sounds, amazing ribs and a great local bar. He usually runs out around 4pm so get there early)
Mangos? (honestly not sure its the name) if you ask for the haitian spot up by the hospital they'll know. It's pretty new but the food is amazing. Fried plantains there are great.
Haitian place next to barbies (go there and get the Griot, maybe the best thing on island).
Jamaican food truck: you'll see it on your ride from your house to the dives. solid lunch option.
Dominican Bakery (middle street): the best meat patty's for a dollar you'll ever have. I have lived on these multiple trips when super broke.
All of those spots are probably sketchy looking to most basic folk. Everyone is super nice and the food is fantastic. They definitely are for takeout though and I would plan on waiting up to 40min or so for your food to get cooked and boxed up. Pretty much all lunch/early dinner. Grab a beer and hang out.
Classic GT restaurant/bar Spots:
Sandbar (heaven on earth, best beer with a view): you won't be able to miss it, right down the street from blue water and grand turk diving.
Osprey: great happy hour and solid more upscale food
Saltraker: Amazing bar, also has solid food and the best breakfast on the island
Bohio: its on the north end of the island, great spot for a special dinner/meal (pricey!)
Jacks shack: only open when the cruise ship is in, best jerk chicken on island and really worth going if you like fun.
Turks head inne: solid modern bar and the few places you can get a proper cocktail. Food is ok though a bit pricey.
The Ridge Restaurant: Have not been, very new but looks and sounds like possibly the best fine(ish) dining spot on island outside of bohio. They're growing their own veggies and stuff, pretty cool.
If youre diving with Grand turk diving, Jason and smitty will be happy to point you in the right direction for these spots. With blue water Henry and Kristen might even take you there.
Bars, there are like 30 local bars on island other than what I listed. None are catering to tourists. most are a little sketchy. Many are just called whatever color their painted (blue bar, pink bar etc..) Definitely never been a problem for me but it depends on your level of adventure.
The beach 100 yards from your rental is the greatest beach anywhere. You won't see anyone. Then again, I'm biased. Feel free to yell at the guys pouring concrete at my place to hurry up. DM me if you have specific questions but I figured it would be good to have this info public in case anyone else likes to go off the beaten path when visiting.
PS. if you can cook, think about cooking some dinners. head to the fish market around 430, pick out whatever you want from Cocky (fisherman). I'd personally stay away from parrotfish/barracuda due to ciguatera risk. I try to go with snapper and grunts when available. They'll all be yelling and its a bit intense, just how it is. Have them scale the fish or clean the conch and stop at any of the grocery stores on the way back to your house to grab sides and veggies to grill. Nothing beats a fresh catch in my opinion.
OP
Robertcrockett
Contributor
Was a great trip and we highly enjoyed it... And yes we made use of the fish market!!
OP
Robertcrockett
Contributor
I'd post a trip report but after years and years my posting privileges are suddenly insufficient. -__-
I'm no expert, but sometimes rebooting the computer and signing out and logging back in can help to fix a problem. And I have often run into issues when using Internet Explorer as my browser for Scuba Board, but if I use Google Chrome the problems usually go away.
Just a couple of ideas, I am interested to read your report on Grand Turk!
OP
Robertcrockett
Contributor
tried again...bpth on phone and PC..no luck..weird...Ill post my trip report here in the comments and maybe someone can move it for me
OP
Robertcrockett
Contributor
(hopefully someone will move this because i cant post for some reason)
Grand Turk Dive Report
Thought I'd post a little trip report from Grand Turk before I forget "like I'm known to do".
We spent 7 days on the island and one in Provo due to a missed connection.( If anyone gets trapped in Provo and needs a place to hole up for the evening "the Lodgings" is a nice, clean and well appointed little hotel right by the airport. Prices are cheap compared to elsewhere in Provo.)
We did 15 dives with Grand Turk Diving, 14 different sites and one repeat on a night dive. As luck would have it we mostly had the boat to ourselves except for one day when there were four others. I'm pleased to report that there seemed to be no noticeable hurricane damage to the reef, which was in good health. And any efforts made to clean up afterwards were successful, as I did not see a single piece of trash throughout all of our bottom time. Dives were over nice coral beds leading to the wall and gradually circling back around. Grand Turk Diving has a Dive Master in the water with you but we were able to dive our own profile. Visibly was very nice out to 100ft, vodka clear at 40-50ft. Water temp in the 80s... We wore nothing but board shorts and rash guards at depths down to 115 ft and we were comfortable, even on the night dive. Sea life was abundant... With all the usual Caribbean life as well as plenty of turtles and we spent about 10 minutes up close and personal with a large octopus on one of the day dives. We pack in our own gear but the shop gear seemed adequate and maintained well. The dive boats are smaller and require a James Bond entry... Exit is by removing BC at the ladder and passing it up, which makes boarding much easier. Bottom times averaged to an hour+. The DM/instructors "Jason and Smitty" were spot on and excellent human beings... We greatly enjoyed their company and diving with them!. The island itself is still in somewhat of a recovery phase from the hurricanes... Lots of construction happening and refitting the island is well underway. The beaches are deserted, the water is beautiful... Grand Turk is a true slice of paradise. We logged a lot of surface time at the Salt Raker having drinks with Erica and Ruby or lounging around the Osprey restaurant. We used Airbnb to rent one of the "brown" houses a few skips from the dive shop and we were completely pleased with the accommodations... We also rented a golf cart from Omar and that was our best decision yet. We explored the island from end to end when we weren't diving and it was a joy. If you want the "resort" feel then Provo is probably more up your alley but for genuine people, dogs, donkeys, beautiful beaches and diving in a relaxed, non-starched or stuffy locale... Grand Turk is a great place to end up. I can't stress enough how nice and welcoming this island and it's people are....any questions, feel free to ask!
Grand Turk Dive Report
Thought I'd post a little trip report from Grand Turk before I forget "like I'm known to do".
We spent 7 days on the island and one in Provo due to a missed connection.( If anyone gets trapped in Provo and needs a place to hole up for the evening "the Lodgings" is a nice, clean and well appointed little hotel right by the airport. Prices are cheap compared to elsewhere in Provo.)
We did 15 dives with Grand Turk Diving, 14 different sites and one repeat on a night dive. As luck would have it we mostly had the boat to ourselves except for one day when there were four others. I'm pleased to report that there seemed to be no noticeable hurricane damage to the reef, which was in good health. And any efforts made to clean up afterwards were successful, as I did not see a single piece of trash throughout all of our bottom time. Dives were over nice coral beds leading to the wall and gradually circling back around. Grand Turk Diving has a Dive Master in the water with you but we were able to dive our own profile. Visibly was very nice out to 100ft, vodka clear at 40-50ft. Water temp in the 80s... We wore nothing but board shorts and rash guards at depths down to 115 ft and we were comfortable, even on the night dive. Sea life was abundant... With all the usual Caribbean life as well as plenty of turtles and we spent about 10 minutes up close and personal with a large octopus on one of the day dives. We pack in our own gear but the shop gear seemed adequate and maintained well. The dive boats are smaller and require a James Bond entry... Exit is by removing BC at the ladder and passing it up, which makes boarding much easier. Bottom times averaged to an hour+. The DM/instructors "Jason and Smitty" were spot on and excellent human beings... We greatly enjoyed their company and diving with them!. The island itself is still in somewhat of a recovery phase from the hurricanes... Lots of construction happening and refitting the island is well underway. The beaches are deserted, the water is beautiful... Grand Turk is a true slice of paradise. We logged a lot of surface time at the Salt Raker having drinks with Erica and Ruby or lounging around the Osprey restaurant. We used Airbnb to rent one of the "brown" houses a few skips from the dive shop and we were completely pleased with the accommodations... We also rented a golf cart from Omar and that was our best decision yet. We explored the island from end to end when we weren't diving and it was a joy. If you want the "resort" feel then Provo is probably more up your alley but for genuine people, dogs, donkeys, beautiful beaches and diving in a relaxed, non-starched or stuffy locale... Grand Turk is a great place to end up. I can't stress enough how nice and welcoming this island and it's people are....any questions, feel free to ask!
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