cruisewiththekids Posted August 25, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Are there any beach bars currently open between Margaritaville and Jack's, or are they all closed now? I was hoping for a third choice. I've read the beach at the pier is rocky but free chairs/umbrellas. Apparently Jack's doesn't have a rocky beach but have to pay for chairs/umbrella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted August 25, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 25, 2016 There are a couple but would think they would ask you to pay for chairs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2ajk Posted August 25, 2016 #3 Share Posted August 25, 2016 When we were in Grand Turk in Nov. last year we didn't have to pay to use the chairs but we did for the umbrella (only if you want one)and it was only $10. In my opinion it was worth it. But we did see more fish up near the pier at the free beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisewiththekids Posted August 25, 2016 Author #4 Share Posted August 25, 2016 I was really looking for the closest place that doesn't have a rocky beach, and I didn't know if there was anything up to the left before you got to Jack's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youagain Posted August 25, 2016 #5 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youagain Posted August 25, 2016 #6 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youagain Posted August 25, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Sorry we had no problem with rocky beach except to the right of pier. We also encountered no other bar between Magaritaville and Jacks Shack.That was January 1 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poobears Posted August 25, 2016 #8 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Is there really anything to do in GT other than packing in like sardines? Doesn't seem to be much to that port as far as beaches go unless you like the bar/party scene or chair to chair crowds. I'll be there with DH a 16yr old and a 17 yr old and everything I read about the port is how over crowded it is. I checked for a pool side cabana as soon as we rented the cruise for next march thinking that would at least give us a bit of a reprieve from the crowds but of course they were already sold out. Even the private beach reviews say they are over booked and crowded. We haven't been there before so don't want to stay on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisewiththekids Posted August 25, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Definitely looks less crowded at Jack's. Do they rent floats? Looks like the ones in the photo people brought their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocoaloco Posted August 25, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 25, 2016 go to the tent between the pier and Jacks.. you will see a sign for white sands snorkel charters. Take the 3 stop tour with Capt. Donovan (Who owns the place) and your life will be changed forever. You will likely touch a very tame shark...snorkel over the Grand Turk wall... see the most fish ever ....taste fresh conch...and......... kiss the barb of a sting ray.... then come back and go to Jacks for a couple of Turks Heads.... tell Topher hi. Once again, your life will be changed forever....:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckett Posted August 25, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Is there really anything to do in GT other than packing in like sardines? Doesn't seem to be much to that port as far as beaches go unless you like the bar/party scene or chair to chair crowds. I'll be there with DH a 16yr old and a 17 yr old and everything I read about the port is how over crowded it is. I checked for a pool side cabana as soon as we rented the cruise for next march thinking that would at least give us a bit of a reprieve from the crowds but of course they were already sold out. Even the private beach reviews say they are over booked and crowded. We haven't been there before so don't want to stay on the ship. Poobears we were just there this past January, and if you like snorkeling, it is awesome in Grand Turk! We booked through White Sands Charters and Tours, who I found recommended here on the Ports of Call boards. We really enjoyed it. It was about 3 hours and then after that we walked down to Jack's Shack and had some jerked chicken and a cocktail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckett Posted August 25, 2016 #12 Share Posted August 25, 2016 go to the tent between the pier and Jacks.. you will see a sign for white sands snorkel charters. Take the 3 stop tour with Capt. Donovan (Who owns the place) and your life will be changed forever. You will likely touch a very tame shark...snorkel over the Grand Turk wall... see the most fish ever ....taste fresh conch...and......... kiss the barb of a sting ray.... then come back and go to Jacks for a couple of Turks Heads.... tell Topher hi. Once again, your life will be changed forever....:) ^^^^this^^^^ :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poobears Posted August 25, 2016 #13 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Unfortunately the kids and DH don't snorkel so that's out :( I tried to get DH to do it on one of our past cruises and it was a no go. I'm even willing to pay more for a private beach that has a limited capacity on it. I did see some new style snorkel masks online that fit your whole face so you can breath normal instead of keeping the snorkel in your mouth and they look really cool but they were back ordered (and expensive) not sure if that's enough to convince DH to give it a shot or not. I'm thinking no, it's just not his thing, he's more of a land mammal lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted August 25, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 25, 2016 A guidebook on your ports will tell you EVERYTHING there is. Libraries have them! Get on..read it...and you'll be assured of a good port day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino D Posted August 26, 2016 #15 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Too bad about the snorkeling, it really is a great experience there. For what it's worth we have been to Grand Turk multiple times and never found it to be overly crowded. I suppose it depends on how many ships are in port. My sister took the island tram tour and really enjoyed it. We once rented a gulf cart and drove around the island, then hung out at the beach. It was a fun way to see the island. My son and I have done kayak excursions at other ports, and always enjoyed them. I'm sure you'll have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slwillwin Posted August 26, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 26, 2016 When we were in Grand Turk in Nov. last year we didn't have to pay to use the chairs but we did for the umbrella (only if you want one)and it was only $10. In my opinion it was worth it. But we did see more fish up near the pier at the free beach. At Jacks last week, chairs free. Umbrella 10. A great beach. No busy at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sturderick Posted August 26, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 26, 2016 This is about our 4th trip to Grand Turk in a couple of weeks and I've never noticed it to be tpp crowded. There are so many chair and areas for people to go. That's the first time I have ever heard that complaint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sturderick Posted August 26, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 26, 2016 (edited) Tried to delete duplicate post Edited August 26, 2016 by sturderick duplicate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Banditswife Posted August 26, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 26, 2016 We are porting in Gr Turk in Feb 2017. Is that tram easy to find, I read about it on the ports of call forum & it looked like a good inexpensive thing to try for our 1st visit there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 26, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 26, 2016 A guidebook on your ports will tell you EVERYTHING there is. Libraries have them! Get on..read it...and you'll be assured of a good port day! Problem with those guidebooks is ... while it's good general information about the place , they don't address questions cruisers have about various options offered by the ship/independents or what to expect when they first walk off the ship. Information here on Cruise Critic or doing a Google search is much more up-to-date. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
september2010 Posted August 26, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 26, 2016 We were there last week and I was really disappointed. We went to the beach just off the ship. It was crazy crowded. The beach was full of rocks and there was a sign that stated the chairs and umbrella were free. We finally found 2 chairs and an umbrella. 2 guys came by and said we owed 20$. Not the way I remembered it. Where is Jacks? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pellaz Posted August 26, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I did see some new style snorkel masks online that fit your whole face so you can breath normal instead of keeping the snorkel in your mouth and they look really cool but they were back ordered (and expensive) not sure if that's enough to convince DH to give it a shot or not. I'm thinking no, it's just not his thing, he's more of a land mammal lol. Search for "snorkel mask" on eBay and then look through the inevitable listings for snorkel and mask sets to find full-face snorkel masks. I picked up two of them, both for about $45 each including shipping. They work pretty well for snorkeling near the surface...not quite as well if you like diving a lot deeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumtopugs Posted August 26, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Is there really anything to do in GT other than packing in like sardines? Doesn't seem to be much to that port as far as beaches go unless you like the bar/party scene or chair to chair crowds. I'll be there with DH a 16yr old and a 17 yr old and everything I read about the port is how over crowded it is. I checked for a pool side cabana as soon as we rented the cruise for next march thinking that would at least give us a bit of a reprieve from the crowds but of course they were already sold out. Even the private beach reviews say they are over booked and crowded. We haven't been there before so don't want to stay on the ship. GT is one of my very favorite ports. It's a small island. We rented a golf cart for like $75 and toured the entire island. There's a lighthouse at the far end with a cool cliff overlook. There are little beaches here and there down roads that you can barely see. We saw schools and locals and wild donkeys. It's a different, simpler life there. Might be good for the teens to see some new things. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickw Posted August 26, 2016 #24 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Last time I was at Jack's they didn't charge for using the chairs, as long as you were drinking. If I remember correctly there were still several small places to buy alcohol between Margaritaville and Jack's, but I don't recall seeing many chairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organized Chaos Posted August 26, 2016 #25 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Is there really anything to do in GT other than packing in like sardines? Doesn't seem to be much to that port as far as beaches go unless you like the bar/party scene or chair to chair crowds. I'll be there with DH a 16yr old and a 17 yr old and everything I read about the port is how over crowded it is. I checked for a pool side cabana as soon as we rented the cruise for next march thinking that would at least give us a bit of a reprieve from the crowds but of course they were already sold out. Even the private beach reviews say they are over booked and crowded. We haven't been there before so don't want to stay on the ship. We were there in June and decided to do some last minute snorkeling. We're total amateurs at it, we hadn't snorkeled before the cruise. We first tried it at Half Moon Cay, but that was little more than a baron white-sand bottom with a couple fish. But Grand Turk was much, much better. We went to the opposite side of the dock. If you're getting off the ship walking down the dock towards shore, we went to the right side (opposite Margaritaville). Right in front of the NASA exhibit is a smaller beach area with fewer chairs under some trees. When we were there, there were less than 10 people hanging out in this area. It was perfect. There are some large rocks you have to get over when you first get in the water here, but once you're passed them, it's not so bad. We saw fish, small coral, a live conch, & a couple crabs. Even if your DH doesn't want to snorkel, maybe he can at least put a mask on (without the snorkel) and check out the marine life. This is what our son eventually did. He had trouble getting the hang of the snorkel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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