Conk Shells

[tinkerbell333]

Where is the best place to find conk shells (sp?) in St. Thomas, St. Maartin, Turks? Are you allowed to keep them and take them back on the ship? Thanks

[cherylandtk]

Conch, Grand Turk (on beach down from ship, search port threads for directions), yes. :D

[WeBeGone]

I'd be very surprised if you're able to "find" any conch shells just by beach walking. However you can buy conch shells everywhere.

[dcrow72]

found many huge, beautiful shells right on the beach in St Kitts. cockleshell beach in particular. We were there right after the hurricane blew through and the beach was quite eroded so that might have something to do with it, but they were everywhere.

[Dorset Cruiser]

Got my conch shell on St Lucia after a tropical storm had passed through a few years ago. It has now been passed down to my small grandson who was fascinated by it:D

 

We were told on Grand Bahama some years ago that it was against the law to take conch shells from the island. Seemed a bit strange as everywhere there were stalls selling conch meat to eat - what happens to the shells:confused:

[Treven]

I bought mine in Grand Cayman. Didn't have any problems taking it on the ship nor getting it through customs/immigration/security at FLL. A co-worker brought me one back from Jamaica.

[Toto2Kansas]

Got my conch shell on St Lucia after a tropical storm had passed through a few years ago. It has now been passed down to my small grandson who was fascinated by it:D

 

We were told on Grand Bahama some years ago that it was against the law to take conch shells from the island. Seemed a bit strange as everywhere there were stalls selling conch meat to eat - what happens to the shells:confused:

 

We have been on many excursions where those in charge have reminded passengers that shells found are to remain where they were found. Touch, look, but do not take. One excursion those in charge watched as a woman had a beach bag half full of shells, they asked her to please return them to the ocean where they belong and they escorted her to the side of the boat to 'return' them to the sea.

[Canadianhey!]

Costa Rica and Honduras do not allow shells to be removed.

[Treven]

they escorted her to the side of the boat to 'return' them to the sea.

And if she wouldn't, were they going to return her to the sea?!

[Sandytoes]

Turks - Pillory Beach had mounds of them.

 

None could be found on St Thomas nor on St Maartin.

[luv2travel2beaches]

We purchased one at Princess Cays and brought it home with us with no problems. DH found one (in the ocean) at both princess Cays and also in Mexico but left them in both places.

[richnorto]

Grand Turk - just a short walk to the right when you exit the ship! We double checked with the management at the terminal and on the ship and they had no problem with bringing them with us. Do try to make sure you don't have anything living in the shell and wash it out VERY well so you don't have rotten sea smells in your cabin! Soak it in bleach solution when you get home.

[golferdog]

what most people don't realize is the meat, and it's sizable, has to be removed from the conch shell. It actually is really hard to get out and the restaurants use a special tool to remove it. Imagine if everyone took shells back to the ship and the critters all died inside, how ripe would that be??? People would be throwing them over the side voluntarily, believe me:confused::confused::confused:

[YellowTJ]

In Grand Caymen we had been on an excursion where we got to keep the conch shells we dove for. Now after diving 10ft and having the critter for lunch we were set on keeping the shells. While standing in the line to get on the little boats a local security guard or police man said to put them in our bags wrapped up so they'd not be taken from us. They only did a quick bag check getting on the little boats and then a short check getting on the ship. So his warning might have been unwarranted however I'm sure some people have them taken or he'd of not said anything.

[alicam]

We bought one in St. Lucia the first time we were there (honeymoon)...my new bride had a seafood platter with conch on it whereas I didn't want to try it...I said "do you know what that is" and she said "yes...it's seafood"...so I told her to go for it...afterwards, I told her that it was the big slug that lived in the shell she had bought a couple of days prior....I laughed...she didn't....lol