Where Turks and Caicos Snorkeling Tours Depart

The boats here start from a dozen places: hotel beaches along Grace Bay, a public beach park, three marinas and, on Grand Turk, a village beside the cruise pier. Here is each one, with its parking and arrival rules, so the snorkel tour Turks and Caicos you book starts from the side of the island you are on.

Where each tour starts

Every tour's meeting point and when to be there. Each booking confirmation repeats the exact instructions.

Grace Bay beach and resort pickups

The sailing catamarans from the Ritz-Carlton and Grace Bay Club start inside the resort: walk through the lobby, check in at the activities desk on the left as you approach the pool, and the boat waits on the beach beyond it. The sail-and-snorkel and the sunset cruise collect guests by boat from selected Grace Bay beach hotels; if yours is not on the list, a short walk along the beach takes you to the pickup.

The Alexandra Resort sits between Beaches and The Palms. Its cruises include hotel pickup, and if you drive for the afternoon boat, be there by 12:30pm; a team member meets you at the main gate. The private half day with a local guide starts at Club Med Turkoise and includes pickup at your hotel.

The Bight Park and the beach at Rickie's

The Bight Park lies off Lower Bight Road at the west end of Grace Bay. The Bight Park boats pick up from the beach, not the parking lot, and leave at 8:40am and 1:20pm, so be on the sand by 8:30am or 1:15pm. No transport to the park is provided, though guests staying at a nearby beach hotel can ask for the closest beach pickup.

The Half Moon Bay trip boards on the beach below Rickie's Flamingo Cafe in Grace Bay. Guests who drive can park at the cafe and walk down to the sand, and you should be there 15 minutes before the departure time.

Turtle Cove Marina

Turtle Cove Marina sits on the north shore just west of Grace Bay, beside Smith's Reef. The private yacht charter meets in front of Mango Reef, the restaurant on the marina; call the crew on your way and they will meet you there.

The private boats that pick up from hotels also collect from Turtle Cove, which suits you if you stay on that side of the island. Arrive a few minutes early to find the boat among the slips.

Blue Haven Marina

Blue Haven Marina lies in Leeward, at the east end of Providenciales. The Caicos Cays private charter meets at the marina's VIP pickup dock, in front of the marina office next to the pool, with a large car park behind the office.

The private luxury snorkeling charter waits in the inside marina of the Blue Haven Resort: enter through the front gates and carry straight on until the marina is on your right. Leeward is close to the cays, so the boats reach Half Moon Bay and Iguana Island quickly from here.

Heaving Down Rock Marina

Heaving Down Rock Marina, also called Walkin Marina, sits at the far east end of Providenciales off Leeward Highway East. It is the dock for the domestic ferry to North Caicos, a crossing of about 30 to 35 minutes, and it is where the conch-and-snorkel day starts.

It is the farthest departure point from Grace Bay, so allow for the drive. The conch day's crew can arrange a taxi, so settle the ride when you book.

Grand Turk by cruise ship

The Grand Turk Cruise Center stands at the south end of Grand Turk, about 3 miles from Cockburn Town. The Grand Turk snorkel checks in at the Grand Turk Local Village, behind the yellow picnic tables in the sand next to the public restrooms; look for the multi-coloured, sea-weathered building.

The walk from the cruise center takes about 10 minutes on soft sand. Tours are scheduled one hour after your ship arrives, and you should wear your swimsuit under your clothes, because there are no changing rooms on the beach.

Arriving by air

International flights land at Providenciales International Airport, on the island where every Providenciales boat starts. Grand Turk has its own airport, JAGS McCartney International, named after the islands' first Chief Minister. Plan your first snorkel day for the morning after you land, so a late flight cannot cost you a departure.

Where to check these facts

The ferry, the marinas, the cruise center and the airports are the Tourist Board's and the Airports Authority's statements; the meeting instructions are each tour's own.

• Visit Turks and Caicos: Heaving Down Rock Marina
• Visit Turks and Caicos: the North Caicos ferry
• Visit Turks and Caicos: Grand Turk Cruise Center
• Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority

Tours that start from a marina

Private Half-Day Luxury Yacht Charter in Turks and Caicos

A private yacht for up to six from Turtle Cove: beaches, a wreck and lunch.

From $3,700 per group, up to 6

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Half Day Private Charter in Caicos Cays

A private charter from Blue Haven Marina, priced per person with a minimum of two.

From $1,220 per person (min. 2)

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6HR-Iguana island and conch cooking experience with snorkeling

Six hours from Heaving Down Rock: Iguana Island, conch and a beach barbecue.

From $234 per person

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