Caribbean - Best beach in Grand Turk, Aruba, and Curacao

Going on a cruise to these destinations (along with a small island off the Dominican Republic).

My family (on the Swedish side) is the kind that can lie on a beach all day, while occasionally splash around the water. Looking for a beach with good snorkeling and decent facilities nearby. Since there will be 15 of us, would be nice if it was just a short taxi ride away.

Thanks in advance.

Going on a cruise to these destinations (along with a small island off the Dominican Republic).

My family (on the Swedish side) is the kind that can lie on a beach all day, while occasionally splash around the water. Looking for a beach with good snorkeling and decent facilities nearby. Since there will be 15 of us, would be nice if it was just a short taxi ride away.

Thanks in advance.

I think that I'm on the same cruise, so I'd love to know as well!

I think that I'm on the same cruise, so I'd love to know as well!

Carnival Miracle sailing on 12/28? :)

I'll also add that people on Cruise Critic are recommending Margaritaville in Grand Turk. C'mon, there's gotta be something better than that!

Carnival Miracle sailing on 12/28? :)

I'll also add that people on Cruise Critic are recommending Margaritaville in Grand Turk. C'mon, there's gotta be something better than that!

No, HAL earlier in December. Either way, anything recommended by CruiseCritic is automatically discounted in my book. . .

Grand Turk is a very small place (3000 people) with not that nuch to do. The cruise ships stop there because it has a deep harbour and it's just the right distance from the next port of call.

If it looks like a nice day, go to the beach for snorkeling. If it's rainy, stay on-board.

The beach in front of the Osprey Beach Hotel (http://www.ospreybeachhotel.com/) is quite nice (and very empty) and the inn keeper is very pleasant (English lady IIRC). It would be a very short cab ride from the pier.

There are many, many nicer beaches in Aruba or Curacao.
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13F

Eagle Beach on Aruba is the best beach although some people like to go to DePalm Island - you pay but there is food, etc.

On Curacao I'd take a cab to Playa Porto Mari and make arrangements to be picked up. Food, snorkel rental, chairs, etc. are available.

http://www.playaportomari.com/#/home/

I can second Playa Portomari. The expensive cab ride will be worth it...Our second favorite is Jan Thiel, but it has a completely different vibe and is not a big sandy beach like you probably want. It has a more European feel to it (will be primarily Dutch people there) and a small sandy part. You can google pictures. http://www.janthielbeach.com/eng/index.html

Mambo Beach is probably much closer as well, but will be more crowded: http://beaches.curacao-now.com/mambo-beach.html

Eagle Beach on Aruba is the best beach although some people like to go to DePalm Island - you pay but there is food, etc.

No snorkeling worthwhile at Eagle Beach in Aruba but a great .

If you are on a cruise and just there for a day, then do DePalm Island. They can pick you up at the ship and bring you back. Facilities, food, and decent snorkeling. Lots of Parrot Fish!!!

For Curacao, I would recommend:

Port Marie
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8525_552314311058_52702691_32500523_6489034_n.jpg

Cas Abou - We saw an eagle ray here when snorkeling
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8525_552314390898_52702691_32500538_1402833_n.jpg

Playa Lagun - Saw a large sea turtle here when snorkeling
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8525_552314465748_52702691_32500552_5829232_n.jpg

Grote Knip - Kinda crowded, but the prettiest water I've ever seen
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8525_552314520638_52702691_32500562_3215632_n.jpg

That really makes me want to go back to Curacao!

On Curacao, we often went to Playa Portamari (it was close to our house), but there was definitely better snorkelling at Playa Lagun - the surrounding cliffs become reefs underwater so there is a lot more fish than on the small artificial reefs created at Portamari - it is further out from Williamstaad though. It also seems to have a tame turtle - when we were there, it was coming into be fed by the fishermen :cool:

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. Here's a recap...

Let it be known that I informed my in-laws many times that the beaches get much better the further away you get from the port.

Grand Turk - in-laws didn't want to pay for a taxi to Pillory Beach. Instead, as some people recommended on Cruise Critic, we took a right off the pier (away from Margaritaville), and went around the corner. Yes, it was nice and quiet, but the beach was also also covered in seagrass and trash (and empty conch shells). Plus, the seas were very rough. In the afternoon, we walked past Margaritaville and stayed at Jack's Shack for an hour. First time I've ever spent a beach day with the cruise ship in sight; something I never want to do again.

Isla Catalina - looked like a nice beach (on a deserted island), but the seas were too rough for tendering operations. Stop cancelled.

Aruba - I suggested Eagle Beach, but the in-laws were convinced to go to Palm Beach instead. Found a tour bus operator who took us there for $5 round-trip (which was cheaper than taking the public bus). Very crowded. However, the very attractive, topless Brazilian sunbathing next to us made up for it. :D We passed by Eagle Beach on the way back, and in-laws noted that would've been a better choice. Oranjestad was a pretty dumpy town; but it didn't help we were there on a Sunday. On New Year's Day.

Curacao - we were able to procure a taxi for $250 round-trip to Playa Porto Mari ($16.67/person). Everyone agreed this was the best beach of the ones visited during the cruise (not like the others were much competition). Excellent swimming and snorkeling. Willemstad is a very cute town (with an awesome pontoon bridge). We all would come back here in an instant.