Bohio Dive Resort

The laid-back atmosphere at Bohio Dive Resort is immediately apparent upon arrival. Guests are greeted by the hotel’s friendly owners in a simple lobby, which leads to an airy sitting room with cushioned wicker furniture and bookshelves filled with beach reads and board games. Gusty ocean breezes flit through the open windows and guests mill about the property in beachwear and sunglasses. During the day, the atmosphere remains quiet, as the majority of guests are on dive trips. On days when cruise ships dock in Cockburn Town, Bohio sells day passes to passengers, who come to the hotel to use the beach and enjoy lunch at the beachfront restaurant. Cruise ship passengers are relegated to their own section of the sand and aren’t allowed to use the hotel pool, but their presence undeniably changes the vibe at the hotel (hint: it’s a little louder when they're around.) 

Bohio Dive Resort is a beachfront property on Grand Turk, a sleepy island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago best known for its excellent diving conditions. Grand Turk is home to the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cockburn Town, as well as the islands’ only cruise ship terminal. Grand Turk is known for its quiet, laid-back atmosphere and untouched beauty. Visitors will see donkeys roaming the streets and wild horses galloping along the beach. And the island’s only kind of traffic jam is near the church on a Sunday morning. Those who aren’t interested in diving might find themselves a bit bored here -- unlike Providenciales, Grand Turk isn’t built up with shops, restaurants, and large condo complexes (a pro or a con, depending on the traveler).

Like the rest of the hotel, the rooms at Bohio Dive Resort have a casual, approachable feel. They don’t feature cutting edge design or contemporary decor, but instead have a light, airy look that feels downright beach-y. Cream colored walls and tile floors are complemented by white wicker furniture and cotton quilts. Ceilings are covered in white wood paneling, and turquoise patterned pillows add a pop of much needed color. Rooms have two doubles or one king-size bed and are equipped with amenities like flat-screen TVs and individually controlled air-conditioning units. Bathrooms are small, with tiny one-sink vanities and shower stalls. Some rooms, like the Beachfront Corner King we visited, have additional kitchenettes, with full-size refrigerators, coffeemakers, and microwaves. All rooms have outdoor ocean-facing balconies, but some water views are obstructed by the tall trees that line the beach. 

Bohio Dive Resort is the only hotel on Gran Turk that has an on-site dive operation, so naturally, the hotel is popular with dive enthusiasts. Bohio’s staff of PADI certified instructors and dive masters are accustomed to working with all kinds of divers -- from first-timers to professionals. The dive staff offers beginners' lessons, PADI certification courses, and group diving excursions. All dive tours leave directly from the hotel’s beach. Dives can be purchased a la carte, or as part of an all-inclusive package. Bohio can customize its all-inclusive packages to suit the needs of each individual traveler, but the hotel’s all-inclusive rates generally include accommodations, multiple dives, breakfast and lunch, and roundtrip domestic airfare and airport transportation. While there isn’t much to do at the hotel, non-divers can take advantage of the beautiful beach, small pool, and beachfront bar and restaurant. Bohio sets up umbrellas and lounge chairs along the beach, which has soft white sand and calm, crystal clear water. Bohio offers day passes for cruise ship passengers to use the beach, but they are relegated to their own section of the sand and cannot use the hotel’s pool. Their presence can alter the atmosphere of the hotel from quiet to lively -- which can be a pro for some guests and a con for others. Bohio’s pool is small and rectangular -- not much to write home about. It’s a few steps from the beach and is surrounded by a small deck with umbrella-covered tables and chairs. Guests who don’t feel like swimming or sunbathing can take advantage of the hotel’s bike rentals. Staff members can recommend bike routes around the nearby salt mills. Ike & Donkey Beach Bar is Bohio’s bar that’s wildly popular with guests and locals alike. The outdoor deck has tons of oceanfront seating, and is a great place to grab a sunset cocktail before dinner. From January to April, lucky bar-goers may spot humpback whales migrating across the Grand Turk Passage. Ike & Donkey typically hosts a weekly barbecue night, which includes a dinner buffet and live entertainment. Bohio’s signature restaurant, Guanahani, serves dinner and Sunday brunch. The dinner menu features local seafood, along with steaks, pasta dishes, pizza, and a few Indian specialities. Guanahani is a casual restaurant with an upscale, fine-dining flare, and guests should expect prices to match.  Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.