Ghost Shipwreck and Noah’s Ark Tiki Bar Guided Tour

The most unusual part of this Providenciales outing is the La Famille Express shipwreck, a stranded cargo ship sitting off Long Bay Beach since 2004. You ride out to it, spend about 30 minutes climbing around and jumping, then continue to Noah’s Ark Beach Club for another half hour of music, food, and drinks.

I like the compact plan and the two very different stops. You get a dose of water-sports excitement, then a casual beach-bar break without giving up most of your day. I also like the private-style pricing: $300 covers up to two people, which can be fair for a couple who wants a short, focused outing.

The main caution is communication and equipment. Some bookings have involved changed pickup times, older watercraft, or delays, so I would confirm the meeting time and current equipment condition before setting your plans around this tour.

Key points to know before booking

• The shipwreck is the main event: You can climb onto the La Famille Express and jump from it, subject to conditions and your own comfort.
• Two stops, about 30 minutes each: The schedule is short and easy to fit into a beach holiday.
• The price is per group: $300 includes up to two people, not $300 per person.
• Noah’s Ark adds a social finish: Expect live music, food, and drinks served throughout the day, with no indication that purchases are included.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
• Confirm the timing: Pickup arrangements have not always been smooth, so do not rely on an unconfirmed departure time.

Reaching the La Famille Express from Long Bay Beach

This tour begins at The Shore Club Turks & Caicos on Long Bay Beach, with pickup offered. The published operating window is 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., every day, from July 26, 2023 through December 10, 2026.

The trip is designed around watercraft rather than a long sightseeing cruise. The provider, EliteWatersportstci, says it has two decades of experience working on the waters around Turks and Caicos and uses jet skis and related equipment for its tours. The exact watercraft assigned to your booking is worth confirming in advance, especially if you care about speed, comfort, or equipment age.

The total outing lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes. That makes it useful when you want something active but do not want to spend half a day away from the beach, pool, or resort. It also means the schedule is fairly tight. A late pickup can quickly reduce the time available at either stop.

The group limit is 20 people, though the price is set for a group of up to two. I would ask how many people are expected on your departure and whether your pair will have a private watercraft or share the guide’s route with other groups. The published information does not promise a private tour, so it is better not to assume one.

Thirty minutes at the La Famille Express wreck

La Famille Express has rested near Long Bay Beach since 2004, after Hurricane Francis pushed it onto the beach. Its unusual position turned an ordinary wreck into one of Providenciales’ more recognizable water attractions.

The stop is built around activity rather than a formal historical presentation. You can climb on the shipwreck and jump from it. That makes this a good match for confident swimmers and people who enjoy a little controlled mischief on the water. The wreck is the kind of place where the setting does most of the work. You get a large stranded vessel, open sea, and a chance to see the coast from a different angle.

I would keep your expectations realistic. This is not presented as a long guided history tour, marine-life excursion, or slow photography cruise. The supplied details do not mention snorkeling, wildlife viewing, or a detailed talk about the ship’s construction and wrecking. If those are your priorities, this outing may feel too brief.

The 30-minute stop should give you enough time to look around, climb, and decide if you want to jump. You do not have to treat the jump as mandatory. If the water is choppy, the conditions change, or you simply prefer to remain on the vessel, the attraction can still be worthwhile from the outside.

Water conditions are especially important here. One account describes rough water and still praises the excitement, while another reports problems with an older watercraft. Those details point to the same practical lesson: ask about the sea state and safety plan before departure, and listen carefully to the guide at the wreck.

Do not bring valuables you cannot secure. The tour details do not specify storage, so I would keep phones and cameras in a proper waterproof case rather than carrying loose items onto a wet shipwreck. Wear something that can handle spray and quick movement. The supplied information does not provide a required gear list, so ask what safety equipment is supplied before you arrive.

Noah’s Ark Beach Club for the final half hour

After the wreck, the tour moves to Noah’s Ark Beach Club TCI. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and shifts the mood from physical activity to a beach-bar setting.

Noah’s Ark is described as a tiki bar with live music, food, and drinks available all day. That gives the outing a pleasant second act. You can cool down, order something, listen to music, and let the day feel more social before returning to the meeting point.

The short time here is both a benefit and a limitation. It is enough for a quick drink or snack if service is prompt, but it is not enough for a long meal or an extended beach-club afternoon. Food and drinks are not stated as part of the $300 price, so budget for those separately.

The title’s reference to an ark and party animals tells you the tone: this is not a quiet nature stop. If you like music and a casual bar atmosphere, Noah’s Ark should fit the plan. If you want an empty beach and silence, the stop may not be your favorite part.

I would also confirm the order of the stops. The published plan places the shipwreck first and Noah’s Ark second, but weather and operating conditions can affect water activities. A quick check on the day can prevent confusion, especially if you are arranging lunch or another activity afterward.

What $300 means for two people

At $300 per group of up to two, the cost works out to $150 per person for a full pair. That price makes more sense if you want a guided watercraft outing and plan to use both places, rather than treating this as a simple transfer to a beach bar.

The value comes from combining transport on the water, a guide, access to the wreck stop, and the Noah’s Ark visit in one short package. You also avoid spending a full day on a larger boat if your main goal is simply to see the wreck and have a quick bar stop.

The value is weaker if you are traveling alone, since the published group price does not drop to half for one person. It is also less attractive if you only want to visit Noah’s Ark, since the tour spends half its time at the wreck.

I would not assume that food, drinks, or extra activities at Noah’s Ark are included. Admission is listed as free at both stops, but that does not mean your purchases are covered. Ask exactly what the fee includes, particularly if the booking page or confirmation does not spell out the watercraft, fuel, guide, and pickup arrangements.

For a couple celebrating a birthday or looking for a quick adrenaline burst, the price may feel reasonable. One positive account describes a birthday group enjoying the speed and blue water even when conditions were choppy. That is the right mindset for this experience: active, compact, and more about the outing than a long, polished sightseeing program.

Timing problems deserve attention

The biggest practical concern is not the route itself. It is the possibility of unclear scheduling.

One booking involved a pickup time that changed close to departure. Another account describes a missed initial pickup, a later rescheduled time, and a watercraft problem. The company disputed parts of that account and said the agreed pickup was 11:45, with the driver arriving on time. The conflicting versions make one point clear: get the final time confirmed in writing.

I would contact the operator before the day of the tour and confirm:

• Your exact pickup or meeting time
• The precise pickup location
• The expected return time
• The type and condition of the watercraft
• Whether your group rides alone or with others
• What safety equipment is supplied
• Whether Noah’s Ark purchases are separate

Do not schedule an airport transfer, special meal, or another timed excursion immediately afterward. The published duration is approximately 70 minutes, but water conditions, loading, pickup changes, and equipment issues can affect the day.

The guides themselves appear to be one of the stronger parts of the experience. One account describes the guide as pleasant, and another praises the instructor’s handling of a choppy-water outing. Still, a friendly guide cannot fix poor dispatching or an unreliable machine, so check both sides of the operation.

Safety, weather, and comfort

This is a water-based activity, and the provider emphasizes safety and long experience around Turks and Caicos. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not provide specific age, swimming, or medical requirements.

You should be comfortable around open water and able to follow the guide’s instructions. The wreck stop involves climbing and jumping, so anyone with balance concerns or limited mobility should ask about the physical demands before booking.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it does not cover every reason a guest might need to cancel. You can cancel for a full refund only at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Because the tour runs on local time, use the Turks and Caicos time zone when calculating the cutoff. I would not wait until the morning of the trip to cancel if the forecast looks doubtful. Give yourself enough time to make the decision within the 24-hour window.

The water can be choppy, and the ride may feel fast or bumpy. Wear secure clothing, protect your phone, and avoid bringing anything that cannot get wet. These are sensible precautions rather than special requirements, since the published information does not list a formal packing guide.

Who will enjoy this short water adventure?

I would choose this outing if you want three things: speed, a memorable photo stop, and a casual place for food or drinks. It suits couples and pairs particularly well because the $300 price covers two people.

It also works for a birthday outing or a short break between resort time and dinner. The positive experience described in the supplied feedback came from people who embraced the speed and choppy water rather than expecting a calm cruise.

Families and larger groups should ask more questions before booking. The group limit is 20, but the price only covers up to two people, and the activity includes climbing and jumping at the wreck. The information does not state age limits or special arrangements for children.

I would skip it if you want a long, relaxed boat trip, a detailed shipwreck lecture, guaranteed calm water, or a full afternoon at a beach club. The itinerary is short, active, and dependent on conditions.

Should you book the shipwreck and tiki bar tour?

I would book this tour with a confirmation call and realistic expectations. The combination of the La Famille Express wreck and Noah’s Ark is unusual, and the one-hour-ten-minute schedule gives you a quick taste of both adventure and beach-bar life.

The best case is a smooth pickup, a reliable watercraft, good sea conditions, a fun climb and jump at the wreck, then music and refreshments at Noah’s Ark. The weaker case involves a changed pickup time, tired equipment, or too little time at the second stop.

Book it if the wreck is your main goal, you like active water outings, and you can stay flexible. Before paying, confirm the time, equipment, inclusions, and weather plan. That small amount of preparation matters here more than it would on a simple beach visit.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at The Shore Club Turks & Caicos on Long Bay Beach, Long Bay Hills, Turks and Caicos Islands. Pickup is offered.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. It includes about 30 minutes at the La Famille Express shipwreck and about 30 minutes at Noah’s Ark Beach Club.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $300 per group for up to two people.

Can I climb on the shipwreck?

Yes. The activity includes time at the La Famille Express, where you can climb on the shipwreck and jump.

Are food and drinks at Noah’s Ark included?

The available information says that Noah’s Ark serves food and drinks all day, but it does not state that purchases are included in the tour price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.