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Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos is a must-visit destination during your cruise itinerary. This is a port of call when you really should get off the ship to take in the stunning beaches, experience excursions and take in the local culture. One unique feature of Royal Caribbean cruise ships is the Flowrider — a never-ending “wave” that you can surf or boogie board.
The Salt Pans
You won’t want to miss out on the stunning beaches and chance to interact with marine life at Gibbs Cay. Gibbs Cay is a tiny, uninhabited island on the eastern side of Grand Turk. It has some of the most beautiful beaches and the best diving sites the Turks and Caicos islands have to offer. Sondra Barker is an established travel writer, photographer, and culinary enthusiast.
Sights and Attractions at the Cruise Center
To the north side of the pier, you’ll see a stand for beach rentals. While loungers are first-come, first-served, anything else that you need can be rented. This includes snorkel gear, foam mats, clamshell loungers that offer shade, and you can also buy sunscreen and water. There’s a small convenience store right next to the beach rental booth. While the water to the south side of the pier is rockier, the beach itself is just as nice with lots of sand. And for those wanting a little more space and not as many people, this area is ideal.
The Grand Turk Lighthouse
And if that is not enough, head over to the cruise port and visit the splash landing center. Here you will get to learn about the Friendship 7 space program, created in honor of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth who splash landed in Grand Turk. Others include the white sands and east side beaches which are located on the underdeveloped southern side of the Grand Turk.
There’s a wide range of tourist gift and souvenir shops, art galleries, and jewelers at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Some of these stores are regional chains, such as the Ron Jon Surf Shop, Margaritaville Trading Post, Dufry duty-free, and Diamonds International. If you’d prefer to have a guide on your island tour, many of the taxis will be happy to show the sights and sounds of the island. Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides. While I loved exploring Grand Turk by Golf Cart, if you are looking to stay at sea there are plenty of other excursions.
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If the beach is the biggest draw at Grand Turk, then the pool in the port area is a close second. Here, there is a massive pool that circles around, complete with loungers. It’s right next to Margaritaville, so you can sit and relax (even hangout at the swim-up bar) and get food and drinks served. There are also rentals available for things like umbrellas and cabanas. Without a doubt the biggest draw at Grand Turk is the beach that sits right at the cruise ship.
Cruise Center
A small reef can be found off the beach 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of the Cruise Center near Boaby Rock Point. When weather conditions are calm, decent snorkeling can be found here. Besides seeing the island from the water, there are plenty of tours to see the island from land. There are also open-air trucks available to cruise around and learn about the town. Ultimately, production declined on the island; however, you can still see what used to be magnificent salt flats.
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Grand Turk Fun Facts
It is one of the deepest walls in the world and is home to a diverse range of marine life, including sharks, rays, turtles, and colorful fish. The island has various historic sites and attractions, including the Grand Turk Lighthouse, a visit to the salt mines, and the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Governor’s Beach is a little past the port, but it is not accessible unless you leave the port complex, as there is a cargo dock with no trespassing signage between the two beaches. As it approaches its 20th anniversary, it continues to attract more than a million cruise guests annually.
If you like horses, Grand Turk offers horseback tours that include an exciting ride on the beach. After a historical guided tour through Cockburn Town, you can choose to ride your horses straight into the ocean for a cooldown you’ll both enjoy. Your best option is to grab a quick taxi which should cost around $4 per person each way. Governor’s Beach is perfect for sunbathing or swimming, however, the absence of reef in this area means this isn’t the beach for snorkeling or scuba diving. There are usually vendors selling cold drinks and souvenirs here. Many tours include additional stops to snorkel and some have a unique opportunity to dive for conch and feast on fresh conch salad.
This location has a number of easily accessible beach options, including a beach as you step off the cruise ship. If you are looking for something more private, then head on over to Governor’s beach which is about a mile north of the cruise center. It has a pristinely white sandy beach kissed by clear blue ocean waters. Go paddleboarding on its beautiful waters or take a splash and soak in some needed sun. This beautiful sleepy island has gorgeous white sandy beaches with sparkling blue waters and is packed with historical and cultural beauty.
About halfway down the coast of the island, you’ll come across Cockburn Town, which is the main town in Grand Turk and also the Capitol of Turks and Caicos. Here you will find another beach as well as a few shops, restaurants, and small Inns. The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a great stop when you arrive or right before you leave because it is right at your ship’s dock.
Grand Turk, a jewel in the crown of the Caribbean, offers a plethora of activities for every type of traveler. Take a self-guided tour through the prison, which housed both men and women and as many as 60 prisoners. Learn about the day-to-day life of inmates as well as the mass escapes during the Great Hurricane of 1866.
Then you will return to the cruise center have a drink, a meal and go enjoy the beach if you have time. Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville at Grand Turk is the largest in all the Caribbean. The famous, Jimmy Buffet’s dining establishment is the main restaurant at the cruise center. It is located right next to the giant swimming pool and FlowRider. The largest salt formations can be seen at Hawkes Nest Salina, located near the cruise port, or at the Red Salina salt pond. For a deeper understanding of the salt industry history, visit the Salt House Shop to view a historical exhibit of Grand Turk’s salt industry.
Expect to see a big crowd since it’s one of the most popular areas on the island for shopping. Before you leave Grand Turk, you have to walk away with a gift or souvenir. Although you cannot bike or walk to the lighthouse, you can use a rental car, taxi, or ATV.
The museum is inside Guinep House, one of the island's oldest buildings. Other fascinating shipwrecks are on display, including a Spanish vessel. The most popular at-sea attraction at Grand Turk is the private island of Gibbs Cay which is popular for its friendly stingrays and snorkeling. Cruisers can do the Snorkeling & Stingray Adventure where they will enjoy snorkeling the reefs and interacting with the friendly sting rays at Gibbs Beach.
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