Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Best Things to Do in Grand Turk in One Day

grand turk island carnival cruise

Guests can also enjoy Jerk chicken at Jack’s Shack, the popular spot which was destroyed by Hurricane Irma only a few years ago. Cockburn Town is full of historical significance and a wonderful place to spend a few hours for those wanting to venture further. The 2010-built, 2106-passenger Holland America ship sailed from Port Everglades on December 11 for a 7-day cruise, with the first port of call being Grand Turk on December 13. She was welcomed with open arms by the locals, who were thrilled to offer activities to visitors once again. Grand Turk is an incredible island with tons of activities and places to explore. You’ll taste the local flavors, relax on some of the best beaches, see extraordinary sea life, learn the fascinating history and culture of the island, and much more.

Shopping

If you want to learn more about the intriguing history of the Turks & Caicos Islands, you might want to visit the national museum located on Grand Turk. Your guide will take you past local attractions including the Ridge Trail, Grand Turk lighthouse, and the North Creek Bird watching area. If you’re looking for a non-water excursion on Grand Turk, you can see another side of the island on an ATV tour. Grand Turk is the largest of the Turks Islands that make up Turks and Caicos.

Try Power Snorkeling

Grand Turk shines with cruise arrivals Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean

Grand Turk shines with cruise arrivals Loop Caribbean News.

Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Head as far down the path as you can go and you’ll find a large group of loungers (near the whale sculpture) with hardly any other people — even on busy days in port. By far the most unique thing about Grand Turk is that the ship is unbelievably close to shore. It means there’s a great photo opportunity of the ship right at the beach (also docked at a perfect angle). Not only will the beach crowds be thinner, but the morning sun will be shining right on the ship, making the colors pop. 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.

Local Eats

After visiting the island's lighthouse, built in 1852, take a stroll on the nearby coastal path that meanders along limestone cliffs. If you want to explore the island on your Grand Turk vacation, visit the numerous historical sites like Her Majesty’s prison, the Light House or the Turks and Caicos museum. If you are the active type book shore excursions and enjoy great diving and snorkeling spots, or just lay on Governor’s beach, the most beautiful beach on the island. Here you’ll also find Jack's Shack, a popular restaurant to grab lunch. Complimentary beach lounge chairs are found fronting the complex, although depending on the number of ships in port, this area of the beach can become extremely crowded. Grand Turk is one of the few destinations in the Caribbean where a great beach can be enjoyed directly off the cruise ships.

Oh, and get ready to meet some of the locals on your dive—the area is home to turtles, stingrays, and a whole host of brightly colored fish. The two-berth dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center is the primary port for cruise ships. The Cruise Center was designed by Carnival Cruise Lines in 2006 to be a full-service destination. When you dock here, you are steps away from a gorgeous public beach, a free swimming pool, and numerous restaurants, bars, and excellent duty-free shopping. Be ready to dive in for some underwater adventures when your ship docks in Turks and Caicos.

Chef Leroy cooks up a mean jerk chicken on the grill, plus local conch dishes and fried fish. You can even print out a coupon from their website to get a free shot of locally-produced rum. The local spices of Grand Turk have a kick, so don’t be surprised if you get some heat with your dinner! Plantain chips and jerk chicken are popular selections accompanied with peas and rice. Lionfish and Snapper are also popular seafood choices on the island along with Mahi Mahi and Lobster. While in Grand Turk, you need to taste all the local flavors it has to offer.

grand turk island carnival cruise

Whale Watch at the Grand Turk Lighthouse

Located north of Cockburn Town this serene beach offers a quiet atmosphere for interacting with the marine life in their habitat. Don’t worry about being under the harsh sun all day long; some parts of the beach are lined with trees that offer you natural shade. If you need diving or snorkeling gear, the Boho Dive Resort rents out such gear.

Grand Turk Cruise Port Wi-Fi

A quieter (yet rockier) stretch of sand can be found just a few minutes’ walk south of the pier. Grand Turk’s cruise port is one of the best cruise ports for wheelchair users. It has a step-free pier and port exit, as well as ramps and adapted bathrooms. Read on for our breakdown of Grand Turk’s cruise port including address information, cruise line terminals, services and more. Also, be sure to check out Cruise Critic's ranked cruise deals from Grand Turk cruise port and see what tips, tricks and secret advice our Cruise Critic members have to say about cruises from Grand Turk. Most cruisers use a Grand Turk port day as a beach day, and there are plenty of picture-perfect beaches to choose from on this Island.

What Cruise Passengers Need to Know About Grand Turk Cruise Port

The Grand Turk cruise port lacks a designated indoor waiting area, but there’s free seating at the beach and around the pool. Since ships dock just a couple hundred feet from the cruise center, and immigration and customs are handled by the cruise line, there’s no need to wait around for paperwork and security checks. Once you’ve explored what’s below, you’ll have time to chill out up above, on Grand Turk’s famous white beaches, so don’t forget your swimsuit and towel. In this post, I’ll share the best things to do in Grand Turk on a cruise, including shore excursions as well as inexpensive or free activities. You’ll also learn everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Turk cruise port for the day and get answers to commonly asked questions.

The beautiful Cruise Center Beach fronts the complex, and is one of the nicest cruise port beaches in the region. One standout for Grand Turk’s Margaritaville is a swim-up bar where guests can enjoy a cool, refreshing beverage without leaving the pool. Cabanas are available for those who want to relax in a more private setting.

This small island is mostly known for white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. If you decide to leave the Cruise Center, there are a few different ways to explore this little island. Start by visiting the cruise port; grab a bite from Margaritaville, then head on over to sunray beach for a day of sun and splashing.

The island is small, measuring only 6.9 square miles, however it has both historic and natural wonders that cruise passengers will enjoy exploring. Some of the more commonly purchased items by tourists on vacation Grand Turk include salt, soaps, model sailboats, straw products, conch shells, and rum. A great beach for snorkeling would be the Boaby Rockpoint, located on the southern side of the Grand Turk, the beach is rocky, but on calm days can be great for snorkeling. A little further from Governor’s beach lies another rarely visited beach called English Point.

There is a replica of the spacecraft near the entrance of Grand Turk’s airport. Grand Turk is the capital island of the Turks and Caicos archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re looking for a blend of scenic beauty and historic charm, Grand Turk delivers. Local dishes often feature conch, lobster, and fish, prepared in various ways to tantalize your taste buds. From freshly caught seafood to traditional Caribbean dishes infused with exotic spices, dining in Grand Turk is an experience in itself.

If you’re looking for a little exercise and want to get out into Grand Turk’s beautiful water, consider a kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP) tour. Even if it’s your first time trying one of these water sports, you’ll be in good hands and learn proper techniques from knowledgeable guides. Plus, you’ll be getting a workout at the same time as learning more about the history and natural side of the island.

Today, visitors can visit the landing site and see the replica capsule and monument commemorating this historic event. 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. This simulated surfing experience suits all levels, from beginners to experts. This is the same experience found on Royal Caribbean ships but is less reliable than its shipboard counterpart as it is only sometimes operational. Two public restrooms in the cruise port area are attended by janitorial staff who work hard to keep the facilities clean and tidy.

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