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Walk down the dock and you’ll enter the port area through a duty-free store. Between January and April, Humpback whales migrate close to Grand Turk island as they move to the warm Caribbean waters to mate and give birth. If you want the magic of snorkeling with a little more speed and adventure, power snorkeling is an exciting excursion available in Grand Turk. Located a 1-mile boat ride away from Grand Turk island, the best way to visit stingrays in Gibbs Cay is through a tour. They will provide information and instructions to ensure your safety. There are private air-conditioned pool cabanas available to rent through your cruise line.
thoughts on “Grand Turk Cruise Port 6 Best Things To Do On a Cruise”
However, keep in mind there are a lot more shopping options inside the port area so the town is not the most ideal place to shop. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. For those who don’t want to make the 10-minute walk to Jack’s Shack, a taxi ride costs about $7 each way. Note that the walk is not accessible for people with mobility issues. In some instances, a cruise-organized tour can be less expensive than Carnival’s Stingray excursion, which costs $89 per person – roughly $10 cheaper than those from independent tour operators.
Rooted in History and Space
The cruise ships dock at a pier that is located south of Cockburn Town. The terminal is named Grand Turk Cruise Center and is a beachfront facility spanning over 780,000 square feet. To start with, if you have kids and just want to stay near the ship, you can visit the Cruise Center beach right in front of the cruise center or adjacent to the pier. There are plenty of lounge chairs on this beach, and it has beautiful clear sparkling waters to enjoy your day in.
Grand Turk Beaches
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. They also have beach chairs and umbrellas available to rent if you want to relax on this beach.
As you explore the underwater world, you’ll come across colorful fish, vibrant corals, and the beauty of the Turks and Caicos marine ecosystem. A visit to Gibbs Cay provides an adventure that is both informative and thrilling, making it the perfect family adventure. There is a little snack and gift shop inside the complex, as well as a coastal path taking you along the cliffs offering spectacular views of the sea. The taxi ride from the port to the lighthouse costs $9 pp each way. Grand Turk does offer its share of restaurants, but guests who plan on eating something ashore – whether it’s a full, sit-down meal or just a snack – can expect a pricey dining experience. Generally speaking, island cuisine tends to be pricey because of the logistics of getting food from the mainland to the island as food and beverages arrive on cargo ships.
We mentioned some of these above, but in case you missed them, we’ve included them here as well. One of the claims to fame for this area was that it was the spot where astronaut John Glenn splashed down after orbiting the earth. To be honest, given the small size of Grand Turk there isn’t a ton of variety of things to do like you might find elsewhere. Still, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for a day in port without spending a lot of money. In the center area surrounding the plaza are a number of shops, selling everything from t-shirts to an actual Starbucks location. If you’re wanting a souvenir to remember your trip, you’re sure to find something here.
Whale Watching
Tropical beaches, a rich history, and all sorts of activities for cruisers are only a few reasons why cruisers Grand Turk. Grand Turk is one of those laid-back islands where wild donkeys and horses roam along the beach and in town. Who wouldn’t enjoy a private cabana experience complete with food and drinks? You’ll find Margaritaville in Turks and Caicos on sailings from Galveston on Carnival Miracle and from Manhattan on Carnival Venezia. If you enjoy Museums, you can access the Caicos National Museum which is right past Cockburn Town.
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Located just a short walk from the cruise dock, Jack’s Shack is only 540 yards north of the Cruise Center. While in Grand Turk, you need to taste all the local flavors it has to offer. Pillory Beach is one of the quieter beaches located north of Cockburn Town. Away from the crowds at the other beaches, this is a place to come if you’re seeking solitude or somewhere quiet to read a book. If Christopher Columbus did first land at Grand Turk, this would have been the beach where he arrived. Don’t forget to hit up all of the boutique stores to shop for souvenirs and gifts for you and your loved ones.
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. On your ride back, you will go on the salt industry tour, visiting Salinas like the Red Salina and even make a stop at the Salt House exhibit. Then you will return to the cruise center have a drink, a meal and go enjoy the beach if you have time.
The Grand Turk cruise port, which is located on the southern tip of the island, is a destination unto itself. There’s no main building with services and a waiting room with seating. Instead, the Grand Turk Cruise Center -- as it's officially known -- is a huge indoor-outdoor complex with shops, restaurants, a massive freeform pool and a beach lined with loungers. No matter which direction you head, you’ll always be within a few steps of the beach that runs the entire length of the cruise port. And the ship overlooks the entire area making for a one-of-a-kind scene.
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Snorkeling equipment and cabanas with waiter service can be rented for a fee. The beach is phenomenal at Grand Turk and the biggest draw for the majority of passengers. You’ll see people up and down the shore, but if you want the best spot then we’d suggest heading north of the dock (to the left as you face the shore from the ship). Located in the lovely Guinep House, built during the colonial era, the museum is small in size, yet full of fascinating exhibits.
Take a ride into Cockburn Town and view the dividing lines and salt ruins from the shore. You can also take an ATV trip to a more underdeveloped area called Hawkes Nest Salina. Carnival Corporation’s Grand Turk Cruise Center consists of 18 acres of shopping, beaches and endless recreational activities located right where your ship docks.
The water temperature near Grand Turk island ranges anywhere from 3-6 degrees lower than the high temperature on land. Also nearby is a statue of a breaching humpback whale, highlighting the excellent whale watching at Grand Turk during the winter months. A little-known fact is the island of Grand Turk played a part in the 1962 Mercury Space Mission. John Glenn’s first step on dry land after returning to Earth was on Grand Turk, and a U.S. Navy Base that was in operation on the island at the time, NAVFAC 104, helped in the recovery operations.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a beach lover, or simply looking to immerse yourself in local culture, this port provides the perfect starting point for your adventure. Dive into a world where pristine beaches, historical wonders, and vibrant local culture combine to create the perfect cruise destination. 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.
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The cruise port is located in the southernmost part of the island. It is a large complex of approximately 30 acres and features the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean. 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. Whether you choose to hang out, eat and shop at the cruise center, venture into town or purchase a shore excursion, a port call in Grand Turk is sure to be a fun and memorable experience.
A little further from Governor’s beach lies another rarely visited beach called English Point. It’s a bit rocky but a great beach for beachcombing and maybe a little snorkeling. It’s accessed on the western runway of the JAGS McCartney airport. Take a boat tour to other cays, like Gibbs Cay and snorkel/swim with the stingrays or charter a private fishing trip. The coral walls which range from 30 feet to more than 7000 feet deep are just a hundred yards out on the water. Explore the colorful burst of marine life in some of the best diving spots in the world.
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