Is visiting Turks and Caicos on your bucket list? If so, then a cruise with a stop in Grand Turk is for you. A port stop in Grand Turk is a great way to explore parts of Turks and Caicos. The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a popular cruise port on many Eastern Caribbean cruise itineraries and is the only cruise port in Grand Turk. Grand Turk is a beautiful Caribbean destination with welcoming locals, amazing turquoise-blue water, and soft white sand beaches. You will find many incredible things to do on Grand Turk while on a cruise. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to have the best day at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
Visiting Grand Turk Cruise Center in Turks and Caicos
Grand Turk is the capital of Turks and Caicos, which is a British Overseas Territory. The island of Grand Turk is about 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. The small size of the island makes it possible to explore the majority of the island during a port stop.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a cruise port developed with the help of Carnival Corporation. Grand Turk is a popular port to visit for the cruise lines owned by Carnival Corporation, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess, and Holland America Cruise Line. Although ships from cruise lines owned by Carnival mainly dock here, you will find cruise ships from other cruise lines visiting Grand Turk.
Some cruise ports, such as Amber Cove, Taino Bay, and Barbados, have shuttles or rickshaws that help transport cruise passengers from the ship to the pier. We did not see any shuttles at Grand Turk. Luckily, the cruise ship pier at Grand Turk is not very long. It is a short walk to the main port area from the cruise ship.
How to Spend Your Day at Grand Turk Cruise Center
Once you arrive at this beautiful cruise port in Turks at Caicos, you might be wondering how you should spend your day on Grand Turk. Luckily, you will find that there are many awesome things to do at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. You can get a taste of the local food, go shopping, relax by the pool, or have a relaxing beach day. If you want to explore Grand Turk rather than stay at the cruise center, you can book excursions, get a taxi, or rent a golf cart to explore the island.
If you decide to spend your day at the port during your port day, you will find that there is much to do. You can shop at one of the many shops in the port or grab a bite to eat. You can also buy souvenirs from local vendors at the Craft Market in the cruise port. If you would rather spend the day swimming in a pool, you can head to Margaritaville. There is a wonderful pool area at Margaritaville with loungers available for guests.
One of the best things about Grand Turk is that there are many free things to do at the Grand Turk Cruise Port. One of the most popular activities in Grand Turk is spending the day at the beach. And yes, the beach and turquoise water in Grand Turk is incredible!
If you want more than a beach day, you can book a shore excursion to tour the island, go snorkeling, or see stingrays. Whether you want to relax on the beach, eat local food, or be adventurous, a port day in Grand Turk is a day in paradise that you will enjoy!
Things to Do in Grand Turk Cruise Center
There are several things to do at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. There are so many things to keep you busy that you don’t need to leave the port. You can go shopping, stop by Margaritaville for food, go swimming in the pool, or have a relaxing day on the beach. Grand Turk Cruise Center is a great port with a family-friendly atmosphere.
If you want to leave the cruise port, you can go on a catamaran cruise, do a stingray excursion, or tour the island. No matter what you choose to do in Grand Turk, it will surely be a day in paradise.
Go Shopping at Grand Turk Cruise Port
The Grand Turk Cruise Port has many places to shop. The shopping area is large and has a wide variety of souvenir shops. Most of the stores are located in the center of the cruise center and fan out from there.
As with many cruise ports, you will find a Dufry Duty-Free shop. You can purchase a variety of different products at Dufry. You will walk through Dufry as you go from the cruise pier into the cruise center. When you exit Dufry, you will be in the center of the cruise port, where many stores are located, such as Ron Jon Surf Shop, Piranha Joes, Del Sol, Indigo Pearl, and many other stores.
If you want to purchase jewelry, you will find several jewelry stores. The jewelry stores include a few common brands promoted by the various cruise lines, such as Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, and Effy Jewelers. You will also find a Colombian Emeralds jewelry store. If you have been on a full transit Panama Canal cruise or cruise to Panama with a stop in Colombia, you might remember the Colombian Emeralds jewelry section at Port Oasis Ecopark.
You can also purchase Margaritaville-themed souvenirs. Margaritaville has its own gift shop, The Trading Post, where you will find many Margaritaville souvenirs, t-shirts, and other items for sale.
Stop by The Craft Market at the Grand Turk Cruise Center
The Craft Market is where you will find local vendors. It is a small shopping center where local vendors sell handmade items and Grand Turk-themed souvenirs. If you are hoping to get a conch shell, you will more than likely find local vendors selling some. When shopping at the local Craft Market, you might be able to negotiate the prices of items. It is a good idea to have cash on hand as some vendors might not take credit cards at the Craft Market.
Have a Relaxing Beach Day on Grand Turk
Having a relaxing beach day is a great thing to do in Grand Turk. There are two beach areas within a five-minute walk from the cruise ship. They are named South Beach and North Beach. The water at both beach areas is calm, clear, and perfect for swimming. As you walk from the cruise ship to the port, you will find that the beach on the right, South Beach, is much quieter but rockier. North Beach is the beach on the left. It is also known as the cruise center beach.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should bring your beach towel from the cruise ship as there are no towels available on Grand Turk.
Try South Beach for a Quiet and Relaxing Day
South Beach is a smaller beach and much less crowded than North Beach. South Beach is more rocky, and there is less shade than North Beach, which is more than likely why visitors gravitate toward North Beach. You will find fewer tourists in this area, and if you want a more relaxing, quiet beach day, taking a walk towards South Beach might be the answer.
At South Beach, you are more likely to find an available beach lounger. A great tip that you should know is that there are free loungers with umbrellas available for cruise ship guests at the beach. The free umbrellas might be harder to find, and they tend to be placed in the back area of the beach. They are easy to identify, though, as they are the green umbrellas with “Turks and Caicos” written on them.
You will also find the popular and photogenic whale at South Beach. This is a popular photo spot with a whale statue on the beach that looks like it is jumping out of the water.
If you get hungry while visiting South Beach, you can grab a bite to eat at the Beached Whale Bar & Grill.
Enjoy a Massage at the Massage Cabana
If you want to unwind with a beachside massage, you can book a wonderful massage at the Massage Cabana in Grand Turk. The Massage Cabana is located near South Beach. Massages are first come, first served and are offered by local massage therapists. When we visited Grand Turk, massage prices for a Swedish or deep tissue massage ranged from $25.00 for 15 minutes, $50.00 for 30 minutes, $85 for 45 minutes, $100 for 60 minutes, and up to $200 for a two-hour massage. You decide how long of a massage you would like to have. There were other options available as well, such as a hot stone massage and a scrub massage.
Visit North Beach, Grand Turk’s Popular Beach
Spending the day at North Beach is great if you are looking for a lively beach area. North Beach is closest to the cruise center and Margaritaville in Grand Turk. It is one of the best beaches in Grand Turk near the cruise port. North Beach is a soft sand beach with very few rocks. Thus, it is the most popular beach area near the cruise port and can get crowded. Luckily, there is a lot of area on the sand to set up for your perfect beach day.
At North Beach, you will also find beach loungers to use. The free beach loungers are generally towards the back of the beach. You might also find a free green umbrella to use as well. Since this is a popular beach, we recommend arriving at the beach early to secure your perfect spot and get a complimentary lounger.
You can rent loungers and umbrellas for your beach day. If you decide to rent, you will more than likely be towards the front of the beach, close to the water. Clamshell loungers are also available for rent at North Beach.
Beach Rentals on Grand Turk
If you decide to have a relaxing beach day and need beach equipment, you can rent pretty much anything you need. On North Beach, very near Margaritaville, you will find a Beach Rentals Hut. At the beach rental hut, you can rent beach chairs, snorkel equipment, clamshell shades for beach chairs, and other beach equipment.
Spend Some Time and Grab a Bite to Eat at Margaritaville
A popular place to hang out, eat, drink, and swim is Margaritaville at the Grand Turk cruise port. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at the Grand Turk Cruise Center is the largest one in the Caribbean. A cool feature of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is the pool. You can decide to have a pool day instead of a beach day. Hanging out in Margaritaville is a lot of fun, and the food is great.
Grab a Bite to Eat and a Drink at Margaritaville Bar & Restaurant
The main restaurant at the Grand Turk cruise port where visitors grab a bite is the Margaritaville Bar & Restaurant. The Margaritaville Bar & Restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. The dining areas are large, so you won’t wait very long for a table. The indoor seating area has fans to help with the heat, but there is no air conditioning. We chose to sit outside and had a great view of the beach and our cruise ship.
The fun, energetic vibe at Margaritaville is amazing. We enjoyed hanging out at Margaritaville for lunch and drinks. We ordered the Jerk BBQ Cheeseburger and the Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwich. Both were delicious! The drinks were also very tasty, so don’t forget to order a drink with your food! There are a variety of non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy as well.
Hang Out at the Margaritaville Pool
If you prefer to relax at the poolside, head over to the Margaritaville pool. The pool is massive. There are chaise loungers around the pool you can use free of charge. You should get to the pool early to claim your lounger, especially if there are two cruise ships in port. The pool loungers are very popular. If you are interested in a poolside cabana, you can rent one, but we recommend setting up the rental on the ship to ensure you get one.
The pool has a swim-up bar, so you can relax while sipping a delicious margarita. The pool area is also where the live music DJ sets up. The pool area of Margaritaville is a lot of fun and very lively. We spent some time at the bar listening to music before heading to the beach.
Up for a Challenge? Try the FlowRider Surf Simulator
Are you up for a fun challenge? Try bodyboarding or surfing on the FlowRider Surf Simulator. You will find the FlowRider Surf Simulator near Margaritaville Restaurant. The FlowRider Surf Simulator is between the beach and the pool, just a short walk from the restaurant.
If you want to test out your ability to bodyboard or surf, you can book this experience through the cruise line. Before riding the FlowRider, you will receive instructions and a safety briefing. If you do not feel up for the challenge, you can watch people attempt the FlowRider from the pool, which is almost as entertaining as riding the FlowRider.
Check Out the NASA Splashdown Grand Turk Exhibit
At the Grand Turk Cruise Center, you might be surprised to find a NASA exhibit. The NASA exhibit honors Grand Turk’s history with NASA’s Mercury space program. There was also a US Air Force base on Grand Turk that was used for space tracking. You will find the Splashdown Grand Turk exhibit as you pass the shops on the way to South Beach.
The NASA Splashdown exhibit has a replica of the Friendship 7 capsule, which was manned by astronaut John Glenn. There is also a lifesize statue of John Glenn in his space suit.
The Friendship 7 capsule and the Aurora 7 capsule, which was manned by astronaut Scott Carpenter, both splashed down off the coast of Grand Turk.
At the NASA Splashdown exhibit, you can learn about the Mercury space program and the advancements NASA has made throughout the years.
Things to Do Outside of the Grand Turk Cruise Center
You can explore Grand Turk on your own or visit a few places away from the Cruise Center. This is a great way to get away from the crowds and see places that you might otherwise not see.
Visit Jack’s Shack
Jack’s Shack is a great beachside restaurant not too far from the cruise port. It is a popular destination and a popular restaurant for cruise ship guests. It can get crowded if there are two cruise ships in town.
Jack’s Shack is a ten-minute walk from the Grand Turk Cruise Center. If you do not want to walk, you can hire a Taxi at the cruise center. The drive takes about two or so minutes. Walking to Jack’s Shack might be your best option unless someone in your party needs assistance.
If you would like to spend a few hours at Jack’s Shack, it is a good idea to contact them to reserve a beach lounger before you arrive. This way, you will have a lounger upon your arrival and have a better chance of having a lounger in the front with direct beachfront access.
The food at Jack’s Shack is very tasty, and it is a great place to spend a few hours while visiting Grand Turk.
Visit Governor’s Beach
Governor’s Beach is 1.6 Kilometers or a little under one mile away from the Grand Turk Cruise Center. It takes about 22 minutes to walk to Governor’s Beach. Governor’s Beach is a beautiful, idyllic beach and is generally not crowded. It has crystal-clear waters that are great for snorkeling and swimming.
While Governor’s Beach is generally not crowded, a few shore excursions will make a short stop at this stunning beach. Usually, the stops are about 20 minutes. After the cruise visitors leave, you will have the beach to yourself again.
Visit Historic Cockburn Town
Cockburn Town is the largest town in Grand Turk. Cockburn Town is 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) from the cruise center. This adds up to a 12-minute drive from the cruise port. If you would like to walk, it would take you a little over an hour to get to town. Taking a taxi from the cruise center is probably a better idea.
Cockburn Town has several historic sites. While in Cockburn Town, you can visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum. The local beach is Cockburn Town Beach, which runs along Duke Street. There is also a craft market, the Souvenir Shopping Mall, where you can purchase artisan products and souvenirs. You will find the Souvenir Shopping Mall on Front Street just past the National Museum.
Visit Bajari Beach
Bajari Beach is a popular and stunning beach on Grand Turk. Bajari Beach is just north of Cockburn Town. It is a 14-minute drive from the cruise port.
There is a beach club on Bajari Beach where you can spend the day. If you are interested in spending the day at the beach club, many cruise lines have an excursion that includes a day at Bajari Beach Club.
Beaches on Grand Turk are public, so it isn’t necessary to pay for the beach club.
Grand Turk Cruise Port Shore Excursions
There are several excursions you can choose to go on during a port day in Grand Turk. The excursions available in Grand Turk last a few hours and are not very long since Grand Turk is a relatively small island. With cruise excursions lasting two to three hours, you will still have plenty of time to relax on the beach at the cruise port. Here are some of the excursions you can choose from during a port day in Grand Turk.
Exploring Grand Turk Island
While visiting Grand Turk, you can easily explore the island. The island’s small size, compared to other Caribbean islands, makes it easy to see key areas of interest in a relatively short amount of time. You can easily book a tour of the island that will take about two to three hours, depending on the type of tour.
You can also explore the island on your own. Here are a few ways you can explore the island of Grand Turk.
Explore the Island of Grand Turk by Golf Cart
A fun, easy way to explore the island of Grand Turk is by driving around in a golf cart. Since the island of Grand Turk is relatively small, you can explore the island in a golf cart. You can do a guided golf cart tour with a guide leading the way around the island, or you can rent a golf cart on your own.
In the golf cart, you can make the short drive to the main town of Cockburn Town. Here, you can purchase some local food and souvenirs from locals and explore the small downtown area. You can then visit the salt flats and spend some time at one of the local beaches.
Explore Grand Turk While Driving an ATV
Exploring the island by ATV will let you see areas off the beaten path in Grand Turk. You will drive on the backroads of Grand Turk to places most cruise guests do not see. During your excursion, you may see donkeys and flamingos.
Along with exploring the backroads of Grand Turk, you will stop in the Downtown area of Cockburn Town. While Downtown, you will be able to do some shopping or grab a bite to eat.
Explore Grand Turk by Dune Buggy
Seeing the island of Grand Turk by dune buggy lets you go off-road around the island. You will follow your guide around the island from the beach to an overlook where you can see Gibbs Cay in the distance. You will drive by the salt ponds, where you might see some flamingos.
You will get to explore the northern part of the island, including the Grand Turk Lighthouse. As you drive around the island, you see many donkeys and might be able to feed them as well.
Explore Grand Turk by Open Air Vehicle
There are several options for exploring Grand Turk in an open-air vehicle. One of the more popular open-air vehicle tours is the Rainbow Calypso Island Tram. The tram makes a complete circle around the island. The tram stops at five key areas around the island. You learn about the history, culture, and rustic charm of Grand Turk. The Rainbow Calypso Island Tour is two hours long and is one of the lower-cost excursions offered by cruise lines.
Go on a Stingray Encounter to Gibbs Cay
A unique thing to do in Grand Turk is to go on a stingray excursion. Stingray excursions to Gibbs Cay are a popular excursion choice for cruise ship passengers. A stingray excursion to Gibbs Cay from Grand Turk usually includes the chance to go snorkeling. During your excursion, you will snorkel at a reef before going to Gibbs Cay.
Once at Gibbs Cay, you can get off the boat and go into shallow water to interact with stingrays. The stingrays you encounter are used to interacting with people. However, these are still wild animals. It is important to listen to the instructions given by the guides for your safety, as the stingrays still have their barb (the stinger).
Go on a Catamaran Snorkeling and Sailing Excursion
If you like sailing on a catamaran, a catamaran sail and snorkel excursion might be the perfect choice for you. On this excursion, you will hop on a catamaran and enjoy a ride along the coastline of Grand Turk Island. You will then go to the 7,000-foot wall for an exciting snorkeling adventure. The 7000-foot wall is the third deepest ocean trench in the world.
As you snorkel around the drop-off, you will see lots of marine life and coral. After snorkeling, you will stop by a white sand beach for some beach time. After spending time on the beach, you will board the catamaran and return to the cruise port. Along the way, you may get to taste a Caribbean rum cocktail while enjoying Caribbean music.
If you choose to go on this excursion, remember to bring reef-safe sunblock and a towel. The company does provide snorkel equipment and floatation devices. You can bring your own snorkel equipment. However, if you have a full-face snorkel mask, you will not be permitted to use it while snorkeling as they are not allowed. This excursion has other health and age requirements that can vary by cruise line.
Go on a Two Reef Snorkeling Excursion
If you enjoy snorkeling, consider a snorkel excursion that will take you to two different reefs. On this excursion, you will snorkel around the 7,000-foot drop-off and Oasis Reef. The drop-off is off the coast of Grand Turk and is an area with a barrier reef system with a 7,000-foot wall leading into a deep trench.
After snorkeling the drop-off, you will head to Oasis Reef. Oasis Reef is a shallow coral garden with vibrant coral and marine life. This excursion is a great way to experience different snorkeling spots in Grand Turk. The snorkeling excursion is a couple of hours, so you will still have plenty of time to enjoy the cruise center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Grand Turk Cruise Center
You might have some questions about choosing Grand Turk as one of your cruise stops. Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions about visiting Grand Turk. We hope these answers are helpful as you decide whether to choose a cruise itinerary that includes a stop at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
The best time to visit the Grand Turk Cruise Port is from November to May. During this time, there is less rain, and the temperature is warmer. However, the closer you get to June, the more likely you will have some rainy days in port. The rainy season is from June through October and corresponds to hurricane season in the Caribbean.
The nearest beaches are just off the cruise dock after entering the cruise port. The two beaches, one on each side of the dock, are no more than a five-minute walk from the cruise ship.
The official currency used in Grand Turk is the US dollar. We recommend having cash on hand, especially if you plan to explore the island. This way, if you buy a souvenir from a local, you have cash in case they do not accept credit card payments.
The main cruise lines that stop in Grand Turk include Carnival, Holland America, and Princess cruise lines. Occasionally, other cruise lines like Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Cruises will have cruise itineraries that stop in Grand Turk.
Is Grand Turk Cruise Center Worth visiting?
Yes, Grand Turk Cruise Center is totally worth visiting! The Grand Turk Cruise Port is one of my favorite cruise ports. The locals are friendly and warm and make you feel very welcome. Whether you choose to have a beach day or explore the island of Grand Turk and then enjoy the rest of the day at the beach, you cannot go wrong.
The Caribbean waters of Grand Turk are amazing, and you can easily snorkel close to the cruise port. If you do not want a beach day, you can have a pool day at Margaritaville while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Grand Turk is a beautiful island, and being able to visit it while on a cruise is totally worth it!
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