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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. The cruise port is in Zone A, and downtown is in Zone B. The trip costs $5 per person one way. There are excursions offered to other beaches from the cruise line.
Significant Historical Occurrences on the Island
The way that the sun is shining can make a difference in how your pictures turn out. If you’d like something very authentic to Grand Turk, try heading to the National Museum Gift Shop. Here you’ll find books, postcards, and gifts related to the island.
Tips to Book Your Own Shore Excursions
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. Or, for more snorkeling spots near the Grand Turk cruise port, here is a map (pdf form) from the Turks and Caicos tourism department. And here are tips for beginners and snorkeling if you don’t know how to swim.
Whale Watch at the Grand Turk Lighthouse
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. Humpback whales pass through the Turks and Caicos Islands from January to March each year. 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. The best thing about all this is that unlike some cruise ports, all the beaches in Grand Turk are public and free to explore.
Turks and Caicos' major claim to fame, beyond its gorgeous white sandy beaches, is the fact that it sits on one of the world's largest coral reefs. Dive operators on the island, including Blue Water Divers and Grand Turk Diving, offer diving and snorkeling programs for everyone from novice snorkelers to the most advanced divers. If you prefer to stay (somewhat) dry, there's also excellent fishing. You might find a stop in Grand Turk on your Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary, but this island in the Turks and Caicos is actually in the Atlantic -- just a quick hop from the Bahamas. Despite being the capital of Turks and Caicos, Grand Turk is less than 7 square miles and has a decidedly more relaxed vibe than other more touristy Caribbean outposts. Since it lies along one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, there are plenty of great shore excursions for beach bums, divers and snorkelers.
8 Best Turks and Caicos Excursions on a Cruiseq - Cruise Critic
8 Best Turks and Caicos Excursions on a Cruiseq.
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 22:02:41 GMT [source]
They will take you along the great coral reef to enjoy the vast marine life available off the coast of Grand Turk. If you love snorkeling this boat rides will take you to great snorkeling spots where you can snorkel to your heart’s content. This beautiful sleepy island has gorgeous white sandy beaches with sparkling blue waters and is packed with historical and cultural beauty.
A $5 entrance fee is required and gains you access to the grounds, a small shop and a clean bathroom. Tours inside the lighthouse can be obtained through Caribbean tour operator Chukka. 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. Just know that some areas of the water have a rockier bottom (more details in the tips section below). The two-berth dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center is the primary port for cruise ships.
Exclusive Whale Watching
If Christopher Columbus did first land at Grand Turk, this would have been the beach where he arrived. Ultimately, production declined on the island; however, you can still see what used to be magnificent salt flats. Take a ride into Cockburn Town and view the dividing lines and salt ruins from the shore.
Grand Turk Cruise Tips, Activities, and Overview
Once you are at the port head over to the Margaritaville, it’s just one and a half minutes from the pier. Once there you will be greeted by a large yellow parrot statue at the entrance. While at the museum also visit the gift shop which sells amazing souvenirs to remember the place by. It hosts the oldest excavated shipwreck ever, (the molasses reef wreck) which was discovered in West Caicos.
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. Grand Turk Island is the largest of the Turk islands, which are part of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving among stingrays, boat rides on the Caribbean Sea, and a unique culture with our Grand Turk excursions. Grand Turk has become a popular cruise line destination for travelers visiting from all around the world. Start your 3 hour whale watching adventure by boarding a beautiful designed whale watching vessel located on a white sandy beach.
This beach is home to many surrounding restaurants, hotels, and shopping. Cockburn beach spans far and sections into smaller beaches due to seawalls. Mainly, the waters are calm, but when the tide is high, you may catch some waves. Carnival Corporation’s Grand Turk Cruise Center consists of 18 acres of shopping, beaches and endless recreational activities located right where your ship docks.
This exciting new way to snorkel uses a special underwater handheld power unit with a propeller that enables you to experience the spectacular beauty of the coral reefs in a whole new way. Don't let its small stature fool you -- the two-floor Turks and Caicos National Museum outlines the history of the islands alongside various displays highlighting maritime history. Guided tours and exclusive behind-the-scenes showings are available.
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. If you are looking for a bit of excitement and have always wanted to surf but never had the chance to, or was afraid of the ocean’s mighty waves, try the FlowRider. Located on the giant swimming pool at the cruise center, the FlowRider offers a surfing experience almost as exhilarating as the ocean. 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.
