Port of Call, Grand Turk Guide
Things to Do at the Grand Turk Cruise Center in Turks and Caicos
Sep 2, 2008
Before the Carnival Corporation designed and built the Grand Turk Cruise Center, Grand Turk was a little known tourist destination. Now due to the $60 million, 13 acre cruise center, with direct beachfront access and 45,000 square foot shopping center, Grand Turk is becoming the destination of choice for a Caribbean port.
In February 2006, the first cruise ship docked in Grand Turk, the capital of Turk and Caicos. The same year, Porthole Magazine awarded Grand Turk the Editor-in-Chief award for Best Up and Coming Cruise Destination. Since opening, over 650,000 passengers have visited Grand Turk. The reason for its popularity is a combination of the convenience of the port facilities and the relatively unspoiled nature of the island.
A British colony, Grand Turk is located 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. Approximately 4,000 people call the island of Grand Turk home. The official language is English and the official currency is the US dollar.
Grand Turk Cruise Center
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is not so much a port but a tourism village with restaurants and souvenir stores. For shoppers, there is a 10,000 square foot duty-free shop, jewelry shops with plenty of sliver and locally crafted pieces. For souvenir t-shirts and items, there’s Ron Jon Surf Shop, Piranha Joes, Del Sol and the Margaritaville Trading Post. The area also includes a 800 foot stretch of beach with chairs and changing rooms provided for cruise passengers. Next to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is one of the largest pools in the Caribbean with a comfortable swim up bar.
Things to Do in Grand Turk
- Scubadiving/Snorkeling - Grand Turk is situated along the world’s third largest barrier reef. Dive operators on the island offer programs for everyone from novice snorkelers to advanced divers
- Relax at Governor’s Beach – more secluded than the beach at the pier, Governor’s Beach is a short taxi cab away to soft sand and calm turquoise waters
- Walk in Cockburn town – visit the administrative capital of Grand Turk with the governor’s house, old churches and the public library
- Swim with the stingrays at Gibbs Cay – located on the Atlantic side of Grand Turk, a visit to Gibbs Cay includes snorkeling and a barbeque lunch
- Catch a ride on the Flowrider – an artificial wave created by high pressure water jets located by the pool at Margaritaville
- Visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse – standing over the northern tip of the island, this 150 year old lighthouse was built in the UK and transported piece by piece to the island
Getting around Grand Turk
Located in the cruise center is Tony’s Car Rental which offers car, scooter and bicycle rentals. Taxi fares are set in advance with fares listed on posted signs. A ride from the cruise terminal to the downtown area should be around $7. The taxi stand is located in the cruise center behind the shops.
Grand Turk is an easy port to get around from the cruise ship dock. You are only minutes away from shopping, the beach and water sport activities.
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