Table Of Content
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 don’t want to do a sightseeing tour, you can catch a cab straight to Cockburn Town Beach, about a 10-minute ride from the Cruise Center. If you want the magic of snorkeling with a little more speed and adventure, power snorkeling is an exciting excursion available in Grand Turk. If you purchase something at Jack’s you can use their free wi-fi. They also have beach chairs and umbrellas available to rent if you want to relax on this beach.
Relax at the Governor’s Beach
I sailed with Holland America on the Tropical Caribbean cruise when we visited Grand Turk and you’ll find this stop on many Eastern Caribbean cruises. Holland America Line, Carnival Cruises, Celebrity, Princess Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Virgin Voyages all have cruises that visit the Grand Turk cruise port. There is a duty-free mall right at the cruise-ship center, where you’ll find the usual array of upscale shops, including Ron Jon’s Surf Shop, the largest Margaritaville in the world, and Piranha Joe’s. The only lighthouse in the country, this beautiful (albeit not very large) structure is the main historical attraction on Grand Turk. Don’t miss out on the scenic coastal path that leads along the cliffs north of the lighthouse.
Grand Turk Island cruise terminal
Get an aerial view of the island by going on a zip lining adventure. When you take the island excursion and arrive at the lighthouse which is on the other end of the island opposite the cruise center, you will see the zip line course. If you are brave enough, you can even zip line above the water on the last part of the course.
What is the best time of year to visit Grand Turk?
Starting from the Cruise Center, you’ll board a catamaran and set sail for a dreamy deserted beach. Here are some of the main attractions you can find when you port in Grand Turk. There is no public transportation available on Grand Turk island. The water temperature near Grand Turk island ranges anywhere from 3-6 degrees lower than the high temperature on land.
The 45,000sqft property doesn’t only cater to shopping experience, but also has a historic monument to the events of John Glen’s Space Mission named – The Space Race. If you like horses, Grand Turk offers horseback tours that include an exciting ride on the beach. After a historical guided tour through Cockburn Town, you can choose to ride your horses straight into the ocean for a cooldown you’ll both enjoy. However, if you want to go on your own it is an easy 20-minute taxi ride, golf cart or bicycle ride to get there. In February and March, this is also a popular spot for whale watching. Aside from the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville, the Grand Turk cruise port is home to a handful of other restaurants and food shacks.
We could walk the beach, relax, search for sea shells, and enjoy the scenery completely secluded. If you’re looking to grab lunch and some cocktails on the beach, cruisers rave about Jack’s Shack. You can actually walk about 20 minutes to get to Jack’s Shack and it’s even easier by Golf Cart. You’ll see a sign for it right as you leave the cruise port entrance.
Snorkel or Dive at the Grand Turk Wall
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Grand Turk 2024 (with Prices) - Grand Turk Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises to Grand Turk 2024 (with Prices) - Grand Turk Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:37:55 GMT [source]
According to the official government site, there are approximately 3,720 residents on the island, and it is the second-largest populated island in the Turks and Caicos. It used to be a salt-producing town, and evidence of the salt industry from the late 1600s to early 1900s is still available in some parts of the capital Cockburn Town. Cruise Critic went exploring to find what’s available beyond the pier at Grand Turk.
Caicos Cruise Port Guide
Be ready to dive in for some underwater adventures when your ship docks in Turks and Caicos. Local scuba diving operators offer boat dives that include wall dives and stunning reefs. While you may sometimes find scuba diving excursions offered by your cruise ship, they are just as likely to only be offered through an independent tour operator. The Grand Turk Wall is a popular destination for cruise shore excursions because it offers a unique and exciting opportunity to experience the underwater world.
Turks and Caicos Posts Record Air Arrivals in 2023 - Travel Agent Central
Turks and Caicos Posts Record Air Arrivals in 2023.
Posted: Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Catamaran Boat Rides
When cruising the eastern Caribbean itinerary, you will encounter many beautiful sand and sun beaches, and you can choose to be a beach bum on any of those Caribbean islands. The island also is among the three islands believed to have been Christopher Columbus’ landfall sites in the new world. Therefore, in order to honor this great event, if it actually happened on Grand Turk, the island has a national park called Columbus national park reserve. If you want to see the island and have a few thrills while simultaneously having time left over to lounge on the beach, a dune buggy excursion might just be your answer. You’ll see the Grand Turk Lighthouse, with its stunning overlook, plus there’s the Cliffhanger Lookout. From January to March, you might even see passing humpback whales.
Snorkeling and diving tours are available, and visitors can get up close to the wall and see the incredible marine life that calls it home. This popular restaurant and bar offer a lively atmosphere with music, drinks, and food. Additionally, the terminal is easily accessible for visitors with disabilities, with ramps and other accommodations available to ensure equal access for all.
The 1840s-built Guinep Lodge houses the Turks and Caicos National Museum, displaying the Molasses Reef Wreck (Europe's oldest ship found in the New World). There are also exhibits on the salt industry, Loyalist Plantation Period, Taino Arawaks (the island's pre-Columbian inhabitants). As is also the case with the Cruise Center itself, the restaurants tend to be quite crowded when a ship is in port.
Most kayaking and paddleboarding tours end at the mouth of the inlet right below the lighthouse. The island is uninhabited and bears beautiful beaches on its west coast. What makes this little island so popular are the friendly brown stingrays that approach when a vessel comes to the island. They love to interact with people, and you will get a chance to snorkel or even swim with them.
Cabanas are available for those who want to relax in a more private setting. The museum is about a 12-minute taxi ride north of the Cruise Center. Enjoy the smooth sailing catamarans are known for, as well as stops for snorkeling along the way.
You will have the opportunity to do some duty-free shopping, grab a bite to eat or simply relax on our white sand beach or by the pool. About halfway down the coast of the island, you’ll come across Cockburn Town, which is the main town in Grand Turk and also the Capitol of Turks and Caicos. Here you will find another beach as well as a few shops, restaurants, and small Inns. Located north of Cockburn Town this serene beach offers a quiet atmosphere for interacting with the marine life in their habitat.
No comments:
Post a Comment