The Grand Turk Cruise Port is a popular stop for many Caribbean cruises. From the Cruise Center visitors can plan tours to the island’s main attractions. The island offers many beautiful turquoise beaches and snorkeling or diving sites. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I spent many days off in Grand Turk Island and love sharing tips. So, read on and discover the Grand Turk Cruise Port attractions.

Grand Turk is an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory. It lies in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Caribbean Sea in the northern West Indies. The territory’s capital, Cockburn Town, is in Grand Turk along with the JAGS McCartney International Airport.

Columbus Landfall National Park is a protected area on the island. It includes the west coast beaches, barrier reef and English Point. Also, the park protects many dive and drop sites. As the name suggests, Christopher Columbus’ first landfall in the Americas may have been at Grand Turk.

Grand Turk Cruise Port
Top 10 Attractions

Grand Turk Cruise Center

In 2004 Carnival Cruise Line built the massive cruise port on the island. When getting off the ship, the Grand Turk Cruise Center and beach are right there. Also, the cruise center offers shops, restaurants and bars. This includes the largest Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in the world. It’s swim-up bar offers rum-filled drinks without having to leave the water.

The swimming pool in the cruise center is one of the largest in the Caribbean. Near Margaritaville is the FlowRider with high-pressure water jets making perfect waves for surfing or bodyboarding. Also, near the entrance is a replica of the Friendship 7 capsule. This is from the Mercury space mission in 1962. It carried John Glenn on his historic orbital flight that splashed down near Grand Turk.

Governor’s Beach and Jack’s Shack

This is my favorite place to go when I come to Grand Turk. Just outside the cruise center gate is Governor’s Beach. It’s one of the best beaches on the island. Also, Jack’s Shack lies on the white, sandy beach. Loved by locals and tourist, it’s famous for their conch fritters, jerk chicken and rum punch. I love to rent a lounger and umbrella on the turquoise waters with drinks and food to my heart’s content.

There are casuarina trees there for shade. The soft, sandy beach gently slopes downward. So, this is a great beach for swimming and snorkeling. I saw a sea turtle right off the beach at Jack’s Shack.

Pillory Beach

If you want to get away from the cruise ship crowds, Pillory Beach is just a 15-minute drive away. It is just as nice as Governor’s Beach, but much quieter. However, the beach floor is rougher with rocks, so best to wear water shoes here.

Say Hi to Local Donkeys

20221226_120340_2 — **Grand Turk Donkeys**

The wild donkeys roam throughout the island. They are used to people and quite friendly. Plus, they are always there for a photo op. They became introduced during the salt industry days for transportation.

Bus or ATV tour of island

Most ATV excursions leave from the Cruise Center. On these bright red, all-terrain vehicles, riders wear helmets and goggles. Your guide takes you on a 1.5-hour tour to local sites, such as, Ridge Trail, Grand Turk Lighthouse and North Creek Birdwatching area.

Catamaran Boat Ride

The Catamaran Boats set sail from the Cruise Center. This takes you to quiet islands and hidden gems away from the cruise ship crowds. The boats go at your group’s pace and even stop for snorkeling or swimming. Overall, this is the perfect way to enjoy Grand Turk’s crystal clear, turquoise waters.

Snorkel with Stingrays Gibbs Cay

Just one-mile off Grand Turk’s east coast is the beautiful Gibbs Cay. This 7-acre island is known for its friendly stingrays that greet you upon arrival. Snorkeling with the stingrays and colorful fish is a popular thing to do in the cay’s shallow waters.

Additionally, the island offers beautiful beaches for relaxation and diving sites for underwater adventures. Tours are the best way to assure an organized and safe trip. Some tours even include snorkeling stops at other areas where tourists dive for their own conch.

Grand Turk Wall

The Grand Turk Wall the world’s third-largest coral reef structure. It’s one of the most popular diving sites in the Caribbean. Just one km off the island’s west coast this drop-off plunges more than 7,000 feet. It offers an amazing spectacle of marine life, such as, tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, hammerhead sharks and more. Many tours offer snorkeling or diving adventures at the wall

Grand Turk Lighthouse

The Grand Turk Lighthouse is the only one on the island. Built in 1852 it stands on the northern coast overlooking a scenic coastal area with limestone sea cliffs. The lightkeepers house is now a gift shop. Many island tours stop at the lighthouse. A 20-minute taxi ride gets you there. From January to April, many people gather here for the humpback whales’ migration. The whales come to the Caribbean in the winter months to mate and give birth.

Cockburn Town

About a 10-minute ride from the Cruise Center is Cockburn Town. It’s the oldest settlement and capital of Turks and Caicos. The town offers sites that tell the history of this island. Historic Duke, Front and Queen Streets are lined with Bermudian-style buildings offering shops and restaurants.

Main attractions in town include the old Victoria Library, green post office and Her Majesty’s Prison. On Front Street is the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Also, the Cockburn Town Beach is a nice place for snorkeling.

Enjoy Grand Turk!

This island is the perfect cruise destination. It offers beaches galore with some of the best places for snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Because the island is small, the main attractions are close together. If your travels bring you to Grand Turk, feel free to share tips and comments below.

Grand Turk Cruise Port Top 10 Attractions