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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. The beach is located on the right as you walk down the cruise ship pier towards the cruise center. Whether you choose to hang out, eat and shop at the cruise center, venture into town or purchase a shore excursion, a port call in Grand Turk is sure to be a fun and memorable experience.
Swim with Stingrays in Gibbs Cay
This beach is located near the historical town, and several tours combine sightseeing in Cockburn Town and snorkeling at the beach, the perfect combination of history and relaxation. In front of the complex is the cruise center beach known as the SunRay Beach. There are plenty of sun loungers on this beach, grab one and enjoy the beach for free. If a slow horseback ride along a white sandy beach is on your to-do list, Grand Turk might just be the perfect place to try it. Available as a ship’s shore excursion, it’s necessary to sign up at the beginning of your cruise to avoid a sold-out disappointment. The Turks and Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town is located just a 10-minute drive from the Grand Turk cruise port and will offer you the islands’ history and culture.
Local Eats
Built in the 1850s to help ships navigate the shallow reefs at the northern end of the island, this historic building is the only lighthouse on Grand Turk island. Your guide will take you past local attractions including the Ridge Trail, Grand Turk lighthouse, and the North Creek Bird watching area. Enjoy the smooth sailing catamarans are known for, as well as stops for snorkeling along the way. After spending time relaxing on the beach, you’ll sail back to the Cruise Center and enjoy a complimentary beverage.
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But snorkeling at Gibbs Cay offers more than just stingrays; the crystal-clear waters are alive with other marine treasures. As you explore the underwater world, you’ll come across colorful fish, vibrant corals, and the beauty of the Turks and Caicos marine ecosystem. A visit to Gibbs Cay provides an adventure that is both informative and thrilling, making it the perfect family adventure.
Flowrider
You only need to give yourself a few minutes to pack up your beach items and head back on board. This port is perfect for relaxing in the sun and just enjoying the amazing Caribbean weather. IQCruising recommends a taxi to get there - $5.00 per person each way. Exploring the sights, town, and beaches of Grand Turk is one of our recommended ways of spending the day on Grand Turk.
Time Zone
This includes snorkel gear, foam mats, clamshell loungers that offer shade, and you can also buy sunscreen and water. There’s a small convenience store right next to the beach rental booth. Let the name fool you — Grand Turk, of the Turks & Caicos islands, may be small but it’s packed with scenic punch and historic charm. Carnival cruises to Grand Turk deliver you to this enchanted island outpost dotted with old windmills, grassy trails and picture-perfect beaches. Discover an oasis of green set in aquamarine seas, ringed by a pristine coral reef and the steep wall of the continental shelf. One great thing about Grand Turk is the ship is literally a couple minutes from where you are!
Here you’ll also find Jack's Shack, a popular restaurant to grab lunch. Complimentary beach lounge chairs are found fronting the complex, although depending on the number of ships in port, this area of the beach can become extremely crowded. Grand Turk is one of the few destinations in the Caribbean where a great beach can be enjoyed directly off the cruise ships. If you want to explore the island on your Grand Turk vacation, visit the numerous historical sites like Her Majesty’s prison, the Light House or the Turks and Caicos museum.
During our stop, there were excursions available that took passengers out on catamarans for snorkeling tours, often with drinks afterward while on the boat. This part of the world has some of the most beautiful water anywhere, so getting out and enjoying it is well worth the cost of the excursion. There are many guided snorkeling tours offered, and you can book them online, through your cruise line, or with local tour vendors. These guided tours will introduce you to the world of stingrays, where you can swim alongside them, feed them, and even hold them.
After snorkeling, you’ll head to a secluded beach away from the crowds for some genuine island time. The best part of this Turks and Caicos excursion is that you can find it on a variety of cruise ships, including on Silver Moon and Silver Ray during Silversea’s seasonal sailings in the area. Where cruise ships dock, things to do, how to explore on your own and with shore excursions. Once you’ve explored what’s below, you’ll have time to chill out up above, on Grand Turk’s famous white beaches, so don’t forget your swimsuit and towel.
The Cruise Center Complex is just one of the best things you can do in Grand Turk. This complex is a large open-air area with tons of excursion booths, gift shops, and restaurants. The island is home to Cockburn Town, the capital city and government center of Turks and Caicos.
Clam shell shade for the beach chairs, floats, and snorkeling equipment are available for rent at the Beach Rental Hut centrally located on the beach. You can also find a lot of gifts on Front Street in Cockburn Town. There are a few permanent shops, but when tourism is at its high point, you’ll see many vendors pop up a tent to sell their handmade items.
We’ve covered the basics -- many of which are similar to other Caribbean ports of call -- let’s check out the shore excursions you will struggle to find anywhere else aside from Turks and Caicos. Leave your worries at home and enjoy the amazing beach and water of Grand Turk! You don’t have to stress about getting back to the boat because well it is right there.
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Posted: Sat, 30 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
We mentioned some of these above, but in case you missed them, we’ve included them here as well. If you’re thinking of a quiet, relaxing time by the pool, that’s not really the case. To be honest, given the small size of Grand Turk there isn’t a ton of variety of things to do like you might find elsewhere. Still, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for a day in port without spending a lot of money.
Save some time for a dose of reggae and refreshments at a local spot such as Reef Shark Bar & Grill before you return to your ship. In addition to the beach, the Grand Turk Cruise Center offers visitors the opportunity to explore the island with organized tours onboard the ship. 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. Located in the lovely Guinep House, built during the colonial era, the museum is small in size, yet full of fascinating exhibits. 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.
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