Best Things to Do in Grand Turk in One Day

Table Of Content

• Grand Turk Cruise Center
• Restaurants and Dining
• Margaritaville at Grand Turk
• Visiting the Gorgeous Cruise Port of Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
• Dining and Restaurants
• CCL-Carnival Cruise Line opens for booking Carnival Spirit ship's schedule 2024-2025 from Mobile...
• Popular: 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies

Head as far down the path as you can go and you’ll find a large group of loungers (near the whale sculpture) with hardly any other people — even on busy days in port. If you just can’t live without your Starbucks, then Grand Turk is the spot for you. While many cruise ships offer Starbucks beverages on board, finding them in port is usually another story. But the port area features a full-fledged Starbucks (painted a very noticeable pink). That’s in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, about 200 miles away.

Grand Turk Cruise Center

Located just a short walk from the cruise dock, Jack’s Shack is only 540 yards north of the Cruise Center. Pillory Beach is one of the quieter beaches located north of Cockburn Town. Away from the crowds at the other beaches, this is a place to come if you’re seeking solitude or somewhere quiet to read a book. If Christopher Columbus did first land at Grand Turk, this would have been the beach where he arrived. Don’t forget to hit up all of the boutique stores to shop for souvenirs and gifts for you and your loved ones.

Restaurants and Dining

Then you’ll reach another stable where you’ll don a life preserver and your horse will be refitted with a water-suitable saddle. Grand Turk was only one of three islands in the Turks and Caicos that produced salt. Turks and Caicos had one of the world’s first and largest salt industries. Enjoy an array of exhibits, including the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest European shipwreck excavated in the western hemisphere.

Margaritaville at Grand Turk

The facility operates with two high-pressure waves producing a 3-inch layer of water moving at high speed. Best described, the cruise port of Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos island chain, is a sensory overload for your eyes. Pastel-colored limestone buildings “pop” before the sparkling coastline waters and sand. The beautiful water and native plants enhance the landscape canvas like a world-class painting, yours for the day. Our Holland America ship was the only one in port, so we could secure prime seats by the Margaritaville pool and enjoy the serene island tunes.

Like most cruise ports in the Caribbean, Grand Turk features a dedicated port area that’s enclosed and offers a number of amenities to cruise passengers. Aside from the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville, the Grand Turk cruise port is home to a handful of other restaurants and food shacks. It is also easy to walk to a couple of other casual eateries along the beach. The island is small and easily explored in just a few hours both independently and with a cruise line-operated shore excursion.

Dining and Restaurants

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]

Indulge in some retail therapy at charming boutiques, grab a coffee at Starbucks, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. Explore popular shops like Effy, Piranha Joe’s, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and Swarovski for a memorable shopping experience. 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. This captivating museum offers intriguing insights into the history of the Turks & Caicos Islands.

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line opens for booking Carnival Spirit ship's schedule 2024-2025 from Mobile...

Don’t worry about being under the harsh sun all day long; some parts of the beach are lined with trees that offer you natural shade. If you need diving or snorkeling gear, the Boho Dive Resort rents out such gear. 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. Go on a catamaran boat ride and visit deserted islands and interact with the beautiful marine life.

Most ATV excursions leave from right outside of the Cruise Center. You’ll be outfitted with a helmet and goggles and your own four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Starting from the Cruise Center, you’ll board a catamaran and set sail for a dreamy deserted beach. If you love to shop-until-you-drop, the Cruise Center is a convenient location with many unique offerings. Here are some of the main attractions you can find when you port in Grand Turk.

The Grand Turk retail outlet also hosts many items from local artisans, including handmade baskets, sailboats, and more. It’s basically the same menu at all of Jimmy Buffet’s restaurants, but if you plan to go back and forth to the ship all day, it’s convenient. Of course there’s good ol’ Margaritaville back at the Cruise Center. Great for those less adventurous or prefer to stay close to the cruise port. Jack’s Shack has become the afternoon escape from the hub-bub and tackiness of Margaritaville at the Cruise Center.

While loungers are first-come, first-served, anything else that you need can be rented. 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. The cruise port is in Zone A, and downtown is in Zone B. The trip costs $5 per person one way. The area north of the pier (to the left as you enter) features a sandier bottom that’s more forgiving on your feet.

The Cruise Center has an astounding 45,000 square feet of shopping including Diamonds International, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Tanzanite International, and Colombian Emeralds. There are also locally crafted souvenirs and gifts available to purchase as well as 10,000 square feet of duty-free shopping. There are a few eBike rental companies right outside of the Cruise Center terminal.

In February and March, this is also a popular spot for whale watching. There are many shops, restaurants, and bars located within the Cruise Center boundaries, including the largest Margaritaville in the world. The beautiful Cruise Center Beach fronts the complex, and is one of the nicest cruise port beaches in the region. 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.