Overview of Grand Turk

Grand Turk, the capital of Turks and Caicos, is the answer to the cruise passenger looking for a relaxation destination. Unlike most Caribbean ports, Grand Turk is not saturated with tours and adventure seeking activities. Grand Turk is for the beach bum, the snorkeler, and the scuba diver in everyone.

Grand Turk, once the financial and transportation center of Turks and Caicos, is now the major cruise destination of the nation of islands. Carnival built and opened the port in 2006 on the Southwest corner of Grand Turk. Carnival Cruise Lines made this investment in Grand Turk to turn it into a mainstream cruise destination. In addition to the port, Carnival built a cruise terminal complete with shops, a beach and a pool for the cruise visitor to enjoy.

What language is spoken in Grand Turk? Do they speak English?

English is the primary language of the island, but both Creole and Spanish are widely spoken.

What is the national currency in Turks & Caicos?

The U.S. dollar is the official currency. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept traveler's checks. All stores at the cruise center accept credit cards.

Where can I get or exchange money?

Euros and other currencies can be changed to US Dollars at nearby banks. If your card has the Cirrus or Plus logo, you can withdraw cash at ATM’s throughout the country.

Note – you should call your credit/debit card issuing bank company before leaving home to be sure that your bank cards will work in Grand Turk ATM machines, stores and other payment locations.

• Banks closest to Cruise Port: Scotia Bank, just a $3 taxi ride away, is located at the entrance to the airport which is less than a mile north of the cruise center.
• ATMs closest to Cruise Port: ATMs are available at bank locations at the airport and on Front Street in Cockburn Town (see map.)

How do I get around from the cruise port?

Walking

The Cruise Center is within walking distance of the port. However, walking to Cockburn Town is really not an option from the Cruise Center, as it is over 4 miles north.

Taxis

Taxis are probably the best way to get around. The taxi fares are structured when using Grand Turk Taxi Association taxis, but as with all tourist destinations, confirm the fare before departing.

Buses

There is no public bus system on Grand Turk. The bus stops you may see around the island are mostly for students and not recommended for tourists.

Rental Car

Car rentals, on Grand Turk, are not available from any of the major car rental agencies. However, cars can be rented from Tony's Rentals. Tony's Rentals offers cars for $70/day and Jeeps for $95/day and has 24 hour service.

Bicycle, Scooter, Motorcycle rental

Tony's Rentals also rents Bicycles ($20), scooters ($60), jet skis, and even snorkeling gear ($30/day).

How can I stay in touch with home? (Ex. Email, phone, etc.)

Wi-fi internet service is available in many places on the island, including at the cruise ship terminal and most hotel lobbies.

Where are the Internet cafes?

• Osprey Hotel's Courtyard Cafe (see map), located 3.5 miles north of the cruise terminal, on Duke Street in Downtown Cockburn, offers free WiFi access to patrons.
• Froots, located in the port facility, is a smoothie shop that also offers free WiFi.
• The Victoria Public Library, located in Cockburn Town (see map) also offers free internet access.

What are the cell phone rates?

Verizon is $1.99/minute and AT&T is between $1.69 and $1.99/minute. Contact your cell phone provider for international roaming rates.

What are the top attractions and must-sees in Grand Turk? How long will it take me to get there and to explore?

Attractions

• Cockburn Town, located approximately 3.5 miles north of the cruise center (see map), known for its long, narrow streets lined with architecture from the 18th and 19th century exudes the colonial feel. Walking tours are available that can take you past the capital building, as well as the salt mines that were the calling of early settlers.
• Turks & Caicos National Museum, located 3 miles north of the cruise center (see map), houses national art, shipwreck collections and more. The museum opens one hour after the cruise ships arrive at port and closes one hour before they leave port.
• Grand Turk Cruise Center, located directly adjacent to the cruise ship port, has a cruise ship on land feel to it; and for good reason since it is operated by Carnival Corporation. The Cruise Center is 13 acres of shopping, eating, drinking and even has an 800 ft. private beach with air conditioned cabanas. One other unique attraction to the Cruise Center is the Flowrider, an artificial wave machine where surfers can show their stuff.

  Check out this video of a ride on the Flowrider.

Beaches

• Governor's Beach is the best known beach on Grand Turk. It is located less than a mile north, on the coast, from the cruise center (about a 1.5 miles by taxi see map.) Known for its sandy beach and turquoise water, it is a must see for the beach bum in us all. Taxis waiting outside the port will take you for $5.00 per person.
• South Beach, no not that South Beach, is located adjacent to the Cruise Center and is the most populace beach on the island when the cruise ships are in port. This beach offers free chairs, air conditioned cabanas for rent and it is near the largest pool in the Caribbean, for those looking to get away from the salt water. Located just north of the dock, this beach is within walking distance of the ship.

Shopping

The Grand Turk Cruise Center houses a 10,000 sq. ft. duty-free shop. This duty-free shop has everything from jewelry, fine liquors and wine to local art. It is conveniently located right at the port, which allows for last minute shopping and not carrying packages all around town.

The Cruise Center is also home to Ron Jon Surf Shop, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Piranha Joes where you can get beach wear and wonderful souvenirs for family and friends back home.

Golf

The Waterloo Golf Club on Grand Turk, located less than half a mile north of the port, is a 9-hole 2758-yard par 3 course. While not a "destination" course, the Waterloo offers a leisurely, short course with lovely views.

Scuba

Apart from being a sleepy beach town, Grand Turk is most well known for its scuba diving and snorkeling.

• Blue Water Divers offers a variety of dives and packages for the scuba diver and snorkeler alike. They are located across from the Osprey Beach Hotel (see map.) As the longest continually running dive shop on Grand Turk, Blue Water Divers knows just were to go to experience some of the best wall diving in the Caribbean. Packages range from $50 to $150 per person for cruise ship passengers.
• Grand Turk Diving, like Blue Water Divers cater to the cruise ship passenger with dives lasting less than 3 hours to make sure you can enjoy your experience without the worries of missing the boat. Grand Turk Diving offers scuba, as well as, snorkeling and private boat charters to Gibbs Cay.
• Oasis Divers offers expert divers with not only expertise in Grand Turk's wall diving, but also is well versed in the migrating patters of humpback whales and Grand Turk's history.

Check out this video of a dive off of Grand Turk.

Tours

If you are looking to do a tour while in Grand Turk, you will either be underwater, standing in water or looking at water from a boat. Unless you are lying on the beach, the reefs are what Grand Turk is all about.

One tour worth looking into, if you don't plan on being under water, is Gibbs Cay. Here only your knees and below are under water, that and the friendly stingray that will glide by while the tour operators make lunch. Oasis Divers and Grand Turk Diving are two of several companies that offer tours to Gibbs Cay.

Check out this video of Gibbs Cay.

What are the best eats in Grand Turk? Where is the best place to get it?

Although there is not really any food that is distinctly from Grand Turk, it is hard to go wrong with fresh fish and conch fritters.

• Margaritaville located right outside the port, in the Cruise Center complex, is perfect for those that do not want to venture too far away from the port. The food is good and the ambiance is festive, but may be a little loud for those looking to relax. Those looking for the island experience may feel Margaritaville and the Cruise Center in general to be a manufactured island experience, as opposed to the genuine island feel you might get if you ventured into Cockburn Town.
• Big Daddy's Beach Shack, located just north of the Cruise Center, is quickly becoming a favorite for its cracked conch and fresh lobster tail. Also, its proximity to the port, while still being just far enough away to avoid the crowds at the Cruise Center, add to the experience at this open-air restaurant delight.

What are the must-drinks in Grand Turk? Where is the best place to get it?

• Rum Punch, a combination of coconut & dark rum, pineapple & orange juice, and grenadine, is extremely popular throughout the island. The Sandbar, 3 miles north of the port, across from Manta House on Duke Street (see map), is the place to enjoy this fine island concoction.
• Turk’s Head is the national beer of the Turks & Caicos. Available throughout the island, although strangely not available at Margaritaville, is a refreshing island brew.

Which are the best souvenirs to buy in Grand Turk? Where can I get them?

Under $25:

Conch shells will range in price by size and condition. Grand Turk has some of the most beautiful shells in the Caribbean. Conch shells can be found at stores in the Cruise Center, as well as, Conch World, located about 1.5 miles northeast of the port, which also offers tours.

$25-$75

With over 10,000 square feet of duty free shopping, Grand Turk is a good place to get that a good bottle of spirits. Even if you are not able to enjoy on your ship, a nice bottle makes fine gift for friends at home or yourself.

Over $75

Duty free jewelry and watches may not be much of a souvenir to bring back to someone else, but it will make a nice gift. If you buy some for yourself though, it can be a beautiful reminder of your trip.

What is the weather like in Grand Turk?

Current Temperature

Average Monthly Temperatures and Rainfall in Grand Turk