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There is one pier with two berths that can accommodate two large-sized vessels at the same time. The island's cruise terminal (Grand Turk Cruise Center) is a beachfront facility located in a beautifully landscaped area sized approx 75,850 m2 (784,100 ft2). The terminal's location offers a safe approach for cruise ships and berthing the whole year-round. The distance from the docking pier to the terminal is approx 120 m (390 ft). The Grand Turk Cruise Center is steps away from the cruise ship ports.
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Explore the History of the Town
Scattered throughout the island you’ll find white sand beaches, salt pond remains, and a 19th-century Lighthouse perched at the end of the island. The island is also home to wild horses, donkeys, and flamingos. The best thing about all this is that unlike some cruise ports, all the beaches in Grand Turk are public and free to explore. Located north of Cockburn Town this serene beach offers a quiet atmosphere for interacting with the marine life in their habitat. 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.
Snorkel at Cockburn Town Beach
It was built in 2012 to commemorate 50 years since the splashdown. There are beautiful monuments and murals erected at the exhibition. It has been open to Carnival and its subsidiary cruise lines like Princess and Holland America ever since.
Cockburn Town
Governor’s Beach is perfect for sunbathing or swimming, however, the absence of reef in this area means this isn’t the beach for snorkeling or scuba diving. There are usually vendors selling cold drinks and souvenirs here. This small island is mostly known for white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. If you decide to leave the Cruise Center, there are a few different ways to explore this little island. 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.
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Located on the west coast of Grand Turk, north of the cruise center, Cockburn town is the capital of Turks and Caicos. This hidden gem is located a few yards from the pier, at the end of cruise center beach. It’s less crowded than Margaritaville and other food joints located near the pier. You will learn everything on this historical event at the Friendship 7 space program exhibition located at the cruise center.
The cruise port is in Zone A, and downtown is in Zone B. The trip costs $5 per person one way. There are excursions offered to other beaches from the cruise line. You can also catch a cab to other beaches around the island, which will be less crowded. The area north of the pier (to the left as you enter) features a sandier bottom that’s more forgiving on your feet. The area south of the pier sees smaller crowds, but you’ll also want some water shoes if you venture out into the water.
This includes a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates and any visas required for your itinerary. Also, check if your cruise line requires health documents, such as vaccination certificates. Let’s delve deeper into what makes Grand Turk Cruise Port a must-visit on your Caribbean cruise itinerary. 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. The power snorkel is a lightweight, underwater propulsion device that helps you to cover greater distances, get past rougher currents, and view more underwater creatures.
Taxis
A taxi ride from the port to Cockburn Town costs $5 pp each way. Grand Turk island is the site of the world’s third-largest coral reef structure. Your best option is to grab a quick taxi which should cost around $4 per person each way.
Read the full cruise port guide for more information about your docking locations and things to see and do. 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.
Unlike most Caribbean ports (where cruise ships dock close to a principal town), you will only find the Grand Turk Cruise Center at the end of the pier. The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a large open-air cruise terminal dotted with excursion booths offering most of the possible tours and activities in Grand Turk. Most of these shore excursions can be booked online or onboard your cruise ship. Cruise ships dock at Grand Turk’s cruise centre at the most convenient place possible.
Enjoy a tour of the island all the way into the shallow waters of the ocean on a horse’s back. The horses are handpicked for you from the ranch according to your preferences, fear, and comfort riding on horses. The cruise port is designed to be a little center of luxury for your port day. There are amenities such as restaurants, spas, and if you love shopping, there are gift shops and local jewelry stores on the port. The largest salt formations can be seen at Hawkes Nest Salina, located near the cruise port, or at the Red Salina salt pond. For a deeper understanding of the salt industry history, visit the Salt House Shop to view a historical exhibit of Grand Turk’s salt industry.
In the center area surrounding the plaza are a number of shops, selling everything from t-shirts to an actual Starbucks location. If you’re wanting a souvenir to remember your trip, you’re sure to find something here. Not all seating at Grand Turk Cruise Center beach will be free. These can be fun, but rates are usually higher ($80-$120 per day) than a car. As is the case with scooters, the use of sunscreen is highly advised. While I loved exploring Grand Turk by Golf Cart, if you are looking to stay at sea there are plenty of other excursions.
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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. Once you book your cruise and know that you’re going to be stopping at the Grand Turk Cruise Port, make sure you do just 1 thing. The best snorkeling location is in front of the Beach Rental Hut, with a few cannons and anchors submerged there. With close to 5 million passengers per year the Cruise Port of Miami is the busiest in the World - disembarking/embarking can be at times frustrating but there are some good insiders tips to discover.
The hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service no longer operates on Grand Turk. Capacity and the attractions featured on the tour differ between businesses, but generally, Cockburn Town and the Grand Turk Lighthouse are included. Once in Cockburn Town, most of the sights, attractions, and restaurants are located on a 1-mile (1.6 km) strip of waterfront, so most will be able to explore the town on foot with ease. The most popular at-sea attraction at Grand Turk is the private island of Gibbs Cay which is popular for its friendly stingrays and snorkeling. Cruisers can do the Snorkeling & Stingray Adventure where they will enjoy snorkeling the reefs and interacting with the friendly sting rays at Gibbs Beach.
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. A great beach for snorkeling would be the Boaby Rockpoint, located on the southern side of the Grand Turk, the beach is rocky, but on calm days can be great for snorkeling. The north creek doesn’t offer much, but you might see some stingrays, barracudas, and turtles in the water. Most kayaking and paddleboarding tours end at the mouth of the inlet right below the lighthouse.
Even a trip by taxi to the Grand Turk Lighthouse, on the northern tip of the island, is affordable - $10 per person each way. The cruise traveler will find a taxi stand with metered fares by the east exit of the Cruise Center. The beach is located on the right as you walk down the cruise ship pier towards the cruise center.
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