Things To Do In Grand Turk Cruise Port

How big is Grand Turk?

Top 10 Things to Do in Grand Turk for an Unforgettable Cruise Stop

1. Snorkel Grand Turk’s Coral Reefs: Dive into shallow waters teeming with marine life. Don’t miss Library Reef or the famous Grand Turk Wall, a dramatic underwater drop-off.
2. Rent a Golf Cart: Cruise through Duke Street and beyond to explore the capital of the Turks, Cockburn Town, at your own pace.
3. Relax on Governor’s Beach: Just a mile from the cruise terminal, this popular spot features white sand and stunning views.
4. Visit Margaritaville: Margaritaville is located near the Grand Turk Cruise Center and has one of the largest swimming pools on the island.
5. Explore the Historic Lighthouse: The Grand Turk Lighthouse offers panoramic views and a glimpse into the British colonial period.
6. Taste Local Cuisine: Indulge in conch fritters and other local food at spots like Barbie’s Bar.
7. Spot Wild Animals: Look for free-roaming donkeys and other wild animals as you explore this little island.
8. Learn About the Salt Industry: Visit Cockburn Town Beach and learn how salt shaped the island’s history.
9. Discover Local Crafts: Shop for souvenirs and local crafts in souvenir shops near the terminal building.
10. Explore Gibbs Cay: Take a boat tour to this uninhabited cay.

As you plan your day in Grand Turk, pack reef-safe sunscreen, stay hydrated, and soak in the island’s natural beauty. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, Grand Turk promises unforgettable memories.

Things To Do In Grand Turk: Beach Day!

The Cruise Center Beach near the cruise terminal is great for enjoying the clear blue water and beach chairs.

A beach is on either side of the dock at the Cruise Ship Terminal in Grand Turk. Rows of lounge chairs are free and available if you want to relax on the beach.

You can also walk further down to a super fun beach bar called Jacks Shack for some of the best local food and drinks. It is a great place to grab some delicious conch fritters and drinks.

If you walk opposite Jack’s Shack, there is a beach area there, too! We haven’t gone that way yet, but I hear there is a “conch graveyard” that I’m dying to check out next time.

If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the conch graveyard for a unique photo opportunity. Pillory Beach is another perfect place to unwind.

Grand Turk Margaritaville

Located right at the port next to the shopping and beach is Margaritaville. Head here to enjoy music, drinks, and the pool.

You can get a poolside cabana in Margaritaville Grand Turk or try the Flo Rider Surf Simulator.

One day in Grand Turk: explore in a Golf Cart!

We rented golf carts while visiting Grand Turk. It was easy to reserve the carts ahead of time, and they were waiting for us when we arrived.

They will also give you a map of Grand Turk and suggestions for where to go. Before you return the cart, you must put gas back in it. There is a gas station near the port.

As with most ports, you’ll have to walk through the shopping area to get to where the outside vendors are. We just asked around, and people were happy to direct us to “our guy”. We got in and took off!

OH! Drive on the LEFT there!

⭐️ Click here to Rent a golf cart on Grand Turk

Historic Lighthouse

You can explore the lighthouse, built in 1852, by renting a golf cart or taking an ATV tour. The lighthouse is 60 feet tall.

It is fun to walk around. There is also a snack bar, a souvenir shop, and a zipline adventure course, but we didn’t take it.

⭐️ Book an ATV tour on Grand Turk

Donkeys! OH MY GOSH, the DONKEYS!!

There are free-roaming donkeys everywhere on Grand Turk. EVERYWHERE. They are so sweet, and I just loved them.

I get amused easily and always talk to all the random animals in a weird 5-year-old voice. I think they like it. So, when I see wild animals, I definitely channel my inner Disney Princess. One day, they will all flock to me (and hopefully clean my house ).

Food and shopping, of course!

Cockburn Town has a small market area on Front Street, where many vendors sell their goods. The area also has a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant where locals eat, so I knew that was our spot.

Barbies Bar and Restaurant is where it’s at. We had conch fritters (my Caribbean go-to) and coconut shrimp. It was crowded, and it took a while to place our order, but the food came out quickly.

Snorkeling Near Grand Turk Cruise Port

Book a shore excursion to explore the vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs. The best way to see the island’s natural beauty is by snorkeling or taking a boat tour.

I tend not to book excursions through cruise lines; this time, we booked our snorkel trip through Shore Excursion Group. However, we’ve also had great excursions by booking with Viator.

We spent a few hours snorkeling the waters of Grand Turk, which was incredible. The water is warm and clear, and excellent marine life lives there.

I got chased by a barracuda, which was a bit intense. The guides said, “Oh, he does that sometimes! He chooses someone and follows them.” That didn’t make me feel much better.

We spent some time snorkeling around the coral reefs, and our guides got in the water with us, bringing us food that attracted the fish. I’m not a fan of artificially drawing in wildlife, so I wish this part hadn’t happened.

Some members of our group tried to pet the fish. Please don’t touch or feed wild animals.

After we snorkeled around the coral, we hopped in the boat and headed to the “drop off”.

⭐️ Book a Snorkeling excursion in Grand Turk

Library Reef drops from 30 to 7000 feet, so it’s quite an adventure to snorkel over. You can see the bottom of the sea and nothing but the deep dark sea! There is a lot of marine life here.

Sometimes, I hope to see a nurse shark, but we don’t find him. (I did swim with reef sharks in the Bahamas, though!)

If you read enough of my posts, you’ll get sick of hearing this, but…please wear reef-safe sunscreen before you snorkel!

Chemicals in sunscreen destroy the reefs! Wearing a rash guard is even better than reef-safe sunscreen so you don’t have to use as much sunscreen.

After our Grand Turk snorkeling adventure, we were given rum punch and water on the way back to shore. We still had plenty of time to head down the beach further to Jacks Shack for conch fritters and drinks.

Going to Jacks Shack is one of the very best things to do if you only have one day in Grand Turk.

Grand Turk History

Dive into the historical significance of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Visit monuments commemorating Astronaut John Glenn and his splashdown during the space race, or explore artifacts from the British colonial period in the Caicos National Museum. Don’t miss the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest European shipwreck discovered in the area.

As you can see, there are a few different ways to enjoy one day at Grand Turk cruise port. If you decide not to rent a golf cart or snorkel, you can walk down the beach and have a great day!

Have a blast! Let me know how it goes!