Looking to cruise to Turks and Caicos? Turks and Caicos cruises can offer travel to one of the most pristine, quaint, and beautiful groups of islands on the map.
Grand Turk is the largest of the islands that make up Turks and Caicos. It is home to the cruise ship terminal Grand Turk Cruise Center. The terminal is right on the beach where you will find white, soft sand and loungers along the beautiful views of the shoreline.
It’s a very short walk from your cruise ship to the cruise center, only 390 feet according to the port. There you will find a large pool, surrounded by loungers, shops and restaurants.
There is a FlowRider surfing attraction right near the pool, from which you can see your ship in port.
Most of the cruise ships that stop at Grand Turk will be Carnival Cruise Line ships with a few Holland America and Costa ships pulling into a port throughout the year, depending on the cruise ship schedule.
Cruises to Turks and Caicos from Florida will leave from Port Canaveral, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. These will typically be 7 and 8 night cruises, due to the location to Grand Turk from Florida.
Check Out Cruises to Grand Turk Here:
Related: Check out some fun things to do on Grand Turk during your cruise vacation.
Map of Grand Turk Cruise Center
This aerial view map provided by the Grand Turk Cruise Center gives a nice overview of the cruise port and all it offers. You can see the amazing pool on the left side of the map, the duty free shopping center in the middle, and plenty of lounge chairs all along the beach. If you want to explore the island go to #23 and rent a car or grab a taxi.
Beaches on Grand Turk
All of the beaches to the high tide marks on Turks and Caicos are free. Contrary to some common misunderstandings about Grand Turk, there are no private beaches. Some of the all-inclusive beach packages offer extras like umbrellas, loungers, or beverages that may make it seem like these charges include beach access.
Cruise Center Beach is the first beach you will see when you get off the ship. It can be a bit rocky in spots but offer spectacular views of both your ship and the vividly clear waters. If you want a more sandy beach just keep moving to the north for this next beach.
One of the most popular beaches on the island is Governor’s Beach. It’s about a mile walk to the north and some consider it the best beach on Grand Turk. Visitors are often stunned by the crystal clear water and the pristine sand along this beach.
Cockburn Town Beach is not far from the barrier reef, and deep blue hues can be seen from this colonial back-dropped beach front. One of the great things about this beach on Grand Turk is that you are not far from local shops and places to eat.
Keep walking north from Cockburn Town Beach and you will stumble across beautiful Pillary Beach. If you love the beauty of Governor’s beach but want to get away from the crowds, Pillary Beach is for you. This beach is part of Columbus Landfall National Park and many believe this is the place where Christopher Columbus made landfall rather than San Salvador.
Boaby Rock Point can be found at the very southern tip of Grand Turk. It’s definitely a more rocky beach, but if you like to snorkel in some amazing coral, this beach has your name on it. This area gets fewer visitors and the water is not very good for swimming. But Boaby Rock Point is the perfect beach on Grand Turk if you want to check out amazing coral and do some beach-combing on your cruise.
Why Cruise to Turks and Caicos?
The islands of Turks and Caicos have one of the longest coral reefs in the world, offering divers and snorkeling enthusiasts remarkable views under the surface of the pristine waters.
You can also find the only conch farm in the world at Grand Turk.
When astronaut John Glenn returned from space he landed in waters near Turks and Caicos and was brought to shore at Grand Turk.
Several celebrities have made these tropical islands home, at least for a short time. Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis, Dick Clark, and Eva Longoria have all lived on the islands.
One of my favorite things to do on Grand Turk is rent a car and explore the island on my own. That way I can stop at all the beautiful beaches listed above, see the historic lighthouse at the northernmost part of the island, visit some shops downtown, and really get a feel for island time.
Turks and Caicos Weather
On average the islands see 350 days of sunshine a year. The islands on the western side receive more rainfall. The average temperature is between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit from June to October. From November to May you can expect a consistent 80 to 84 degrees.
When you’re looking for a cruise to Turks and Caicos you have to plan for at least a 7 or 8 night cruise vacation, but having Grand Turk on your itinerary is always a port to look forward to. You don’t want to stay on the ship if you haven’t had the chance to visit this island before.
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