Is There A Beach At Grand Turk Cruise Port?

The Cruise Center Beach, located near Grand Turk’s cruise port, is a beautiful and sheltered stretch of sand that is open to all cruise passengers. Most cruisers use a Grand Turk port day as a beach day, and there are numerous picture-perfect beaches to choose from on the island. Grand Turk is one of the few Caribbean destinations where a great beach can be enjoyed directly off the cruise ships.

To the south of the Cruise Center, there is a nice beach, but there is only limited space for swimming in the sea due to shark nets. The pier where cruise ships dock in Grand Turk is next to a stunning beach, inviting passengers to spend the day basking in the sun, swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying. Many cruise passengers rate Grand Turk Cruise Center Beach as the best port beach in the world.

The first sight greeting cruise ship guests is the excellent SunRay Beach, which offers a calm and clear ocean with a majority of the coastline being crystal clear. The terminal is well maintained and clean, making it a must-try spot for enjoying the beaches and the pristine sand.

When arriving by ship at the cruise pier Grand Turk, guests have two options: Sunray Beach, which has a massive pool, free and paid loungers, snorkeling equipment, and cabanas with waiter service. South Beach, located on the right as you walk down the cruise ship pier towards the cruise center, is a quieter area for those who prefer a quieter area.

Conch Shell Beach, known for its conch shells, is located on the south side end of the island.

How to spend one day in Grand Turk?

Start your day by exploring the historic attractions of Grand Turk, such as the Grand Turk Lighthouse, Her Majesty’s Prison, and the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Guided tours by tram, truck, ATV, and dune buggy are available, and you can also explore on your own with a rental car, scooter, golf cart, or bicycle.

Can you walk from Grand Turk Cruise Port to Governor’s Beach?

Getting to Governor’s Beach from the Cruise Center. Although only about one mile (1.6 km) north of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, it’s unfortunately not possible to walk up to Governor’s Beach along the coast as the main port for Grand Turk blocks a small section of the way. Some may consider walking the one mile (1.6 km) each way journey along the road, but be aware that there are no sidewalks and few directional signs.

The beach fronting the Cruise Center gradually improves as it progresses towards Governor’s Beach, so if you’d rather not arrange transport, consider simply walking down the coast a distance. Doing so will also offer the benefit of a less crowded coast.

A taxi should cost about $4 per person each way to and from the Cruise Center. Be aware that taxi drivers may try to charge more than this fare.

Is Grand Turk walkable?

Island Transport. First and foremost is island transport. The distances between the sights of Grand Turk are just a little too far to walk, so if you’d like to do more than lounge at the beach near the port or browse the shops of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, you’ll have to arrange island transport.

There’s no public transport on Grand Turk, and taxis are expensive, so the best value will be to rent a scooter or a typical car. Rates start at about $60 per day for a scooter, and $75 for a car. Specialty vehicles such as golf carts, 4×4 buggies, and even bicycles are available (and fun!), yet prices tend to be a bit higher.

Renting a car or scooter will allow for a day of exploring the island, beaches, and sights with very little additional expense. With your own transport, you’ll also be able to spend time where you want to, and not be tied to a group tour.

Are beaches free in Turks and Caicos?

• All beaches in the Turks and Caicos are public and free-to-access up to the high tide point. The law does not guarantee access across private land to get to the beach, however, nearly all beaches have roads or paths that are regularly used.
• Littering is prohibited.
• Open fires are prohibited in protected areas, which include national parks, nature reserves, and protected historical sites. Many of the top beaches and coasts in the Turks and Caicos are in a protected area.
• The removal of any natural or historical item from a protected area is prohibited.
• Fishing and the collection of conch, lobster, crabs, or shellfish is illegal in protected areas, and licenses, regulations, and seasons apply outside of protected areas. It is the responsibility of the fisherman to follow the law.

On the busier beaches, especially the north coast beaches on Providenciales of Grace Bay, Leeward Beach, and the Bight Beach, reckless power boat use is the greatest danger. Many resorts are marked-off swim zones where power vessel use is prohibited, yet captains do at times ignore such zones.

Generally, the main beaches in the Turks and Caicos do not exhibit dangerous currents, underpulls, or tides, however unusual weather and storms may create hazardous conditions.

Are Grand Turk beaches rocky?

The first sight greeting cruise ship guests is the excellent Cruise Center Beach, which is just off the ship. The section of this coast nearest the cruise ship pier tends to have a rocky bottom, yet improves rapidly a bit to the north.

Governor’s Beach, located a short distance from the Grand Turk Cruise Center, is by far the finest beach on the island. Here you’ll find unbelievably crystal water and white sand.

Continuing north of Governor’s Beach is English Point Beach. The beach and ocean here tend to be a bit rockier, but the site is nevertheless great and doesn’t see much in the way of crowds.

Is Grand Turk owned by Carnival?

Carnival Corporation does own the cruise ship port which they built, but this is only a small portion of entire island of Grand Turk.

Carnival Corporation built a cruise ship portat the south end ofGrand Turk in 2006. Contrary to what some people believe (and what some websites claim), the island of Grand Turk is not owned by Carnival Corporation. Now a British Overseas Territory, the Turks and Caicos Islands(one of which isthe island of Grand Turk) were inhabited by Taino and Lucayan Indians long before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 (some say that Grand Turk was actually his first sighting of the island which he called San Salvador). Carnival Corporation does ownthe cruise ship port which they built, but this is only a small portion ofentire island of Grand Turk.

That said, Grand Turk isn’t a big place (only 7 miles x 1.5 miles at its widest point) and is easy to explore by taxi, bicycle or on foot. An alternative to Grand Turk cruise excursions is booking directly with an independent operator. There are independent operators who provide tours and trips, but please be sure you are making a reservation with an established, licensed and insured vendor. Since Grand Turk is so small,trips can often getsold out and therefore, advance reservations are recommended with any operator you choose on the island.

If you’d like to see reviews from other travelers, you can find us here on TripAdvisor. For information aboutthe island where your cruise ship will be docking (Grand Turk), you can alsolook at the more specific TripAdvisor pages and forums for Grand Turk and Cockburn Town (the capital).For activities, you can view Things To Do in Cockburn Townand/or Things To Do in Grand Turk if you plan to explore the island of Grand Turk outside of the cruise port.

Is the pool at Grand Turk Cruise port free?

Q: What is the cost to use the facilities at the Grand Turk Cruise Center (pool, beach, etc.)?

A: There is no charge to use the pool, beach and loungers. Snorkel Equipment, beach floats and shade “clam shells” can be rented at the Beach Rental Hut on the beach. Private air-conditioned pool cabanas are also available for rent through your cruise line.

Q: Do we need to bring our own beach towels from the ship or does the facility provide them for us. If you do, is there a cost?

A: You will need to bring your own towels ashore with you. The cruise lines would also be grateful if you would take them back on board.

Does Grand Turk port have a beach?

The Cruise Center Beach, as its name suggests, fronts Grand Turk’s cruise port, and is a beautiful and sheltered beach.

Although not quite as nice as Governor’s Beach, this beach offers calm water and white sand. Typically quite busy when a cruise ship is in, the northern end of the beach will be less crowded.

4-star rating for Cruise Center Beach by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Cruise Center Beach, as its name suggests, fronts Grand Turk’s cruise port, and is a beautiful and sheltered beach. The coast can see significant crowds when a cruise ship is in, as its steps away from where cruise visitors disembark their ship. The beach is also known as SunRay Beach.

What is the difference between Grand Turk and Turk and Caicos?

Cockburn Town, Grand Turk. Grand Turk is an island in the country of Turks and Caicos, which is located between the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Grand Turk is the home of Cockburn Town, which is the capital city of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Grand Turk is an island in the country of Turks and Caicos, which is located between the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Grand Turk is the home of Cockburn Town, which is the capital city of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Grand Turk is about 650 miles (1046 km) distant from Miami, Florida, and 450 miles (724 km) from the city of Nassau in the Bahamas.

Grand Turk has an airport, the Grand Turk JAGS McCartney International Airport (GDT), yet there are currently no scheduled international flights that fly to the island. Most visitors to Grand Turk arrive via cruise ship, which docks at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, and a comparative minority of guests, which tend to be scuba diving enthusiasts, fly into the Turks and Caicos via the Providenciales International Airport (PLS), and then take a domestic island hopper flight to Grand Turk.

Can you walk from Grand Turk Cruise Port to Governor’s beach?

Getting to Governor’s Beach from the Cruise Center. Although only about one mile (1.6 km) north of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, it’s unfortunately not possible to walk up to Governor’s Beach along the coast as the main port for Grand Turk blocks a small section of the way. Some may consider walking the one mile (1.6 km) each way journey along the road, but be aware that there are no sidewalks and few directional signs.

The beach fronting the Cruise Center gradually improves as it progresses towards Governor’s Beach, so if you’d rather not arrange transport, consider simply walking down the coast a distance. Doing so will also offer the benefit of a less crowded coast.

A taxi should cost about $4 per person each way to and from the Cruise Center. Be aware that taxi drivers may try to charge more than this fare.

Is Grand Turk considered Bahamas?

Grand Turk is an island in the country of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which is a British Overseas Territory that’s located in the tropical Atlantic between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

Grand Turk is the historical center of the Turks and Caicos, and is the second most populated island in the country after the island of Providenciales. Our capital city of Cockburn Town is found on Grand Turk. In recent years, Providenciales has largely replaced Grand Turk as the primary site of government and commerce in the nation.

Originally founded by settlers from Bermuda as a site for sea salt production in 1681, Cockburn Town on Grand Turk has been the official capital of the Turks and Caicos since 1766. Many of the country’s main government offices, including the Supreme Court and the Governor’s Residence, can be found here.