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If you are looking for a bit of excitement and have always wanted to surf but never had the chance to, or was afraid of the ocean’s mighty waves, try the FlowRider. Located on the giant swimming pool at the cruise center, the FlowRider offers a surfing experience almost as exhilarating as the ocean. Get an aerial view of the island by going on a zip lining adventure. When you take the island excursion and arrive at the lighthouse which is on the other end of the island opposite the cruise center, you will see the zip line course. If you are brave enough, you can even zip line above the water on the last part of the course. The island is uninhabited and bears beautiful beaches on its west coast.
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Other restaurants like the Sandbar restaurant and Salt Raker Inn offer seafood and continental cuisines. So, if you are hungry, just grab a cool pina colada, cold beer or a strawberry margarita and enjoy delicious barbeque chicken on the beach. The person capacity prison used to hold petty offenses criminals back in the day until it was shut in 1994. Visit this site for $7 per person when in the port, and learn about prison break attempts, drug trafficking route and other interesting historical facts about the island. The island also is among the three islands believed to have been Christopher Columbus’ landfall sites in the new world.
Public Transit from Grand Turk International Airport to Grand Turk Cruise Center
Like most Caribbean islands, Grand Turk has adopted a very laid-back attitude, with a slower-paced lifestyle. The island-wide speed limit is 20mph and driving is largely free of hurry and stress. Here are some ideas that seasoned cruisers recommend based on past visits to Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos. Other Caribbean destinations, such as the Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico. It is important to note that these itineraries typically do not include an overnight in Turks and Caicos. During 2023, this port welcomed over 143 ships, which was a 10.9 percent increase from previous years.
Cruising down – but not for long - Magnetic Media
Cruising down – but not for long.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 17:26:15 GMT [source]
Port Schedule
It is also easy to walk to a couple of other casual eateries along the beach. The island is small and easily explored in just a few hours both independently and with a cruise line-operated shore excursion. Taxis and car rentals are available right at the cruise center. With so much to do on-site, some passengers choose to spend their entire time on the island right at Grand Turk’s cruise port.
Night Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise
There are also a few "touristy" shops, food stores, liquor shops, banks and pharmacies. Throughout all the islands there are a variety of local stores that have a collection of varying unique jewellery and hand-made gifts. Grand Turk, a jewel of an isle that measures just 18 square kilometers (seven square miles), is awesomely rich in natural wonders. Ringed by translucent warm waters teeming with coral and fish, this Turks and Caicos cruise is a bonanza for divers, snorkelers and anglers. Of course you can always simply kick back and just enjoy the view from under a palm tree. Or explore the fascinating history of Turks & Caicos in its capital, Cockburn Town, lined with Bermudan-style buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Significant Historical Occurrences on the Island
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. If you need diving or snorkeling gear, the Boho Dive Resort rents out such gear. Located on the west coast of Grand Turk, north of the cruise center, Cockburn town is the capital of Turks and Caicos.
Since ships dock just a couple hundred feet from the cruise center, and immigration and customs are handled by the cruise line, there’s no need to wait around for paperwork and security checks. To start with, if you have kids and just want to stay near the ship, you can visit the Cruise Center beach right in front of the cruise center or adjacent to the pier. There are plenty of lounge chairs on this beach, and it has beautiful clear sparkling waters to enjoy your day in.
More about Grand Turk
Book a poolside cabana and enjoy private time away from the crowds and a dedicated waiter. Here you can swim and hang out with other shipmates, enjoying the tropical magic that is Grand Turk. 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. If you want to escape the confines of Azura, you'll have plenty of opportunities to at one of the ports' many excursions.
Turks & Caicos Islands
Carnival cruise ship catches fire in Grand Turk - AOL
Carnival cruise ship catches fire in Grand Turk.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:02:23 GMT [source]
There is a government tax for all hired cars ($15) and motor scooters ($5). Major rental companies include, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Rent a Buggy, National, and Tropical Auto Rental. A taxi from the airport to Grace Bay should be $33 but some drivers will try to scam you for more. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands became a British Overseas Territory (BOT).
Start by visiting the cruise port; grab a bite from Margaritaville, then head on over to sunray beach for a day of sun and splashing. The best thing about all this is that unlike some cruise ports, all the beaches in Grand Turk are public and free to explore. Once on the island, you will head over to the horse shelter north of the cruise center, where a horse will be handpicked for you, and you will start the minutes excursion. If you are up for an active excursion, book paddle boarding, and kayaking excursions and explore the clear waters of the peaceful north creek. The kayaks have a clear bottom that lets you view the action under the water.
If you happen to visit this beautiful island during the winter months of January to April, you can go on a humpback whale excursion. Where you will witness and if lucky get to snorkel with these majestic creatures as they migrate from the cold Atlantic Ocean waters to the warmer Caribbean waters for mating and childbearing. Grand Turk is a haven for divers, located along the third-largest barrier reefs; the island has some great diving spots off the west coast on the Columbus Landfall National Park. The FlowRider designed in a slope like water slide structure, jets waves of water that create ocean-like waves, but on a smaller scale. Always book early for this fun adventure as it’s always a busy activity and you will be on it with probably 1 or 2 more people.
If you will be anywhere near caves on an excursion or while exploring, be sure to have an updated Rabies vaccine, as bats can carry the virus. Also be sure to bring insect repellent due to reports of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Chikungunya. Some of the more commonly purchased items by tourists on vacation Grand Turk include salt, soaps, model sailboats, straw products, conch shells, and rum. 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.
If you are looking for something more private, then head on over to Governor’s beach which is about a mile north of the cruise center. It has a pristinely white sandy beach kissed by clear blue ocean waters. Go paddleboarding on its beautiful waters or take a splash and soak in some needed sun.
This Princess Cruises cruise will hit Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grand Turk of Turks and Caicos before returning to Fort Lauderdale. There’s a wide range of tourist gift and souvenir shops, art galleries, and jewelers at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Some of these stores are regional chains, such as the Ron Jon Surf Shop, Margaritaville Trading Post, Dufry duty-free, and Diamonds International.
However, upon the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Lucayan tribes were wiped out, causing the islands to be sparsely populated for about 30 years. Many Bermudians would rake the beaches of Turks and Caicos and take their booty back to Bermuda. Since most visitors to Grand Turk are cruise ship guests, the dining on the island is much smaller, yet still authentic in comparison to its counterparts. The island certainly features their own island-style dining spots, which are typically only open for lunch.