Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands archipelago and it is located 575 miles Southeast of Miami, Florida, and 30 miles south of the Bahamas.
In 2006, Carnival Corporation opened the $50 million Grand Turk Cruise Center on the southern end of Grand Turk Island. The entire island is approximately seven miles long and is home to 4,500 residents.
We’ve visited the Grand Turk Cruise Center several times during the last eight years via a Caribbean cruise, and like most visitors, have most often not ventured outside of the cruise center.
After all, the 18-acre Grand Turk Cruise Center was designed to have most everything a vacationing visitor to a Caribbean island desires: a beautiful beach, huge lagoon-style swimming pool, significant shopping, and the largest Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in the Caribbean.
No more than two cruise ships can dock at the same time at Grand Turk. The walk from the berthed ships to the cruise center is approximately 390 ft.
The Cruise Center is located on the beautiful Governor’s Beach. One third of a mile down the beach is the southwest point of Grand Turk, where good snorkeling and the beginning of secluded South Beach can be found
At Grand Turk Cruise Center, there is no charge to use the beach or lounge chairs. Snorkel Equipment, beach floats and shade “clam shells” can be rented at the Beach Rental Hut on the beach. The beach is relaxing, and the water is crystal clear.
If you prefer swimming in a pool, or lounging beside one, there is also a large, lagoon-style pool that is free to cruisers at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. The pool is next to Jimmy’s Buffett’s restaurant/bar, with bar stools right in the pool. Private air-conditioned pool cabanas are also available for rent through your cruise line.
There is also a FlowRider surfing attraction at the Grand Turk Cruise Center,
The Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, the largest in the Caribbean, includes an apparel store for adding another t-shirt to your collection.
Many believe that the “Turks” in Turks and Caicos is derived from the indigenous Turk’s Head “fez” cactus, a small stubby cactus capped with a spiny structure resembling a Turkish Fez hat, and the Lucayan term caya hico, meaning ‘string of islands. Examples of this namesake cactus are a part of the cruise center.
On February 20, 1962, after orbiting the earth three times in his Mercury “Friendship 7” spacecraft, American astronaut John Glenn splashed down in the ocean near Grand Turk Island. There is a replica of John Glenn, his Mercury spaceship, and his the Friendship 7 capsule located within the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Informational signs share the details of this island and the U.S. space program.
Those guests who prefer a quieter area will enjoy South Beach. The beach is located on the right as you walk down the cruise ship pier towards the cruise center.
Walking to the edge of the island, you can see a replica of a Caribbean humpback whale. Between January through April each year, these whales migrate through the Turks head passage in the Turks and Caicos Islands as they travel from the northern waters of Canada’s Bay of Fundy to the Silver Bank off the Dominican Republic where they mate and calve.
You can have a fantastic visit to Grand Turk without ever leaving the Grand Turk Cruise Port. As we previously mentioned, we never left the cruise center during several visits.
Prior to our last visit via a 7-day Holiday cruise on Holland America’s ms Zuiderdam, we researched the Turks and Caicos Islands, learning these 33 ‘Fun Facts.”
With more knowledge comes more curiosity, so of course we had to explore more of the island outside of the Grand Turk Cruise Port. We will share the details of that adventure in Exploring Grand Turk Beyond the Cruise Center.
Have you visited Grand Turk via a cruise ship? Here are a few things to recall a visit:
The British show set in Turks and Caicos: Masterpiece: Worricker – Turks & Caicos
For the kids or grandkids: Explore: The Turks and Caicos Islands – Coloring Book
To organize your photo memories: Turks & Caicos Map Embossed Photo Album 200 Photos / 4×6
Check out these other posts related to our Eastern Caribbean cruise on Holland America:
- 18 Fun Facts About Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
- All of the “Fine Print” Details of Holland America’s Signature Beverage Package
- The New Pinnacle Grill Lunch Menu on Holland America
- 5 Steps to Faster Disembarkation from a Holland America Cruise Ship
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