Grand Turk Cruise Center
Grand Turk
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a 13-acre (5.2 hectare) complex and cruise port on the southern end of Grand Turk. This site serves as the launch point for cruise ship shore excursions, and offers on-site gift and jewelry shops, restaurants, and a spa, as well as the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean (which features a swim-up bar). As many as six ocean liners are welcomed here each week.
The beautiful Cruise Center Beach fronts the complex, and is one of the nicest cruise port beaches in the region.
Unlike many other Caribbean vacation cruise stops, Grand Turk is a very small island, and offers a completely different atmosphere than better-known destinations. There isn’t a crowded city or waterfront, just a laid-back little town with great beaches and British-Bermudian colonial heritage.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is the only cruise port in the Turks and Caicos, and the $50 million complex was opened by Carnival Cruise Lines in 2006.
Sights and Attractions at the Cruise Center
The highlight of the Grand Turk Cruise Center is the huge, lagoon-like swimming pool. Private poolside cabanas with waiter service can be rented, but be sure to reserve yours early as availability is limited.
The Cruise Center is located on the beautiful Cruise Center Beach, and the section next to the cruise ship pier is the poorest section–you’ll want to head north up the coast a short distance to experience the best sand and water. Here you’ll also find Jack's Shack, a popular restaurant to grab lunch. Complimentary beach lounge chairs are found fronting the complex, although depending on the number of ships in port, this area of the beach can become extremely crowded. Grand Turk is one of the few destinations in the Caribbean where a great beach can be enjoyed directly off the cruise ships.
To the south of the Cruise Center, the beach becomes a bit more secluded, albeit rocky. If you continue to the southern point of Grand Turk, you’ll be at Boaby Rock Point, and near some snorkeling reefs. Further on is White Sands Beach.
The unparalleled Governor's Beach is found less than a mile (1 km) to the north, but unfortunately, it’s not possible to walk to this location on the beach due to the Government Dock, which interrupts the coast. It’s necessary to take the inland roads to get to Governor’s Beach.
One of the exciting attractions in the Cruise Center is the FlowRider. Water is jetted over a preformed cushioned surface to create an artificial surfing attraction. Both stand-up surfing and body-boarding are possible, and it’s fun to simply watch others’ attempts as well.
The Space Race
A little-known fact: the island of Grand Turk played a part in the 1962 Mercury Space Mission. John Glenn’s first step on dry land after returning to Earth was on Grand Turk, and a U.S. Navy Base that was in operation on the island at the time, NAVFAC 104, helped in the recovery operations.
There’s a memorial to John Glenn and the historic event at the Cruise Center, and the display features a statue, a replica of the Friendship Seven space capsule, and informative plaques.
Also nearby is a statue of a breaching humpback whale, highlighting the excellent whale watching at Grand Turk during the winter months.
Restaurants and Dining
If you’re looking to enjoy some food and drinks, there are two restaurants within easy access of the Cruise Center: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and Jack's Shack. Both eateries serve a menu of American and international grill favorites such as burgers, sandwiches, grilled seafood, and chicken.
Margaritaville fronts the expansive swimming pool at the Cruise Center, and Jack’s Shack is located a short walk up the coast on a perfect piece of beach with crystal clear ocean water.
The Cruise Center is also home to the only Starbucks coffee shop in the Turks and Caicos, which opened in late 2019.
Immigration and Customs
Immigration and Customs are handled by your cruise agent. Immigration and Customs personnel are present onsite, and you may be selected for a secondary inspection. To obtain a stamp in your passport, you must notify your cruise agent during clearance, or visit the Immigration Department located in Cockburn Town.
Visiting as a Non-Cruise Guest
Members of the public who want to enter the Grand Turk Cruise Center must first obtain an ID badge, valid for one day, from the guard booth near the main entrance. Visitors aged 18 and above are required to produce a government-issued ID, and persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (who can present a valid government-issued ID).
Transportation and Getting Around Grand Turk
Transportation to other sites of interest on Grand Turk is available directly outside the Cruise Center. Here you’ll find taxis waiting, and rental car pickups take place here as well.
If you’d like to rent a car, golf cart, or scooter, we advise making a reservation in advance of your visit. However, local rental companies may be able to accommodate walk-ins.
Exploring the sights, town, and beaches of Grand Turk is one of our recommended ways of spending the day on Grand Turk. There’s so much to see, including the small yet interesting Turks and Caicos National Museum, the Grand Turk Lighthouse, and the waterfront at our capital city of Cockburn Town (where many of the island’s hotels are located).
If you’d prefer to have a guide on your island tour, many of the taxis will be happy to show the sights and sounds of the island.
Shopping
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.
If you’re interested in finding an authentic Turks and Caicos gift, see Shopping in the Turks and Caicos for ideas. The National Museum and a few other shops also offer local items.
Local prices are similar to other Caribbean destinations, and the majority of the souvenirs and trinkets are relabeled versions of the typical mass-produced mugs, refrigerator magnets, and items seen at every other cruise port (usually from China). Likewise, seashells tend to not be local, and are of Pacific origin.
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