The calm ocean and boat at Pillory Beach fronting the Bohio Dive Resort
The shallow and sheltered ocean at Pillory Beach.
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Pillory Beach

Grand Turk
Beach Access
Map
Editor's Comments
Pillory Beach is an easy to access yet quiet beach on Grand Turk. Although much of the ocean here is shallow with a seagrass bottom, some clean sandy spots can be found.
4-star rating for Pillory Beach by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Clear and calm water at Pillory Beach
Pillory Beach on Grand Turk.

Found to the north of Cockburn Town, Pillory Beach is a quiet and sheltered coastline that offers soft white sand and clear ocean water. It’s the second best beach on Grand Turk after Governor's Beach and doesn’t have crowds of cruise visitors.

The beach here varies a bit. Some patches are excellent with a clean sandy bottom. Other areas tend to be a bit rockier. Casuarina trees provide shade at a few spots.

The coast continues two miles (3.2 km) towards North Creek and the North Reef bluff with the Grand Turk Lighthouse.

Some historians believe that Christopher Columbus made landfall on Grand Turk, and not San Salvador in the Bahamas. This beach is the probable landfall spot (if he did arrive at Grand Turk). Along with all the other west coast beaches on Grand Turk, Pillory Beach is part of the Columbus Landfall National Park.

Warnings & Regulations
Watch for Boats
Boat strikes kill. Observe swimming and boating zones. Always watch for boats, especially at sunset when there is less light.
No Fishing
It is illegal to fish and collect conch and lobster in a National Park. Violators will face large fines and jail time.
Do Not Take Shells or Coral
It is illegal to remove shells, corals, plants, animals, and sand from a National Park without government permission.
Do Not Touch Fish or Coral
Keep well away from all marine life. Certain fish and animal species are venomous, and touching them may result in serious injury.
Dogs Must Be on Leash
It is illegal to have unleashed dogs on the beach and in public. Keep your dog leashed and clean up after it.
No Lifeguard
There are no lifeguards present in this area. Swim at your own risk and know your own limits.
No Littering
It is illegal to litter or dump waste. This includes cigarette butts, bottles, cans, and plastic. Take trash with you.
No Open Fires
No open fires on the beach are allowed. Fires are only permitted in a portable grill or stove. Take ashes with you.

Shops and Dining

Pillory Beach is within close walking distance of restaurants, shops, and craft stands located on the northern side of Cockburn Town. The dining establishments in this area tend to offer better island cuisine and Caribbean dishes, as opposed to the American favorites offered at the Cruise Center. The low-key residential community of Over Back is also nearby.

Snorkeling

Casuarina tree on at the tranquil Pillory Beach
Casuarina tree on Pillory Beach.
See Also Grand Turk Snorkeling

As is the case with Cockburn Town Beach, Pillory Beach doesn’t offer excellent snorkeling. Rock shelves and gullies, formed from ancient reefs, can be found off the beach in many places.

These conditions support small numbers of reef fish, along with the occasional coral head or sea fan. These features are interesting to explore, but there’s little in the way of large marine life.

Fish sightings include small schools of French grunts and yellowstripe goatfish, bar jacks, and some stoplight parrotfish. Squirrelfish can also be found in crevices in the rock. Southern brown stingrays and eagle rays may be seen gliding by as well.

The Pillory Name

The pillory, similar to the stocks, was a device used to secure a person so they could be subjected to punishment (such as having rotten vegetables thrown at them). It’s not known if this is the reason why Pillory Beach is named as such.

Although the name largely didn’t catch on, Pillory Beach was renamed in 1992 to Guanahani Beach by the Turks and Caicos Government. This name was chosen in honor of the indigenous Taínos' name for the island where Columbus first made landfall in the New World. Most people refer to the beach as Pillory Beach.

Beach Access

From most locations on Grand Turk, it will be necessary to either take a taxi or drive to this beach. Taxi rates from the Grand Turk Cruise Center should be $8 per person each way.

It’s easy to visit Pillory Beach if you have a rental vehicle. There’s ample (and free) parking. Simply follow Front Street in Cockburn Town to its conclusion to the north. You’ll find a small unpaved parking area here at the Cockburn Town Access, which is the popular place to stop. See the Grand Turk maps for details.

There’s no official or developed beach access on Pillory Beach, yet several roads in the area lead directly to the coast. If you prefer more seclusion, simply pick a spot that looks great and park.

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