Travel Information for Grand Turk Cruise Ship Guests Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Table Of Content
Some reports quote Glenn as saying it "must be paradise" when he spotted the 40 coral islands from space. After snorkeling, you’ll head to a secluded beach away from the crowds for some genuine island time. The best part of this Turks and Caicos excursion is that you can find it on a variety of cruise ships, including on Silver Moon and Silver Ray during Silversea’s seasonal sailings in the area. Or board an open-air vehicle to travel across the island and see its top sites, including a historic lighthouse, colonial architecture, and more.
Shore Excursions
If you prefer to rent a scooter, golf cart, 4×4 or ATV, this is also an option. 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. The Grand Turk Lighthouse is the island’s foremost attraction, and is located on the northern tip of the island. Grand Turk’s only museum, the Turks and Caicos National Museum is housed in the Guinep House in Cockburn Town, one of the oldest stone buildings on the island. The museum chronicles the history of Grand Turk Island from about 700 AD through modern times.
Grand Turk Cruise Center
It’s harder to score a good deal during December, but some advanced planning will go a long way. Though still considered peak season, the busy holiday period is long gone and crowds start to thin out, making January one of the best times to visit Turks and Caicos, along with February and March. All visa and entry matters are handled by the cruise lines, so landing is simple. Miami, Grand Turk (& back) sails to the snow-white shores of the Grand Turk for plenty of time to lay by the beach and explore the city streets.
Things to Do at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas [2024 Guide]
Following the rules, processes and procedures of your cruise line will ensure that you are successfully prepared to embark on your vacation to Grand Turk. Some important things to note when visiting Grand Turk regarding transportation is that all vehicle operators are required to hold a valid driver’s license and passport. An international driver’s license (IDL) is not required if your license is in English.
According to the State Department, the overall crime rate in the Turks and Caicos Islands is relatively low, and crimes typically involve opportunistic petty theft. Exercise a sensible level of caution if walking around at night, and keep valuables in a safe location. The CDC recommends hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations when visiting the Turks and Caicos. 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.
The Best Turks and Caicos Excursions that Don’t Get You Wet
Besides all that water fun, there are also several amazing activities to do on land. Perhaps an obvious one is sunbathing on one of Grand Turk’s epic tropical beaches. Its exhibits include the prehistoric Lucayan culture, the Turks and Caicos’ colonial era and the slave trade. Arguably its main treasure, however, is the Molasses Reef Wreck, a Spanish ship dating from 1505 and considered the oldest shipwreck in the Americas. Excavated artifacts from the wreck on display range from crossbows and cannons to personal belongings of the crew, and the rigging and hull. Cockburn Town, located about halfway up the west coast of Grand Turk, is the administrative center of Turks and Caicos.
Best Time to Visit Turks and Caicos: A Month-by-Month Guide for Cruisers
If you’re going on a cruise to Turks and Caicos, which is most likely part of an extended Caribbean cruise, you might wonder what to do there. You’ll find a bunch of great activities in the Turks and Caicos in this article, as well as some information about Grand Turk, the capital and only Turks and Caicos cruise port. But first, let’s discuss those terrific snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities you can take advantage of. Turks and Caicos are known for experiencing mosquito issues during the rainy season.
Night Southern Caribbean SeafarerDetails
Some cruises operate from Western Europe, however, these are typically longer duration and the number of cruises offered is a fraction of standard Miami Caribbean cruises. Most cruises that stop at Grand Turk are 5-10 night cruises with several Caribbean destinations from the U.S. There are a few exceptional highlights in Cockburn Town, which you should really consider visiting on your cruise to Turks and Caicos. Noteworthy attractions are Her Majesty’s Prison and the National Museum—see below. Unlike many other cruise destinations in the Caribbean, a cruise to Turks and Caicos is a relatively “exclusive” affair.
LOCAL CUISINE
Visiting Gibbs Cay, a cay a short distance off Grand Turk where stingrays congregate, is one of the more popular activities. Due to the lower numbers of cruisers during these months, mid-summer deals are common, with August being one of the months when you can get the best bang for your buck. However, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with your cruise line’s cancellation policy and get travel insurance before your trip. Humpback whales pass through the Turks and Caicos Islands from January to March each year.
Here are our choices for Turks and Caicos shore excursions that include a beach. Carnival Corp.'s cruise terminal is a destination in its own right, with retail shops, a recreation area on the beach and a huge pool. The pier can accommodate two mega-ships, theoretically from any of the many cruise lines under Carnival Corp.'s umbrella, including Princess, Carnival and Holland America. Grand Turk is known for its white sand beaches, and turquoise waters and for good reason. If you’re a beach bum, spending a day at one of Grand Turk’s many beaches may be right up your alley.
Taxi services are always available on Grand Turk and can be rented from the same locations where rental cars are available, in addition to smaller locations scattered throughout the island. Rates depend on where your taxi is hailed from and the destination you are looking to travel to. Grand Turk is a relatively small island at only 6.5 miles long, so getting around is very simple. Rental vehicles and taxi services are the main modes of transportation and there is no public transportation available. Grand Turk is a small island, so getting around is quite easy and pleasurable and there are several ways to do so.
Turks and Caicos Reports Increased Visitor Arrivals - TravelPulse
Turks and Caicos Reports Increased Visitor Arrivals.
Posted: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Turks and Caicos is a lovely collection of islands located in the eastern Caribbean. The largest island of the Turks archipelago is Grand Turk, which is also the capital of Turks and Caicos. Grand Turk has a beautiful island landscape with a mostly flat terrain and wide, sandy beaches, making it one of the top Caribbean cruise ports.
Situated on the south coast of Grand Turk, the center offers huge cruise ships a safe approach and year-round docking possibilities. Here, the ships basically dock at the beach—it’s less than 400 feet from the ships to the cruise center. Turks and Caicos weather in November is somewhat cooler than the previous months. Daytime temperatures hover around 84 degrees F, dipping to 76 degrees F at night, making outdoor activities more pleasant.
Who wouldn’t enjoy a private cabana experience complete with food and drinks? You’ll find Margaritaville in Turks and Caicos on sailings from Galveston on Carnival Miracle and from Manhattan on Carnival Venezia. Cruise Critic went exploring to find what’s available beyond the pier at Grand Turk. Here are our eight favorite Turks and Caicos excursions -- and why you might want to try them, too. Whether you prefer coffee (or cocktails) overlooking the waves, or waking up late in your own cocoon, we're holding space for you. From beach bonfires to private cabanas and floaty pool parties — all in a resort-like experience where you can actually let your salty hair down.
Comments
Post a Comment