Grand Turk tropical island and crystal blue waters, UK

Things to do in  Grand Turk

The Atlantic, but make it tropical

Grand Turk is tiny—narrow as a rail and just 7 miles (11 kilometers) long. But as a popular cruise ship stop, there are plenty of things to do in Grand Turk besides soaking up the sun with a drink at its sprawling cruise port and massive Margaritaville. Stroll along the charming streets of capital Cockburn Town, with its colorful colonial buildings draped with bougainvillea; explore its rugged coast and white sand beaches on a scooter or golf cart; or discover its underwater treasures, from stingrays to some of the world’s best coral wall dives.

Top 10 attractions in Grand Turk

Gibbs Cay

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Swim and snorkel with stingrays in the warm shallow waters around Gibbs Cay, a beautiful and uninhabited 7-acre (2.8-hectare) island. The best place in the Turks and Caicos to see and interact with southern stingrays, Gibbs Cay also features pristine, white-sand beaches, a scenic shoreline, and a hill with sea oats at its center.More

Cockburn Town Lighthouse

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The only lighthouse on Grand Turk, the Cockburn Town Lighthouse (also known as the Grand Turk Lighthouse) was built in the 1850s to help ships navigate the treacherous shallow reefs off the northern end of the island. Although no longer operational, the lighthouse is one of the top historical landmarks on Grand Turk.More

Chalk Sound National Park

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Connected to the ocean via a small channel, Chalk Sound is a landlocked lagoon that attracts swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. The dazzling body of water takes up the southwestern coast of Providenciales, south of the island’s airport and downtown area, just inland from Sapodilla Bay. The lake stretches for 3 miles (5 kilometers), separated from the coast by a thin peninsula of resort-studded sand.More

Turks & Caicos National Museum

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The Turks & Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town is a family-friendly attraction that explores the history of the Caribbean with a focus on the Turks and Caicos Islands. Established in 1991, it houses a fascinating collection of exhibits and artifacts relating to the tropical Atlantic archipelago.More

Governor’s Beach

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Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, representing the territory’s administrative, cultural, historical and commercial centre. Located between the Cruise Center and Cockburn Town, the famous Governor’s Beach offers a classic Caribbean combination of soft white sand and calm turquoise waters.More
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Grand Turk Cruise Center

Grand Turk Cruise Center

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Many visitors come to Turks and Caicos Islands—a collection of small vacation-friendly outposts in the Caribbean—as part of a cruise, setting anchor at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. A destination in its own right, the Grand Turk Cruise Center is both a jumping-off point for exploring the island and somewhere you could easily spend the day.More

Cockburn Town

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Located on the west shore of Grand Turk, Cockburn Town is the oldest town and capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands. This charming and picturesque beachfront settlement offers British colonial architecture, historic landmarks, and easy access to white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters.More
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Grand Turk Wall

Grand Turk Wall

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The Caribbean’s islands are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Grand Turk—in the Turks and Caicos Islands—is a hugely popular diving destination thanks to some of the finest reef and wall sites in the tropical Atlantic—including the famous ‘Wall’, located just off Grand Turk.More
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Salt Cay

Salt Cay

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Salt Cay island is the smallest of the main inhabited Turks and Caicos Islands. At only 2 square miles (around 7 square kilometers) with no built-up tourist hotels or resorts, it attracts visitors hoping for something a little more adventurous than the typical Caribbean holiday, but with all the laid-back charm of the region.More
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Duke Street

Duke Street

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Duke Street is the main thoroughfare in historic Cockburn Town, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Visitors will find all the usual vacation attractions here, from hotels and souvenir shops to restaurants and bars.More

All about Grand Turk

When to visit

The most popular time to visit Grand Turk is from December to April. However, May and June are the best months to visit, and they offer lower prices, smaller crowds, but still pleasant weather. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk between late August and mid-October, which overlaps with the rainy season from late August to early December. Migrating humpback whales pass by between late December and early March.

Getting around

Grand Turk is a small island, at only 6 miles (10 kilometers) long, and there are no buses or public transport, so taxis and rental vehicles are the only options for getting around. Visitors can easily rent cars, golf carts, 4x4 carts, ATVs, scooters, and bicycles, with the latter two ideal for the narrow, colorful streets of Cockburn Town. Most sightseeing tours usually include transportation, as well.

Traveler tips

The Grand Turk cruise port is massive and features the world’s largest Margaritaville, along with many other forms of entertainment. However, it’s also easy to venture out, even if just slightly. Cruise Center Beach, also known as SunRay Beach, stretches on either side of the port. Head to the northern or southern end to escape the crowds. Scenic Governor’s Beach is also within walking distance, though you will need to take the inland roads to get to it.

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People Also Ask

What is Grand Turk known for?

Grand Turk is the second-most populated island of the Turks and Caicos, and home to its capital, Cockburn Town. It’s known for having a laid-back vibe, historic sites, beautiful beaches, the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean at its massive cruise ship complex, and fantastic wall diving off its west coast. The island was also well known within the sea salt industry up until the 20th century.

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How many days do you need in Grand Turk?

Grand Turk is just seven square miles (18 square kilometers), which means you can see the entire island in a day or so. Many of the island’s visitors only travel here as part of a cruise ship stop. Visitors looking to relax or scuba dive will want to spend a few more days.

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How old do you have to be to drink in Grand Turk?

The legal age to buy and drink alcohol on Grand Turk is 18. Visitors who look to be under age 21 may be asked to show identification when purchasing alcohol. Residents and travelers over the age of 17 are allowed to bring in certain amounts of spirits and wines duty free.

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Can you walk to the beach from Grand Turk cruise port?

The cruise port in Grand Turk is actually located on a beach. Cruise Center Beach, also known as SunRay Beach, stretches on either side of the port. The northern end of the beach is less crowded and offers better sand and water, which is usually calm. Governor’s Beach is also within walking distance of the cruise port.

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What activities are popular in Grand Turk?

Scuba diving is one of the top things to do in Grand Turk, which is known for having some of the best wall diving in the Caribbean, too. Other water activities, such as snorkeling, swimming, jet-skiing, and boating are also popular. The island also has scenic beaches, a massive cruise port complex, and historic sites.

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Is it worth visiting Grand Turk?

Although the island is small, there are a number of things to do in Grand Turk, including beautiful beaches, a large cruise port complex with the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean, fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving, and one of the best coral wall dive sites in the world. There are also a number of historic sites.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Grand Turk?
Q:
What are the top activities in Grand Turk?