A Cruise to Turks and Caicos: Why not to miss these Great Islands

A Cruise to Turks and Caicos: Why not to miss these Great Islands

A Cruise to Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos Cruise Beach
Turks and Caicos Cruise Beach

Nestled in the charming seas of the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of forty islands with beaches straight out of postcards. Turquoise waters and the vibrant history and culture of this otherworldly destination definitely warrants a visit. Simply put, this is a port of call that you must really get off at to understand why we say that.

The Capital: Grand Turk

Turks and Caicos Cruise Grand Turk
Turks and Caicos Cruise Grand Turk

Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is dotted with the remains of windmills and salt lakes, reminders of its now-defunct salt industry. The largest salt formations can be seen at Hawkes Nest Salina, located near the cruise port, or at the Red Salina salt pond. For a deeper understanding of the salt industry history, visit the Salt House Shop to view a historical exhibit of Grand Turk’s salt industry.

Clear, undefiled waters ring the island, lapping against yellow-sanded beaches that attract wild horses and donkeys. The island is also the only cruise port on the archipelago.

With close to 3700 residents, it is one of the more populated islands on the archipelago and hides that unique Caribbean charm behind every corner, reminding of a bygone era.

If you are planning a cruise along the east of the Caribbean, there is a pretty good chance that Grand Turk is one of the ports of call. If so, you would want to familiarize yourself with the island.

Don’t worry, we got you covered! Read on for a quick run-down of everything you need to know to plan your itinerary.

What to see during a Turks and Caicos cruise?

The best bit about the archipelago is that there is a bit of everything for everyone.

Most sights on the island focus on the region’s history and culture. It is highly recommended that you kick off your trip by visiting Her Majesty’s Prison. This eighteenth-century prison offers a fascinating insight into the lives of prisoners in the centuries passed. Situated on Front Street at old Cockburn Town, the prison’s simple white-washed architecture and minimalistic interiors are an excellent representation of the culture and way of life in this sleepy island.

Operational until as recently as 1994, the prison had a capacity of just sixty people and usually held criminals convicted of petty crimes. For about 7 USD, you get to walk through the prison while a guide describes the many clever (and dumb!) prison break attempts, drug trafficking routes in the region and other interesting historical tidbits.

Another worthy attraction is the Grand Turk Light House. Built in 1852, the lighthouse reaches a height of 60 feet and was used to warn ships of the shallow and treacherous reef in the north of the island that claimed many British and American vessels.

Protip: There is a charge of 3 USD per person but you are not allowed to enter the lighthouse. Instead, you will be paying to view the lighthouse from the surrounding grounds. Save your money and admire the lighthouse from the car park.

The island is also home to a museum. The Turks and Caicos National Museum is one of the oldest buildings on the island and has many interesting artifacts such as the oldest excavated shipwreck, the Molasses Reef Wreck as well as the capsized remains of a slave ship and a treasure hunting Spanish ship. A tour of the museum will set you back 5 USD, although this time, it is worth the fee. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the gift store to pick up a few souvenirs.

What to do in Turks and Caicos?

Turks and Caicos Cruise What to do
Turks and Caicos Cruise What to do

Visiting historical attractions sound a bit too boring for you? Well, there is plenty in Grand Turk to satisfy that adrenaline rush!

Like ziplining for example. Located adjacent to the lighthouse, the zipline offers an exhilarating rush while giving you an aerial view of the town – if you can even gather your wits to look at the view! If you are brave enough to take things a step further, there are ziplines that operate over the reef. The guides are extremely professional and eager to help, making this a good starting point for the first-timers.

The reefs off the archipelago are teeming with a variety of magical water species and there is no better way to get a look at this underwater realm than in a catamaran boat ride. Visit uninhabited island – if you are lucky, you might see a pod of dolphins – or visit the coral reef and watch rays and reef sharks lazily glide through the clear waters. There are also several excellent snorkeling spots should you fancy a dive.

Not a fan of the water? I feel you. Maybe you would be up for an off-road tour on an ATV instead? Forgo the beach and race into the tropical jungle, weaving between coconut trees as you explore the island on an ATV. The guides who operate the ATV tours are remarkably cautious about your safety and they are extremely professional.

In addition to an ATV tour, you can also opt for a Segway tour. You can combine fun and sightseeing with fun wheels. Once you have learned to use the Segway, you can tour through the historic district and explore the Bermudian-style architecture along with the historic churches.

Summary for your Cruise to Turks and Caicos

If you were too lazy to read through the entire article, here is a quick rundown.

Looking to laze around? Visit the cruise port and grab a bite at Margaritaville before you head to the sun-kissed beaches for a day in the sun. Alternatively, you could drop by to Governer’s beach, widely considered the best beach in the region.

For the explorer in you, visit the many historical sites like the museum, lighthouse, and the prison. For the more active ones, activities like ziplines, diving and snorkeling are recommended.

http://turksandcaicostourism.com is the official site of the Turks and Caicos Tourism.

Cruisetools.org brought you A Cruise to Turks and Caicos.

Markus

I have been passionate about cruising for many years. My first cruise was a Royal Caribbean on Liberty of the Seas. Many others have followed since then, now also with our children. Cruiselines I traveled with entail Royal Caribbean, Costa Crociere, MSC, Mein Schiff (tui cruises) and Norwegian Cruise Line as well as a one-week river cruise from St. Petersburg to Vologda and back in Russia. Hope you enjoy this blog and get some practical hints! Feel free to leave any comments and contact me. Keep on cruising! Markus

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