THINGS & PLACES TO SEE IN GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS

Grand Turk is a small island of the Turks and Caicos. It might be only seven miles long, but it has centuries of stories. From colonial buildings and a 19th-century lighthouse to flamingos, donkeys and some of the Caribbean’s quietest beaches with lucent and glassy water. 

Whether you get to Grand Turk by plane or cruise ship, plan to start your tour from the Grand Turk Cruise Center area. From there, visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse, via salt ponds and Cockburn Town. Finish your day relaxing at one of Grand Turk’s calm beaches such as Governor’s Beach. 

1 | HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN COCKBURN TOWN

Cockburn Town is the heart of Grand Turk and the center of its history. The streets are lined with 18th and 19th century buildings. Bright colored houses reflect the island’s colonial past. Here you can visit small shops, government buildings, and local cafés while walking along Duke Street. This street runs right beside the ocean.

If you are exploring the island as part of a tour from the Cruise Port, take advantage of a 20-minute stop downtown Cockburn. Make use of the time to shop for souvenirs, visit the Turks & Caicos National Museum, and take a quick picture of the beautiful water in the ocean across the road. There are food trucks where you can get a quick local delight snack.

2 | GRAND TURK LIGHTHOUSE

On the northern tip of the island stands the Grand Turk Lighthouse, built in 1852 to guide ships away from dangerous reefs. The white tower rises above the blue water, offering sweeping views of the coast. The area around the lighthouse has an area suited for photos and a picnic. You can also spot humpback whales during migration season.

If you go to the Lighthouse on a tour (usually in an Open-Air Tram), you might want to swiftly get off the tram/bus and head to the fence along the shore. That’s where you will see the best views of the Grand Turk Lighthouse—the views of the ocean are incredible too. 

A lot of people tend to start with feeding the donkeys in the parking lot before heading down to the lighthouse. If you don’t want strangers in your photo backdrop, get there earlier. 

3 | SALT HOUSE MUSEUM AND FLAMINGOS

Grand Turk was once known for its salt production. The Salt House Museum tells that story. Exhibits show how sea salt was harvested from the island’s natural salt ponds. Outside, you may see wild flamingos feeding in the shallow water.

The salt ponds are visible from the road. The tour trams/buses don’t usually stop here, but the guide does an excellent job explaining about the salt production history.

4 | EUNICE LODGE

This small, whitewashed building is one of the oldest structures on the island. Once a governor’s residence, Eunice Lodge now stands as a symbol of Grand Turk’s colonial past. It is located about 15 minutes away from the cruise terminal. It sits right at the center of Grand Turk Island. 

5 | BEACHES OF GRAND TURK

Grand Turk’s beaches are calm, uncrowded, and picture perfect. The water is pure and crystal—you can literally see fish swimming by. All beaches are a few minutes drive from Grand Turk Cruise Port.

• Governor’s Beach is close to the cruise port and is known for its soft white sand and turquoise water.
• English Point Beach offers a quiet escape and is ideal for snorkeling.
• Boaby Rock Point has clear waters and a wild, natural feel. 

6 | GRAND TURK CRUISE PORT

The Grand Turk Cruise Port is the island’s busiest spot when ships arrive. It has restaurants, shops, and a large swimming pool right by the beach. From here, visitors can book tours, rent bikes, or simply enjoy the sand and sea within walking distance of the pier. 

If you arrived in Grand Turk by air, you might find the cruise port area worth the visit. There are quite a few things to do. Swimming, shopping, good restaurants, or simply admiring ships.

Just about a 2 minutes walk from the Port, you will find the John Glenn Splashdown Memorial. In 1962, astronaut John Glenn landed near Grand Turk after his first orbit around Earth. The John Glenn Splashdown Memorial honors this historic time. A replica of the Friendship 7 capsule sits on display. It has information about Glenn’s mission and the role Grand Turk played in welcoming him back to Earth.

7| EAT CONCH: A TRADITIONAL DISH IN GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS

In Grand Turk and across the Turks and Caicos Islands, traditional food encompasses the islands’ fishing culture and Caribbean influences. Conch is one of the most well-known traditional dishes. Conch is pronounced “konk” and you’ll find it in many forms:

• Cracked conch (deep-fried, similar to fried calamari)
• Conch fritters (bite-sized fried dough mixed with chopped conch, peppers, and spices)
• Conch salad (similar to ceviche, made with raw conch, lime juice, onions, and peppers)
• Stewed conch (slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, and spices, usually served with rice).

BEST EXCURSIONS IN GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS

1. Grand Turk by Open-Air Tram

It takes about 2 hours to tour the whole island and return back to the Grand Turk Cruise Port. This tour focuses on learning about the history and culture of Grand Turk. The tram passes through the historic town of Cockburn. You’ll stop here for 20 minutes to browse local shops or grab a quick bite. After that, you will continue to the northern lighthouse, where beautiful views of the island are on display. Wear a hat and make sure it’s tight enough to  stay on your head while riding on the breezy open tram.

2. Island Vibes & Beach Swim

This tour is about 2 hours. Along the route, you will spot the John Glenn Space Capsule, Bermudian-inspired buildings, and the old U.S. Navy base linked to the Bermuda Triangle.

You’ll also visit the Circle of Life, where you can touch conch shells, starfish, and jellyfish. You will finish the tour with a swim at a beautiful Grand Turk beach. 

Wear a swimsuit beneath your clothes, pack reef-safe sunscreen, and bring a hat and towel. Chairs and umbrellas are available for an hour.