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Why go to Grand Turk?
Pros: Its island vibe melds lounge-ready hammocks with a quirky history involving the U.S. space program.
Cons: The once-free lighthouse now charges admission; attractions not easily accessible from terminal.
Bottom Line: Perfect port for a lazy beach day close to the ship; car service or tour recommended for exploration.
Where You’re Docked
Ships dock on the southwestern tip of the island, at a pier built specifically for cruise ships; the facility is owned and operated by Carnival Corp. There's a number of duty-free shops, jewelry stores, souvenir stands, bars and restaurants located in the cruise center. Adjacent to Margaritaville, you can even find a FlowRider. Froots and other facilities in this area have free Wi-Fi.
Grand Turk Cruise Port Facilities
The port is located near a tourism village packed with restaurants, amenities and jewelry and trinket stores. One of the largest pools in the Caribbean is located conveniently outside of the Caribbean's largest Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant. You also have direct access to an 800-foot stretch of beach with cabanas and changing rooms. Not long after you disembark the ship and walk onto the beach, you'll see hammocks encouraging you to pass out there for a while (and it's tempting).
Good to Know
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. Also be sure to bring insect repellent due to reports of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Chikungunya.
Getting Around
By Rental Car: Tony's Car Rental (649-231-1806) offers car, scooter and bicycle rentals. Car rentals start at $70 per day; open-back Jeep rentals start at $95 per day. Golf carts can also be rented on the island.
By Taxi: Taxi fares are set in advance -- look for posted signs; a ride from the cruise terminal to the downtown area should be around $7. The walk into town is approximately three miles, but the tourism board warns it's a very hot walk with no sidewalks, so your best bet is to take transportation.
By Bus: Grand Turk does not have an organized public bus system; bus stops seen around the island are, for the most part, spots for students to grab shuttles. Plan an organized excursion, or expect to rent a car or grab a taxi.
By Island Tram: Tram tours have a set route circling the island, but you can hop on or off at any juncture. Tickets are $25 per person, but the trams run on an irregular schedule, so be sure to catch one closest to when your ship docks. If you miss a morning tour, another might not run for two hours.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money
The official currency of Turks and Caicos is the U.S. dollar. Scotiabank offers two ATMs located in Waterloo Plaza; it's open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. The ATM is open 24 hours a day.
Language
The island's primary language is English. Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken.
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