What to Know About the Grand Turk Cruise Port in Turks & Caicos

The Grand Turk Cruise Center in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, is a popular cruise port destination frequented by all the major cruise lines, and it’s one of my personal favorites.

It’s not a tender port, which is a huge plus for me. I know tender ports are sometimes necessary at destinations with shallow water or narrow channels, but I like to maximize my port time, and tendering can eat up a big chunk of the day, and it's just a hassle. You walk right off the ship at Grand Turk and onto a short pier. It’s quick and efficient.

Related: Download a port map for Grand Turk

You also don’t need an excursion here. I love a good beach day that costs nothing, and Grand Turk delivers. The beach, SunRay Beach, is just steps from the pier, so you don’t need to pay for a taxi or tour to enjoy your time in port. But if you're not a beach person or want to do other things here, there’s plenty to do if you want to explore more.

Another reason I love this port is that it’s clean and safe. You won’t face the aggressive vendor experience right off the ship, which is common in some other Caribbean ports (except for the chair pirates, which I discuss below).

Also, here's a fun fact: the only Starbucks in the entire country of Turks & Caicos is in the Grand Turk Cruise Center. It opened in 2019, is bright pink (and is the only pink Starbucks in the world), and fits the island vibe perfectly. Just note that it doesn’t accept the Starbucks app. I visited here once on my birthday, and was bummed that I wasn't able to redeem my free birthday drink. First World problems, I know...

Related: Watch all my Grand Turk video content.

Things to Do in Grand Turk for Cruisers

There’s a lot to do and enjoy at this port, whether you stay in the Cruise Center or explore the island.

Relax at the Port Beach

There’s a beautiful beach directly adjacent to the pier, ideal for a free and easy beach day. The sand is clean, and the water is clear and inviting, though a bit rocky in places, so I recommend packing water shoes. There are beach chairs available, and some are free for use by cruisers (they’re marked green and provided by the cruise line), but they’re limited. Others are offered for rent by locals.

Jack’s Shack

Jack's Shack beach bar is a well-loved Grand Turk staple among cruisers, and is a short walk from the pier. Once you exit the terminal, just make a left down the beach and you can't miss it. Jack's Shack makes a nice hangout spot because you can enjoy the beach, stay close to the ship, but also have easy access to casual food like burgers and fried favorites, plus drink specials and beer buckets. They’re also known for a few beach-loving dogs that like to visit with tourists. It’s a fun, laid-back spot to hang out.

Related: Watch my video overview of Jack's Shack

Margaritaville

If you’d rather spend your day by the pool than on the sand, Margaritaville is located right at the port. This is an excellent option for cruisers who prefer a poolside experience with music, food service, and a fun vibe. 

Exiting the ship and walking down the pier into the port area, you’ll pass through the main duty-free and welcome center. From there, Margaritaville is just to the left, easily visible with its colorful signage. It’s actually part of the cruise center complex, so everything is close together, including shops, the beach, and other restaurants.

You won’t need a taxi or shuttle to get there; it’s literally less than a five-minute walk from the ship. The complex is designed for easy access and convenience, making Margaritaville one of the most popular and easy-to-reach spots on the island, but it can get really crowded.

Snorkeling and Water Activities

Bring your own snorkel gear and explore from the shore or join a local tour for a more structured snorkeling experience. You’ll also find options for kayaking, parasailing, and other water-based excursions. You can book these water activities through the cruise line, book an independent excursion like a snorkeling tour via boat, or just venture out. Because of the small size of the island, and ease of navigation, this is a great port to explore on your own.

Historical Tram Tour

If you're interested in local history or just want a low-effort way to see more of the island, the Grand Turk Historical Tram Tour is a great choice. It's informative, affordable, and especially helpful for those with limited mobility or folks who aren't "beach people."

Related: Check out my one-minute video guide of the best things to do in Grand Turk.

Best Beaches in Grand Turk

Grand Turk is a great spot for a beach day, and this is what many cruisers opt to do when visiting here on a cruise. 

SunRay Beach

This is the beach located directly at the cruise port, and it's the easiest and most accessible beach option in Grand Turk. As noted above, as soon as you walk off the ship, you're just steps away from a great beach. It’s part of the Grand Turk Cruise Center and is completely free to access, making it ideal for an easy beach day. If you like snorkeling, bring your own set and stay close to the ships and explore underwater near the rocky undergirding of the cruise pier; you're guaranteed to see some incredible marine life.

While the cruise port beach is convenient, though, there are other options if you're looking to venture away from the crowds. None of these are within walking distance, so you'll need to arrange transportation to get there. 

Governor’s Beach

Aside from the port beach, this is probably the most popular beach in Grand Turk. It's about 3 miles north of the cruise port and offers a quieter, more peaceful beach experience. It’s an easy ride via taxi or golf cart, and much more relaxing than walking (there are no sidewalks and the heat can be intense).

Pillory Beach

Pillory Beach is farther north and also worth visiting if you have time (pictured below). Grand Turk does tend to get windy, though, so the waves at Pillory Beach can get really aggressive on particularly windy days.

White Sands Beach

White Sands Beach is located just south of the port, though it’s not ideal for swimming due to seaweed that tends to wash up at this part of the island. Accessing White Sands Beach can also be a bit challenging, and it's very secluded. A poorly maintained track runs along Hawkes Nest Salina, but the most direct way there is to walk northeast along the coast from Boaby Rock Point. Because of these factors, this is not a beach I recommend.

Related: Check out my video overview of the top beaches in Grand Turk.

Are Beach Chairs Free at Grand Turk?

As noted above, the cruise lines make a limited number of lounge chairs and umbrellas available to cruisers at the beach at the cruise terminal, and they're available on a first-come, first-served basis. Because of this beach's popularity, they go quickly, so if you want one, I advise disembarking the ship as soon as you can once your ship docks.

But, even when these chairs are available, there are sometimes unscrupulous local vendors known as "chair pirates" who may aggressively try to rent you their chairs, even when free ones are available. They may even try to con you into renting the free beach chairs in some circumstances.

The cruise lines' complimentary chairs are green and marked, so look for those if you want to avoid paying for them. 

Exploring Grand Turk in a Golf Cart

Grand Turk is one of the best places in the Caribbean to rent a golf cart. The island is only about 6 miles long from end to end, making it easy to explore independently. A golf cart allows you to see more of the island at your own pace without relying on cruise line excursions.

Multiple vendors offer rentals, and booking in advance is strongly recommended because rentals often sell out, especially during peak season.

If you rent from a third-party vendor, you must exit the port and walk about 10 minutes to the pickup location. Head right when you leave the ship, walk toward the taxi stand under the brown awning, and continue on foot. It’s a bit of a walk, but not bad provided you do not have any mobility limitations.

You’ll need a valid driver’s license and must sign a waiver. Most companies provide a printed map of the island of Grand Turk and quick instructions.

Related: Watch my video review of exploring Grand Turk via golf cart.

On one of my visits, I rented a cart from Paradise Carts for around $110 for the day. We drove up the western coast, stopping at Governor’s Beach, then Pillory Beach, and explored the quaint shops in Cockburn Town. Along the way, we saw plenty of the island’s famous wild donkeys (they’re everywhere!) and even made a final stop at Jack’s Shack before returning to the ship.

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road in Turks & Caicos, so keep that in mind if you’re used to driving on the right. The carts aren’t fast, so expect to be passed by cars, ATVs, and other carts, but honestly, that's part of the fun. This is a great way to see the island, especially if you’re up for an adventure.

Related: Get pricing and book a Grand Turk golf cart rental. For a bit more adventure, you can instead rent a UTV.

Language and Currency in Grand Turk

The official language in Turks & Caicos is English, and the U.S. dollar is the local currency. Most places accept credit cards, though it’s a good idea to carry a small amount of cash for tips or small purchases, and to increase your negotiating power with local vendors who prefer cash.

In many Caribbean ports, including Grand Turk, while vendors accept US dollars, they may refuse bills that are worn, marked, or damaged. Credit cards are widely accepted, but I highly recommend using a travel-focused credit card—like this one—instead of a debit card.

Credit cards offer better fraud protection, plus perks like travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and rewards points. Debit cards put your bank account at risk if fraud occurs, as funds are withdrawn immediately and may take longer to recover.

Time Zone

Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.

Most cruise lines operate on “ship time,” set to the time of the departing port. For sailings off the eastern coast of the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). Turks & Caicos has a complicated history of time zones, with multiple changes, and now operates on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Cruising to Grand Turk

Grand Turk is one of those ports where you can do as little or as much as you like. It’s perfect for a no-cost beach day, but also offers fun experiences like golf cart exploration, beach bars, water sports, and photo-friendly adventures. Whether you want to lounge at the beach with a drink or head off to discover the island, Grand Turk is easy, laid-back, and always worth a visit.