Five Things to do in Grand Turk Without an Excursion

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a great port because there’s so much to do right at the port, as I highlighted in my Four Reasons to Love the Grand Turk Cruise Port post. If you do opt to venture out from the immediate port area, however, here are my recommendations:

A woman poses, smiling in the foreground with a wild donkey in Grand Turk in the background — *Wild donkeys roam free all over the island of Grand Turk.*

Golf Cart Rentals -Grand Turk is the best place to rent a golf cart, because the island itself is small and easily navigable, and you can traverse from the extreme south, where the cruise port is located, all the way to the northernmost point, home of the Grand Turk Lighthouse, is less than an hour each way. At just six miles in length, it’s best to hug the western coast on the way north from the port, as this is the more populated side with more things to do and see, including Cockburn Town. If you want to rent a cart, I recommend booking in advance, as these regularly sell out, and you are unlikely to have the ability to rent one on the spot, especially during peak season. See my Exploring Grand Turk in a Golf Cart post.
Donkey Spotting – If you love nature and animals, you’ll get a kick out of Grand Turk’s wild donkey population. These cute asses are everywhere, and I mean everywhere.
Beaches of Grand Turk– One of the things I love about Grand Turk is that there’s a great beach right at the port. Still, if you want to get away from the crowds and enjoy a more private experience, one of Grand Turk’s most famous beaches, Governor’s Beach, is a short taxi (or golf cart) ride north from the port. It’s only 3 miles, so walking might be tempting but don’t do it. It’s not a great area for walking, with no consistent sidewalk, and the sun and heat can also become overwhelming. Another popular beach, a bit more north, is Pillory Beach. Just south of the port is White Sands Beach, although it’s not the best for swimming due to seaweed. Check out this handy Grand Turk beach map, courtesy of the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism board.
Jack’s Shack – This is a wildly popular beach bar within a short distance from the pier. Jack’s Shack serves standard beach bar fare, mostly fried food and burgers, and offers beer buckets and drink specials. They’re known for some local pups who hang around to meet the tourists.
Margaritaville – If you’re looking for a pool day instead of a beach day, or prefer the cruise port beach bar scene, Margaritaville Grand Turk is another option close to port. Located at the southern end of the island of Grand Turk, this location is much like most other Margaritaville cruise port locations, offering a pool, food service, and a fun party vibe. The legal drinking age in Turks & Caicos is 18, so even some of the younger cruisers can imbibe.