Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
Description
View cruises with Grand Turk, Turks & CaicosGrand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is a small island bursting with turn-of-the-century Caribbean charm, retaining the look and feel of the Caribbean 40 years ago. Grand Turk was founded by Bermudan salt rakers some three centuries ago and its Bermudan-British-colonial architecture surrounded by colorful local dwellings make the island a treasure to visit. It is recognized as being one of the first places in the New World where Christopher Columbus landed and also gained worldwide attention when John Glenn splashed down near Grand Turk on his historic first mission to space. Grand Turk is six miles long and just over a mile wide with a population of only 6,000. It is blessed with miles of uncrowded, beautiful beaches and is close to several uninhabited cays such as Gibb's Cay, home of the stingray encounter. While there are many landside attractions to explore such as the Old Prison, Lighthouse Park, and the re-created salt salina, the real beauty of the island lies underwater. Grand Turk is world-famous for its healthy and beautiful coral reefs that surround the island, stretching almost from the coastline to the 7,000-foot vertical wall just offshore.
Points of Interest
- Cockburn Town
- Turks & Caicos National Museum
- Grand Turk Lighthouse
- Gibb's Cay
- Beaches
- Snorkeling & Diving
- Outdoor Adventure
- Grand Quay Salt Company
More about Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Points of Interest
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Cockburn Town -
Historic 18th-and 19th-century Bermudian architecture lines the long, narrow streets of Cockburn Town, the administrative capital of Turks and Caicos.
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Turks & Caicos National Museum -
The museum, located in one of the oldest stone buildings on the islands, chronicles Grand Turk's history from 700 A.D. to modern times and features artifacts from the Molasses Reef wreck.
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Grand Turk Lighthouse -
More than 150 years ago, this lighthouse was brought from the U.K. to help halt shipwrecks on Grand Turk's reefs. Today, it's a prized historic site, protected by the National Trust.
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Gibb's Cay -
The unspoiled, uninhabited island of Gibb's Cay is located about a mile from Grand Turk. A luxurious white-sand beach and fascinating snorkeling make this a favorite among visitors.
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Beaches -
Enjoy one of Grand Turks' beautiful beaches.
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Snorkeling & Diving -
The crystal-clear waters and underwater visibility are trademarks of Grand Turk.
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Outdoor Adventure -
Grand Turk offers horseback riding, biking, dune buggies, kayaking - and even a Flowrider® near the pier.
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Grand Quay Salt Company -
Tour Grand Turk's "Salt House," a museum that focuses on the island's salt and slave trade heritage. You can even purchase a variety of culinary salt blends on site!
