Port Guide: Grand Turk (Part 2)

Hi everyone, it’s Victoria again, and today is Part Two of the Grand Turk port guide! Last week’s blog post was about what to do in Grand Turk’s cruise center, and today I want to focus on things to do outside of the cruise center. This post is not about excursions offered on the island through the different cruise lines, but simply finding a taxi cab or renting a car and making your way around the island.

Grand Turk welcome sign, circa March 2016

Cockburn Town and Beyond:

While Cruise Center Beach is located mere steps away from the dock, it can be overcrowded if more than one ship is in port that day. Governor’s Beach is a short, one mile drive away, and features a more serene atmosphere since most cruisers opt to stay on Cruise Center Beach. Cockburn Town Beach is located closer to the main city, hence the name, and offers more to do if you wanted to combine a beach day with shopping or with more sightseeing.

The Turks and Caicos National Museum is located in Cockburn Town, and is a great way to spend an hour learning about the islands’ history and culture. There is a small fee to enter the museum, but it goes towards the museum, and the location is great for spending an in town in between beach-hopping and shopping.

Another museum, and one of my favorites, is The Salt House, which is located on the outskirts of town. The Salt House is a free exhibit, and is dedicated to the island’s importance in the historic salt industry. The museum is a hidden gem and a perfect trip for any history buff! In the back of The Salt House is a working windmill and a lake of what looked to be salt. Besides the informational exhibits, The Salt House is a great place to find locally made souvenirs based around salt.

Besides museums, one of Grand Turk’s main historical attractions is the Grand Turk Lighthouse. It is located on the other side of the island from the cruise center and Cockburn Town, but it is worth the drive. Built in 1852, the lighthouse played an important part in guiding ships throughout the Caribbean Sea, and is now a great reflection on Grand Turk’s past. The grounds where the lighthouse is located are open to the public, and there is also a small snack shop and gift shop located next to the Grand Turk Lighthouse.

One of my favorite, favorite, favorite restaurants on Grand Turk is Konky Joe’s. It’s a small shack located in Cockburn Town, and our taxi driver took us there after a day driving around the island. It is the best place for conch on the island, and definitely a place I can’t wait to go back to. Another restaurant closer to Cockburn Town Beach is the Sandbar Restaurant, which serves seafood and typical American fare.

Grand Turk is definitely an island you need to explore outside of the cruise center, and I hope this post helps you as you travel throughout the beautiful island of Grand Turk!