The Grand Turk Cruise Center is a world-class, beach front cruise facility nestled among nearly 18 acres of landscaped grounds. The cruise center’s location and the island’s geography offer vessels a safe approach and berthing year-round. The walk from the berthed ships to the cruise center is approximately 390 ft.

At the cruise center guests can swim in the sparkling ocean waters or in one of the largest swimming pools in the Caribbean, stroll along the idyllic beach, relax in a complimentary chaise lounge on the beach or around the pool or rent a private poolside cabana for the day.

Clam shell shade for the beach chairs, floats, and snorkeling equipment are available for rent at the Beach Rental Hut centrally located on the beach.

Snorkelers can explore several sunken Reef Balls that tend to attract fish and see a few 18th century cannons and anchors that are in submerged in front of the Beach Rental Hut at the cruise center.

For guests in need of a little island pampering, a beach side massage service offered by Spa Turkoise is sure to melt away any tension one may have.

The cruise center is also home to the Caribbean’s largest Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville bar, restaurant, and retail shop.

Those guests who prefer a quieter area will enjoy South Beach. The beach is located on the right as you walk down the cruise ship pier towards the cruise center.

Visitors to the cruise center have the opportunity to peruse through a 45,000 sq. ft. shopping center which includes a 10,000 sq. ft. Dufry duty-free shop, 35,000 sq. ft. of high-end jewelry stores, unique apparel and t-shirt stores, locally crafted souvenirs and gifts, and food & beverage facilities.

This includes merchants such as Dufry, Colombian Emeralds, Effy Jewelers, Goodmark Jewelers, Ron Jon Surf Shop©, Diamonds International, Piranha Joes, Dizzy Donkey, Silver Emporium, Del Sol, Tanzinite Internationals, Jake & Jolle (Life is Good), Indigo Pearls, Goldsmith, The Trading Post at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

The Turkoise Beach Bar is now open at South Beach. It is located adjacent to Diamonds International and offers a variety of refreshing beverages.

Adjacent to Margaritaville and the swimming pool is the latest addition to the fun and excitement at the cruise center, the Grand Turk FlowRider surfing attraction. Offered as a shore excursion through the cruise lines, the FlowRider surfing attraction is the only of its kind located in a cruise facility.

The attraction operates by utilizing a pair of high pressure wave, that produce two-to three inch layer of water moving over a pre-formed and cushioned surface at high speed. Participants can enjoy the thrills on a body board or experienced snow boarders and surfers can try the more challenging stand-up riding. Spectators are also sure to have fun watching their fellow guests ride and most likely wipe out on the FlowRider.

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Measuring 7 miles long and only 1.5 miles wide, the island of Grand Turk is located 575 miles southeast of Miami and 30 miles South of the Bahamas. The island is a British colony and one of the islands in the chain known as the Turks and Caicos.

The population of the island is approximately 3,700 people. The primary language spoke is English and the currency is the US dollar.

The history of the island dates back to 1492, when it is reported that Christopher Columbus discovered the island. Some historians argue that Ponce de Leon might have been the first to discover the island, but in either case the Taino Indians were truly the first occupants of the island. Later under the Spanish, French, British, Bahamian, Bermudian and Jamaican rule, Grand Turk finally became a British Colony in 1973.

Like most British colonies, they drive on the left hand side of the road, but if you are uncomfortable driving your own vehicle there are taxis.

The terrain consists of lush vegetation, limestone plateaus and naturally formed salt ponds.

Cockburn town is the centerpiece of the island, with its roots deep in history. The small city offers a a selection of historical buildings with an unforgettable rustic charm. Visitors will find many Bermudian and Colonial style buildings to explore and photograph.

The island offers a wide variety of excursions including a new island tour – referred to as the “Hop-on/Hop-off" bus tour. With a paid ticket, passengers are allowed to exit the bus at any stop. The buses run in a continuous loop so passengers can just catch the next bus and move at their own pace. Stops include visiting the lighthouse, nature park and old Victorian prison to name a few.

Other land base excursions include horseback riding, swimming, bicycle hikes, beach breaks, 4 X 4 vehicle adventures, dune buggy tours and visits to outer islands. Water attractions include, snorkeling, diving, self-drive boating, deep sea and flats fishing, helmet diving, semi-submersible tours, power snorkeling, kayaking and snuba – a shallow water diving system that utilizes an air tank mounted on a raft on the water’s surface.

All of the 8 powder-white beaches of Grand Turk are free to the public. At each beach, the sea-life is abundant. Grand Turk has a well-earned reputation of being one of the finest diving sites in the world. There is an outstanding protected coral reef that drops to 8,000 feet and is close enough to shore for beach based dives. The Turks and Caicos have the 3rd largest coral reef system in the world.

For your dining pleasure there is authentic Caribbean Cuisine consisting of seafood, conch, lobster and other delights from the sea. There also is a selection of traditional restaurants - serving Italian, British and American dishes.

Wildlife includes flamingos, rare birds and migrating humpback whales.

For shoppers, there are a number of quaint shops featuring local artists and wares.

A relatively new cruise destination, The island has the capability to handle 2 cruise ships simultaneously.

Measuring 7 miles long and only 1.5 miles wide, the island of Grand Turk is located 575 miles southeast of Miami and 30 miles South of the Bahamas. The island is a British colony and one of the islands in the chain known as the Turks and Caicos.

The population of the island is approximately 3,700 people. The primary language spoke is English and the currency is the US dollar.

The history of the island dates back to 1492, when it is reported that Christopher Columbus discovered the island. Some historians argue that Ponce de Leon might have been the first to discover the island, but in either case the Taino Indians were truly the first occupants of the island. Later under the Spanish, French, British, Bahamian, Bermudian and Jamaican rule, Grand Turk finally became a British Colony in 1973.

Like most British colonies, they drive on the left hand side of the road, but if you are uncomfortable driving your own vehicle there are taxis.

The terrain consists of lush vegetation, limestone plateaus and naturally formed salt ponds.

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Cockburn town is the centerpiece of the island, with its roots deep in history. The small city offers a a selection of historical buildings with an unforgettable rustic charm. Visitors will find many Bermudian and Colonial style buildings to explore and photograph.

The island offers a wide variety of excursions including a new island tour – referred to as the “Hop-on/Hop-off" bus tour. With a paid ticket, passengers are allowed to exit the bus at any stop. The buses run in a continuous loop so passengers can just catch the next bus and move at their own pace. Stops include visiting the lighthouse, nature park and old Victorian prison to name a few.

Other land base excursions include horseback riding, swimming, bicycle hikes, beach breaks, 4 X 4 vehicle adventures, dune buggy tours and visits to outer islands. Water attractions include, snorkeling, diving, self-drive boating, deep sea and flats fishing, helmet diving, semi-submersible tours, power snorkeling, kayaking and snuba – a shallow water diving system that utilizes an air tank mounted on a raft on the water’s surface.

All of the 8 powder-white beaches of Grand Turk are free to the public. At each beach, the sea-life is abundant. Grand Turk has a well-earned reputation of being one of the finest diving sites in the world. There is an outstanding protected coral reef that drops to 8,000 feet and is close enough to shore for beach based dives. The Turks and Caicos have the 3rd largest coral reef system in the world.

For your dining pleasure there is authentic Caribbean Cuisine consisting of seafood, conch, lobster and other delights from the sea. There also is a selection of traditional restaurants - serving Italian, British and American dishes.

Wildlife includes flamingos, rare birds and migrating humpback whales.

For shoppers, there are a number of quaint shops featuring local artists and wares.

A relatively new cruise destination, The island has the capability to handle 2 cruise ships simultaneously.

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Turks & Caicos Fact Sheet

Location: Grand Turk is the capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands archipelago and it is located 575 miles Southeast of Miami, Florida, and 30 miles south of the Bahamas.

Size: The Island is approximately 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide.

Climate: The average temperature ranges between 85-90 degrees F (29-32 degrees C) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90's F (35 degrees C), especially in the late summer months.

From November to May the average temperature is 80-84 degrees F (27-29 degrees C). A constant trade wind typically keeps the temperature at a very comfortable level.

In an average year, Grand Turk has 350 days of sunshine.

Population: Approximately 4,500 inhabitants make Grand Turk their home.

Language: The island's primary language is English. Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken.

Currency: The U.S. dollar is the official currency. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept traveler's checks. All stores at the cruise center accept credit cards. ATM's are available and the closest one to the cruise center is less than 1 mile.

Time: Grand Turk is on EST. Daylight Savings Time is observed from March to November.