Photo Tour - Great Day in Grand Turk

We absolutely loved our day in Grand Turk on our last cruise. A beautiful spot - gorgeous turquoise clear water, talcum powder soft white sand, and an island unspoiled by big resorts. I thought I would show some photos of our wonderful day there.

We were on the Royal Princess the first week of Dec 2014. We were scheduled to for Grand Turk on Dec. 7, but the ship did a first and docked overnight at Grand Turk. We docked about 7-8pm on the 6th and stayed overnight. Apparently this was done so that the deck party that was scheduled would be less windy. The crew loved being in port overnight and getting free internet at Margaritaville.

We did not get off the ship that evening but did hear from many that did go to Margaritaville and around the cruise centre for the evening.

This is how we spent our day:

- at the last minute we decided to take the little trolly tour for $25. What a value! ... we had a great guide, Charles who was very knowledgeable. We did the 8:30 am tour

- We were back at the cruise centre by 10am and did some shopping. Got some great silver and pearl jewellery for Christmas gifts (and we didn't have to go to Cozumel ;-)

- We went back on board to drop our purchases, have lunch in the lido, and change into bathing suits.

- We spent the entire afternoon at the beach by the pier and Margaritaville pool. Snorkeling was also good there. We were going to go to Governors Beach, but it was so lovely right at the pier, we didn't feel the need to search out a more private beach.

Looking to the right of the dock (to the end of the island and the excursion dock)

Looking left of the Dock

We booked the 8:30 Trolly Tour. It looked pretty lame, but the island is small and we wanted to get into Cockburn and learn something about the island. Our guide, Charles was very knowledgable and entertaining. Here is the tour link http://www.princess.com/excursion/exDetails.do?t=C&exType=S&tourCode=GDT-150. It turned out to be a great tour.

Leaving the cruise centre and looking across the rocky, dry, barren landscape of the island

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a replica of John Glenn's Capsule that landed just off of Grand Turk in 1962

Driving into town, we passed salt marshes and some very nice homes.

Many homes had horses in the yard.

Cockburn is the largest town on the island and is the Capital of the Turks and Caicos.

Beautiful Colonial Architecture

Public Library

We stopped in town along the waterfront for some shopping and picture taking.

[/url]Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

pastel coloured gift shops

Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING YOUR PICS.

WE'LL BE THERE IN JANUARY AND HAVE NOT BOOKED AN EXCURSION.

COULD WE JUST GET OFF THE SHIP AND DO THE TROLLEY TOUR?

THAT WATER LOOKS FABULOUS AND I CANNOT WAIT TO GET IN IT.:p

I ALSO ENJOY HEARING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS WE VISIT.

THANKS AGAIN FOR POSTING.

I'M A MARY B. FUNNY

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING YOUR PICS.

 

WE'LL BE THERE IN JANUARY AND HAVE NOT BOOKED AN EXCURSION.

 

COULD WE JUST GET OFF THE SHIP AND DO THE TROLLEY TOUR?

 

THAT WATER LOOKS FABULOUS AND I CANNOT WAIT TO GET IN IT.:p

 

I ALSO ENJOY HEARING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS WE VISIT.

 

THANKS AGAIN FOR POSTING.

 

I'M A MARY B. FUNNY

Hi Mary B. :)

You might be able to book when you get off, but we did it on the ship.... didn;t think we could do it much less than $25 with a private tour.

The water is FANTASTIC ! It's a great relaxing day. We learned that it is a very safe island ... almost no crime.

Great pictures! Thanks for posting. We stayed at the cruise terminal/margaritaville area. Doing a snorkel/sting ray excursion when we go back in April.

At the National Arboretum-

Half the garden contains plants native to the Turks and Caicos, and the other half have imported tropical plants. It is a bit untamed, but interesting. The island is essentially like a desert.

The Turks Head or Turks Cap Cactus that gave the islands it's name

Our Guide Charles

Other views from the Trolley Tour

Snorkeling tours in the beautiful water just a ways offshore Cockburn Town

A Salina where salt is made

The Trolley tour ended by 10:00am and we then shopped around Cruise Ship Center. There was the same old stuff ... Diamonds International, Del Sol, Jewellery shops as well as Ron Jon's and other souvenir shops. There was also a small market area and a duty free.

The shops are the white buildings on the right at the end of the pier. Margaritaville pool is on the left

Great photos. We were there in May and loved it.

Beautiful Pool area with beach access.

Closeup of pool and flowrider as seen from the ship

Beach by the dock is very nice -very soft white sand, but there is coral in the water. I didn't use water shoes, but you might like them. The water stayse quite shallow until you get to the roped off section - not too far out. Then there is quite a drop and lots of fish as it is quite rocky there. We were told that there is good snorkeling all along the beach by the rope markers. I am sure an excursion would have better snorkeling, but this was fine for us.

There was snorkeling was right by the white rope markers/floaties in front of the ship

Here are some photos - not the best, but I will give you an idea of what was down there.

I found this image on a Carnival Funville site

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Cabanas

OK I need to join in. We are going to be there the first week of feb, can I bring a conch shell back with us? Also you mentioned SILVER where did you get good deals on silver there just so I know where I need to head first LOL :D

Love the pictures, I wasn't to thrilled hearing about it before but your pictures have definitely gotten me more excited to go thank you!

OK I need to join in. We are going to be there the first week of feb, can I bring a conch shell back with us? Also you mentioned SILVER where did you get good deals on silver there just so I know where I need to head first LOL :D

Love the pictures, I wasn't to thrilled hearing about it before but your pictures have definitely gotten me more excited to go thank you!

Thanks - we really had a great relaxing beach day.

If you head straight through the duty free store to the middle of the complex and look a bit to the right there is a silver store ... I think the name is Silver Sun. Not as much silver as in Mexico, but they had a nice selection.

Grand Turk, Dec 2014 by mary s b, on Flickr

The beach on this side of the pier is very pretty and not as crowded.

The water looks much more rocky there and I didn't see anyone swimming. A great place to find some shade and sit and read.

We walked there, but did not walk to the end of the island. Not sure why, but next time I will remember to walk right down to the point and the Conch Graveyard.

The shorter dock is for excursion boats

Could this water be any more beautiful (and handy)?

A panorama from the Cruise Center on the right to Governors Beach on the left.

It looks like a longer walk than it really is.

The Shipwreck at Governor's Beach

Sunset as we are leaving port

That is a really cool shot of the sunset in the bridge window. We took a taxi in to Cockburntown last April when we were there.it was fun seeing your pictures and reliving my memories. Thanks for sharing.

Marysb, those are beautiful pictures. What kind of camera are you using??

Sent from my BNTV600 using Forums mobile app

Thanks - we really had a great relaxing beach day.

If you head straight through the duty free store to the middle of the complex and look a bit to the right there is a silver store ... I think the name is Silver Sun. Not as much silver as in Mexico, but they had a nice selection.

Thank you! I will look for it when we are there. One other question, well actually two. Can you bring a cleaned out conch home with you and are there any shacks that have scuba not thru the ship or are they all thru the ship? Hubby was hoping not to have to go with a large group of people scuba diving. TIA:D