There are so many things to do in Turks and Caicos. Between them, the islands have some of the best beaches in the region, snorkeling and diving around beautiful reefs that rival any in the world, wonderful wildlife-spotting opportunities, and a relaxed, laid-back vibe.
There’s history here too: Cockburn Town with its 18th- and 19th-century Bermudian-Colonial architecture, and the John Glenn Exhibit that marks the first American to orbit the earth and who splashed down here in 1962. You can also see the remnants of a US Navy base that played a significant role in the Cuban Missile Crisis the same year.
Relax on Governor’s Beach
Governor’s Beach
Turks and Caicos has some of the best beaches in the north-west Atlantic Ocean and one of the best of them is Governor’s Beach on Grand Turk. Set on the island’s calmer western coast between the Cruise Terminal and Cockburn Town, it takes its name from the location of the Governor’s mansion, Waterloo, which is close by.
Consisting of a long strip of peach-white sand, backed by a thick casuarina tree grove, and lapped by clear turquoise waters, it’s as pretty as they come—which is why a visit here is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos.
The shallow, calm waters that are protected from prevailing trade winds make it an ideal spot for those less sure of themselves in the ocean, and it’s a great place to chill out and spend the day. While there are few facilities on the beach, vendors selling cold drinks, snacks, and trinkets are usually around to service the needs of visitors.
Check Out Grand Turk Lighthouse
Grand Turk Lighthouse
In the early 19th century, storms and the rocky nature of the northern shores of Grand Turk resulted in a number of shipwrecks that led the US and British governments to insist that a lighthouse was built there.
Constructed in 1852, the lighthouse is the only one in the country and one of the most historic landmarks in the island group. At a height of 60 feet and once visible from as far away as 15 miles, the lighthouse is no longer operational and access to the tower is not allowed.
Visitors can, however, take a walk around the grounds and there’s a small snack and gift shop in what was the lighthouse keeper’s home. Make sure too to check out the lovely coastal path around the cliffs that necessitated it being built.
Discover Space History At Splashdown Grand Turk
Replica of Friendship 7 Photo by James Willamor on Flickr, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
In the early 1960s, the space race between the USA and what was the Soviet Union was in full swing, and in February 1962 John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth as part of the Mercury-Atlas 6 Mission.
His return to earth aboard the spacecraft he named Friendship 7 saw him splashdown close to Grand Turk and this momentous occasion in space exploration history is commemorated today at the John Glenn Exhibit—aka Splashdown Grand Turk—just south of the island’s Cruise Center.
Free to visit, the exhibit includes a scaled 20-foot-tall Atlas rocket that powered the mission, a lifesize replica of Glenn in his spacesuit, and a replica of the Friendship 7 capsule itself. Storyboards at the exhibit detail the 1960s space race, as well as details of the current space program.
Explore Cockburn Town
Cockburn Town
With a population of less than 50,000 people spread over the 40 islands of the archipelago, Turks and Caicos is not big on what might traditionally be called a town or city, with Cockburn Town, the islands’ capital, being the most notable exception.
Taking up most of Grand Turk, the town was founded in 1681, and exploring the narrow streets of the historic downtown area is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos. The streets here—notably Duke and Front—are lined with historic 18th- and 19th century Bermudian-style architecture and there is much to see and do.
Visit the National Museum, see the historic Her Majesty’s Prison which dates from the 1830s, take in the Grand Turk Parade Ground, visit St. Mary’s Anglican Church, or dine in one of the restaurants and bars that line the streets here. The compact town center is relatively small and easy to navigate—so either wear sturdy shoes, carry some water, and set off on foot, or rent a bike to get the best out of a visit.
Snorkel or Dive at The Wall
Coral reef
The Turks and Caicos lie on a shallow, underwater plateau teeming with coral, after which the seabed plummets to depths of up to 7,000 feet. As such, the islands are among the top locations in the world for underwater exploration, whether using a snorkel and mask or in full scuba gear.
One of the islands’ best locations is The Wall, a reef less than a mile off Grand Turk which is the third deepest ocean trench and the third largest coral reef structure in the world.
The reef can easily be visited with a boat trip from Grand Turk and those who take the plunge can see huge schools of fish, groupers, tuna, barracuda, reef sharks, and more. Little wonder that a visit to The Wall is considered one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos.
Learn Shipwreck History at the National Museum
Turks and Caicos National Museum Photo by TampAGS on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Housed in historic Guinep House that takes its name from the huge Guinep tree outside and is thought to be one of the oldest buildings in Turks and Caicos, the National Museum is the only museum on the island. It was set up in 1991 after the discovery in the early 1970s of the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest excavated European shipwreck in the Americas.
Armaments and artifacts from the wreck form the central exhibit at the museum, while other displays include the history of the islands’ original inhabitants called the Tainos, the islands’ history as a center for the salt industry, and the John Glenn splashdown of 1962.
Enjoy the Grand Turk Cruise Center
Grand Turk Cruise Center
Turks and Caicos is perhaps unique in the fact that the cruise port at Grand Turk is more than a place for large ships to dock, but also a destination worthy of visiting in its own right, whether stopping here on a cruise, or visiting the island on a longer trip.
Set over 13 acres to the south of the island, it offers gift, surf,and jewelry shops, art galleries, eateries, and a spa, as well as a huge open-air swimming pool. The pool is home to a swim-up bar serviced by the largest branch of the popular restaurant chain Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville in the Caribbean.
Visitors can also choose to dine at Jack’s Shack, enjoy some time on a surf simulator that allows stand-up surfing and body-boarding, or simply rent a private poolside cabana with waiter service. Other attractions here include the John Glenn exhibit and a sculpture of a breaching humpback whale that celebrates the great whale watching opportunities in winter and spring .
Swim with Stingrays at Gibbs Cay
Gibbs Cay
One of the most unique things to do in Turks and Caicos is to take the chance to swim with stingrays at Gibbs Cay. Named after George Judson Gibbs, a 19th-century Grand Turk resident, the seven-acre island lies around a mile of Grand Turk’s east coast.
Home to an excellent beach, the island’s main attraction is the number of stingrays that arrive when a tourist boat pulls up off-shore, gaining it the alternate name of Stingray City. The stingrays are so used to people visiting the island that they will happily interact with guests, even allowing themselves to be hand fed.
Read: Best Snorkeling Spots in the Caribbean
Board the Grand Turk Trolley
With so much to see and do on Grand Turk, a great way to pack in as much adventure as possible into the shortest time available is to jump on to a tram tour around the island. Island Trams offers tours from two hours long to all-day hop-on/hop-off tickets, and stops on the route include all the island’s popular locations including the Cruise Center, Cockburn Town, and the Lighthouse.
Go Whale Watching
Humpback whale
Between January and April each year, the waters off Grand Turk play host to one of nature’s most spectacular shows as migrating humpback whales pass through the region. Join a tour over the key spotting period and you will be taken to the locations where whales are mostly seen to maximize chances of spotting these magnificent beasts.
Those lucky enough to spot whales may come across a mother and calf, breeding groups, or solitary males. If the whales are in shallow enough waters, some operators provide snorkels, masks, and fins for those wishing to jump in and take a dip in unique company.
Visit West Street Market on Grand Turk
Red snapper
West Street Market in Cockburn Town is the best place on Grand Turk to buy locally made goods. You’ll see handmade baskets, woodwork, and jewelry here.
West Street Market is also where fishermen bring in their daily catch for sale. Their haul can include fresh Caribbean seafood like snapper, grouper, lobster, and island favorite, conch, and fish sales tend to start daily in the late afternoon.
Taste Fresh Conch
Conch
If you’re looking for a dish to taste that’s locally sourced in Turks and Caicos, conch is the order of choice. A type of edible sea snail, conch is such a symbol of the islands that it features on the nation’s flag alongside a spiny lobster and a Turk’s head cactus.
Found abundantly in the waters around Grand Turk, it’s also a staple on the menus of most restaurants where it can be served as ceviche, fritters, in chowder, curries, and more.
You could join a tour on which you’re shown how to harvest conch and prepare the meat for eating in a salad. The conch is, however, a protected species and visitors to the islands are allowed to take no more than three of their attractive shells home with them.
Go Horseback Riding on the Beach
Horses
Another great way to discover the sights around Grand Turk is on horseback. You could opt for a 60- and 90-minute ride along the inland roads, on the beach, with horses able to enter the water, and on the raised coastal bluffs from which there are great views.
Trips visit some of the best beaches in Turks and Caicos, including Pillory Beach, Governor’s Beach, and East Side Beach, and no riding experience is necessary. Steeds tend to be hardy island ponies and given these are a smaller breed, there’s a weight limit for riders of 220 pounds.
Try Your Hand at Beachcombing
Seashells
While Grand Turk’s west coast beaches are protected, calm, and shallow, the east coast is a much wilder affair. Most of the coast on this side is dominated by prosaically named East Side Beach, a four-mile stretch of white sand that is the longest on the island.
A favorite of horseback riders and kite surfers, the stronger currents offshore also make it great for a spot of beachcombing, keeping an eye out for lost treasures that have washed up. There are no organized facilities here, so make sure to visit prepared with water and snacks.
To the north of the beach, just before reaching the lighthouse, there’s also an abandoned US Navy base. The 1952-built NAVFAC 104 played a role in both the John Glenn splashdown and the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. While not an official tourist attraction, people can wander around the old barracks and air strip at will.
Grand Turk
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