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Prior to this opening, Turks and Caicos did not have a cruise port, and it remains the only one today. With most sailings departing from Florida, your options range from 5-day sailings all the way up to 11-day sailings from New York. At each port, you'll have the option to embark on a variety of excursions. Go on a clear-bottom kayaking adventure to admire the marine line just below you, or go snorkeling for a personal approach. ATV adventures aren't out of the question, as you ride through the islands and explore in an energetic, fast-paced way.
Miami, Grand Turk (& back)
Wind picks up again in December, enticing cruisers to take up water sports such as kiteboarding and surfing. While snorkeling and diving are also great this time of year, beginners may find the larger waves daunting, and boat or catamaran tours could be a bit bumpy in the choppy waters. If you’re into water sports, February might just be the best time to visit Turks and Caicos. The ocean temperature rarely dips below 82 degrees F and wind speeds make for great conditions for kite and windsurfing. Similar to January, daily temperatures average around 82 degrees F, with lows of 73 degrees F and minimal rainfall throughout the month.
Off the Wall Diving
A trip to Turks and Caicos isn't complete without exploring the vibrant marine life at Governor's Beach. This white sandy beach sits within the Columbus Landfall National Park and it's a perfect stop for anyone who wants to swim, snorkel, and play in the sun all day. Snorkelers can see schools of colorful fish, sting rays, turtles, and colored sea sponges. The capital city of one of the most popular tropical vacation destinations around, Grand Turks, on the island of Turks and Caicos is everything you love about vacation. It is important to understand the guidelines of your particular cruise line prior to sailing to ensure a seamless visit.
Ride a Dune Buggy in Grand Turk
During 2023, this port welcomed over 143 ships, which was a 10.9 percent increase from previous years. Turks and Caicos is a collection of over 40 Caribbean islands located south of the Bahamas. Most of the activities on Grand Turk are offered for sale via the cruise line, and cruise operators encourage guests to book via the cruise operator instead of directly. This can be convenient for guests, but be advised that the cruise operators take a large share of revenue which hurts local businesses.
Although severe weather in Turks and Caicos has historically been more prevalent in the first half of September, it can occur anytime between June 1st and November 30th. March tends to be bustling with visitors, especially if Easter falls at the end of this month, so expect busy beaches -- and fish respond to that by staying farther away from the shore to avoid people. Spring break crowds like those in Bahamas or Cozumel, though, are rare, as prices in Turks and Caicos tend to be higher. We’ve covered the basics -- many of which are similar to other Caribbean ports of call -- let’s check out the shore excursions you will struggle to find anywhere else aside from Turks and Caicos.
Best Turks and Caicos Excursions on a Cruise
Turks and Caicos Attracts Over a Million Visitors In 2023 - Cruise Industry News
Turks and Caicos Attracts Over a Million Visitors In 2023.
Posted: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This Grand Turk Cruise Center, as it’s appropriately named, is a marvelous beachfront facility that covers almost 18 acres. It was opened by Carnival Cruise Line in 2006, effectively putting Turks and Caicos on the map as a cruise destination. Made up of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands archipelagos, the Turks and Caicos is a tropical island nation in the northern West Indies. It’s one of the greatest beach vacation destinations on the planet, frequented by some of the world’s best and most luxurious cruise lines. The reef around Turks and Caicos is famous for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. If getting wet isn’t at the top of your to-do list, there are other ways to explore the water while on a cruise to Turks and Caicos as well.
Virgin Islands and Grand Turk of Turks and Caicos before returning to Fort Lauderdale. On a cruise to Grand Turk, you can explore the oldest excavated European shipwreck — the Molasses Reef Wreck, from 1515. Discovered in West Caicos, it is on display at the Turks and Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town. Of all the things to do in Grand Turk, wall dives — characterized by vertical descents alongside the edge of coral reefs or other underwater terrain — might be the most dramatic. Grand Turk is home to a 7,000-foot drop a quarter mile from Duke Street beach.
Cruise Ship Travel Information
It’s worth noting that some businesses close during the low season, including tour operators. Many cruisers consider Turks and Caicos the ideal winter cruise destination to escape cold temperatures and gloomy skies. Ships dock on the southwestern tip of the island, at a pier built specifically for cruise ships; the facility is owned and operated by Carnival Corp. There's a number of duty-free shops, jewelry stores, souvenir stands, bars and restaurants located in the cruise center.
Also be sure to bring insect repellent due to reports of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as Chikungunya. Booking a cruise is the perfect way to explore the islands, including tropical Turks and Caicos. Grand Turk, a jewel of an isle that measures just 18 square kilometers (seven square miles), is awesomely rich in natural wonders.
A guided tour through these natural wonders will create an adventure you'll never forget. So we’re making both of those things happen.Wave goodbye to your routine and start planning an exclusively adult experience at sea. We’re making waves from the Caribbean to the Med, the Adriatic to the Red, and everywhere in between across 4 continents.
Daytime temperatures, which hover around 82 degrees F, are much more comfortable than the 90 degrees F experienced during the summer months. The average number of rainy days are down to 2.5 from the 5.6 seen in November. May is a great month for outdoor activities such as exploring the historical sites in the archipelago’s capital, Cockburn Town and visiting landmarks like the Grand Turk Lighthouse. As temperatures climb above 85 degrees F, head to the Grand Turk cruise port for a swim, some duty-free shopping or a bite before boarding.
Uniting the energy of Miami with nautical nods to the history of sailing, we’re infusing our own terminal with the same incredible ethos as our ships. You can even find pizza on the island at Turks Head Inne, or your favorite coffee at Starbucks. Guests must be physically able to enter/exit the water on their own with minimal, or no assistance.
This beachfront settlement features several colonial-era buildings and is interesting for a self-guided walking tour. All cruises to the Turks and Caicos arrive in Grand Turk at the Carnival operated Grand Turk Cruise Center. There are no cruises to Providenciales (which includes Grace Bay Beach) or any other island. Other land-based activities at Grand Turk you can do on a Turks and Caicos cruise range from horseback riding to biking and ATV off-road tours. If you don’t feel like going on an excursion, you can soak up some rays at at least eight phenomenal beaches.
All cruise ships sailing to the Turks and Caicos stop only at the island of Grand Turk. It’s not feasible for cruise ship guests to visit any other main island in the country due to time constraints. We found multiple cruises on Carnival Freedom and Sun Princess where the scheduled stop at Turks and Caicos was 8-10 hours long from morning to early evening. Both these ships would give you ample opportunity to enjoy either ship-sponsored shore excursions or those you book independently. Be ready to dive in for some underwater adventures when your ship docks in Turks and Caicos.
Some highlights include, but are not limited to visiting the lighthouse, Ride Trail, and the North Creek Bird Watching Area. It is important to note that guests signing up for this experience must be in good physical shape, and health. If you’re more of an adventurous, thrill seeker, the ATV Adventure Tours offered on Grand Turk will be something you don’t want to miss. This excursion allows you to experience the island from a different vantage point, as you go off-roading on muddy paths, trails, and historic roads all while learning about local areas on the island. Carnival Cruise Line offers the most options as far as itineraries, activities, and excursions if you are looking to sail to Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos.
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