Grand Turk Archives - Caffeinated Excursions https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/tag/grand-turk/ Blog of a Traveling Coffee Addict Sat, 10 Aug 2024 18:03:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://i0.wp.com/caffeinatedexcursions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wp-1555570621336.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Grand Turk Archives - Caffeinated Excursions https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/tag/grand-turk/ 32 32 141833777 The 24-Hour Guide To Grand Turk https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-24-hour-guide-to-grand-turk/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-24-hour-guide-to-grand-turk/#respond Mon, 05 Mar 2018 18:00:00 +0000 http://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=1416 Although I only spent one night here, Grand Turk was probably my favorite island of the three I visited during my island hopping adventure in the Turks and Caicos. Despite being home to a major cruise ship terminal, Grand Turk was much less commercialized than Providenciales. It still felt more lively than South Caicos, and...

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The 24-Hour Guide To Grand Turk

Published March 5, 2018

Although I only spent one night here, Grand Turk was probably my favorite island of the three I visited during my island hopping adventure in the Turks and Caicos. Despite being home to a major cruise ship terminal, Grand Turk was much less commercialized than Providenciales. It still felt more lively than South Caicos, and I was able to stay in a really amazing Airbnb with a great host.

For better or for worse, I don’t have a true list of attractions to recommend for Grand Turk. There were a number of things I wanted to see, such as the highly recommended Turks and Caicos National Museum, Her Majesty’s Prison, and the Historic Lighthouse. For various reasons, I didn’t make it to any of these, but I still really enjoyed the time I spent exploring the island.

Instead, I spent most of my time driving around the island in a golf cart and enjoying the amazing beaches and natural beauty of the island. In this short post, I’ll mention the areas of Grand Turk I explored as well as the things I missed this trip.

Things I Saw in 24 Hours

Beaches

It should come as no surprise that Grand Turk is home to some incredibly beautiful beaches. I found the water here much prettier than Grace Bay on Provo. What’s even better is that all of the ones I saw were completely undeveloped. The easiest beaches to access for visitors are the ones on the western shore of the island.

Grand Turk's Northwestern Peninsula

If you take a look at the map of Grand Turk, you’ll notice that the northern half of the island is divided into two peninsulas by a body of water called North Creek that’s connected to the ocean. The western one is home to a lot of wilderness, which was interesting to explore via the golf cart I rented.

A view from the northwestern peninsula of Grand Turk looking towards North Creek

At its northern end is a nice beach that I had all to myself. When I was there, I spotted some fun pirate decorations, but I’m not sure if they’re permanent installments.

Front Street

In the island’s town center, Front Street is the main thoroughfare that offers ocean views. Check out the distinctive pastel-colored souvenir shops, or read some of the many signs that explain the historical significance of the older buildings located here.

Restaurants

Since I only spent a day on Grand Turk, I basically only got to try two restaurants. For lunch, I went to the Salt Raker Inn and enjoyed the cracked conch I got there.

For dinner, I tried Barbie’s Bar & Restaurant on Front Street. I had a small dinner of conch salad and rum punch, which cost $10 in total.

Salinas

Like South Caicos, Grand Turk is home to quite a few salinas, which are man-made structures used to extract salt from the ocean. They look like shallow ponds and often appear in a grid-like structure. I personally found them to be prettier on South Caicos, but they’re still interesting to see on Grand Turk as well.

Things I Missed

Turks and Caicos National Museum

Grand Turk is actually home to the capital ‘city’ of the Turks and Caicos Islands, known as Cockburn Town. It’s a little unexpected because the settlement is so small, but this is probably the reason why the Turks and Caicos National Museum is housed here on Grand Turk. Almost all reviews of the museum online are glowing, so I was disappointed to find that it was closed for hurricane repairs when I was there. If it’s open while you’re on Grand Turk, be sure to go and leave a comment below letting me know how it is!

Her Majesty's Prison Museum

The prison is another historical relic that can be found in the center of Cockburn Town. If it’s open, it might be worth checking out.

Grand Turk Lighthouse

I’m a bit of a lighthouse fan (as random as that may be), so I was excited to go check out the Grand Turk Lighthouse even though visitors aren’t allowed to go inside or climb it. Unfortunately, my golf cart started experiencing technical difficulties on the way from Cockburn Town, so I lost an hour or two of exploring time and never got to see the lighthouse up close. I did however, see it from a distance when I was exploring the northwestern peninsula. It’s peeking out above the trees in the upper-right corner of the (admittedly out-of-focus) image below.

Grand Turk Cruise Center

I was also interested in checking out the cruise terminal, but I drove up to what looked like a security gate at some point on the main road heading there. I didn’t get out and ask if I could drive my golf cart through, but I suspect that it might be off-limits to non-cruise visitors.

Other Info

Airbnb

One of the highlights of my short stay was the Airbnb I found. Faith Anne and Ed were such welcoming hosts, and the studio above their home they rent out is beautiful. To see the listing on Airbnb, click here.

A Short yet Picturesque Flight

As I mentioned in my general Turks and Caicos island hopping guide, the domestic flights from Providenciales to the other islands are incredibly beautiful. On the way there, be sure to sit in a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views!

Getting Around by Golf Cart

Most tourists here rent golf carts since the island is only 7 miles from north to south and 2 miles wide. Golf carts won’t protect against rain and I experienced some technical difficulties with mine (I was given a partial refund for the trouble). I booked through my Airbnb host and was told the standard rate on the island is about $80 per day. I highly recommend paying for roaming data in case you get stranded on one of the island’s further corners and need to call someone to pick you up.

I’m hoping this post has convinced you that you should consider visiting Grand Turk if you’re heading to the Turks and Caicos! The island does receive visitors, but most probably only stay for a few hours while their cruise ship is docked for the day. If you can spend a full day or two on Grand Turk, you’ll get a more complete picture of this small yet beautiful island.

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Everyone headed to the Turks and Caicos Islands should spend at least a full day on Grand Turk if they can! See what this beautiful island has to offer in my 24-hour guide. #turksandcaicos #turksandcaicosislands #tci #grandturk #cockburntown #visittci #visitgrandturk #24hourguide #caribbean #turksislands #salinas #saltrakerinn #barbiesbarandrestaurant #caribbeanfood #caribbeanbeaches Everyone headed to the Turks and Caicos Islands should spend at least a full day on Grand Turk if they can! See what this beautiful island has to offer in my 24-hour guide. #turksandcaicos #turksandcaicosislands #tci #grandturk #cockburntown #visittci #visitgrandturk #24hourguide #caribbean #turksislands #salinas #saltrakerinn #barbiesbarandrestaurant #caribbeanfood #caribbeanbeaches

This post was published on Mar 5, 2018

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Upcoming Trips

  1. Bangkok (Sept)
  2. Istanbul (Sept)

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]]> https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/the-24-hour-guide-to-grand-turk/feed/ 0 1416 5 Reasons To Go Island Hopping In The Turks And Caicos https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/island-hopping-turks-and-caicos/ https://caffeinatedexcursions.com/island-hopping-turks-and-caicos/#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2018 18:00:00 +0000 http://caffeinatedexcursions.com/?p=498 Despite its reputation as a laid-back Caribbean paradise, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is a perfect destination for travelers seeking adventure! Comprised of two tiny island chains southeast of the Bahamas, this British Overseas Territory is easy to get to from the US and perfect for island hopping...

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5 Reasons To Go Island Hopping In The Turks And Caicos

Published March 3, 2018

Despite its reputation as a laid-back Caribbean paradise, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is a perfect destination for travelers seeking adventure! Comprised of two tiny island chains southeast of the Bahamas, this British Overseas Territory is easy to get to from the US and perfect for island hopping. Flights from one end of the country to the other are only 30 minutes long, and each island has its own unique spirit. Once you land, you can rent a car, golf cart, or bike depending on the island and start exploring right away.

I flew in on American Airlines (direct from Charlotte) and flew home on Delta (with a layover in Atlanta) for about $330 round-trip. All major US carriers fly to the international airport on Providenciales (PLS), so shop around and don’t settle for outrageous airfare! Once you’re there, you can island hop using InterCaribbean Airways or Caicos Express Airways. I spent four nights in the TCI and in that time I visited three islands: Providenciales, Grand Turk, and South Caicos.

So why forego the comfort of a resort? After all, you’re going to have to do more planning as an island hopper. The short answer is that visiting the remote islands is a different experience than staying in Grace Bay, the area of Providenciales (often called ‘Provo‘) where most resorts are clustered. So without further ado, here are five reasons why you should definitely go island hopping in the Turks and Caicos!

1. It's easy to explore on your own terms (with a little preparation)

The TCI is great for on-the-go adventures because each island is small enough that it can be seen in one or two days. They’re also very close to one another, so flights between the islands are short and sweet! Unfortunately, the islands lack public transportation, so you’ll have to arrange rental vehicles (and be sure to book beforehand). Luckily, I’ll tell you what worked for me on each island.

Provo

You’ll want to rent a car, as the island is about 13 miles long from east to west. You’ll drive on the left side of the road like in the UK, but you may receive an American-style rental (with steering wheel on the left) or a British-style car (steering wheel on the right). This might sound scary, but I found that driving a British car was much more intuitive than I thought it would be. I had good experiences with Grace Bay Car Rentals, which cost about $65 per day. They conveniently offer airport pickup and drop-off.

Grand Turk

Most tourists here rent golf carts since the island is only 7 miles from north to south and 2 miles wide. Roads are a little rougher here than on Provo, but are still navigable. Golf carts won’t protect against rain and I experienced some technical difficulties with mine (I was given a partial refund for the trouble). I booked through my Airbnb host and was told the standard rate on the island is about $80 per day.

South Caicos

The hotel where I stayed (East Bay Resort) offered complimentary bicycle rentals. Although South Caicos is fully accessible by bike, prepare to be exhausted by the end of the day! The bicycles weren’t in pristine condition and you may have to ride on a dirt road or two. Paved roads also have some potholes, so be careful.

Once you’ve booked all your vehicles, you’re ready to go exploring! My favorite spot was Sapodilla Hill on Provo. You’ll start at what appears to be a wooded hillside, but if you duck under branches and follow what looks like the remnants of a forgotten foot trail, you will find yourself on a very overgrown path. Keep working your way up the hill for 360-degree views of the surrounding Chalk Sound, Sapodilla Bay, and the open ocean to the south.

From Sapodilla Hill looking towards Chalk Sound (right) and Sapodilla Bay Beach (left).

Two other cool areas were the northwestern peninsula on Grand Turk and the northern peninsula on South Caicos. Both areas were very relaxing and almost completely devoid of human activity. Blue Hills Road in Provo was also a scenic beachfront drive that had some interesting architecture. As long as you’re willing to venture away from the touristy spots, you shouldn’t have any trouble making your own discoveries!

Wilderness on the north end of Grand Turk.
An empty, winding road on the island of South Caicos.
A view from Blue Hills Road in Providenciales.

2. Try conch in its many forms (and other delicious cuisine)

Conch is a true delicacy that you have to try during your trip! It can be found on menus in almost every restaurant and comes in many varieties: cracked conch, steamed conch, conch fritters, and conch salad. My favorite is cracked conch, which reminds me of calamari. A great place to go on Provo is da Conch Shack, which has a combo on their menu consisting of cracked conch, fritters, and a really good dipping sauce. As always, you can’t go wrong with a side of peas and rice!

Conch combo (left) and fries with black bean and chili sauce (right) at da Conch Shack.

The steamed conch I had at the Dolphin Grill in South Caicos was also a delicious and hearty meal. If you’re looking for something fresh and light, go with a conch salad, which is usually prepared with diced tomatoes, onions, and cucumber.

Steamed conch from the Dolphin Grill on South Caicos.
More cracked conch ordered from the Salt Raker Inn on Grand Turk.
If you're tired of conch, try a Cuban burger from Las Brisas restaurant on Chalk Sound, Providenciales.

3. The scenery is amazing (especially from a plane window)

As I’m sure you can tell by now, there’s beautiful places to discover all over the islands. Turn a corner and you’re bound to stumble upon a beach that looks like it belongs in a travel magazine. But I think the most breathtaking views are actually seen from the air. If you take a domestic flight on InterCaribbean or Caicos Express, you will take a small propeller plane like this:

You may even get to see the cockpit if you take a smaller plane, which seats about 15 to 20 passengers.

These planes fly at low elevations compared to commercial jetliners, so you’ll have some really incredible views of the geography of the islands as you fly over them.

Take a look at a map of the TCI, and you’ll see that when flying from Provo to any other island, you’ll want to sit in a window seat on the left side of the plane for the best views of the islands. When you fly back, sit on the right. Since InterCaribbean has open seating, you should be able to get your pick as long as you’re in the front of the line to board!

One of the most striking things I noticed was the stark contrast between the turquoise color of the shallow waters surrounding the islands and the rich, navy blue of the deeper open ocean. This is especially apparent if you fly to Grand Turk, but can be seen even if you fly within the Caicos Islands.

4. Wild animals abound on the more remote islands

If you’re an animal lover, this is a prime reason to check out an island other than Provo! While on Grand Turk and South Caicos, I saw wild donkeys, horses, cows, dogs, cats, lizards, fish, and tropical birds. Donkeys that roam the islands are a remnant of the bustling salt industry of centuries past. They are not afraid of humans or aggressive, although if you get too close to take a picture, they will trot away.

5. The sunsets are gorgeous!

This is pretty self-explanatory, but check when the sun sets and position yourself on a western-facing beach 10 or 15 minutes before that. Relax, take it all in, and cool down after a long day.

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So there you have it! Hopefully I’ve enticed you to at least consider the Turks and Caicos Islands for your next getaway. If you’re looking for more information about each island, click one of the links below to learn more:

Additional Information

Here are a few other tidbits of knowledge that might make your trip smoother.

  • The currency of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the US dollar. Cash is good to have on hand especially if you want to check out some mom and pop shops, but resorts and touristy areas will accept credit cards.
  • I recommend withdrawing extra cash from an ATM on Providenciales before flying to smaller islands. Read more about ATMs here.
  • As a budget traveler, I have to warn you that traveling the islands is expensive. Rental vehicles are a must, and budget accommodation is hard to find. Expect to pay at least $60 a day for a vehicle, and at least $100 a night for lodging (even at Airbnbs). Overall, I think the total cost of my trip for 5 days was about $1800.
  • Residents of Caribbean countries tend to be devout, so most businesses will be closed on Sundays (some restaurants may open for lunch after church). Take care of shopping and errands on Saturday to avoid conflicts.
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The Turks and Caicos Islands are perfect for an island-hopping getaway! Check out my post to see why, and learn some tips for making it a smooth journey! #turksandcaicos #tci #turksandcaicosislands #providenciales #provo #grandturk #southcaicos #islandhopping #islandvacation #visitturksandcaicos #visittci #islandhoppingguide #travelblog #travelblogs #turksandcaicosislandsguide #travelblogger #travelbloggers #caribbean #caribbeantravel #caribbeantravelguide The Turks and Caicos Islands are perfect for an island-hopping getaway! Check out my post to see why, and learn some tips for making it a smooth journey! #turksandcaicos #tci #turksandcaicosislands #providenciales #provo #grandturk #southcaicos #islandhopping #islandvacation #visitturksandcaicos #visittci #islandhoppingguide #travelblog #travelblogs #turksandcaicosislandsguide #travelblogger #travelbloggers #caribbean #caribbeantravel #caribbeantravelguide

This post was published on Mar 3, 2018

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Upcoming Trips

  1. Bangkok (Sept)
  2. Istanbul (Sept)

Support the Blog!

The post 5 Reasons To Go Island Hopping In The Turks And Caicos appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

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