If you're looking for a port where you don't need to book an excursion in order to spend the day at the beach, do some shopping and get food and drinks, go to Grand Turk!
We booked an excursion on our first visit to Grand Turk where the lighthouse was the highlight, so on our second visit we decided to just explore.
Once you dock at Grand Turk, you simply walk down the pier, enter the duty free shop then exit onto a courtyard with a fountain. Once there, you'll find many shops in front of you and to the right. Going to the left you'll find bathrooms and Margaritaville. This Margaritaville features a gift shop, restaurant, bar and pool.
You'll find some hammocks on the beach next to the restaurant decking and then the beach with plenty of free lounge chairs.
You get a beautiful view of your cruise ship from Margaritaville and the beach. While in the water you're literally swimming next to your ship! Most loungers are in full sun, but then you'll find some in the shade if they're next to a palm tree. Umbrellas and clamshells are also available but cost extra - the blue/striped loungers are free to use.
You are able to access the beach on both sides of the pier. Most people go to the beach right across from the cruise ship adjacent to Margaritaville so it does get rather crowded until after lunch time. Then it tends to clear out for the rest of the day. I think a lot of people just go back to the ship for lunch and never return.
If you go to the beach on the right side (when walking down the pier towards the island) you'll find much less people. Here you'll also find a pier where the boating excursions depart from. You can also get some nice pictures on this pier!
If Margaritaville isn't your thing, there's The Beached Whale Bar & Grill on this side of the beach. Close by are the beach whale sculptures which may have contributed to the naming of this restaurant.
You'll also find the John Glenn Exhibit named Splashdown Grand Turk (further away from the beach) on this side.
Do note, that if you go to the beach on the right side (not adjacent to the cruise ship), there are lots of rocks both on the beach and in the water. Bringing a pair of water shoes would be ideal.
This beach is absolutely beautiful! If you want pictures taken of yourself or family, definitely do it on this beach! I personally booked several Dream Studio sessions (different sailings) to get pictures taken on this beach in Grand Turk (future post coming).
Ever since this visit, we've developed our routine for each time we visit Grand Turk:
Go to the beach on the right side of the pier first. It's not crowded and it's quiet. When we start to get hungry we;
Go to Margaritaville for lunch. We always get a table outside on the beach front decking. Enjoy some food and margaritas. By the time we're done with lunch, the beach in front of Margaritaville is mostly empty therefore we;
Go find some chairs at the beach across from the cruise ship and go swimming. It's so nice later in the morning/afternoon because it's not at all crowded.
If we have time, we may do some shopping, but on most visits we tend to go straight from the water and rush back to the ship before we get left behind!
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