The
stunning barrier reef around the Turks & Caicos Islands makes this destination
one of the best in the world for snorkeling and scuba diving. Snorkelers tend
to take their time gliding along the long, fragile stretches of multicolored
coral. Among the dozens of dive sites, a mile-high undersea wall just 400 yards
off the shore of Grand
Turk Island is one of the
most popular.
But
there’s more to this chain of tiny coral islands, just 30 miles south of the
Bahamas, than what is found in the water. With average temperatures in the 80s,
refreshing trade winds and 350 days of sunshine a year, cruise passengers are
likely to find ideal vacation weather when they disembark at the Grand Turk Cruise Center
Plenty
of quality shopping is available in a complex at the dock, but don’t spend all
of your time on the island in the shops. Venture out to stroll the beach, take
a doze on a chaise lounge with a glass of tropical punch at hand, or rent a
private cabana for the day and order up a massage. If you’re looking for
something more active, in addition to snorkeling and diving you can kayak, fish
for tuna or blue marlin, or ride through the surf on horseback. Dune buggies
and bikes are available for rent, too.
If
you’d like to learn more about the islands, visit the Turks & Caicos
National Museum in Cockburn Town. There’s a display on the Molasses Reef Wreck,
the oldest European shipwreck to be found in the Western Hemisphere, and some
believe the ship is Christopher Columbus’ Pinta.
Or, take a look at the Grand Turk Lighthouse, which has done its best to warn
ships about the island’s reefs for more than 150 years.
At
the end of a beautiful day on Grand Turk, you’ll board your cruise ship ready
to discuss your experiences on the island over dinner. To find out which cruise
itineraries include time in the relaxed beauty of the Turks & Caicos, talk
with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.
