Cruises from Grand Turks and Caicos Islands Cruises

The Grand Turks, Turks and Caicos are a chain of eight main islands and twenty smaller islands, located in the Caribbean. They extend over 616.3sq km of land, including marshes and mangrove swamps. The climate is hot and dry, except during the hurricane season. Limited natural fresh water results in residents having to collect rainwater to drink. Among the main resources are spiny lobster, conch and a variety of shellfish

The Turks Islands are Grand Turk, the capital and Salt Cay. West Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Middle Caicos, East Caicos and South Caicos make up the Caicos Islands. These tropical islands are a British overseas territory, located in the British West Indies. The Caicos Islands are the largest in the group, while the Turks Islands form an offshore financial centre and the preferred tourist destination. A new cruise ship port and recreation centre has drawn many tourists to the islands over recent months.

The islands are about 494 nautical miles from Miami, Florida and the combined population is approximately 30,000, with Providenciales having the largest number of residents. Cockburn Town, located on Grand Turk, is the capital city. A trip to the Islands is incomplete without visiting this delightful little town, where you will find two inns. Why not take a walking tour and explore the town and the nearby Molasses Reef Shipwreck?

The islands are playgrounds for the rich and famous, which explains the number of high-end resorts, hotels and expensive villas. On Providenciales, accommodation is provided by Ocean Point deluxe holiday villas, which is situated on a peninsula in a residential scenic, cul-de-sac.

The Grand Turk Inn in Grand Turk, offers five comfortable suites and a magnificent view. The Turks Head Hotel, Salt Raker Inn, Osprey Beach Hotel, The Sands at Grace Bay and the Sibonne Beach Hotel are some of the other best hotels on the Turks and Caicos.

A new racetrack is under construction in Providenciales and it will host the ‘Indy Turks and Caicos Grand Prix’. The race, which will be part of the Indy Racing League series, is due to take place in February 2009. The Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship has been held at the Provo Golf Club in Providenciales and the Turks, Caicos Music and Cultural Festival continues to draw tourists every summer, for a weeklong event.

There is no shortage of places to exercise your taste buds, regardless of which island you are visiting. You will be spoilt for choice between International cuisine with a Caribbean flare, Caribbean-American, Irish specialties, pasta, Jamaican or island food. Whether you are looking for casual, formal or fast food, you will have no problem locating a restaurant nearby. The same is true of the nightlife, because you do not have to look far to discover bars, nightclubs and other after dark entertainment venues.

When shopping in the Turks and Caicos Islands, remember there is no sales or luxury tax. Many items are duty-free to tourists from the US and Canada. There are boutiques everywhere, but the best shopping is in the Grace Bay area. The main shopping centres are the Ports of Call, the Saltmills, la Petite Place, Graceway Plaza and Central Square.