The Cruise Center Beach
The Cruise Center Beach can get quite busy when a ship is in port.
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Cruise Center Beach

Grand Turk
Map
Editor's Comments
Although not quite as nice as Governor’s Beach, this beach offers calm water and white sand. It is typically very busy when a cruise ship is in. The northern end of the beach is less crowded.
4-star rating for Cruise Center Beach by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
The Cruise Center Beach in the Turks and Caicos
The Carnival Freedom moored at the Cruise Center Beach.

The Cruise Center Beach, as its name suggests, fronts Grand Turk’s cruise port and is a beautiful and sheltered beach. The coast can see significant crowds when a cruise ship is in, as it's steps away from where cruise visitors disembark. The beach is also known as SunRay Beach.

The ocean at the Cruise Center Beach is almost always calm and clear, and the majority of the coastline is clean, soft sand. There are a few rocky spots, but these are easily avoided.

As to be expected, this beach can get quite crowded in the vicinity of the Cruise Center when a ship is present. However, there’s always more space further up the beach to the north. Governor's Beach is north of the Cruise Center Beach.

As with all beaches in the Turks and Caicos, access to the Cruise Center Beach is free. Complimentary beach lounger use is also offered near the Cruise Center for cruise guests. Be advised that some beach hawkers attempt to rent their own chairs out.

The Cruise Center Beach is located on the leeward side of Grand Turk, so ocean conditions are typically excellent. See Turks and Caicos Weather Forecast.

Warnings & Regulations
Watch for Boats
Boat strikes kill. Observe swimming and boating zones. Always watch for boats, especially at sunset when there is less light.
No Fishing
It is illegal to fish and collect conch and lobster in a National Park. Violators will face large fines and jail time.
Do Not Take Shells or Coral
It is illegal to remove shells, corals, plants, animals, and sand from a National Park without government permission.
Do Not Touch Fish or Coral
Keep well away from all marine life. Certain fish and animal species are venomous, and touching them may result in serious injury.
Dogs Must Be on Leash
It is illegal to have unleashed dogs on the beach and in public. Keep your dog leashed and clean up after it.
No Lifeguard
There are no lifeguards present in this area. Swim at your own risk and know your own limits.
No Littering
It is illegal to litter or dump waste. This includes cigarette butts, bottles, cans, and plastic. Take trash with you.
No Open Fires
No open fires on the beach are allowed. Fires are only permitted in a portable grill or stove. Take ashes with you.

Beach Rentals and Loungers

See Also Beaches of Grand Turk
The beach rentals shack at the Cruise Center Beach on Grand Turk
The beach rentals shack at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

Snorkel masks, fins, and vests, floats and toys, and covered shade beach cabanas can be rented from the Cruise Center's beach rentals shack.

The standard beach loungers are free to use, although the density of loungers fronting the Cruise Center is quite high.

Up the beach to the north, additional loungers can be found fronting Jack's Shack restaurant. This section of the beach tends to be less crowded.

The Cruise Center Beach is part of the Columbus Landfall National Park.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling isn’t great here, but rock and coral patches can be found off the coast both to the north and south of the main pier and are home to small numbers of fish. Simply head south past the smaller Cruise Center shore excursions pier and look for the darker patches of ocean.

Cruise ship at the beach at Grand Turk
The calm waters of the Cruise Center Beach, Grand Turk.

A small reef can be found off the beach 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of the Cruise Center near Boaby Rock Point. When weather conditions are calm, decent snorkeling can be found here.

Snorkeling equipment can be hired from the beach rentals stand at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

Dining and Restaurants

There are two restaurants and one café within easy walking access of the Cruise Center Beach: Margaritaville, Starbucks (the only one in the Turks and Caicos), and Jack's Shack. Both Margaritaville and Jack's Shack serve international favorites and bar food.

As is also the case with the Cruise Center itself, the restaurants tend to be quite crowded when a ship is in port. If you plan to rent a car and explore Grand Turk, consider dining at one of the Cockburn Town restaurants for a bit more tranquility.

Jack's Shack
Restaurant • Beachfront
Margaritaville
Restaurant • Beachfront
Starbucks
Café • Nearby Beach
Satellite
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