Grand Turk Island Tour

Our cruise ship docks in Cockburn Town at noon.  I opt to take the 2.5 hour island tour.   Since the island is only seven miles long and just over a mile wide, I should be able to see most of the island’s popular destinations.

Our tour bus stops briefly at the entrance to the Grand Turk Island airport where a replica of John Glenn's space capsule – the Friendship 7 is on display.  It commemorates the 1962 splashdown of Glenn’s Mercury spacecraft which landed off the southeast shoreline of Grand Turk. 

Replica of John Glenn’s Space capsule

Our first stop is the White Gold Museum where we learn about the island’s salt industry.  It does not take long to go through this very small museum and gift shop.

Learning about the salt industry at the White Gold Museum

I love to photograph churches and there are some picturesque ones here.  St. Mary’s Anglican Church was built in 1899 and was the first church within Cockburn Town proper.  The St. Thomas Anglican Church was built in 1823-24 and the Methodist Church was built in 1930. 

 St. Mary’s Anglican Church - Exterior & Interior

St. Thomas Anglican Church

Methodist Church

 The National Museum is located in a 200 year old house (Guinep House).  It is uncertain if the mystery ship wreck discovered in the 1970's is Columbus' sailing ship "The Pinta".  But it is confirmed that it dates before 1515 AD and is the correct type of vessel.  After viewing a short video, we walk through the two-story building where we see a 1,000 year old chair and other artifacts. 

Grand Turk National Museum – Exterior & Porch View

The bus drives down the narrow, historic Front Street which parallels the shoreline.  I was on the side of the bus that faced the water views and not the houses.  So, I did not get any pictures of the historic 18th and 19th century buildings that reflect the Bermudan style architecture of the salt era.

Our last stop is at the Grand Turk Lighthouse (built in 1852).  The grounds are closed but we are able to take pictures of it.  The 60’ high tower was built on a small hill overlooking a shallow reef that extends from the northern end of the island. 

Grand Turk Lighthouse and View 

For more information about Grand Turk click on the following link:

Grand Turk & Caicos Tourism