Grand Turk by Golf Cart: Our Easy, Do-It-Your-Way Day

Stepping off a cruise ship in Grand Turk, you've got three options: sign up for a scheduled excursion or tour, figure it out on your own, or hang out in the cruise port area. This time, during our port stop while cruising on Star Princess, we opted to figure it out on our own. No timetables or tour guides... just a couple of golf carts, our friends, and an open island to explore.

Honestly, what made the day so great had less to do with checking off specific sights and more to do with that feeling of freedom you don't always get on a port day. It was the type of day where you can pull over just because someone spotted something interesting, or spend an extra 20 minutes at a beach because nobody's watching a clock. And there was this unexpected nostalgia piece that made me a little emotional in the best way but I'll get to that later.

Meeting Up and Heading Out

Our friends got off the ship a little earlier than we did and handled the golf cart rentals for the group. Last year, we rented carts through Viator and this time, our friends rented from Island Auto Rentals, located right inside the cruise center itself (super convenient). We rented a four-seater and a six-seater for our group of eight. The rental was all-day and included a full tank of gas. The two drivers had to show their IDs and driver's licenses as part of the rental process, so if you're planning this, make sure whoever's driving has those handy.

We met up at the taxi staging area just beyond where you pick up the carts, climbed in, and just started moving. My friend and fellow travel advisor, Jen, sat backwards on the four-seater while our husbands navigated from the front. And let me tell you... riding backwards in a golf cart on a Caribbean island is an experience. The wind whipping through my hair (nearly took my hat with it), the warmth of the sun, the sound of ocean waves crashing somewhere nearby... it was all of those things.

Side note... Grand Turk is small and very golf-cart friendly. The carts don't go very fast (totally fine) and it was easy to pull over and let cars or tour buses pass by when needed. It took a little bit to get used to driving on the opposite side of the road but was still a great way to explore.

Lighthouse Stop and a Few Surprises

Our first stop was at the Grand Turk Lighthouse, on the northern part of the island. The lighthouse itself isn't operational anymore, but the grounds are open and welcoming to cruise visitors. There's a small snack and drink bar called The Lazy Donkey and a little gift shop on site. It's an easy place to wander around, stretch your legs, and just take in the views.

We followed the walkway out to Horatio Nelson Lookout Point, which gives you this really clear look at the Northeast Reef. The views are stunning. 

Right nearby is something a lot of visitors miss: a former U.S. Navy facility, previously known as the U.S. Facility for Oceanographic Research. It closed in 1980 and now serves as the Grand Turk Community College. There's a sign explaining its history, along with other signage around the lighthouse, which helped me learn more about the island and its culture.

It was during our stop at the Lighthouse that we first got up close with the infamous wild donkeys of Grand Turk. Grand Turk has a well-known wild donkey population, and we saw several just grazing around the area. They weren't aggressive, but since they're wild animals, we kept our distance and just admired them without trying to feed or pet them (tempting as it was). 

East Side Bay and Breezy Brae

After visiting the lighthouse, we drove back the way we came and cut across toward East Side Bay and Breezy Brae. This part of the island feels open and untouched. There are small paths just off the road that are accessible by golf cart, and each one seems to end in a different view of the coastline. This was one of those moments where the whole "DIY" approach really paid off as we could stop whenever something caught our attention and take it at our own pace. 

Lunch at Barbie's and Browsing in Cockburn Town

By early afternoon, we were ready for lunch and drove into the main part of Cockburn Town, stopping at Barbie's Bar & Restaurant on Front Street. This was our second visit to Barbie's and we had a great experience. The vibe is local, like we were hanging out with neighbors, instead of being obvious tourists. Barbie's offers indoor and outdoor seating, with the outdoor tables facing the ocean. Our group ordered the conch fritters (they're known for those and cracked conch), and I had the beans and rice. We also grabbed several cold drinks and a few local beers while we were there.

After lunch, we walked along Front Street and checked out the local artisan shops and stands. The vendors here sell handmade items like jewelry made from conch shells or coconuts, clothing, souvenirs, and incredible artwork. I spoke with one artisan that had handmade jewelry for sale (ranging between $5 and $15) and beautiful embroidered shirts and hoodies ($28 - $35) but I didn't have cash and had to pass. I had forgotten to bring cash so I walked away empty-handed (lesson learned for next time). If you want to support local makers during your visit to Grand Turk rather than buying mass-produced items, this is absolutely the spot to shop.

Wandering the West Side and Swimming at Governors Beach

From town, we took the golf carts and made our way down the western side of the island, just poking down little roads and paths as they came up to see what we could find. We stopped briefly at one empty (and gorgeous) beach but the waves were too rough to swim safely.

We eventually landed at Governors Beach, not far from the port. By this point, we were ready to swim. The water was that refreshing kind of cold where you have to ease in but once you're in, it's perfect. The waves were rolling but not hard enough to feel unsafe and the water was crystal clear. The sand was white and soft, but what really got me was how it was absolutely full of thousands of tiny shells and shell fragments. I could have sat there just sifting through them for hours, looking at all the different colors and shapes. We spent a couple of hours just floating, swimming, and unwinding before heading back to the port to return the carts. It was one of those simple beach moments that stays with you and I'm grateful for it.

The Unexpected Highlight (and Why It Made Me Cry a Little)

Here's the nostalgia part I mentioned at the beginning and why it kind of got me. 

When we first arrived at the Grand Turk port, my husband noticed another ship, Carnival Pride, was docked next to us. As it happens, the first cruise we ever went on was onboard Carnival Pride, more than 10 years ago. We sailed out of Tampa on a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary that stopped in Mexico, Honduras, Belize and Grand Cayman. It was our "honeymoon"... five years after we actually got married. We didn't take a honeymoon right after our wedding, so that cruise was it. And I hadn't seen that ship since we disembarked all those years ago. 

It was on that cruise and that exact ship that I first discovered my love for cruising and being on water. It's what eventually led us to open our own travel business. Seeing the Pride again, while on what happend to be my 16th cruise, felt like this weird, beautiful full-circle moment. We hugged and took selfies from our balcony. It wasn't planned, but it made the entire day feel even more meaningful and meant I started the day with a grateful heart and the reminder that taking a chance on something new can sometimes change everything (in the best ways).

What I'd Do Differently Next Time

It's not always sunshine and rainbows, though, and there are few small things I wish I would have done differently to make the day even better:

• I wish I would have brought cash (small bills are best). Even having an extra $50 would have been perfect for shopping in town. The cruise center shops took card payments but I wanted to shop with the local vendors and needed cash for it.
• We packed a small lunchbox -sized insulated cooler with drinks but I wish I would have thrown in a few extra water bottles for later when we were at the beach. 
• I wish I would have brought a lightweight beach blanket to use at the beach instead of relying on my ship towel. 
• I wish I would have brought an extra phone charger because I burned through my phone battery taking nearly 200 photos and videos throughout the day.

A Few Practical Notes

Just some helpful things to know if you are interested in renting a golf cart for your port stop in Grand Turk:

• Exploring on your own is easy to do at this port.
• Golf cart rentals can be booked in advance and are typically all-day including gas.
• You'll typically need a valid driver's license and photo ID to rent a golf cart (ask your vendor to confirm you have the right documents).
• Watch for wild donkeys on the road... they're common and part of the island's personality.
• If you aren't comfortable driving a golf cart yourself, look at excursions that included guided tours by cart or other vehicle.
• Ask for a map of the island if your cart doesn't have one already.

Why Grand Turk is One of My Favorite Ports

Grand Turk is small enough to explore in a single day but has enough beauty and history to leave you feeling like you didn't see enough. Exploring by golf cart was the perfect fit for us... it was easy, flexible and the kind of day that works when you want a relaxed, DIY type experience. 

And honestly... the day was already unforgettable because we saw the ship that started it all for us, so having such a good time on the cart was like icing on the cake.

This type of DIY day doesn't work everywhere but if you've been thinking about trying a port day without a structured tour, it's a good place to do it. Some of the best memories come from the days where you have no plan except to see where the road (or golf cart path) takes you.

Until next time...

-Nicole