Grand Turk is and has been the political capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands for over 400 years, Bermudian colonial architecture is still in evidence. It is believed that - based on Columbus' journal description of a "bean shaped" island with ponds in the middle - that Grand Turk was Columbus' first landfall in the New World.

Some of the world's best wall diving on coral cliffs that drop from over 30 feet to over 7,000 feet are only minutes away from shore. The marine life is large and diverse, the migrating whales pass by from early January till late March, Manta Rays, Nurse Sharks, Huge Groupers and any Caribbean fish you can imagine you will find on the reefs surrounding Grand Turk. Mooring Boys protect the fragile corals.

The National Museum of the Turks & Caicos is highly recommended. Artifacts from the oldest European shipwreck known - the Molasses Reef Wreck - have been preserved and are on exhibit at the museum. Also exhibited are tools, pottery and other materials preserved from history.

When visiting the island a tour is a must. Churches reflecting in the salt pans, buildings with walled courtyards (meant to keep wandering donkey from eating the foliage) and the one hundred forty-some year old lighthouse recently restored at the northern tip of the island are evident of the Old-Worlds charm of Grand Turk.

For information on how to get to Grand Turk, custom regulations, language, currency, etc, please go to General Information.