What to do in 5 hrs@ T&C?
 

DH and I, with another couple, will take our first cruise in 2 weeks. We will be in T&C from 7am to 2 pm on a Wednesday - what do you suggest we do? Any particular "don't miss" sight/place/lunch spot?
Thanks for your help!

You'll be in Grand Turk, and there aren't any "don't miss" sights or dining opportunities on this island. What it is known for is absolutely gorgeous beaches. If you want to get away from the cruise-ship terminal (though it does have a lovely white-sand beach), there are other options. Most cruises offer the hop-on, hop-off shuttle so you can visit places in town on your own (the cruise terminal is near the island's southern tip). There are some fun activities offered if you like dune-buggy rides and the like, but they are typical tourist type of fun. Diving is excellent, and reefs are close to shore. But this isn't a place where you'd want to bother renting a car to explore. The island is tiny. The National Museum is nice.

(When ships aren't in port, this is a very sleepy little island, and there's not that much going on except for excellent diving.)

Thanks Doug.
I know we'll be there for a very short time, and frankly I think I'll be happy just having my feet on firm ground after 2 days at sea. Then again, I've never been on a cruise, so ...
The island beaches look fabulous in pictures, and I'm looking forward to just being there.
Thanks for your reply :)

I highly recommend Gibbs Cay excursion, it's a more intimate better version of Cayman's Stingray City. They also take you to snorkel at a cay, where water visibility is unreal.

If you want a pretty beach all to yourself, take a taxi to Pillory Beach, eat lunch at Bohio Resort. Chances are you'll have it all to yourself. You can actually walk down to Front Street from there, colorful sleepy laid back street. There is a gorgeous white church with bright red gate that plays organ music with the doors open when a ship is at port. Check out the excellent museum: Senator Glenn landed in Grand Turk after orbiting the earth, there are pirate treasures and Spanish Galleons, visits from the Queen, underwater reef information (the reefs at GT drop from 20 feet to all of the sudden 6000+!) and they have a large collection of "message in a bottle" bottles that have washed up on shore. For such a small museum, it's pretty nice.

You could share Governor's Beach, which is gorgeous, the prettiest turquoise water from a cruise ship, but you will have to share it with other cruisers, as they set it up when a cruise is at port.

Thanks blamona!! You gave me exactly what i was looking for :)

Have you heard about golf cart rental? Is it woth doing or can one just walk the small island?
Thanks so much!

I think a golf cart rental sounds great! the island is 8 miles long by 1 mile wide, and can get hot walking! So throw in snorkel equipement, check out the old prison, front street, Pillory beach. Sounds like fun by golf cart.

Will do!
4 "grown" adults (I mean not the skinny type) will try to squeeze in one cart ... let's hope the island is not too hilly, or we'll end up pushing the thing.
Of course after all that eating on board, we might actually reap more benefits than just sightseeing ;)
Thx