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Splashdown Grand Turk

Splashdown Grand Turk (Grand Turk) – see what happens when a NASA space capsule lands near Turks & Caicos – you get a museum! “Splashdown Grand Turk” is a 3,500-square-foot attraction celebrating the unique relationship of the American human spaceflight mission and its importance to Grand Turk’s history. Located on the south side of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, the free exhibit features amazing replicas unique to the Mercury space program, including a scaled 20-foot-tall Atlas rocket and a full-size, three-dimensional replica of astronaut John Glenn in spacesuit, and, of course, a detailed replica of the Friendship 7 capsule, which splashed into the Atlantic in 1962, a few short miles from the island of Grand Turk.

Storyboards at the exhibit depict the accomplishments of the NASA space program and detail the differences in space equipment of yesterday and today while offering an overview of the current space program and future plans.

Sapodilla Hill

Sapodilla Hill (Sapodilla Bay, Providenciales) — located on a small hill on the south coast of Providenciales, the rock carvings at Sapodilla Hill represent sentiments left by shipwrecked sailors and travelers as they waited for their ships. The inscriptions found here include names, dates, symbols and simple depictions of ships and buildings. The age of these carvings range from probably the mid-1700s well into the 1800s. Due to theft and vandalism, and some stones having been removed in 2010 during a preservation project, there’s really not all that much left to see of the carvings. The area is still worth a visit though; as there are excellent views from the top of Sapodilla Hill of Sapodilla Bay, Chalk Sound and South Dock; the main freight seaport in the country.

Note: The Sapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings are a protected historical site. It is illegal to steal, damage, or add graffiti to any rock in the area. Making rock balancing stacks is considered to be disturbing the natural features and is prohibited. Violators will face fines and criminal prosecution.

Grand Turk Lighthouse

Grand Turk Lighthouse (Grand Turk) — this lighthouse was brought in components from the UK where it had been built in 1852. It has been refurbished and still guards the northern tip of Grand Turk, the capital island of the Turks and Caicos. The lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s house is a prized historic site and is protected by the National Trust. The Lighthouse provides some shade, a picnic area and an excellent viewing spot for the whales in February and March. The lighthouse hill overlooks North Creek, an inland body of water or lake that a growing number of historians argue is the closest fit to the description that Columbus gave for the island that he first encountered on his 1492 voyage to the New World.

Cheshire Hall

Cheshire Hall (Leeward Highway, behind Ace Hardware, Providenciales) – this is one of the key historic attractions on Providenciales. The 200 year-old ruins of this former cotton plantation are striking against a backdrop of modern day Provo, as the island is known locally. The building ruins have been carefully preserved by the National Trust and offer spectacular views of the island. Thomas Stubbs left England and moved to Providenciales in the early 19th century, where he named his plantation Cheshire Hall after his home county. By 1810, Thomas had given up and sold the hall to his brother Wade. A cornerstone at the ruins is inscribed “W. Stubbs 1810” to mark the transaction. The plantations survived for about 30 years before soil exhaustion, drought and the hurricane in 1812 destroyed them. Before he died in Grand Turk in 1822, Stubbs’ plantation included thousands of acres and 384 slaves. On the night of 9 September, 1800, 14 slaves escaped in a small boat. He offered a reward of US$500 for their return, but there is no record indicating if they were ever found.

Admission: $5. Hours: Monday-Saturday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Caicos Conch Farm

Caicos Conch Farm (Providenciales) – Explore the only conch farm in the world, yes where Caribbean Queen conchs are raised. Here you can witness how the process is done, see conch pearls and even purchase fresh conch for a fabulous salad. Conch is quickly becoming a rising star food with top chefs from the USA and elsewhere, choosing to use Turks and Caicos Conch-farmed products in their new dishes. The Conch Farm dedicates itself in exporting the conch including Pacific Rim, Ocean Escargot and Island Princess Conch and claims to raise the only “Caribbean Queens fit for a King”.