Cockburn Town Roads
Grand Turk Roads · Grand Turk main anchorage
21°27.96'N 71°08.22'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. The Cockburn Town roadstead is exposed to the west and northwest — the primary danger direction is toward the harbour infrastructure and cruise pier to the south if wind and current combine. The 0.6–0.9m tidal range and strong tidal current in the Turks Island Passage means the boat will range significantly. Set 85m alarm; be ready to re-anchor or motor if a norther develops. Never leave the boat unattended in unsettled weather here.
About This Anchorage
Cockburn Town is the small, charming capital of the Turks & Caicos Islands — a surprisingly modest and authentic town for a national capital, with a historic Front Street lined with Bermudian colonial architecture, the excellent Turks & Caicos National Museum, and the customs and immigration office. Grand Turk was the original administrative and commercial centre of TCI before the tourism boom shifted everything to Providenciales. The town retains its historical character with pastel-coloured buildings, donkeys wandering the streets, and a pace of life unchanged in decades. Columbus Landfall National Park on the north end of Grand Turk commemorates one possible landing site of Columbus in 1492 (disputed — several islands make the same claim, but the evidence for Grand Turk is compelling). The anchorage is an open roadstead exposed to the west — comfortable in easterly trade conditions, untenable in northers.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- TCI cruising permit required (~$50 USD, obtained on entry). Standard immigration fees apply.
Restrictions: Official customs port of entry — Q flag mandatory until cleared; clear customs at Front Street office; stay clear of cruise ship pier and approach channel; no anchoring in cruise ship manoeuvring area; Columbus Landfall National Park (north end of island) — no anchoring on reef.
Hazards
- !Open western and northern exposure — cold front northers bring 30–40kt with no warning; be prepared to depart or move east of the island
- !Tidal current in Turks Island Passage — strong currents west of Grand Turk; anchor alarm essential
- !Cruise ship operations — when cruise ships are in port, the roadstead can be congested; monitor VHF for ship movements
- !Tidal range 0.6–0.9m combined with strong tidal current creates significant boat ranging on rode
- !Limited shelter — only in settled E/SE trade conditions; no all-weather anchorage available
Skipper's Tips
- →Grand Turk is TCI's most historically interesting island — the Turks & Caicos National Museum on Front Street is excellent; don't miss it
- →Columbus Landfall National Park at the north end of the island has a monument and interpretation centre — the case for Grand Turk as the first landing site is compelling
- →Clear customs at the Front Street office — the staff are friendly and the process is typically fast; have cruising permit fee (~$50 USD) ready
- →Donkeys roam Cockburn Town's streets freely — a charming local character of the island
- →The wall dive off Grand Turk (the east side) drops from 8m to 3,000m — Grand Turk is rated one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world; hire a local operator
Facilities
Cockburn Town has several restaurants and bars — Guanahani Restaurant, Saddle Bar, and waterfront options on Front Street. Small grocery stores on Front Street. Fuel available at the fuel dock.
Nearest provisions: Front Street grocery stores, Cockburn Town (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May in settled trade conditions. Grand Turk is a must-visit in TCI — historically, culturally, and for world-class diving. Not a comfortable anchorage in any northerly conditions.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 85m
In the Turks Islands, open roadstead anchorages with 0.6–0.9m tidal range and strong Turks Island Passage current mean careful monitoring is essential. Safety Anchor Alarm keeps watch while you sleep.
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