Cockburn Town Lighthouse

Guarding the wild Atlantic waters surrounding Grand Turk’s northern tip, the Cockburn Town Lighthouse is a historic National Trust-listed structure, built in Britain in 1852.

Known as the Grand Turk Light, the cast-iron lighthouse was shipped in pieces and constructed on the island’s northern tip, in an effort to reduce the scarily large number of ships wrecked on the island’s west coast reef.

Over the years, the lighthouse has been lit by whale oil, kerosene and electricity, and its light still shines today. You can see the original Fresnel lens proudly on display in the Turks & Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town.

The lighthouse is a popular spot for whale-watching in February/March, and for picnics year-round. It’s thought that Christopher Columbus made landfall near here in 1492.

Practical Info

Cockburn Town Lighthouse is north of Cockburn Town on the northern tip of Grand Turk island, overlooking North Creek.