Grand Turk Lighthouse

Grand Turk Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands. Built-in 1852, this lighthouse is the most beautiful historical sites in Turks and Caicos Islands and is the only lighthouse on this island.

It was designed by the architect Alexander Gordon to notify seafarers of the small reef. Constructed in the United Kingdom, it was brought in sections to the island. A lighthouse keeper used to stay at the lighthouse all night to oversee the lamps and sleep in the small keeper's home on the side during the day.

Grand Turk Lighthouse is a whitewashed cast iron building that stands 60 feet tall (18 m). It began with eight miniature Argand oil lamps, which were powered by weights and machinery and had reflectors that magnified the light by 450 times. Because the first lamps were not powerful, they could not be seen on dark, stormy nights, resulting in shipwrecks off the coast long after the lighthouse was built. In 1943, the Chance Brothers of Birmingham, England, introduced brighter kerosene lamps and a more powerful Fresnel lens, which significantly improved the condition. The lighthouse was electrified in 1972, and it now serves as a powerful beacon light to guide sailors.

The lighthouse is no longer in use, but the grounds are open to the public for tourism. Keep in mind that tourists are not permitted to enter the lighthouse. The old light keeper home has a modest snack and souvenir shop, as well as a magnificent coastal promenade that runs along the top of the marine limestone cliffs.

Location: Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands