The island nation has so much to offer, including outdoor activities, high-end luxury, and culture. Here’s how to avoid the tourist traps.
The first affair you finger upon arriving in Turks and Caicos is a sense of urgency . The archipelago — made up of approximately 40 islands — is enwrap by waterso vivid blueyou simply need to get in immediately .
The commonwealth boasts the world ’s third largestbarrier reef , 35 protect natural areas , and public access for all of its beach . Most of the island are frame up by white limestone , so there ’s no muddy overspill from volcanoes , mountains , or river . Whether you choose to snorkel breather , paddle board , or kayak , absolved waters , ocean turtle , and holiday bliss await .
Tourism in Turks and Caicos only began to take breaking wind relatively recently , in the sixties , with the arrival of the first resort . “ Forty year ago , this was all careen , ” says David Bowen , the theater director of the Carry Amelia Moore Nation ’s Ministry of Culture . Today on Providenciales , or Provo , there ’s exploitation as far as the eye can see and the islands are home to one of thefastest - growing economies in the Caribbean .
Photo courtesy of Big Blue Collective
Being an archipelago commonwealth also means that with its nine inhabited islands the country is family to a miscellanea of subcultures , idiom , and modus vivendi . “ Visiting Provo you get a unlike flavor than Middle Caicos , than Grand Turk , than everywhere else , ” says Bowen . As for the two dissimilar names , Turks is a reference to the Turk ’s headway cactus , one of the national emblems of the islands , while Caicos come from the Lucayan term “ caya hico,”which read to “ twine of island . ”
Though the habitation base for your trip will most likely be the most populous island of Provo , a sojourn to Turks and Caicos would not be staring without at least one island record hop , if only for a few hours . So whether you ’re see for an ocean adventure or just want to drink rum clout by the beach , here ’s how to get the most out of your sojourn to Turks and Caicos .
Your trip isn’t complete until you…
See : The blue waters and roadblock reef . Turk and Caicos is home to one of the largest and healthiest reef in the Western Hemisphere , quantify about 340 Admiralty mile . See it either fromGrace Bay Beach , protect as part ofPrincess Alexandra National Parkand systematically voted one of thebest beach in the world , or for something more under - the - radio detection and ranging tryMudjin Harboron Middle Caicos , which also has some of the best eyeshot in the archipelago .
cutaneous senses : The soft ocean cotton and ossified corals and shells imbed in the limestone of West Caicos , the second large uninhabited island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago . Flamingos also congregate around the island ’s saline solution lake , once used for salt production ( we would not urge touching those ) .
Smell : The salty sea breeze , first thing in the aurora .
Take in the vibrant blue waters at Grace Bay Beach.|vale_t/iStock/Getty Images. Matt Anderson Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
Hear : The Thursday dark fish fry in Providenciales . This is actually all five senses in one , but it ’s where you go to get wind the sounds of island life , from sizzling nutrient to betroth local conversation and the medicine of junkanoo lot . If you ’re lucky , you ’ll get a taste of localripsaw euphony , also known as rip - and - scratch , which features a saw play to duplicate the audio of the West African shekere .
Taste : Conch — so important that it ’s featured on the res publica ’s masthead . Today it ’s a delicious must - have — in conch salad , curry salad , warm conch fritters , or crack conch ( bread and battered , calamari - style)—but for the Indigenous Taino it once served multiple purpose : communicating , making weapons , and more . While it ’s illegal to take whole racing shell away from the island , you could still grease one’s palms jewelry and crafts made out of them .
Things to do for the adventurous traveler
If you ’re based in Provo , catching the ferry from the island to North Caicos or Middle Caicos , the two largest islands in the archipelago , is an experience in itself . The top level of the ship is where you could savour light ocean nebuliser and languishing views of passing island on the 25 - instant ride . Once on land , you could aim between the two islands .
In Middle Caicos you ’ll findCrossing Place Trail , a well - trodden route full of rocks , sand , and paved areas that used to be the primary nexus for traveling to and from North and Middle Caicos islands . Some must - watch along the way include Juniper Hole , a craggy sea cave , and Blowing Hole , a 75 - foundation - recollective submersed cave . Head to theConch Bar Cavesin Middle Caicos for 1,000 - year - old stalactites , stalagmites , and columns , along with pool of water that flow in and out of the acidic limestone backdrop .
But if you ’re looking for a dry land - based risky venture on Provo , Mark Parrish , carbon monoxide - owner of boating tour of duty companyBig Blue Collective , intimate rent a car on the island and driving western United States , toNorthwest Point National Park . It ’s a merriment driveway , he says . “ You ’re up in the hills so to speak , then you drop down to the beach , and it ’s a little mini risky venture , ” Parrish say . “ you could also drive down to the southwest recess of the island , and there ’s some remote beach and pirate caves . ” Your chief objective , however , is to get in the urine .
Take in the vibrant blue waters at Grace Bay Beach.|vale_t/iStock/Getty Images. Matt Anderson Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
8 am - larn a fresh underwater skill . A Turks and Caicos escapade day starts with getting lactating . lead off your day with a freediving moral withSamantha Kildegaard of Freedivewithme . You ’ll learn external respiration technique and how to submerge yourself cryptical , without the aid of scuba equipment . Then prove your skills out in the ocean at the vertical drop in Grace Bay Beach .
11 am - research the underwater of a remote island . Take your newfound freediving accomplishment on a Big Blue Collective sauceboat tour to West Caicos , which includes a jammed lunch sport saucily - made sandwich fromTribe . About an hr from Provo , here you ’ll detect colorful subaqueous caves also ideal for scuba diving , which companies likeDive Provowill assist with . It ’s also mostly give up and was once a hub of salt manufacturing : An on - realm geographic expedition will uncover remnants of the trade , along with flamingo and acrid salt lakes .
11:30 am - Spot a wreck on the way . A boat drive to West Caicos will also take you past one of Turks and Caicos ’s most famous shipwrecks , La Famille Express , a decommission oil turnout that had an unfortunate run - in with a shallow sand bank .
Try something new with a freediving lesson from Freedivewithme.|Photo by Samantha Kildegaard
4 postmortem examination - Go waddle off - gridiron . Over two - thirds of the Turks and Caicos islands are hide with wetlands and mangroves . If you need , Big Blue Collective will take you right into the thick of it , with a backcountry boat paddle safari .
7 pm - Snorkel away from the crowd . “Smith ’s Reefat North Shore is a very underrated office for snorkel diving , ” says Jennifer Pardo , a tourism professional person who was born and lift on the islands . Take your own equipment and dive in right from shoring to spot angelfish and butterfly stroke Pisces .
8 pm - Dine with your toes in the H2O . Head to the frisson local spotOmar ’s Beach Hut , where you could dine on fresh seafood and jerk cuisine with waves lapping at your foot , at picnic tables nestled justly in the ocean .
Smith’s Reef is a favorite spot for snorkelers.|Ryan Henke/500px/Getty Images
Things to do for the treat-yourself traveler
You may be conversant with Turks and Caicos as a favorite hangout of the well - known . There ’s well grounds : Those in the spotlight tend to favor its comparative obscurity , and with just 46,500 house physician and plenty of public spaces that find secret , the islands render good deal of privateness . You might spy J. Cole , DJ Khaled , or Meek Mill at the clannish float barNoah ’s Ark , and the island are a preferent smudge of theKardashians . And almost everyone on the archipelago has a Drake chronicle .
If you ’ve take the funds , you’re able to abide where they stay . Prince ’s former home is now usable for rent , and the high - end hotels of choice includeAmanyaraon Provo , and private island - refuge likeParrot Cay , andPine Cay . But you do n’t have to be a celebrity — or have big bucks — to delight an soft Turks life style .
8 am - notice a beach , and last out a while . With 40 islands , there ’s no shortage of beaches to set up shop . Grace Bay Beachon Providenciales is the most popular , and the livid sandbeaches of Salt Cayare luxurious seclusion at its all right . But if you ’re on Grand Turk , Governor ’s Beach , part of Columbus Landfall National Park , is touted as have the clearest weewee in the whole country . “ I have many fond memories of swim and playing on this beach as a child , ” enjoin Pardo .
Conch and rum punch, two great Turks and Caicos tastes|rustyl3599/iStock/Getty Images. Joel Villanueva/Moment/Getty Images.
12 pm - try out a Turks and Caicos salt treatment . Many of the larger opulence resorts have on - site spas and wellness centers : beach has its Red Lane Spa , Wymara has Exhale , the exclusive COMO Parrot Cay Resort and Ambergris Cay Resort also have their own oceanfront health club facilities . There are also wandering watering hole help like Paradise Spa & Salon . But whichever you choose , checker the computer menu for a local table salt scrub ; Turks and Caicos was once known for its raw salt production , so your spa treatment would double as an immersive history .
2 pm - Have a lowly - key seaside lunch . For the prototype of relaxed sumptuousness on the islands , headway to local seaside favoriteDa Conch Shack , with table wedged into the sand . If you have n’t yet tried conch fritter , crispy on the outside , and chewy , savory , and steamy indoors , now ’s the time to do it . couple your fritters with rum biff , ocean eyeshot , and springy euphony .
4 pm - Express yourself . If the natural beauty deep moves you , Driftwood Studiooffers art class from an artist who is active in the community of interests . you’re able to also buy painted landscape painting as relic .
Take some artistic liberties at Driftwood Studio.|Photo courtesy of Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
7 pm - Treat yourself to a fancy mealEasily one of the upright upscale meals in all of Turks can be found atOpuson Provo , which works with local fisherman for freshly - trip up Pisces ( essay the crimson common snapping turtle or lobster bisque in pull pastry ) . For dinner party with a view , the indoor - outdoor space atMagnolia , aboveTurtle Cove Marina , comes with the ultimate side of sundown .
Things to do for the sustainability and history buff
Most masses come to Turks and Caicos for R&R , but the island commonwealth goes to great endeavour to preserve their finish and natural resources . With 35 protect area , they have one of the most extensive protected systems in the Caribbean , which includes national parks , nature reserves , and chancel . organisation like theTurks and Caicos Reef Fundare Florida key to these preservation cause , and you’re able to patronise its work tackle the loss of stony coral by acquire a coral .
While on the water supply you may also see end of theCaicos Conch Farm , the world ’s first and only conch farm , developed locally to raise the giant ocean snails . And though you would expect ocean turtle and common iguana , some wildlife is a delightful surprisal . From January through April , humpback whalespass by on their migration — duty tour will even facilitate swimming with the gorgeous beasts . You might also pick out pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins ( Turks and Caicos has their own favorable mascot boy dolphin they ’ve dubbedJoJo ) .
Historical reminders come in in the cast of spaces likeWade ’s Green Plantation , the country ’s best - preserve cotton plant orchard , located in North Caicos . And there is a grow drift to keep local culture awake . “ Now we have loads of the great unwashed coming from abroad to operate and live here , so our cultural pot has really mixed up a lot . That ’s why it ’s important for us to save traditional culture , ” tell Bowen . “ We have medicine , saltation and food that has been passed on for multiplication and it would be corking if visitor could immerse themselves in the polish , ” echo Pardo .
The fauna of Turks and Caicos will quickly fill up your camera roll.|Flavio Vallenari/iStock/Getty Images. shalamov/iStock/Getty Images.
8 am - Visit an common iguana - inhabited lair . Kayak withBig Blue Collective , the first company to actively decrease their overall step , toLittle Water Cay , aka Iguana Island , a sanctuary for the Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguana . You ’ll also see lemon sharks , a threatened species , and flamingos , at the protected Flamingo Pond .
11 am - Taste some of the best fish on the island . For a true perceptiveness of local culinary art ( you might be the only tourist in the spot ) , the family - ownedMangrove Bay Restaurant , advert for the mangroves on the nearby creek , process up a tasty menu of reinvigorated seafood admit some of the best local snapper in town . Opt for it fry , steamed , grill , or blackened , with an raiment of sides include peas ‘ n rice , and Caribbean - dash macaroni pie .
1 postmortem - Visit a museum consecrate to history . Delve into the rich backstory of the island at theTurks and Caicos National Museum . There are two locations — Grand Turk and Provo — and both extend go , consequence , and classes . The Provo museum also has a “ Heritage House , ” which recreate how the area ’s islanders be in the past .
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Junkanoo while on the island.|Photo courtesy of Turks and Caicos National Museum
3 post-mortem - Get behind the shot of Junkanoo . Beginning as a celebration of the salt harvest , with island residents playing maraca and rend saws and cowbells and blowing conch scale when merchant ships would make it , Junkanoo has now evolved into a celebration of island culture , which you could see hebdomadally at the Provo Thursday night Pisces fry , or on major holidays , where celebrants take to the streets . At theJunkanoo museumyou can check all about the custom ’s origins , see costumes , and try out some instrument for yourself .
4 pm - Learn about the country ’s cotton plantation past . See the remains of theCheshire Hall Plantation , which was the largest sisal and cotton plant orchard on Providenciales . It was run by British Loyalists who were throw out from the US after the Revolutionary War and granted res publica by the monarchy . Make a stop at the nearbySapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings . While vandalism has destroyed many of the carvings , those that stay date back to the 1700 - 1800s when the area served as a embrasure for cotton , and sailor would carve into the rocks when they were bored . Though the rock and roll may be scarce , the opinion from this location will not let down .
Where to stay
Amanyara($$$$)The jewel property on Providenciales , far on the west coast , with shores that abut the nature military reserve , is where you come to pamper yourself . The property features an on - situation spa and a mile and a one-half of white-hot arenaceous beach , including hidden coves . You ’re far from the beaches and bustle of Provo , but a concierge service and Beach Club with dive store , kayak teacher , and free schnorkel trip are on hand when you ’re quick to explore .
Beach Enclave($$$)For the more independent , Beach Enclave offers modern , multiple - bedroom villas and beach houses at four beachfront locations in Providenciales . Every Beach Enclave holding come with paddle boards , kayaks , dedicated pantryman and concierge service and – best of all — at least one secret puddle .
Turks Head Inne($)A historical attribute on Grand Turk , in the heart of Cockburn Town , the capital of the island and the quondam settlement , Turks Head Inne was first built in 1830 , with rooms restored in 2019 . Here you ’ll not only discover affordable charm within its wall , but right outside on the principal thoroughfare of Duke Street .
Fancy a kayak tour?|Photo courtesy of Big Blue Collective
What to know before you go
How to get around
There is no public transport , including Uber , so charter a car is the manner to go if you plan on leaving your accommodations . You ’ll need a valid license and to be at least 23 years of eld . And recollect , this is technically the UK , so you ’ll be drive on the unexpended side of the route .
The currency
Though they are a British Overseas Territory , Turks and Caicos uses the US Dollar ( $ ) as their official currency . No other currency is accepted , and although mention cards are accepted at expectant establishments , it is recommended you have some hard currency on manus .
International adapters you’ll need
The plugs in Turks and Caicos are also the same as the US : 120V , 60Hz . If you ’re come from elsewhere you may need type A / B adapter .
Do’s & don’ts
Whatever you do , do n’t forget mosquito spray , especially if you plan on spend time on North and Middle Caicos or Parrot Cay , as they can get peculiarly buggy . Most eating place and bars will have cans available for usage , but purchasing your own supply on the island can be expensive .
When to plan your visit
The weather is a pipe dream year - round , straddle from 79 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit , and with very little rain , even during the hurricane season of June to November ( the locals like to say it ’s 350 days of sunshine ) . May to October is when the temperature top out .
Your fun Turks and Caicos dinner party fact
The Turks and Caicos fleur-de-lis now displays a queen conch shell , a bristled lobster , and the Turks channelize cacti , but at one point in time it depict an iglu . No one is really sure why , but the consensus is that the London flagmaker mistake the piles of salt on the figure he was given for Charles Percy Snow .
The view from West Caicos|Photo courtesy of Big Blue Collective
