Ah, the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands. Full of premier tropical beaches, snorkeling and diving, the Turks and Caicos Islands are the perfect place for
family vacations, romantic getaways or water sports enthusiasts. Located 575 miles off the southeast coast of Florida, the Turks and Caicos Islands cover 193 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are eight inhabited islands, full of residents known as “belongers.” These islands –
Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Parrot Cay and Pine Cay – offer an assortment of fine hotels and intimate settings. There are several smaller islands and cays that are uninhibited, such as East Caicos and West Caicos, which are open for exploration.
Provinciales is the main island for tourists, covered with an array of hotels, restaurants, spas and shops. Native cuisine such as fish, fruit, rice and peas are served; with such an international community, however, there’s a wide variety of food cultures to suit any taste!
When visiting Turks and Caicos, keep in mind that the islands are there for anything from a week of utter relaxation to an adventure diving weekend. No matter if you choose to lounge on the beach or strap on some diving equipment, the islands have everything you need to fulfill your time there.
With over 230 miles of white sand beaches, the islands remain protective of their ecosystem and wild life. With the third largest barrier reef in the world, the Turks and Caicos Islands maintain their objective to protect, experience and educate. In fact, there is a small, traditional fishing industry is located on South Caicos.
The islands are full of amazing coral systems and reefs, offering some of the world’s best diving and snorkeling. The serious diver can try the renowned reefs off Grand Turk, West Caicos and Provinciales. With over a dozen wrecks off Salt Cay, one can always choose to investigate a Spanish galleon instead!
The islands offer superb bird-watching, with the numerous salt ponds and inland marshes attracting Great Blue Herons, Flamingoes and Pelicans. There is a variety of smaller native birds, too, such as Egrets, Frigates and Terns. The National Parks system even cordoned off twelve of the smaller cays as protected breeding ground for these birds.
Fishing is another major attraction, as anglers fish for Tuna and Blue Marlin. With deep offshore waters, the islands serve as a popular transit point for Humpback Whales, Manta Rays and the giant sea turtle. From late December through the spring, over 2,500 Humpback Whale pass through the shores of the islands on their annual southwardly migration. Divers can then experience for themselves the underwater songs of the whales. In the summer, Manta Rays and dolphins cruise alongside divers as they explore the undersea worlds of the islands.
And keep in mind the hundreds of other activities available on the islands! There’s always the opportunity to bicycle around the islands, to have a BBQ on the beach, to take a beach cruise or eco-trip, to play golf on some of the most beautiful courses in the world, or even to sample a wide variety of cuisine. Try horse-back riding, a heritage walk, explore the caves on Middle Caicos, go parasailing and see the islands from the sky. There’s traditional sailing, tennis, semi-submarine tours and windsurfing. Finally, remember that the Turks and Caicos islands are always happy to have a festival or an occasion to celebrate – remember, there are the numerous fairs and carnivals held throughout the year.
