Travel Planning Guide
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Tropical dreams come true
Boasting world-renowned beaches with unbelievably clear turquoise water, the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) will make your tropical dreams come true. Lacking the urban sprawl that can make other Caribbean destinations feel overdeveloped, the Turks and Caicos Islands provide endless opportunities for rest and relaxation as well as adventure and off-the-beaten-path discovery. Until recently, its pristine coastlines were the well-kept secret of the wealthy elite and die-hard SCUBA divers. But now, the secret is out, and while this destination is certainly expensive, smart planning can make the Turks and Caicos Islands accessible to the average traveler.
You’ll most likely base your stay on the Turks and Caicos’ main island, Providenciales, which everyone calls “Provo”. This Travel Planning Guide will provide the essential info you’ll need to plan a visit.
The Money Factor
We are champagne-taste-on-a-beer-budget travelers, so when we decided to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands, we knew we’d be paying more than we’re accustomed to in order to enjoy an idyllic tropical vacation. But much to our surprise, we’ve been able to return to this paradise a number of times because we've learned how to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands on a budget. You’ll find money-saving tips throughout this guide.
Highlights
Getting There
Aside from the cruise ship crowd arriving in droves to GrandTurk, most travelers to the Turks and Caicos Islands will arrive via Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Only 80 minutes of flying time from Miami, it’s a time-efficient and convenient destination for many Americans. Non-stop flights from London and many major cities in Canada and the United States can be found through the following carriers: Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Jet Blue, United Air, and West Jet. Being the most populated and developed of the TCI, as well as the home of the celebrated Grace Bay Beach, we recommend making Provo your home base when visiting the islands.
Where to Stay
Beachfront luxury resorts are the name of the game in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Private villa and guesthouse rentals are also prevalent and may work out to be a cost-effective option for families or groups of travelers. Although you won’t find backpacker-cheap accommodations, small hotels can offer comfort and Caribbean ambiance without totally breaking the bank.
Most travelers to Provo will stay on the north shore of the island in the Grace Bay neighborhood. Concentrated in the immediate vicinity of the country’s acclaimed Grace Bay Beach, this area is home to the majority of Provo’s resorts, restaurants, shopping areas, and tourism services. It’s convenient and lively but not overcrowded or kitschy.
We stayed at the Royal West Indies Resort. Learn more about why we recommend the RWI for those travelers seeking nice but affordable beachfront accommodations on Grace Bay.
If you’d prefer to base yourself away from the hustle and bustle, consider one of Provo’s other neighborhoods.
Leeward is an upscale, gated suburb on the northeastern corner of the island. It sits on the banks of Leeward-Going-Through, the channel separating Provo from Mangrove Cay and Little Water Cay, a great launching spot for kayaking or SUPing. Another draw is Leeward Beach—secluded, gorgeous, and a treasure-trove for shell seekers. Other options include Turtle Cove, a popular marina neighborhood, and the area around Chalk Sound National Park, a brilliant turquoise lagoon on the island’s south side.
Getting Around
Public transportation is non-existent and taxis are crazy expensive. So, if you plan to explore beyond the walkable vicinity of your lodging, car rental is a cost-effective and freeing option. Conveniently located on-site at the airport, consider Grace Bay Car Rentals. Keep in mind that, being a British territory, driving is on the left in TCI. Don’t let this deter you; you’ll be surprised how quickly you get the hang of it!
Tip
Given that Provo is a small island, distances are short. But fuel is costly and adds up. Save money (and your precious time) by clustering your excursions. Our day in the Chalk Sound area is a great example.
Inter-island travel is affordable and easy. Check out interCarribean, which flies daily from Providenciales to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and Caicos Express, which flies to Salt Cay on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Grab a window seat and keep your camera at the ready to capture stunning aerial photographs of the island chain! Or hop aboard the TCI Ferry which departs from Walkin Marina several times daily for the 30-minute trip to North Caicos and twice weekly to South Caicos.
Eating the Island
Excellent. Eclectic. Expensive. That pretty well sums it up.
Although most establishments accommodate tourists’ tastes through varied and extensive menus, Provo’s chefs really shine when blending local staples and island flavors with international recipes. In our opinions, it is this Caribbean-fusion cuisine that makes Provo a culinary hot-spot that will delight even the most discerning of foodies. So venture away from your lodging, experience all of the culinary wonder that the island has to offer, and indulge in bountiful, fresh Caicos spiny lobster, grouper, snapper, conch, conch, and more conch.
Tip
A copy of the annually-updated Providenciales Dining Guide is an invaluable reference. You can find them all over the island or online at WhereWhenHow.com. Be aware that many of the finer dining venues require reservations. And, though they don’t advertise it, most will accept reservation requests via email, which is great for advance planners.
One of us is a consummate researcher and over-planner (some may say control freak…and that’s cool, she can take it). She is also a life-long foodie with a penchant for fine dining. Our time in Turks and Caicos, then, was as much about epicurean exploration as it was about seeking out awesome hidden beaches. We individually critiqued our dining experiences and compared notes to offer you a little extra insight on dining in Provo.
Tip
Be aware that a 12% government tax is added to your dining tab. Also contributing to the exorbitant cost of dining in Provo is the service charge that will grace your tab at most establishments. The service charge, however, is not a tip for your server; be sure to recognize helpful and friendly service with a dedicated gratuity.
Keeping Busy
Water Sports: You absolutely have to play in the stunning, swimming-pool-clear, perpetually warm waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Try out the variety of water-based activities that the islands have to offer. Whether you’re somewhat fearful of the open ocean or you’re so comfortable that you may as well be a fish yourself, there is certain to be a water sport that is up your alley:
Tip
Many beachfront resorts offer complimentary access to sports accessories, such as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, Hobie Cats, snorkeling equipment, and bicycles. When selecting your accommodation, be sure to research the specific amenities offered. The value can be substantial if you’re planning an active island getaway.
Kayak: The calm, placid waters of Grace Bay and Chalk Sound and the mangroves of Leeward Going Through (off of Provo’s eastern shore) are perfect for sea kayaking. For a more substantive kayak adventure and upper-body workout, consider joining an eco-tour with Big Blue Unlimited (a bit pricey, starting at USD 115 for an adult). Or, for about 15 USD/hour, rent a kayak and take a self-guided jaunt from Blue Haven Marina across the channel to Little Rock Cay to experience an uninhabited island teeming with rock iguanas.
Kiteboard: With consistently strong trade winds, Provo’s Long Bay Beach is a world-renowned Mecca for kiteboarders; take a lesson and pick up a new hobby or pack a picnic lunch and chill on the beach to partake in the spectacle.
Snorkel: Simple and safe, snorkeling is a wonderful opportunity to experience the underwater realm. Spectacular snorkeling sites with exceptional visibility are accessible by boat from all of the inhabited Turks and Caicos Islands. A number of diving companies offer dedicated snorkeling trips; captain and crew expertise lends to snorkeling experiences superior to those provided by competing boat tours.
Tip
Seriously, what is better than a free, memorable experience? You don’t have to pay for a tour in order to enjoy Provo’s magnificent snorkeling. Consider skipping the tour in favor of hitting one of Provo’s just-offshore reefs, perfect for independent exploration. Beginners should head to the Bight Reef. Those who are more comfortable in the open ocean will more likely enjoy Smith’s Reef. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about both options.
SUP: Explore the mangroves or calm coastal waters on a stand-up paddleboard. Standing up allows you to survey the surrounding waters from an ideal vantage point. And it’s a hell of a core workout. Get to know the sport by playing around on a SUP off the beach (some hotels check them out for free) or commit to a few hours of fun with a guided tour.
Sail: Of course, there is no shortage of yacht charters, catamaran and pontoon cruises, and small boat rentals. But what we most enjoyed were the Hobie Cats. These sporty miniature catamaran sailboats are so much fun! Many resorts along Grace Bay have Hobie Cats that guests may check out for free, and you should totally take advantage. These little guys are quick, responsive, and easy to sail. If you have no sailing experience, ask one your hotel’s friendly beach staff to take you out for a spin. Or take a lesson; most people get the hang of it after only an hour or two of instruction (check out Water Play Provo, 150 USD/hour for 1 or 2 people).
Parasail: Crystal-clear waters showcasing the offshore reef make Grace Bay an ideal spot for parasailing. For about 85 USD, you can spend 15 minutes of your vacation hovering up to 450 feet above the bay. It’s surprisingly tranquil up there and, in addition to gorgeous views of the island, we were stoked to spot an eagle ray and a giant barracuda.
SCUBA: Sheltered by the world’s third largest barrier reef, the Turks and Caicos Islands possess some of the Caribbean’s finest dive sites. We aren’t divers, and we don’t want to try to pretend like we know what we are talking about when it comes to exploring TCI’s astonishing underwater walls. Indeed, the Turks Island Passage, separating the Turks Islands to the East from the Caicos Islands to the West, is more than 7200ft (2200m) deep! The sheer depth of such submarine cliffs combined with superior visibility results in near-perfect conditions for the viewing of diverse creatures from sea turtles to hard and soft corals to hammerhead sharks.
SNUBA: SNUBA is diving for the anxious or un-SCUBA-certified. With SNUBA, the oxygen tank floats of a raft above the surface (rather than on your back) and your tether only allows you to descend about 20 ft. Sounds like a plan!
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