Turks and Caicos — one of the best islands in the Caribbean
As soon as you arrive, the vibrant turquoise-blue water against the white coral sand will have you ready to dive in. Location: Pelican Beach
An island built for the ultimate beach vacation
If you’re in the mood for some serious beach-bumming, look no further than Turks and Caicos. Situated southeast of the Bahamas on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, these islands boast some of the best beaches in the world.
Spread out and relax in style at the pristine, resort-lined Grace Bay Beach (2022 Traveler’s Choice winner) or venture off the beaten path through the rugged beauty of North and Middle Caicos.
With miles of white sand and shallow turquoise waters, Turks and Caicos is the perfect backdrop to your tropical dream vacation.
Aerial view of the award-winning Grace Bay Beach, where over 3 miles of soft white sand meets crystal clear turquoise waters.
Colorful umbrellas and loungers dot the beach in front of the resorts along Grace Bay.
Where is Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos is an island nation in the Caribbean, about 400 miles southeast of the Bahamas. It’s an archipelago made up of several large islands and numerous smaller cays (Google Earth it).
Its defining feature is an enormous barrier reef that surrounds the island chain, providing shelter to the coastline and creating the calm, shallow waters so beloved by visitors.
The La Famille Express shipwreck can be visited by boat or jet ski tour. We boarded the ship and snapped a few shots with our drone. It’s very rusty, so wear water shoes.
How did Turks and Caicos get its name?
The name Turks and Caicos actually comes from a period in history when the islands were located along merchant shipping routes. Its complex waterways made the islands a favorite hideout for smugglers, so two old terms Turks (pirates) and Caicos (small islands) were often written on maps near this spot as a warning for sailors to steer clear.
Today however, thousands of visitors flock to the islands year-round to enjoy the area’s warm sunny skies and crystal clear waters.
Relaxing at Sapodilla Bay where calm, shallow waters stretch for hundreds of feet into the ocean — a terrific spot for families with young children.
Aerial view of small rock jetty that divides Grace Bay and Sunset Beach. Both are amazing places for a relaxing day near the water.
How do you get to Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos only has one international airport. It is located on Providenciales, the country’s most populated island and home to the award-winning Grace Bay Beach. This is where most visitors will enter the country, with direct flights arriving daily from the east coast of the United States.
Do cruises go to Turks and Caicos?
Another way to visit Turks and Caicos is on a Caribbean cruise. However, because of such shallow waters around the islands, cruises can only dock at the cruise port on Grand Turk, a smaller island on the far east edge of the country.
Grand Turk is thought to be the first place on which Columbus set foot during his quest to the New World. Here, visitors can tour Cockburn Town and relax on the white sand of Governor’s beach, next to the port.
Wading out into the crystal clear waters at Grace Bay Beach.
What' is there to do in Turks and Caicos?
Beaches. They are the main attraction in Turks and Caicos and will not disappoint (see a list). Long stretches of white sand meet calm, turquoise-blue waters — perfect for wading. It’s what the island is known for, and life here revolves around beach culture.
If lots of sunshine and beach-centric activities don’t sound fun to you, then you probably should book a trip elsewhere.
The weather in Turks and Caicos is pleasant year round, but summer can be extremely hot and humid. We visited in July and experienced 90ºF+ degree days with high humidity. Just be prepared to stay very near, or in, the water and dress cool.
TO DO:
Here are some of our favorite activities. Always a good idea to book tours beforehand to secure your spots.
Clear SUP & Kayaks - paddle through mangroves with sea turtles
Snorkeling and Fort George Cay – sea life and shallow sandbars
Sapodilla + Taylor Bay - small, idyllic beaches with very calm water
Grace Bay Beach - 3-mile stretch of white sand near resorts
North & Middle Caicos - explore some less-populated spots
La Famille Shipwreck - jet ski tour out to an abandoned ship
Provo Ponies - ride horses along the beach and into the ocean
Malcom’s Road Beach - insanely clear waters, requires a 4x4
SUP and kayak tours go through Mangrove Cay where you can explore small waterways and view conch, sea turtles and reef sharks. We booked with The Looking Glass.
Artificial reef balls at Malcom’s Road Beach help stimulate marine life and make for an interesting underwater formation when seen from the air. Google Earth it.
Riding horses through the ocean near Long Bay Hills with Provo Ponies was an incredible experience full of laughs and fun memories. We rode Levi and Pilgrim.
Where to stay in Turks and Caicos
If you’re travelling to Providenciales or “Provo” as the locals call it, there are numerous resorts along the award-winning Grace Bay Beach. Besides being right on the sand, these hotels are also close to town. A short walk gets you to many shops and restaurants, so if you’re planning to mostly hang around your hotel, you really won’t need a car.
Keep in mind, the vibe around the resorts is more upscale and commercial, so expect larger crowds and a touristy atmosphere.
We opted to stay in a vacation rental through Airbnb (Ponciana House), which is another very popular option on the island. Many neighborhoods have villas for rent at much lower price points than the resorts. Plus, you may get access to a kitchen and a pool, like we had at ours. We love amenities like that.
We booked this place on Airbnb. We loved the small kitchen and access to the back patio and pool, which we shared with some great neighbors.
Do you need to rent a car in Turks and Caicos?
No, not necessarily. It really depends how you’d like to spend your time on the islands. If you choose to stay at the one of the resorts in Provo and only care to visit Grace Bay Beach, then you won’t need a car. Everything there is walking distance, and you won’t need to worry about having your own car.
If you’d like to explore other areas of the island and visit different beaches, you will need a car. Most destinations were only a 10-15 minute drive and parking is so easy. Coming from Southern California, where parking is a nightmare, we loved how everywhere in TCI allowed free parking — even in resort lots without being a hotel guest.
TIP:
Keep in mind that Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory. This means that drivers sit on the right side of the vehicle, and you travel on the left side of the road. This could be confusing if you’re only used to driving in the U.S. but we managed it fine — traffic is very light and the roads aren’t complicated.
A shallow sandbar connects two islands at Bambarra Beach on Middle Caicos. So close it looks like you could walk out to it, but Pelican Cay is much further than it appears. Locals advise not to make the journey on foot as rising tides can be dangerous.
Is Turks and Caicos good for families?
Definitely. We came across many families with children of various ages having an absolute ball. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for even the youngest kiddos to enjoy, and with so many tour and activity options — everyone will have something to do. We actually envisioned ourselves returning one day with our future family.
Enjoying the view across Sapodilla Bay on the south side of Providenciales.
Is it the best island to visit in the Caribbean?
It would be unfair to say so since we haven’t ventured to any other islands yet, but Turks and Caicos definitely tops our list as one of the best beach destinations in the world.
The islands’ vibrant, turquoise waters and white coral sands will have you saying, wow! That, mixed with the feel-good personality of the Caribbean people, creates a vibe that is somehow both energetic and relaxing.
One trip to the pirate islands won’t be enough — it’s a destination worth visiting time and time again.
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About Us
We’re Rob and Lauren — a designer & photographer duo passionate about travel. We hope you find some travel inspiration here and the courage to go book that dream vacation.
With so many beautiful places, we can’t help but feel that somewhere is always waiting to be discovered.
