Turks and Caicos IslandsTravel Guide

Providenciales, the archipelago’s most densely inhabited island has the most lavish resorts, breathtaking beaches and exciting shopping opportunities, making it a tourist hotspot. At the award-winning Grace Bay Beach, named one of the best in the world, The Tides boutique hotel offers 20 stylish suites a few steps away from the ocean. The four-star Blue Haven Resort is another great option, with a 24/7 gym, vast sea views and an infinity pool.

True to its name, Middle Caicos is an island at the heart of Turks and Caicos and one of its biggest. It’s also linked to North Caicos by a causeway road if you're hiring a rental car. Middle Caicos is popular with adventurers and nature lovers as it borders forest nature reserves.

On a budget? Shangri-La is a three-star beach apartment in Bambarra, close to the Conch Bar Caves. Dragon Cay Resort offers both cottages and villas and a variety of complimentary equipment, including bicycles, paddleboards and kayaks for making the most of the outdoors.

The historical core of Turks & Caicos, Grand Turk is where you’ll find Cockburn Town, with access to plenty of entertainment and fine-dining options. Breiji Hills is a budget-friendly villa if you want to be in the centre of the action in Cockburn Town. It’s within walking distance of both East Side Beach and the Turks & Caicos National Museum. Then there’s La Grande Pettite Villa, with its ocean and garden views, right next to the Grand Turk Lighthouse.

If crowds just aren’t your thing, Pine Cay is a fantastic option. Privately owned, and right on the edge of the world’s third-largest barrier reef, Pine Cay is renowned for its secluded beaches and upmarket hotels. Pine Cay Resort is the only accommodation option for this cay, providing 12 rooms and suites on the beachfront, a clubhouse, a freshwater swimming pool and a tiki beach bar (this is a themed bar serving cocktails and rum-based drinks).

Pull on some sturdy walking shoes and make your way to the Conch Bar Caves, a cave system above the ground and the largest of its kind in the Bahamas-Turks and Caicos island chain. You’ll be met by a Turks & Caicos National Trust tour guide, who’ll lead you along the rocky pathways and tell you about its history, starting in the late 1880s when bat manure was mined as a fertiliser from these caves. You’ll be able to see some names and dates that have been carved into the cave walls from that time.

Little Water Cay has been aptly nicknamed “Iguana Island”. Here you’ll find thousands of scaly, docile endangered rock iguanas, found only in Turks and Caicos, sunning themselves on the rocks or scuttling about the white sand or surrounding vegetation. You need to rent a kayak or take a boat tour to get to Little Water Cay, which is part of the adventure, and we recommend you buy a pre-paid ticket from your tour operator. National Trust wardens will meet you on arrival, there are trails and signs to follow, but please note that feeding or touching the iguanas is not allowed.

We’ve already highlighted two of the most popular Turks & Caicos National Trust’s heritage sites: Little Water Cay and the Conch Bar Caves. But there are many more to get excited about! Visit Wade’s Green Plantation – a well-preserved cotton plantation dating back to 1789, or check out the Bird Rock Point Trail – a scenic trail through coastal and marine wetlands. And flamingo lovers shouldn't miss Flamingo Pond on North Caicos where, yes, flamingos are abundant. Planning on visiting a few of these sites (or maybe all of them)? Then it’s worthwhile buying a membership – a great way to give back as a responsible tourist while getting full access to all the heritage sites.

Why not opt for a leisurely cruise to Turks & Caicos? The majority of cruises dock in Grand Turk, the largest Turks island and the archipelago’s primary cruise ship port.

Unique to the Turks and Caicos Islands, this is a weekly bash in Providenciales where islanders and tourists come together to sample local food, drinks such as the local Bambarra Rum, and enjoy live bands, cultural performances and a traditional dancing procession. There are souvenir and food vendors galore, and you guessed it, the popular local dish of fried fish is a highlight. The event is a wonderful family-friendly celebration of all things Turks and Caicos.

Constructed in 1852, the Grand Turk Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in the entire archipelago and one of the historical landmarks most popular with tourists even though it's no longer in operation and you’re not allowed inside. Once you’ve appreciated it and snapped a few photos, pop into the adjacent lightkeeper’s house, which has been transformed into a shop, where you can buy yourself a snack or a souvenir.

Providenciales has the most popular snorkelling and dive sites. Head to Smith’s Reef or Bight Reef for a spot of snorkelling while diving hotspots accessible from Providenciales include Grace Bay, West Caicos, Northwest Point, and Sandbore Channel. Finding dive shops with accredited instructors is easy.

Le Bouchon du Village in Grace Bay’s Regent Village guarantees a gastronomic experience to remember. It’s a French restaurant with a variety of fresh seafood on the menu, along with fine wine.

Mangrove Bay Restaurant in Providenciales focuses on local delicacies, including lobster, whole steamed fish, conch, souse and pea ʹn rice, while at Coco Bistro you can dine under palm trees and a starry sky in true island style. The menu features the best of Caribbean cuisine with seafood delicacies like shrimp and lobster.

If you’re more carnivore than pescatarian, a posh “steakhouse” is waiting for you at the Ritz-Carlton, also in Providenciales.

Rated among the best in Turks & Caicos, Lemon 2 Go in Providenciales is known for delicious breakfasts and lunches and an extensive coffee menu whipped up by baristas. Another goodie in the neighbourhood is Shay Café offering al fresco dining in the courtyard.

Unsurprisingly, you’ll find most of the islands’ shopping plazas on Providenciales – and in Grace Bay, in particular. Drawing inspiration from the shopping streets of London, Regent Village and the adjacent Saltmills Plaza are a must-visit for shopaholics looking for upmarket goods. Situated in the heart of Grace Bay,they are known for their boutiques, jewellery shops and galleries.

Take home something unique for your friends and family. From gift shops at the resorts or tourist hotspots to craft markets dotted across the islands, you’ll find handmade jewellery made of conch shells, woven mats and baskets, scarves and sunglasses. We recommend the Middle Caicos Co-op in North Caicos for authentic handmade souvenirs crafted in the same way and with the same materials used for over 100 years. Their creations include hats, bags, dolls, model sailboats and other toys.

Grace Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in the world (we just had to mention that again!) and set in what’s known as “resort central” – Grace Bay. If diving is what you’re after, you’re in the right place at Grace Bay.

The beach stretches along the north coast of Providenciales for 12km (7.5 miles), so there’s plenty of space for everyone and it’s never overcrowded. The water is calm, the seafloor is smooth and sandy and among than the many water sports you can enjoy there's kayaking, paddleboarding and horse riding on the shore.

Half Moon Bay is a secluded beach sandwiched between Water Cay and Little Water Cay, which started out as a sandbar that “grew” as time went one. There’s a stunning beach on the north side while on the south side there’s a lagoon with warm, inviting shallow water. Dotted along the beach are miniature palm forests – fun to explore. Just a heads-up that there are no amenities here, so come prepared with your picnic basket, umbrella and water.

If you’re spending some time on Middle Caicos, Mudjin Harbour is a must visit close to Conch Bar Caves. The landscape here is pretty dramatic with caves and towering limestone cliffs encircling the harbour. At low tide you can reach a very small dragon-shaped island called Dragon Cay just across a sandbar.