The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory near the Bahamas in the Caribbean, consisting of 40 islands and cays, 8 of which are inhabited. It is arguably an excellent destination for divers and snorkelers and one of the most beautiful places in the world with over 370 km (230 miles) of nearly abandoned white sands beach. Check out our Top 8 Things To Do In Turks and Caicos.
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Chalk Sound National Park
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Chalk Sound is a brilliant turquoise lagoon filled with hundreds of little rocky islands. On calm days, this is an excellent location for kayaking and paddleboarding. Many residential and rental villas are located here, along with the beautiful Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay beaches. Source: visittci
Grace Bay
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Grace Bay is known for its brilliant turquoise hues and it’s pristine white sand. It is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Caicos Conch Farm
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The Caicos Conch Farm is the first and only commercial Conch Farm in the World. Explore the curious life cycle of the Caribbean Queen Conch from a collection of the egg mass through hatching, grow-out and harvesting as an adult. The 30 minute Caicos Conch Farm tour begins with a brief biology lesson and a description of the technology and methods developed at the Caicos Conch Farm during the past 30 years for the process of cultivating the Caribbean Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) from the hatching of eggs through metamorphosis and the post-larval stages of life. Visiting guests can see and touch one or more of the many thousands of Caribbean Queen Conch growing in the Farm’s ponds on-shore. Source: caicosconchfarm
Sapodilla Bay
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Picturesque and often secluded white sand beach hidden away from the more touristy Grace Bay area.
This beach is located 2 km (1.3 miles) from Chalk Sound National Park, on the southern coast of Turks and Caicos.
Conch Bar Caves
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The Conch Bar Caves is a Karst limestone system which is developed when acidic water formed from rainwater and carbon dioxide dissolves the rock it has drained into, creating a network of passages. If you go in the caves, you’ll see usual cave formations like stalagmites, stalactites, columns and pools. This cave system is home of five bat species and endemic crustaceans and isopods that you’ll encounter as you walk around. It was said that the caves were used by the local tribes as a place for worship and refuge during hurricanes. It later became their permanent shelter when foreign settlers arrived. Source: whenonearth
Crossing Place Trail
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Crossing Place Trail is a national trust heritage sitegre and a great hike that takes about 5 hours round trip. It is the most spectacular walking route in the whole country, encompassing high cliffs, long beaches, rocky coves, salt marshes and bush pathways. This is a mildly strenuous excursion, across varied terrain from loose rock to beach sand. Source: middlecaicos
Grand Turk Lighthouse
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The Grand Turk Lighthouse is a 18 meter 60 ft)) tall structure, overlooking North Creek, It was brought in pieces from the UK where it had been constructed in 1852. It is a nice way to see the island and a must-take picture once you get there.
Bight Reef
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On the north shore of Providenciales Island, there is excellent snorkeling on Grace Bay at Bight Reef. The beach-accessed Bight Reef snorkeling dive is known for its dramatic reefs and coral formations with colorful fans and sponges. There is a popular marked snorkel trail starting near Reef Residences on Grace Bay (aka Coral Gardens) in 3 foot to 15 foot deep water. The Bight Reef Snorkel Trail is maintained by the National Trust. It is located roughly 2.5 miles west-southwest of Grace Bay. Source: snorkelingdives
Just So You Know…
- Technically, the Turks and Caicos are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea.
- The territory is geographically part of the Bahamas, but is politically a separate entity.
- The Caribbean humpback whale migrates through the Turks Head passage every year from January through April. If this is your cup of tea, make sure to book the best hotels in Turks and Caicos that offer you whale watching activities.
- The earliest settlers are believed to have arrived around 750 AD from other Caribbean islands. In the last 300 years it has been controlled by the Spanish, French, and British.
- The cuisine is dominated by the large selection of seafood, especially conch, used in popular dishes such as conch fritters and conch salad.
Get Some Culture:
- Turks and Caicos National Museum – Explore the island’s Culture & History, roam through our exhibits on Nature & Environment.
