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Covering 193 square miles of the Atlantic, the Turks and Caicos are
a chain of 40 islands located 575 miles from Miami. With the third largest
coral reef system in the world, it is a premier dive and snorkeling destination,
offering wall dives as well as spectacular living coral gardens teeming
with tropical fish. Its 230 miles of tropical beaches are arguably he
best in the Caribbean, while its sunny year-round climate and warm friendly
people contribute to an ideal atmosphere that helps everyone truly unwind
and relax. Still emerging as a tourist destination, 60 percent of visitors
to Turks and Caicos return again and again, with many choosing to purchase
a second or retirement home here. The population of Turks and Caicos is
less than 25,000 persons, spread across eight inhabited islands that include
Providenciales with the majority of residents, and Salt Cay, Grand Turk,
South Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, East Caicos, and West Caicos.
Tourism is the main industry in TCI, and the islands are committed to
retaining the unspoiled charm and beautiful environment that captivate
all who come here.
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Travel to Turks and Caicos has become is relatively easy, with direct
flights offered by American Airlines, US Airways, Delta Airlines, Air
Canada and British Airways from Miami, New York, Boston, Charlotte, Philadelphia,
Atlanta, Toronto, and London to the international airport in Providenciales.
Flights from Miami are about 75 minutes while New York is less than three
hours away. SkyKing and Air Turks and Caicos can take you from Providenciales
to Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, South Caicos, and Salt Cay.
Charters to Grand Turk and South Caicos are also available, and boats
can take you to North Caicos from Providenciales or to many other islands.
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In an average year, Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine. Temperatures
are generally comfortable year-round, ranging between 85 and 90 degrees
in the summer when the heat is tempered by fresh trade winds. From November
to May, the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees. Annual average rainfall
varies from 21 inches on Grand Turks and South Caicos, to 40 inches in
North Caicos.
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The 40 islands, rocks and cays of Turks and Caicos are so remarkably
diverse, they have given rise to the slogan “The Everything Islands.”
In the Turks and Caicos Islands, whatever your mood or interest, you will
find what you are looking for.
Providenciales
Providenciales, covering an area of 38 square miles, is the hub of tourism
and development. It offers sophisticated restaurants and shops, elegant
hotels, gaming and a renowned golf club – all in keeping with the
tastes of its sophisticated visitors and investors. Its incredible white-sand
beaches rank among the best in the world, with 12-mile Grace Bay being
the most well known. Although Providenciales is the most developed of
the islands, it retains the relaxed spirit of TCI, making it a haven for
owners who prefer paradise with all the comforts of home. JoJo, the world
famous bottlenose dolphin, is often seen swimming with snorkelers in Princess
Alexandra Marine Park. On the other end of the spectrum, Provo Golf Club,
designed by Karl Litten, is considered one of the best places to play
in the Caribbean.
Grand Turk
The capital island and financial center of TCI, Grand Turk is the second
largest island after Providenciales with nearly 4,000 people. Cockburn
Town is the administrative, historical, and cultural focal point of both
Grand Turk and the rest of the islands. Here you will find Duke and Font
Streets, lined with historic landmarks that date back to the 18th century.
These include two popular hotels, the governor’s residence, other
government buildings, the public library, churches, and private homes.
A walk down these streets is a journey back in time. Other historic sites
include the Lighthouse, Fire Hill and the Hawk’s Nest Anchorage.
The Turks and Caicos National Museum here features the Molasses Reef Wreck
dating back to 1505 and considered the oldest European wreck in the Western
Hemisphere.
North Caicos
The lushest of all the islands due to its abundant rainfall, North Caicos
is known as the “Emerald Isle” and boasts a population of
1,400 people and thousands of pink flamingoes. The flamingos are centered
around Flamingo Pond and Mud Hole Pond, while most people live in the
settlements of Bottle Creek Village, Whitby, Kew, and Sandy Point. You
will find ospreys and many other birds at the island’s numerous
nature reserves and sanctuaries, along with a rich variety of other wildlife.
This pristine island has recently begun to undergo controlled development,
providing an attractive opportunity to invest in a way of life that includes
miles of secluded beaches, endless trade winds, and a complete absence
of stress.
Middle Caicos
Covering 48 square miles, Middle Caicos is the largest of the islands.
Tidal flats arising in the south cover almost half of the island, and
the north coastline features dramatic limestone cliffs with long, sandy
beaches. This island is home to one of the longest limestone cave networks
in the world, with stalactites, stalagmites, and salt lakes that connect
to sea -including Mudjin Harbour, one of the most impressive features
in this cave system. During low tide, you can actually walk between North
and Middle Caicos.
East Caicos
At 18 square miles, East Caicos is largely uninhabited. Swamps and mangroves
dominate the island, but there is a spectacular 17-mile beach on the north
coast used by sea turtles to lay their eggs. Also on the north coast you
will the ruins of a sisal plantation and an abandoned town, Jacksonville,
that was once the center of a thriving cattle industry.South Caicos
At 8.5 square miles, South Caicos is small in size but big in appeal,
offering some of the islands’ best fishing, diving, bird watching
and whale watching. Cockburn Harbor dates back to the 18th Century, and
hosted Queen Elizabeth during her 1966 visit. Here you will find slow-paced
charm and many fine examples of classic British Colonial and Bermudian
architecture lining the town’s narrow streets. Once the islands’
largest producer of salt and commercial center, today South Caicos is
steeped in history and tradition.Salt Cay
With just 60 residents and a mere 2.5 square miles, it is difficult to
believe this tiny island was once the focal point of the TCI economy.
Yet, from the late 1600s to the early 1960s, this was the salt capital
of the islands from the days when salt was king. At Salt Cay, you will
see remnants of the salt mining era, including the White House, a landmark
owned by descendants of Bermudan salt-rakers. You will also see giant
humpback whales that pass through here in February and March. For a simpler
life and a slower time, Salt Cay is the choice of a lifetime.
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Introduction
Famous for its 1,000 square miles of reefs, Turks and Caicos has consistently
been ranked one of the top dive destinations in the world by Scuba Diving
magazine. But even if you don’t dive or snorkel, TCI has plenty
to offer, including miles of white-sand beaches called the “Best
Tropical Beaches in the World” by Condé Nast. With this comes
a full complement of water sports, including everything from windsurfing
to parasailing. You can even go horseback riding in the surf. Land-based
activities are equally exceptional, ranging from world-class golf at Provo
Golf Club to tennis at most hotels and resorts. For those in search of
arts and crafts, you can find anything from original art to handmade baskets
and decorative mirrors throughout the islands. And all year long, there
is a non-stop agenda of island music and cultural festivals, events, and
celebrations including Junkanoo Jump Up on January 1, the Valentine’s
Day racing of model boats crafted from the gum-elemi tree, the late summer
Ripsaw Music Festival, and a traditional island Christmas and Boxing Day.
Diving
The coral reef system surrounding TCI is 65 miles across and 200 miles
long, making it one of the largest in the world. Running between the islands,
the 22-mile wide Columbus Passage is an 8,000-foot channel that is a marine
highway for migrating humpback whales, turtles and dolphins. Along the
reef, visibility is up to 200 feet and accessibility is excellent to the
beach, with shipwrecks just a short distance from the sand. As the water
drops down into deep blue, it is possible to experience some of the most
thrilling wall diving in the world. Equipment, instruction, certification
and other dive services are readily available. South Caicos, with its
vertical wall, is reputed to offer the best diving in TCI.
Dining
Although hotels and resorts offer inyrtnsyionsl dining, it is also exciting
to experience the cuisine of smaller restaurants offering local cuisine,
or a creative interpretation of classic Mediterranean and European dishes.
You will find about 70 restaurants throughout Turks and Caicos, with a
range of culinary approaches from island eclectic to Euro-Caribbean.
Bird Watching
More than 170 species of birds can be found in Turks and Caicos, including
great blue herons, flamingoes, ospreys, pelicans, egrets, terns, and frigates.
The tidal flats on the south side of North Caicos in particular are a
breeding ground for birds, with Flamingo Pond offering the spectacular
sight of thousands of these brilliantly colored birds.
Cave Exploring
Middle Caicos is known worldwide for its unforgettable cathedral-like
caves, with underwater lakes pierced by sculpted stalagmites and stalactites.
Guided tours will introduce you to these caves, which were once the home
of the original settlers, the Lucayans. In East Caicos, caves can be found
with ancient marking by the Lucayans.
Fishing
General consensus is that the fishing in Turks and Caicos is the finest
in the Caribbean. Each year, the islands host a Bill Fish tournament.
Providenciales and especially South Caicos offer fertile fishing grounds
just a short distance from shore. The most common fishing is bottom and
reef fishing, which offer plenty of bites and a catch of snapper and grouper.
Bonefish are found in the world-famous flats that stretch for 40 miles
off the coast of South Caicos. Deep-sea fishing provides a rewarding fight
with giant Atlantic blue marlin all year round, and with yellow fin and
black fin tuna during the summer months. North Caicos is also becoming
known for its fine fishing, including the elusive bonefish.
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