Turks & Caicos is arid compared with other Caribbean destinations; the island receives less than 50 inches of rainfall annually and generally lacks the lush landscape found across other Caribbean nations. Still, the islands are consistently favored by sunshine and cooling breezes, and the beaches rank with the Caribbean’s best. The Turks & Caicos’s primary appeal is its status as a mostly undiscovered and not overly developed tourism destination.
Steve Bennett / Creative Commons BYGrace Bay on Providenciales inTurk and Caicos.
Top things to do & see
Attractions
Providenciales is the main tourism city although not the capital (which is Cockburn Town). It features a handful of attractions including the Provo Golf Club, the island’s only 18-hole championship course, site of the 1999 and 2009 Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships.
Grand Turk attractions include a historic lighthouse, which features a keeper's residence and a kerosene storage building, all built of local limestone blocks. For generations, the lighthouse served as mariners’ sole beacon to avoid the treacherous northeast reef, which extends eastward far out to sea and was responsible for multiple shipwrecks.
Activities
Horseback riding and kite boarding are other available activities; visitors can take in the Caicos Conch Farm to learn about the life cycle of the conch, an unofficial island symbol. Fishing excursions are also available.
There are also various operators offering dive tours at reefs across the island. Travelers can also rent a boat for a full or half day, or enjoy virtually every form of water sports, from parasailing to sail boarding. Picnics on exclusive private beaches can be arranged and there are multiple spots for snorkeling among the island’s exotic fish and coral. The Turks & Caicos has one of the world’s longest coral reefs, making it a premier dive destination.
Family-friendly options
Located toward the south end of the island, the Carnival Cruise Terminal features a tourism village packed with shops and restaurants, an oversized pool where guests can rent private cabanas, and an 800-foot-long stretch of beach.
Best bets for dining
The Turk & Caicos has an upscale beachside dining scene, with a wide variety of restaurants including the popular Hemingway’s at the Sands at Grace Bay hotel. There are a total of 81 restaurants on the islands, many of which you'll find on the island of Providenciales.
Radu Ursu / Courtesy of Carnival Cruise LinesSpend a quiet day on the white sand beaches of Grand Turk, the capital island of the Turks and Caicos, on your next Caribbean cruise.
YOLO (You only live once!)
- Provo Turtle Divers is the oldest and most experienced dive operation in the Turks & Caicos Islands. For over 38 years they've explored the reefs and walls of these islands, discovering new dive sites and uncovering some of the most unusual underwater spectacles accessible to divers in the Turks & Caicos.
Fun facts
- The two principal islands were part of the United Kingdom's Jamaican colony until 1959, when they assumed the title of a separate crown colony. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory.
- The islands have the 3rd largest barrier reef system worldwide.
- Turks and Caicos is today a "zero tax" jurisdiction and doesn't have any taxes on income, capital gains, corporate profits, inheritance or estates.
- For about 700 years, the Tanio and Lucayan tribes were the sole residents on the islands (particularly settling on Grand Turk and the Middle Caicos).
- One of the American space capsules came back to Earth near Grand Turk. At the cruise line terminal, there is a small celebration of that feat, with models of the ship and an astronaut.
- The name comes from a combination of the name Turks, a synonym with pirate and the Lucayan term Caya Hico, meaning a string of islands. A warning for navigators to avoid if possible.
Best time to go
The Turks & Caicos Islands are arid compared with many other islands in the Caribbean. During the summer months (June to November) the temperatures range from the high 80s and low 90s to the high 70s. Also in the summer, there is barely any humidity and the temperatures barely go above the mid-90s due to the continually circulating winds. The water also averages at about 84°F.
In the winter (December to May) the weather is generally in the high 70s to mid-80s. The water temperature during these months is around 75°F to 80°F.
The island gets less than 50 inches of rainfall a year. Most rainfall occurs during the hurricane months of summer. Sunshine and breezy cooling winds are the norm in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Health note
The Turks & Caicos have weathered the COVID crisis better than most islands in the Caribbean, perhaps because the government has been proactive about distributing the vaccine for free. As a result, a majority of the population has been fully vaccinated.
stokes rx / Creative Commons BY NDA black-necked stilt on Grand Turk Island.
When you arrive
Docking information
Cruise ships call at the Carnival Cruise Line’s beachfront terminal in Grand Turk, which represents the islands’ closest link to mass tourism.
Getting around
Taxis are widely available at all seaports as well as throughout the island. Many of the taxi drivers can also act as a personal tour guide and show you undiscovered island attractions.
Rental cars, motor scooters and jeeps are available in Providenciales and Grand Turk. There is a government tax for all hired cars ($15) and motor scooters ($5). Major rental companies include, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Rent a Buggy, National and Tropical Auto Rental.
When in Salt Cay, you can rent a golf cart! North and Middle Caicos have their own rental companies you can use as well as Grand Turk. If interested, bicycles are almost always available at all locations. Remember, in Turks and Caicos, you are to drive on the left side of the road.
Need to know
Passport: U.S. citizens must have a valid passport.
Language: The primary language is English. Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken.
Currency: The U.S. dollar is the official currency.
Safety: Turks & Caicos have one of the lowest crime rates and highest crime-solved rates in the Caribbean. Any problems that occur should be reported to the Royal Turks and Caicos Police immediately. While the islands are extremely safe, make sure to exercise common sense; don't leave valuables in plain view. Thieves target mopeds and motorcycles, so be sure that if you rent one, you lock it up properly. Also, be aware that Islanders can be very aggressive drivers, so it is best to use caution when crossing or driving on the roads.
Your take
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