Providenciales Island Tours & Excursions
An island tour is a great way to see the attractions of Providenciales without having to navigate on your own. You’ll also get local insights on the country's history and culture (and even the local gossip).
Most island tours come with a local guide who can answer questions and point out interesting features and sights along the way. Vehicles vary—some island tours are done by ATV or road buggy, whereas others are in air-conditioned taxis or buses. Many tours feature a lunch stop, which may or may not be included in the price.
Providenciales Sights and Attractions
Land tours on Providenciales visit a variety of natural, historical, and cultural sites of interest as well as scenic coastal locations. There is no one typical land tour itinerary, but most tours combine stops at one or more of the following attractions.
Arguably the top sight on Providenciales is the spectacular and vivid Chalk Sound National Park, which features unbelievably turquoise water. This lagoon is nearly landlocked and has over 300 tiny limestone islands.
The beachfront settlements of Blue Hills and Five Cays are also common stops (particularly for lunch). Before the advent of the tourism industry in the Turks and Caicos, these quiet fishing villages supported much of the development on Providenciales. Both have coconut palms, turquoise water, and a few great local restaurants to try.
The best historical site on Providenciales is Cheshire Hall Plantation, a late 1700s-era Loyalist cotton plantation. Today, you can still see ruins of the Great House, the overseer’s house, the kitchen, field walls, cotton press bases, and wells. There’s also a small modern reproduction building that exhibits the cut limestone block construction used in the original structures.
A less common yet interesting historical stop is the rock inscriptions at Sapodilla Hill. These carvings were left by sailors and travelers of the 1700s and 1800s as they waited for their ships to transfer cargo or sail. The hill offers incredible views over sheltered Sapodilla Bay Beach, Chalk Sound, the Caicos Banks, and South Dock, the largest freight port in the country.
On the remote southwestern end of Providenciales is West Harbour Bluff, a coastal area within the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve. The road to this area is poor, so tours are typically by ATV, UTV, or 4x4. There's a small cave, historical rock inscriptions, and a beautiful bay and beach. It is an excellent place to see marine life and coastal and arboreal birds, including brown pelicans, ospreys, white-tailed tropicbirds, green herons, kingfishers, mangrove cuckoos, bananaquits, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and anis. The ocean below the cliffs and peninsula often shelters schools of fish, and pelicans, small sharks, and barracudas can be seen hunting.
Venetian Road is another popular area for tours. This road in central Providenciales leads to the coastal Turtle Tail area, where a beautiful peninsula is situated between the shallow inland Flamingo Lake and the exquisite Caicos Banks. The limestone ridges and hills here offer brilliant vistas, and there are many luxury mansions and villas lining the shore (the most famous of which was once owned by the late celebrity musician Prince).
Those interested in geomorphology will appreciate The Hole, a giant limestone sinkhole formed by the Karst process of dissolution. This cave-like feature has a 60-foot (18 m) drop to the water at the bottom, and is about as wide across.
Providenciales is one of the best beach destinations in the Caribbean, and visits to its numerous coastlines factor into most tours. There’s Grace Bay, Leeward Beach, the Bight Beach, Long Bay Beach, Taylor Bay Beach, and the secluded Malcolm’s Road Beach.
While the best attractions are outdoors, Providenciales has several indoor attractions that tours visit: the Junkanoo Museum, National Museum and Heritage Site, and the Turk's Head Brewery.
Lunch and Refreshments
Lunch at one of the popular Turks and Caicos cuisine restaurants is typically included on organized trips. Several beachfront seafood establishments are found in Blue Hills and Five Cays that serve classic conch, fish, and lobster dishes. As you dine, you can watch the small fishing boats bringing in the catch.
On tours, drinks and refreshments are usually complimentary, yet be sure to confirm what’s included with your excursions as not all trips are all-inclusive. Some tours include alcohol, whereas others do not.
Land Tour Types
Guided adventures can generally be separated into tours where you drive your own vehicle (such as an ATV or buggy) and those where you're driven by a guide.
These can be booked as private or group tours and are typically 2–4 hours in duration. It’s also possible to book half-day and full-day trips.
Tours vary depending on the local business. Choices range from the simple taxi tour, which many local taxis offer, to dedicated bus and ATV guided adventures.
Air-Conditioned Vans, Trolleys, and Taxis
The traditional taxi, bus, or open-air 4x4 tour is the best choice if you would rather sit back and enjoy the view (or simply don't want to drive on the island's roads).
Taxi tours are typically private excursions that can be tailored to your group's preferences and schedule, and take place in large passenger vans like the Ford Transit. Dedicated island tours, on the other hand, usually follow organized routes and stops and charge per person rather than per group.
Most taxis and buses are air-conditioned. Some serve non-alcoholic refreshments along the way.
Self-Driven Tours
Self-driven tours are available on ATVs, UTVs, and 4x4 buggies. On these tours, a guide leads the group to the day’s sights, but you’ll drive your own machine. There are currently no scooter or motorcycle tours offered on Providenciales.
The typical minimum age and license requirements for rental vehicles apply for drivers. The tour leader will provide direction, but those driving should be aware of the road rules and driving conditions in the Turks and Caicos.
Reservations and Booking
To get the best rates, it’s generally recommended to book direct with the local tour business. Some companies will match the lowest price found online (or offer a better price). Larger groups can often obtain better per-person rates by booking direct.
Most tours depart from a designated meeting spot, typically in Grace Bay. However, some tours include pickup from your hotel.
What to Bring
Along with a camera, bring a good hat for sun protection and sunscreen. Mosquitoes can be quite bad at times on Providenciales, especially after heavy rainfall. Consider bringing insect repellent, especially on tours to the remote west coast.
Sneakers and closed-toe shoes are best when exploring West Harbour Bluff, Sapodilla Hill, Cheshire Hall, and The Hole due to the uneven terrain.
Polarized sunglasses reduce water reflection, allowing you to better see what’s under the surface of the ocean, and cut down on glare.
Local Businesses
