Top Things to Do in Turks and Caicos

Discover Spectacular Beaches 

There are so many incredible beaches in the Turks and Caicos and on the island of Providenciales (Provo) with beautiful and clear turquoise water for swimming.

Grace Bay Beach is the general favorite, but there are many smaller and secluded coasts to see too. All beaches are public and free to access up to the high tide line. Crowds are rare.

Some of the best beaches on Providenciales include world-famous Grace Bay, calm Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay, Long Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, Malcolm’s Road Beach, and the Bight Beach.

Exceptional coasts on other islands are Mudjin Harbour, Bambarra Beach, Little Ambergris Cay, the sandbars at Fort George Cay and Pine Cay, and the shallow channel and sandbar systems at Parrot Cay and Sandy Point.

See the Caicos Cays 

There’s a wonderful collection of small cays between Providenciales and North Caicos that are worth exploring. Known as the Caicos Cays, these islands offer miles of spectacular and deserted white-sand beaches with serene turquoise water, snorkeling reefs, and endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguanas.

A private charter or shared half-day boat tour to these cays is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos. Excursions usually stop at several sites, including the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay and the lagoon at Half Moon Bay. Other exceptional spots are the beach at Water Cay, the sandbars and sunken cannons at Fort George Cay, and the Leeward Reef snorkeling site.

Trips to the south coast explore a totally different set of sights and attractions, from the wrecked La Famille Express freighter ship to the breathtaking blues of West Caicos and the West Caicos Marine National Park. They may also visit the cave and historical features of West Harbour Bluff, the iguana habitat of Bay Cay, and the snorkeling site at Turtle Rock.

Take a Snorkeling Cruise 

The mesmerizing reefs around the archipelago offer crystal-clear water, abundant fish and sea life, and healthy corals. The best thing to do when it comes to snorkeling is usually booking a boat snorkeling cruise or private charter—you won’t have to search for the reefs, and the offshore sites are often livelier than those near the beach.

On snorkeling boat trips, you may also encounter one of the country's friendly wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Two dolphins regularly interact with people: JoJo the Dolphin and Dreamer.

The Grace Bay and Leeward barrier reef snorkeling sites combine tranquil beds of swaying yellow and purple sea fans and intricate coral gullies and caves topped with colorful corals. Schools of fish as well as stingrays, turtles, nurse sharks, and lobsters can be seen here.

Explore North & Middle Caicos 

Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Providenciales are the quiet islands of North Caicos and Middle Caicos. These two islands are less developed than Providenciales and feature great landscapes, secluded beaches, old plantations, and one of the largest dry cave systems in the Caribbean (Conch Bar Caves).

Many visit Middle Caicos just to see Mudjin Harbour, a majestic coastal landscape of beaches, cliffs, and turquoise water.

It’s easy to plan a visit from Providenciales. Simply reserve a rental car, catch the passenger ferry boat, and explore. Both islands are excellent for birdwatching. Flamingos are common at Flamingo Pond Overlook and the Pumpkin Bluff Ponds.

Kayak in the Wetlands 

The islands support an amazing network of mangrove wetlands and tidal channels that act as nurseries for many types of sea life. A guided excursion by kayak or paddleboard into these shallow wetlands allows you to spot wildlife up close in their natural habitat. On a good day, you can see juvenile sharks and turtles, conch, barracuda, bonefish, starfish, stingrays, and plenty of birdlife.

A mangrove kayaking tour is one of the best things to do on Providenciales for families, as it requires relatively little experience, accommodates people of all ages, and provides close encounters with wildlife.

Clear kayaks are a popular way to experience the environment. These kayaks have a clear bottom that allows you to see straight through the hull into the shallows.

Snorkel From the Beach 

A great complement to a snorkeling cruise is snorkeling at a shore reef. Providenciales has some beautiful sites where stingrays, turtles, lobsters, and schools of colorful reef fish are easy to see.

The Bight Reef (Coral Gardens) is the most popular and easiest to access shore reef. It's located on the western end of Grace Bay. Smith’s Reef near Turtle Cove is even more extensive and complex than the Bight Reef (though a little harder to find).

Last but not least is Malcolm’s Road and Northwest Point. This spectacular area has clear water and a wide array of life (including small and mid-sized sharks). Given its remote location, this spot is better suited to experienced snorkelers. See Best Snorkeling Reefs in Turks and Caicos for more locations.

Do a Semi-Submarine Tour 

The best thing to do if you want to see the reefs without getting wet is a tour aboard a semi-submarine. The Undersea Explorer is a semi-submarine operated by Caicos Tours that allows passengers to ride below the water’s surface in air-conditioned comfort. There are large observatory windows you can peer through to soak in the underwater vistas.

Green turtles, stingrays, abundant parrotfish, and nurse sharks are common sightings.

Tours depart from Turtle Cove Marina and visit the fascinating bay reefs of Smith’s Reef, Turtle Cove, and Babalua Beach. The Undersea Explorer is a great experience for all ages. The Mermaid Adventure tour—where a freediving mermaid swims past the windows and interacts with passengers through the glass—is a particularly magical thing to do for kids.

Parasail Over Grace Bay 

There’s a reason why parasail boats operate in Grace Bay every day—soaring at 200 feet (60 m) in the air over the ocean is an amazing experience. Parasailing flights are typically 15 minutes long and provide you with a bird’s-eye view of the beach, resorts, barrier reef, and even larger sea animals (like stingrays, turtles, sharks, and dolphins) in the water below.

There are no helicopter tours in Turks and Caicos, and parasailing is a nice and more cost-effective substitute. No experience is required to go parasailing, and trips can be booked as private or shared excursions.

Some parasails hold up to three people in the sky at once, though two riders is the norm. Most companies allow children 10 years and older to ride. Some allow younger kids to fly accompanied.

Explore Chalk Sound 

The incredibly turquoise Chalk Sound National Park has some of the bluest water on Earth. This sheltered lagoon is home to hundreds of tiny islands, a vast blue hole underwater cave, a submerged plane wreck, and curious rock iguanas.

A relaxing thing to do is kayaking or paddleboarding in the sound's clear waters. While visibility is typically lower than in the mangrove wetlands and open ocean, the peaceful ambiance makes it a wonderful place for paddling excursions.

Much of Chalk Sound's perimeter is lined by private homes and rental villas, but there are a few access points where you can admire the water from land. Two beautiful coasts are also located nearby: Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay.

Go Scuba Diving 

Great dive sites spread across over 80 miles (129 km) of the majestic barrier reef are regularly visited by dive boats from Providenciales. If you haven’t yet begun to scuba dive, several local dive shops offer PADI Open Water and Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) courses.

More experienced divers may want to try liveaboard diving to explore the country's more untouched reefs. These cruises cater exclusively to scuba divers and spend several days traveling to incredible wall sites, shipwrecks, and distant coral formations.

Great dive spots are found in the West Caicos Marine National Park, at Northwest Point, in the Princess Alexandra National Park, and at the remote French Cay.

Ride Horses in the Ocean 

One of the best things to do on Providenciales is ocean horseback riding. These public and shared tours allow you to ride a horse into the shallow turquoise waters off Long Bay Beach and are great for all ages.

Provo Ponies is the island’s primary horse riding stable and offers this experience throughout the year. Their ponies and horses are well-trained and enjoy wading in the ocean just as much as the riders. Groups are generally small with fewer than 10 riders. At additional cost, you can also book a photo session with a local photographer to capture your ride.

Rent a Jet Ski 

Jet skis have become very popular on Providenciales, and there's no denying that riding them can be a lot of fun. Guided trips are offered from Providenciales to uninhabited cays, secluded beaches, the La Famille Express shipwreck, West Harbour Bluff, and the floating bars.

Most jet ski tours are guided, though a few companies offer self-rentals. These watercraft typically accommodate two riders, and sharing a jet ski is a great way to try the activity at lower cost. A newer excursion is jet car rides, which take place in jet watercraft designed to look like luxury cars.

Jet skis are also offered as an add-on experience through several yacht charters that visit more distant cays.

Attend a Local Event 

From live performances to sports events and parties, Turks and Caicos hosts numerous events throughout the year. Major events include Maskanoo—a parade and street festival held annually on Boxing Day—the weekly Fish Fry, and the summer Caribbean House Evolution music festival. Many events are free to attend.

During the week, there are quiz nights, run clubs, karaoke nights, junkanoo parades, and beach BBQs.

Providenciales is also home to a vibrant live music scene. On any given night of the week, you can find a restaurant with a live singer, band, or solo musician.

Explore by Jeep 

Regardless of whether you stay at a hotel or villa, it’s typically best to rent a vehicle. The country doesn’t have effective public transportation, so having your own vehicle allows you to access many of the amazing sights.

Providenciales has several central scenic (and paved) coastal routes, including the Venetian Road and Turtle Tail area, Chalk Sound Drive, and the coastal road at Blue Hills and Wheeland.

For more adventure and excitement, the west coast national parks offer fun off-road tracks. There’s West Harbour Bluff, Malcolm’s Road Beach, and Northwest Point National Park. High-clearance 4x4s such as upgraded Jeep Wranglers are recommended. Remember to stay on established roads and don’t drive on the beach—this can severely damage the environment.

Shop at Grace Bay 

No visit is complete without a shopping trip to the galleries and stores at Grace Bay. At the Saltmills and Regent Village plazas, there are several stops you’ll want to make. These include Jai’s, Brilliant Studios Gallery, Anna's Art Gallery, the Blue Surf Shop, and Potcake Place (where you can see and walk cute Potcake puppies).

Other nearby plazas include Ports of Call, La Petite Place, One Season Plaza, Le Vele Plaza, and Grace Bay Plaza.

Picking up a local craft, food product, or artwork is a great way to commemorate your trip. See Great Turks and Caicos Souvenirs for ideas.

Do a Grand Turk Day Trip 

This island is home to the capital of the Turks and Caicos: Cockburn Town. Ironically, Grand Turk is a much quieter island than Providenciales. It's home to interesting historical sights, beautiful beaches, and a quaint laid-back way of life.

Top sites on the island include Governor's Beach, the Grand Turk Lighthouse, and the Turks and Caicos National Museum, where you can explore fascinating exhibits and artifacts from shipwrecks. Grand Turk also has the country's only cruise port, where all cruise ships to the Turks and Caicos disembark. Coffee fanatics may want to visit the port's picturesque pink Starbucks.

The best way to get to Grand Turk from Providenciales is by plane. Domestic flights to Grand Turk from Providenciales are offered several times a day.

Visit a Historical Site 

Turks and Caicos doesn’t have any impressive forts, monuments, or distilleries, yet there are some fascinating historical sites to discover.

On Providenciales, there’s Cheshire Hall Plantation and the National Museum and Heritage Site. On North Caicos and Middle Caicos are Wade's Green Plantation, Haulover Plantation, and Indian Cave (a former Lucayan site).

Yankee Town on West Caicos is a particularly interesting site accessible by boat from Provo, and this former abandoned town has several artifacts and ruins dating back to the 19th century. See Turks and Caicos History for more sites and information.

Explore the Great Outdoors 

The sights, beaches, and uninhabited islands that remain largely undiscovered and unexplored are some of the country's best features. If you make it away from the famous attractions of Grace Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, Half Moon Bay, and Little Water Cay (amazing attractions in their own right), you’ll experience the tranquil and undeveloped side of the country.

West Caicos is a great example. Due to the distance from Providenciales, this uninhabited island is only accessible via private boat charter. Once you get there, there is so much to experience: beautiful landscapes, incredible snorkeling, cliff jumping, and historical ruins.

The journey out to these sites is often rewarding. The more time you spend on the water, the more likely you will experience a spontaneous wildlife encounter, whether it's a pod of wild dolphins, a jumping eagle ray, or (in the winter months) a humpback whale. Whale watching and snorkeling with whales in the country's clear waters is a bucket list experience.

Try a New Water Sport 

There's a long list of traditional and newer water sports you can try in the islands. Snorkeling or freediving on the barrier reef and swim training in the shallow bays are unforgettable ways to experience the spectacular ocean and wildlife.

Traditional surfing, stand-up paddleboard surfing, and e-foil surfing (which uses an electric-powered board) are all fun, exciting, and rewarding water sports. Many resorts have kayaks, paddleboards, and Hobie Cat sailboats for guests to use.

If you prefer land sports, a wilderness adventure can allow you to see natural and historical sights experienced by few others. There’s also great golfing at the award-winning Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club.

Try the Food  

While there aren't many food and drink tours, the country does have some nice culinary attractions. Providenciales has a great combination of fine dining and Caribbean cuisine restaurants. Several culinary events are held on the island, from the weekly Fish Fry to the upscale Caribbean Food and Wine Festival held each fall. Local food often incorporates fresh seafood, with dishes such as conch salad, grilled lobster, and fried or steamed fish being general favorites.

Numerous beachfront and waterfront restaurants provide a tropical ambiance of coconut palms and live music.

Some island tours do offer private food tours, which visit several local restaurants, as well as pub crawls to the country's bars and the Turk's Head Brewery.