Beaches of Providenciales
Some of the best beaches can be found on Providenciales, from world-class Grace Bay Beach to Long Bay Beach and Taylor Bay.
Turks and Caicos Activities and Attractions
Discover Amazing Beaches
Given its trademark turquoise waters and powdery white sand, the Turks and Caicos Islands' main claim to fame is its spectacular beaches. Simply relaxing at one of the country's world-renowned coasts is the undisputed top activity. Many beaches are also the perfect setting for trying several water sports, from snorkeling to kiteboarding.
Beaches of Turks & Caicos
10 Best Beaches
Beaches of Grand Turk
Grand Turk’s east coast is largely beach. Sparkling water and white sand define top coasts like Governor’s Beach and Pillory Beach.
Beaches of North Caicos
North Caicos is an amazing destination for discovering beaches that few tourists visit. All are found on the island’s north coast.
Beaches of Middle Caicos
Middle Caicos boasts one of the most scenic beaches and locations in the country: the majestic Mudjin Harbour.
Beaches of South Caicos
There’s a diverse collection of beaches to visit on quiet South Caicos, from Long Beach to the Cove Beach and Salterra Beach.
Best Things To Do
There’s plenty to do throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, an archipelago of 8 major islands and more than 40 cays. Each island offers something different, whether it's the large selection of water sports and excursions you can find on Providenciales, the phenomenal diving and whale watching near Salt Cay, or the historical exhibits and architecture of Grand Turk.
Turks and Caicos enjoys a tropical climate and typically sunny weather, so most sports, activities, and experiences can be done year-round.
Best Things To Do
Best Things To Do for Kids
Explore the Cays
Boat Charters
A boat cruise to the uninhabited cays, beaches, and reefs of the Turks and Caicos Islands is highly recommended if you want to see the best of what the marine environment has to offer. Short boating distances between many of the island's top cays and attractions make it possible to see plenty in a single trip.
There are private yacht charters, shared half-day and full-day catamaran cruises, and even dedicated water sports cruises to browse. The island of Providenciales has the largest selection.
Try a New Adventure
Water Sports
The whole gamut of water sports can be found in the Turks and Caicos Islands, from jet skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding to parasailing, e-foiling, and kiteboarding.
Dozens of companies offer water sports charters and tours, lessons, and equipment rentals, and a few Turks and Caicos resorts even cater to a water sports niche. With a small population and miles of pristine wilderness to explore, the country is a great place to try popular water sports without having to contend with crowds.
Beautiful by Nature
Natural Attractions
Coastal limestone cliffs, biodiverse mangrove wetlands, and tunneling caves, sinkholes, and blue holes are just a handful of the many natural features to discover. The largest above-ground cave system in the Bahamas—Turks and Caicos archipelago can be found on Middle Caicos, a top nature destination.
The best natural attractions are spread out over several islands, some of which are easy to visit on a day trip. Once there, it's possible to visit many natural attractions on your own with a rental car.
Remnants of the Past
Historical Attractions
Amerindians, pirates, Bermudian salt traders, and British Loyalists have passed through or inhabited the Turks and Caicos throughout its history. For more than 300 years, the country was also a major producer of fine sea salt.
The historical attractions range from old salinas to former cotton plantations. At the Turks and Caicos National Museum on Grand Turk, you can explore thousand-year-old artifacts from the indigenous Lucayans and remains of the Molasses Reef Wreck, the oldest European shipwreck excavated in the Western Hemisphere.
Inland Adventures
Land Activities
There's still plenty to do onshore if you need a break from exploring the ocean environment. Horseback riding on the beach, ATV and buggy tours, e-biking and cycling are just a few of the land sports you can try on vacation.
Providenciales also has the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, which is recognized as one of the top 10 golf courses in the Caribbean. Many Turks and Caicos resorts have hard courts where you can play tennis and pickleball.
Boat Charter Destinations
The boating and sailing in Turks and Caicos is fantastic, as there's more than 100 named rocks, islands, and cays to discover. The most popular attractions to visit by boat from Providenciales are Half Moon Bay, Leeward Reef, and Little Water Cay (home of the endemic and endangered Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguana).
Several other areas are excellent for boating, and are typically only visited by private charter.
Half Moon Bay
This stunning beach near Providenciales has perfect white sand, a lagoon, and a friendly community of Turks and Caicos rock iguanas.
Sand Dollar Cove
Near to Pine Cay and Fort George Cay is Sand Dollar Cove, a beautiful turquoise bay that's close to the popular sandbars.
West Caicos Marine National Park
There's excellent snorkeling and scuba diving to discover in the cobalt waters of this marine park, a one-hour boat ride from Provo.
Little Water Cay (Iguana Island)
Little Water Cay is a protected sanctuary for Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguanas, and has boardwalks inland for exploring.
La Famille Express
This shipwreck has become one of the most iconic boating locations in Turks and Caicos, and is easily accessible from Provo by boat.
Caves, Blue Holes & More
Unforgettable Attractions
There are more than 25 national parks, nature reserves, and protected areas to discover on a vacation to this Atlantic Ocean archipelago. These range from limestone cliffs and rugged coasts carved by wave action to complex cave systems that once sheltered the indigenous Lucayan (Taíno) people. The country is also home to the Middle Caicos Ocean Hole, likely the widest blue hole on Earth.
Turks and Caicos is an incredible place for exploring natural and historical sights and attractions without the crowds you might expect at similar tropical destinations. With most development having occurred within the last 20 years, swaths of pristine nature are easy to find.
Turks & Caicos National Parks Natural Sights & AttractionsTop Attractions
The vast majority of popular natural sights and attractions in Turks and Caicos are free to visit and are reasonably accessible by car or boat.
A few of these locations, such as Wade's Green Plantation and Conch Bar Caves, charge a fee and can only be visited with a guide.
Conch Bar Caves
Conch Bar Caves is the largest dry cave in the Bahamas—Turks and Caicos archipelago, and hides miles of passages and several large galleries.
Grand Turk Lighthouse
The Grand Turk lighthouse is one of the country's most identifiable landmarks, and its grounds provide spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Wade's Green Plantation
This 18th-century plantation is one of the best-preserved historical sites in the country, and can be explored in under an hour.
Mudjin Harbour
There's a secret cave, a dragon-shaped cay, and a paved coastal trail winding atop beautiful ocean cliffs at the striking Mudjin Harbour.
Chalk Sound National Park
This globally unique lagoon is populated with hundreds of limestone islands rising from brilliant turquoise water. Plus, it's free to visit.
West Harbour Bluff
Accessible by Jeep or 4x4, West Harbour Bluff belongs to the sprawling Frenchman's Creek Nature Reserve and harbors scenic Split Rock.
Indian Cave
This bright and airy Karst process cave is just a 3-minute drive from Mudjin Harbour. Archaeological digs have yielded interesting findings.
Cottage Pond
The peaceful Cottage Pond is actually a blue hole, and is a popular splashing ground for bird life such as ducks, warblers, and herons.
Jerry Camp
One of the most spectacular kayaking locations in the country, Jerry Camp's sparkling turquoise channels are great for spotting wildlife.
Guide for Cruise Guests
All cruises to the Turks and Caicos dock at Grand Turk, a charming historical island where you can find the capital of Cockburn Town.
While it's not possible to visit other islands during the typical cruise stop, Grand Turk offers a variety of tours and experiences you can book for your visit, from ATV and golf cart rentals to snorkeling, scuba diving, and seasonal whale watching.
A Diver's Paradise
Turks and Caicos is supported by an extensive underwater plateau rising more than 11,000 feet (3,352 m) in some parts above the surrounding ocean floor, which has sheer cliff edges lined by miles and miles of unspoiled barrier reef.
As a result, the country boasts some of the best wall diving in the world. There’s plenty of fascinating marine life to see, from colorful reef fish and vibrant corals to reef and nurse sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Grand Turk, West Caicos, and French Cay have some of the best scuba diving.
Scuba Diving
Turks & Caicos Barrier Reef
Keep Active on Vacation
Water Sports & Activities
There are more than 20 popular water sports to try on a trip to the Turks and Caicos. In addition to the popular activities of snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours, there's jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, and even surfing.
Each island supports varying levels of development, so not all water sports and activities are offered on each island. The island of Providenciales hosts by far the greatest number of water sports.
Water Sports & ActivitiesMust-Try Water Sports
There's always a new activity to try in Turks and Caicos or a new location to discover. Trying one of the local water sports is a great way to exercise while on vacation or simply take in the country's top-tier nature.
Some water sports are easy to do on your own, whereas others require that you rent equipment, take lessons, or join a company tour.
Jet Ski Rentals
There are shipwrecks, private island beaches, and shallow bays you can explore by booking a jet ski tour or session.
Kiteboarding
Turks and Caicos is one of the best places to learn kiteboarding, with great shallow kiting beaches and even the kite-focused H2O Resort.
Stand-up Paddleboarding
This core workout is also an excellent way to see shallow reefs, young sea turtles, and seagrass beds on a calm day.
Kayaking
As with paddleboarding, kayaking through the mangroves and shallow nature reserves can offer great sea life sightings.
Scuba Diving
There's world-class scuba diving to discover in Turks and Caicos, which has dive shops on Grand Turk, Salt Cay, and Providenciales.
Snorkeling
Far less technical than scuba diving, snorkeling is an ideal way for people of all ages to see and explore the country's coral reefs.
Parasailing
Grace Bay on Providenciales is one of the best places to go parasailing, which allows you to fly sky-high above the iconic turquoise water.
Freediving
The best freediving is found near the islands of West Caicos, Providenciales, and Grand Turk, and a few companies offer courses.
Clear Kayaks
With a glass-bottom hull, clear kayaks allow you to see turtles, fish, and other creatures swimming below on eco-tours of the mangroves.