Long Bay Beach view from The Shore Club.
Turks & Caicos, a group of 40 islands and keys are located 550 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, just below the Bahamas chain. Only eight of the islands are inhabited. After a recent trip back to Turks and Caicos (TCI), we were raving again to everyone about this destination. For so many reasons but for sake of brevity, we’ll just share our top five reasons with you now.
Bight Beach, Providenciales
1.) The water. Oh. My. Gorgeous. The water. I have been here four times and still cannot get over the gorgeous azure waters that surround Turks. They have light, soft sand and crystal clear water. Very little current also make for family-friendly beaches. The shallow water and the white limestone silt make the water a vibrant turquoise color. If you want to learn more about why the beaches are so spectacular in TCI, click here.
Map of Turks and Caicos
2.) Location. The Turks and Caicos Islands currently have two full service international airports on Providenciales and Grand Turk, and all other inhabited islands have domestic airports, some with limited international entry facilities. There are direct flights from New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Charlotte, Atlanta Montreal, Boston and London. In the high winter season, there are also direct flights from Washington, DC and Chicago. Both airports are a 10-25 minute drive from most of the island’s accommodations.
Salinas at Salt Cay
3.) History. You may have heard that Christopher Columbus “discovered” Turks and Caicos. Long before Christopher Columbus first set foot on Grand Turk in 1492, the islands of the Turks & Caicos were inhabited by Taino and Lucayan Indians. These original settlers left a rich heritage of seafaring, salt raking and farming, which still exists today. Words such as “canoe”, Caribbean and “caicos” are derived from the Arawak language. History buffs should visit Sleepy Salt Cay, the best kept secret in Turks. This charming island, a petite 2.5 square miles, is the ultimate escape. Salt Cay was the center of the vibrant Bermudian Salt Industry from 1600’s to the early 20th Century. Explore distinctively Bermudian styled homes and mingle with the friendly locals (fewer than 80 residents!) who will happily talk about their family history and the days ‘when salt was king’.
4.) Humpback Whales. Annually during the winter season, humpback whales migrate from the northern Atlantic to warmer waters near the Caribbean to mate and give birth. Typically originating from the vast waters surrounding north-western Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and from inside the Arctic Circle, the majority of whales head for a relatively small region near the Turks and Caicos and Dominican Republic. The whales migrate past TCI due to a deep trench near Grand Turk and Salt Cay. During winter months, take a whale watching tour or head to Salt Cay (see above), hang out at Coral Reef Bar & Grill for a front row seat to watch the migrating humpbacks.
5.) Accommodations. From The Shore Club, the new, full-service luxury resort on tranquil Long Bay Beach with gorgeous villas and suites, several pools, three restaurants, spa and (free!) kids’ club to the more affordable Sands at Grace Bay, there is something for everyone in TCI. Have a black Amex? Amanyara offers high rollers seclusion and Asian-style luxury, starting at $1,550 for a double room. If you want to party, and can’t stay at a hotel without a DJ, head to the Gansevoort on Grace Bay. Does your brood need an all-inclusive resort with family-friendly activities, shows and a 45,000 square foot waterpark? Then Beaches Turks and Caicos is for you. There are options for all types of travelers and all budgets on Turks.
Potcake walk on the beach.
BONUS: PUPPIES ON THE BEACH! In Providenciales, there is a very special dog rescue organization, Potcake Place. Potcakes are a very special breed of dog in the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Their name “Potcake” came about because the locals fed the caked remains of the cooking pot to the dogs. They have 50-75 puppies at any one time and are totally volunteer based. They need help socializing pups so if you have some TLC to give, visitors can go to the shelter and take a pup to the beach. Yes, please!