Consistently rated as some of the world’s most beautiful islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands boast world class, award winning beaches, impossibly luxurious resorts, friendly locals and food to die for. Yet somehow, this gorgeous archipelago of Caribbean islands so frequently flies under the travel radar.
Once only for the rich and exclusive, today the Turks and Caicos Islands are becoming more back packer friendly. With Airbnb’s bursting onto the island’s travel scene and beach camping becoming increasingly popular, maybe it’s time to consider adding the stunning Turks and Caicos Islands to your travel bucket list.
It mustn’t be forgotten that the Turks and Caicos Islands are rustic and authentic, they lack a lot of facilities, notably public transport, restrooms and campsites. However, if you’re truly wanting to get away from it all and live the full Caribbean experience, the beyond beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands have something to offer everyone.
Beaches
Of course, there is no way we can discuss the Turks and Caicos Islands without mentioning the beaches. Life on these islands revolve around the beach. Over 100 islands make up the archipelago of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and some of the best can be found on the main island of Providenciales.
Chill out on the award-winning Grace Bay. This unbelievably picture-perfect beach is consistently ranked at number 1 in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With it’s powder soft sand and gentle turquoise waters, Grace Bay also has the advantage of endless beach front bars to enjoy some well-deserved sun downers after a busy day relaxing.
On the other side of the island lays a beach for the more adventurous. Long Bay Beach has just the perfect amount of wind for kite boarding and even horse back riding through impossibly clear waters.
Smaller beaches and coves such as Half Moon Bay, Sapodilla Bay and Leeward beach provide the perfect opportunities for relaxing on postcard worthy sands.
The island’s many beaches are best explored by car or by the many chartered or tour run boat trips available to book.
Potcake Place
An organisation solely run on donations and by volunteers, Potcake Place rescue’s the island’s potcake puppies with the intention of vaccinating, neutering and adopting out the puppies. The hope is that one day the island will see significantly less of these super cute bundles of joy on the streets.
In the meantime, Potcake Place seeks volunteer dog walkers from 10am every morning. The volunteers allocate the puppies to walkers depending on their needs and requirements and in return you can take the puppies for socialization walks on the beach and for a paddle in the gorgeous oceans.
You’ll be given everything you need to care for your puppy, from water, to puppy toys and all volunteers are given an informative pep talk prior to taking the puppies out.
A fabulous way to spend a few hours on a beautiful morning, you can read more about Potcake Place and the fantastic work they do in this
Da Conch Shack
Every country has their must eat national dish and the Turks and Caicos Islands is no exception. Priding itself on delicious seafood and serving up everything from mahi mahi to lobster and delicious snapper. You absolutely must not miss the opportunity to eat conch, served in many different styles, the sea snail is in abundance across the islands.
And, what better place to do it that the irresistibly Caribbean restaurant, Da Conch Shack. Not only is this outside dining restaurant based on the crazy beautiful Blue Hills beach, but the conch is freshly caught and prepared by experienced chefs here. Try the traditional cracked conch or conch fritters or indulge in something a bit different with curried conch.
The live music, beach side vibe, rum punch and delicious conch make this place absolutely unmissable.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the islands most frequented activities. With world class reefs easily accessible, it’s not hard to see why. The Bight and Smith’s Reef are two easily approachable reefs and boast marine life from tropical fish through to turtles. Both these reefs can be accessed from the shore.
There are also many boat trips available that will take you around the smaller, more secluded reefs and the impressive barrier reef off Grace Bay where you might spot rays, barracudas and even sharks.
Fish Fry
Thursday nights in Turks and Caicos can only mean one thing. Fish Fry.
Held at the The Bight, right before the beach, Fish Fry is a favorite and attracts locals and visitors alike for a night of eating from local vendors, drinking locally brewed beer and rum punch and dancing.
Held by the Turks and Caicos tourist board, Fish Fry offers the perfect opportunity to party beach side. Indulge in local favorites from lobster mac n cheese to fish tacos and enjoy a night of all things TCI.
What more could you want from a tropical island?
