Destination Fact File
An undiscovered gem in the Caribbean. Discover it before everyone else does!
The Turks & Caicos Islands offer world-class diving and snorkelling all year-round, the islands beckon visitors from all around the world, to enjoy sun-filled relaxation and white sandy beaches. Choose from Provo’s wall diving or the quieter island of Grand Turk where you will have reefs just 5 minutes from your hotels beach. Also don’t miss out on the Whale watching aboard the Aggressor liveaboard in January to March. The reef quality is outstanding and located in such beautiful surroundings it will be a memorable trip.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are surrounded by one of the most extensive coral reef systems worldwide and are now considered a premier diving location in the world.
Provo
In Provo you will have endless opportunities for close encounters with pelagics as this destination guarantees horse-eyed jacks, hawksbill turtles, bottlenose, spotted eagle rays, eels and grouper sightings. Humpback whales migrating to the Silver Banks off the Dominican Republic to mate and calf are also seen here from January to March.
When visiting Provo, wall diving is on the menu regardless of the area you choose to dive. The West Caicos area has 20 or more sites around the wall on the west side of the island giving you the opportunity to see incredible sponges, coral formations and come close to some of the larger residents of this inhabited island. The North West Caicos is equally exciting and you can have an enjoyable dive at the “Shark Hotel” wall and find schools of grunts, snappers, goatfish and as the name suggests spot small reef sharks or try a dive at “The Hole in the Wall” site which is limited to one diver in the hole at a time giving you an incredible sensation when emerging into the blue water.
Grand Turk
The Grand Turk has some of the most pristine wall diving in the world all located on the west coast of the island due to the heavy current, surge and, according to the locals sharks on the east coast. There are more than 25 moored sites located in the Columbus National Park, just minutes from the resort doorstep.
Grand Turk is also very close to the Columbus Passage which separates the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands. This 8,000 foot deep passage serves as major transit line for migrating spotted eagle rays, manta rays, turtles and dolphins.
Turks & Caicos Diving Holidays - Island Life
With a range of multi-cultural cuisine, there is so much on offer nobody will go hungry! You can choose from French, Italian, Cantonese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, American and native style cuisine, all with a Caribbean twist. As everything is imported by boat, sometimes not everything on the menus are available. However, there is such a selection that this should not be a problem. For the avid shoppers, visitors may buy as much as they want of anything Caribbean or Island Made, as they are custom exempt. So at the Turks & Caicos Islands, you can shop ‘till you drop!
For the art-lover, Caribbean paintings, prints, metal-work and wood carvings are available in art galleries and retail stores. They are plentiful so there is a wide selection to choose from. For those who want to treat themselves or a friend to fine jewellery, they will find décor crafted from conch shells and the rare conch pearls are set into necklaces or rings.
Traditional straw and fanner grass woven baskets, hats, bags and bowls are available on all of the islands. Other good you can purchase include handmade dolls and reversible dolls, locally sewn from bright Caribbean fabrics, candles, shell wind chimes, pottery, cassettes and local CD's. Middle Caicos Grits and Turks Island Sea Salt are packaged in little souvenir sacks. To take home a real sense of the Caribbean, you may purchase the local conch shells, but be sure to keep your receipt as proof of purchase.
If you are shopping in the Grace Bay area, you will have no problem getting around. The bright red "GECKO" shuttle bus will transport you throughout the Grace Bay shopping district, stopping at your resort every twenty minutes.
You will be sure to have an exhilarating visit at the sunny Turks & Caicos Islands, as there is so much Caribbean culture- it will be an experience you will never forget.