Turks & Caicos Islands ~ Travel Guide

With more than 30 million reviews and opinions, TripAdvisor makes travel planning a snap for the 32 million travelers visiting our site each month.

Think before you print. And if you do print, print double-sided.

TURKS & CAICOS

The best places to eat, sleep and play in Turks & Caicos this spring and summer

SPRING & SUMMER GUIDE 2010

tripadvisor.com 2

The beautiful islands of the Turks and Caicos are just east of the Bahamas and north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Although its neighbors are in Caribbean waters, Turks and Caicos actually calls the Atlantic Ocean home. But, don’t worry, its islands offer the best of the Caribbean, like one of the longest coral reefs in the world, 230 miles of white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. With temperatures ranging between 80 and 95ºF throughout the seasons, Turks and Caicos is a year-round destination, although hurricane season (July to October) can bring severe weather.

Turks and Caicos is comprised of eight major islands: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, West Caicos and Providenciales (nicknamed “Provo”). The islands are relatively flat but, depending on the island, the terrain varies from sand dunes to lush green vegetation. The people on the islands are known for their friendliness, although East Caicos and West Caicos are uninhabited. Whichever island you choose, you’ll be far from the madding crowd, amid tranquility instead of glitz.

Inside

TripAdvisor, the most trusted source for where to eat, sleep and play in thousands of destinations around

the world, has collected the best insider tips from its 32 million monthly visitors to produce a unique

series of travel guides. In addition to the best hotels, restaurants and attractions for every type of traveler,

you’ll get great advice about what to pack, how to get around and where to find the best views. Be sure

to check out the guides at www.tripadvisor.com.

1. “On arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands, you must show a valid passport. You must also have a valid onward or return ticket.”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario

2. “Buy a couple of inexpensive plastic rafts and pack them. Leave them for someone else when you leave.”—TripAdvisor Member

3. “I highly recommend bringing your own snorkel gear—you know it fits well and you know who’s used it. Better safe than sorry!”—TripAdvisor Member, New York

4. “We always a pack a fairly extensive first-aid kit. Bug spray may be necessary. Another good thing to take is LOTS of small bills for tips.”—TripAdvisor Member

PACKING TIPS

INTRODUCTION

TURKS & CAICOSYou’ll find reviews for more than 479,000 hotels, 93,000 attractions and 580,000 restaurants on TripAdvisor.com. Learn from other travelers what to expect before you make your plans.

tripadvisor.com 3 Call an Expedia Travel Specialist now 877 633 3716

VIEWSTop

Where

toPLAYTOP 10 Attractions

1. SNUBA Turks and Caicos, Windsong Resort, Stubbs Road, Providenciales, 649 332 7333

2. Flamingo Divers, Venetian Road, Southside Marina, Providenciales, 649 946 4193

3. Big Blue Unlimited, Providenciales, 649 946 5034

4. Grand Turk Diving, Duke and James Streets, Grand Turk, 649 946 1559

5. The Beluga, Providenciales, 649 946 4396

TURKS & CAICOS BEST VIEWSTake in the “truly remarkable” sights at West Harbor, “which really isn’t much of a harbor at all, but a small rock beach from which the best sunset in the world can be seen.”—TripAdvisor Member, New York, N.Y.

West Harbor, Providenciales

“The south part of Providenciales faces the Caicos Bank, a shallow, pale turquoise sea and is partly composed of swamp and tidal flats, filled with an abundance of conch and lobster.”—TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey

Caicos Bank, Providenciales

Take in the view from below the water at French Cay: “The visibility was almost 100 feet at times. We saw nurse and reef sharks, turtles, spotted eagle rays, crabs, lobsters, big groupers and dolphins.”—TripAdvisor Member, Payson, Arizona

French Cay

FAMILIES“I highly recommend SNUBA for both children and adults. We got to see gorgeous reefs, many different tropical fish, as well as sea turtles, a sting ray, squid... The child in our group had no problem adjusting and enjoying the dive.”—TripAdvisor Member, Massachussetts

SNUBA Turks and Caicos, Windsong Resort, Stubbs Road, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 332 7333

“Our 7- and 3-year-old boys loved their visit to Little Water Cay (a.k.a. Iguana Island). Iguanas were on the beach to greet us when our boat arrived, and a stingray was in the water beside the boat. We took the short tour, walking on a raised wooden walkway to see the iguanas in trees, walking around, eating, etc. The guide called some of the iguanas by name and they came running. A fun stop for kids and adults alike.”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario

Little Water Cay, Providenciales

“This island has every single type of beach you could want. If you want super clear water, go to Coral Gardens. I saw stingrays, turtles, tons of fish and JoJo the dolphin. The turtles feed off to the left in the grassy area if you want to find them.”—TripAdvisor Member, New York

Coral Gardens Reef, Grand Turk

ROMANCE“We asked locals to point us towards the best adventure for our 29th anniversary. The Beluga was the only suggestion. We were not disappointed. We set sail around 9 A.M. and were immediately thrilled with our experience. The captain KNOWS the islands and the waters in that area of the Caribbean and has many a story to add to the folklore. I highly encourage anyone to take advantage of this charter.”—TripAdvisor Member, St. Louis, Mo.

The Beluga, Providenciales, 649 946 4396

Sail around Chalk Sound, “the inland body of water that is the brightest shade of blue you have ever seen.”—TripAdvisor Member, Turks and Caicos

Chalk Sound, Providenciales

With its shallow, calm waters, Sapodilla Bay “is an excellent place to view sunsets, paddle around in the sea and have a few cold ones.”—TripAdvisor Member, Tbilisi, Georgia

Sapodilla Bay Beach, Providenciales

6. Grace Bay, Providenciales

7. Caicos Dream Tours, Alexandra Resort and Spa, Providenciales, 649 231 7274

8. Blue Water Divers, Front Street, Grand Turk, 649 946 2432

9. Dive Provo, Providenciales, 649 946 5029

10. Provo Ponies, Long Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5252

“The Beluga was the only suggestion. We were not disappointed.”

“...an excellent place to view sunsets.”


“Art Pickering’s Provo Turtle Divers rocks! The captains were all entertaining and very informative about the dive sites and had these wonderful maps before every dive. The fresh fruit and snacks were like having a feast! We saw sharks, eagle rays, turtles and one day we snorkeled with a pod of dolphins. There were also tons of small things like shrimps, conch, blennies and flamingo tongues everywhere.”—TripAdvisor Member, Virginia

Art Pickering’s Provo Turtle Divers, Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, 649 946 4232

“We took off down the beach on the old Crossing Place Trail, which goes for miles along unpopulated beach. We were gone for three hours and never saw anyone else. It’s a great place for photography, bird watching and beachcombing.”—TripAdvisor Member

Crossing Place Trail, Middle Caicos

Take your adventurous spirit to Gibbs Cay, an uninhabited island with beaches and exceptional diving. “The stingrays! I cannot say enough about the experience.”—TripAdvisor Member, Lino Lakes, Mo.

Gibbs Cay, Grand Turk

ADVENTURE

“Learn the historical significance” of Turks and Caicos at the National Museum.

“You’ll learn of the oldest known Caribbean shipwreck and see remnants of it at this museum. Definitely a good visit between sun bathing, diving and dining.”—TripAdvisor Member, Columbus, Ohio

Turks & Caicos National Museum, Front Street, Guinep House, Grand Turk, 649 946 2160

“The Conch Bar Caves are unusual in that they were formed by salt water. They have few actively growing stalactites but lots of columns and lots of stalagmites. Two unusual features are the tree roots penetrating into the cave from above and the vertical stove pipe cavities in the ceiling. Very interesting!”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario

Conch Bar Caves National Park, Middle Caicos Island

“I am in love with Dive Provo and everyone who works there. We have been there twice and had an awesome experience both times. A staff member was exceptionally passionate about the life below and went out of his way to find rare animals for us to see. He also knew how to crinkle a water bottle to attract sharks. We saw a great hammerhead!”—TripAdvisor Member, Knoxville, Ky.

Dive Provo, Ports of Call Shopping Complex, Providenciales, 649 946 5029

EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL

Go whale-watching at Grace Bay. “It’s stunning; pictures don’t do it justice. The water in the summer months is lovely and warm.”—TripAdvisor Member, Haywards Heath, U.K.

Grace Bay, Princess Alexandra National Park, Providenciales

“The lakes and generally tight tee shots at Provo Golf Club make for a constant challenge. And the course always provides a cool and green respite from the beach.”—TripAdvisor Member, United Kingdom

Provo Golf Club, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5591

Northwest Point Beach is “a lovely, empty stretch of beach with good walking and certainly no hordes of other tourists.”—TripAdvisor Member, Texas

Northwest Point Beach, Providenciales

RELAXATION

“We LOVED Malcolm’s Beach. It was an adventure, as we drove to the middle of nowhere and made it out to this semi-secluded beach. The snorkeling was great, and we brought some snacks with us.”—TripAdvisor Member, Greenville, N.C.

Malcolm’s Beach, Northwest Point Beach, Providenciales

Bight Reef is the “best … reef … ever! There are tons of fish—some were a really cool blue, others reminded us of bumblebees. There are little info tiles along the way. The water is so clear you can read them perfectly.”—TripAdvisor Member, Pasadena, Md.

Bight Reef, Providenciales

If you are looking for rest and revitalization, water activities, hiking, napping and beach combing, then come to Salt Cay. “The north beach is gorgeous and you can walk for miles and see only your own foot prints. The south beach is like a treasure hunt and we found lots of beach glass. This beach gets the stuff that comes off ships and such and rides the currents of the ocean.”—TripAdvisor Member, California

Salt Cay

BUDGET

Where

toPLAY

TripAdvisor members have posted more than 3,000,000 photos on the site. The good, the bad and the very candid. It’s almost like being there!

“…walk for miles and see only your own foot prints.”


What’sthe TOUR

How to Get Around

“One of the highlights of our trip was a kayak eco-tour with Big Blue Unlimited. It was a great introduction to the islands. We received an excellent education on the island make-up and wildlife. It made the rest of the week so much more enjoyable as we understood more of what we were looking at. They definitely seemed like the most environmentally aware tour operator around and everything they did was in small groups.”—TripAdvisor Member

Big Blue Unlimited, Leeward Marina, Providenciales, 649 946 5034

“There are many methods of getting around the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rent a car; anyone with a license from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Caribbean countries may drive for up to three months. (Keep in mind that cars drive on the left side of the road.) Taxis are also available and generally charge around $2 per mile. Anyone over the age of 18 can rent a scooter and bicycles are available as well.”—TripAdvisor Member

“To get between islands, use one of the ferry services or take a plane. Domestic air service from Sky King is available on a daily basis.”—TripAdvisor Member

With everything from Popcorn Chicken Nuggets to The Caribbeaner pizza, “Tiki Hut Cabana Bar & Grill is an island institution. It’s very casual.”—TripAdvisor Member

Tiki Hut Cabana Bar & Grill, Dockside at Turtle Cove Marina, Providenciales, 649 941 5341

“After trying a few other restaurants on the island, I found myself returning often to Jimmy’s for the reasonable prices and large portions. The burrito was awesome! The shrimp fajitas were great, and the burger was huge.”—TripAdvisor Member, New York

Jimmy’s Dive Bar, Ports of Call, 649 946 5282

“Mango Reef at The Royal West Indies has a huge range on their menu from burgers and wraps, to delicate soups, sushi and steak. It isn’t on the ocean but it always gets a nice breeze. They do some very good dinner specials here at certain times.”—TripAdvisor Member

Mango Reef at The Royal West Indies, Royal West Indies Resort, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 8200

FAMILIES

“Dinner at Simba is an entirely different and good experience. It’s buzzing at night and seemed to be a local favorite among the islanders. The chef even came out and greeted us one night.”—TripAdvisor Member, Westport, Conn.

Simba, The Turks and Caicos Club, Lower Bight Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5588

“Overlooking Turtle Cove Marina, Magnolia is an upscale restaurant that’s casual and friendly, too. It’s owned and run by a couple that came here on their honeymoon about 15 years ago. Get there just before sunset and have a cocktail overlooking the whole bay.”—TripAdvisor Member

Magnolia, Miramar Resort, Turtle Cove, Providenciales, 649 941 5108

‘My girlfriend and I were very impressed by the food, the ambiance and the service at Coco Bistro. Of all the places we dined on the island, this was the best overall experience. Make a reservation, because it fills up!”—TripAdvisor Member

Coco Bistro, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5369

ROMANCE

WHERE toeat

Want more information on Turks & Caicos? TripAdvisor.com offers free weekly e-mail updates filled with new deals, reviews and articles for Turks & Caicos or any other destination you choose.

“…an island institution.”


“Top of The Cove Deli is a popular spot for breakfast as well as sandwiches for lunch.”—TripAdvisor Member

Top of The Cove Deli, Next to Napa on Leeward Highway, Providenciales, 649 946 4694

Grace’s Cottage at Point Grace’s menu changes seasonally with an emphasis on fresh, full-flavored regional ingredients, including mangos, coconut, Kaffir lime and sweet yams. “Great upscale food in an oriental garden type setting.”—TripAdvisor Member

Grace’s Cottage at Point Grace, Point Grace, Providenciales, 649 946 5096

“From the minute the host greeted us, the entire meal at The Lemon Cafe was a fabulous experience. We loved the fact that they use as many locally grown fresh foods as possible. Two of the members in our party were vegetarians and found plenty of fabulous food to eat.”—TripAdvisor Member, Eliot, Maine

The Lemon Cafe, The Village at Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 941 4059

HEALTH-CONSCIOUS

WHERE toeat

Go where the locals go: Da Conch Shack. Feast on “conch straight out of the ocean. Have the local fish of the day with peas and rice. Have a pitcher of our local beer, Turks Head, to go with it.”—TripAdvisor Member, Turks and Caicos

Da Conch Shack, Blue Hills Road, 649 946 8877, Providenciales

Coyaba Restaurant is “a lovely place to dine, inside the charming restaurant or outside nestled amongst the palm trees. Wonderful food, charming amuse-bouche and palate cleansers, and over-the-top desserts. Absolutely worth the trip!”—TripAdvisor Member, Boston, Mass.

Coyaba Restaurant, Coral Gardens, Penns Road, Providenciales, 649 946 5186

“Calico Jacks Restaurant & Bar is a casual eatery with live music to dance the night away under the stars every Friday night.”—TripAdvisor Member

Calico Jacks Restaurant & Bar, Upstairs at Ports of Call, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5129

HIDDEN GEMS

Serving fresh and unique items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, “Hemingway’s is very good value for money and is right up by the ocean.”—TripAdvisor Member

Hemingway’s, The Sands at Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5199

“If you’re looking for casual dining with good food at a reasonable price, then Somewhere Cafe is the place. Good food, service and, most importantly, the people made it a memorable part of our stay.”—TripAdvisor Member, Fleetwood, Penn.

Somewhere Cafe, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 941 8260

Serving big bites, like Fresh Caicos Lobster and small bites, like Hammerhead Hot Dog Jr., “The Sharkbite Bar & Grill is a long-time casual favorite.”—TripAdvisor Member

The Sharkbite Bar & Grill, Turtle Cove, Providenciales, 649 941 5090

BUDGET

Have questions about Turks & Caicos? Get insider advice from local experts in our forums. The majority of questions are answered within 24 hours.

“Conch straight out of the ocean.”

SPECIAL EVENTS


“When we arrived at Villa Renaissance, we were told to leave everything because, as of that moment, we were on holiday! Our guest cottage was set on the beautifully landscaped grounds mere footsteps from the most spectacular pool we have ever seen. And the staff members were some of the nicest people we have ever met.”—TripAdvisor Member, Montreal, QuebecVilla Renaissance, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 941 5300

“The Gansevoort has the perfect balance of five-star service offered within a chic, hip environment. The overall interior design, as well as the pool, is stunning. If you’re looking for somewhere to relax, kick back and enjoy the beautiful, crystal clear island water, this is the place for you!”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario

Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 941 7555

“What can I say … Amanyara was over the top FABULOUS! As only two of maybe eight other guests, we were spoiled beyond belief. Our room was to die for. Our biggest decision each day was deciding what frozen cocktail to order and where we wanted to follow the sun. There was a pathway leading to our own private beach. We snorkeled right from the beach.”—TripAdvisor Member, OklahomaAmanyara, Northwest Point, Providenciales, 649 941 8133

LUXURY

“Caribbean Paradise Inn is a quiet place where you can relax. The rooms are nice and clean, and everyone has a veranda or a balcony. The owner is very polite and ready to help if you need it.”—TripAdvisor Member, Firenze, Italy

Caribbean Paradise Inn, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5020

“Although Sibonne Beach Hotel is not the most luxurious when compared to some of the others, it was absolutely everything we wanted and needed. It’s right on the beach, has a great restaurant on the premises and is in close walking distance to great snorkeling and other water sports. Excellent value for the money.”—TripAdvisor Member, Greensboro, N.C.Sibonne Beach Hotel, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 946 5547

“I felt instantly welcomed and like family at Manta House. The rooms are very relaxing, and beds are very comfortable. A simple week-long dive vacation turned into a month-long adventure of a lifetime!”—Toronto, OntarioManta House, Duke Street, Grand Turk, 649 946 1111

BUDGET

“Our one-bedroom condo at Northwest Point Resort was very comfortable, cozy, quiet, clean and roomy, with a wonderful view of the sea. It was so nice and relaxing having breakfast on our balcony and just listening to the waves. I miss it already.”—TripAdvisor Member, AustriaNorthwest Point Resort, Northwest Point Beach, Providenciales, 649 941 8961

“Our family of three thought Alexandra Resort & Spa was perfect. It’s located on the most beautiful stretch of Grace Bay beach and is completely uncrowded. The studio unit was great! My husband is an avid scuba diver and he was impressed with the dive sites and the marine life. Our only disappointment was that we had to return home.”—TripAdvisor Member, Chicago, Ill.Alexandra Resort & Spa, Princess Dr., Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5807

“My family and I recently returned from our stay at The Regent Grand on Grace Bay. The resort is beautiful and inviting. The rooms are well-appointed, with top-of-the-line fixtures and appliances. In addition to the resort amenities, the staff was friendly and accommodating.”—TripAdvisor Member, Pittsburgh, Pa.

The Regent Grand, Regent Street, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 941 7770

FAMILIES

STAYWhere

to

ROMANCE“Le Vele is exclusive, with only 22 rooms. Want a romantic getaway? This is it! Take the kids elsewhere! There’s nothing between your view of the ocean and your balcony. It’s MODERN design at its finest.”—TripAdvisor Member, New York, N.Y.Le Vele, Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 941 8800

“The personal service at Harbour Club Villas & Marina began from the first call and did not end until they dropped us off at the airport for our return. Our villa was immaculate and met all of our expectations. Off the beaten track, Harbour Club Villas offers a beautiful setting. It helped make our honeymoon a trip we will never forget.”—TripAdvisor Member, Chicago, Ill.Harbour Club Villas & Marina, Venetian Way, Providenciales, 649 941 5748

“Point Grace Resort was a beautiful quiet place on Grace Bay Beach. I would highly recommend this place for a couple seeking an intimate small resort. Our oceanfront suite was incredibly stunning with amazing views from the porch. (The beach was just steps away!) The resort is on the best part of the beach with limited crowds. Service was very good with most of the staff keeping to themselves unless asked for something.”—TripAdvisor Member, Washington D.C.Point Grace Resort, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5096

“Take the kids elsewhere!”

“Our biggest decision each day was deciding what frozen cocktail to order”


TripAdvisor is the largest travel community in the world with 32 million monthly visitors and featuring more than 30 million reviews and opinions of 572,000 hotels and attractions. TripAdvisor.com is the most trusted source for travel recommendations about where to go, where to stay and how to play for 72,000 destinations around the world. TripAdvisor.com also provides easy access to the major online travel sites to make booking your next vacation, your best vacation, easier than ever.

AboutTRIPADVISOR

This brochure and its contents are copyright © 2010, TripAdvisor, Inc., all rights reserved. TRIPADVISOR, the owl logo and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of TripAdvisor and/or third parties. Representations made in this brochure are current as of its publication date. This brochure contains reviews, comments, photographs and other content regarding destinations, accommodations, airlines and other travel products and services submitted by users of tripadvisor.com. Reviews and ratings represent the opinions of such users. TripAdvisor does not sponsor or endorse any user content and therefore is not liable for any statements, representations or other information contained in such user content.

Further, reference to any products, services, processes or other information of any third party does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of or affiliation with, such third party by TripAdvisor. Such third parties are owned and operated by independent retailers or service providers, and TripAdvisor cannot ensure that you will be satisfied with their products, services, business practices or provided information. TripAdvisor recommends that you pursue any and all investigation you feel necessary or appropriate before transacting with any third party.

STAY“We spent 12 idyllic days at Turtlewatch guest house and it was perfect! If your idea of paradise is a quiet spot on a Caribbean island, a beautiful cottage with a perfectly appointed deck to watch spectacular sunrises and sunsets, a quiet stretch of white sand just three minutes walk away and four great restaurants within a 5-minute walk, then this is definitely the place for you! In short, this place is wonderful—I almost didn’t want to post a review to keep it our secret.”—TripAdvisor Member, London, England

Turtlewatch, Coconut Road, Providenciales, 649 941 5458

“Turks and Caicos Club is magnificently designed and sits on a quiet, secluded beach. Our Oceanfront Suite was very spacious and well appointed. The property grounds are beautifully kept and we had the pool area to ourselves whenever we used it. The beach was virtually empty. Service is low-key, but if you needed anything, they were happy to help. The quiet intimacy is the charm of this place. If you want a restorative, secluded getaway, this is it!”—TripAdvisor Member, Toronto, Ontario

Turks and Caicos Club, West Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, 649 946 5800

“We stayed at the Royal West Indies Resort for a week and loved it! The beach is quiet, peaceful and just plain gorgeous. The staff were all super friendly and the grounds were beautiful. There were not many people there when we went, so it was very relaxing. It was a great value compared to other upscale hotels and we wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Provo. WE LOVED IT!”—TripAdvisor Member, New Jersey

Royal West Indies Resort, Grace Bay, Providenciales, 649 946 5004

HIDDEN GEMS

Edited/compiled by Kristyn Lak Miller and Sheila Koenig

Where

to

Turks & Caicos Islands ~ Travel Guide

Travel

Transcript of Turks & Caicos Islands ~ Travel Guide