I recently returned home from a beautiful week in paradise, Turks and Caicos. Check out this post with a peek into my trip. After having such a good time, I wanted to make sure you had all the tips and details from my trip so you have the ultimate Turks and Caicos guide for planning your own trip! It is a bucket list destination for most travelers and I am so glad that I was able to experience it.
I recapped some of the highlights in my recent reel. Did you know you can find this beautiful place with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water just 2 hours from Florida? I now understand why so many people talk about their Turks and Caicos travel plans with such passion. It is paradise and I had an amazing time there. Trust me, you want to add Turks and Caicos to your travel schedule ASAP!
My travel itinerary:
5 days in Providenciales
1 day trip to Grand Turks
1 day trip to North and Middle Caicos
Where to Stay
There are a variety of beautiful places to stay in Turks and Caicos, but my family and I stayed at The Sands at Grace Bay. I am so glad we did! Most people stay on the main island of Providenciales, which is also what we did. We had a very comfortable stay in our one-bedroom suite with a kitchen and laundry unit. It was so convenient to have the comforts of home on vacation. We were able to wash our swimsuits daily and we ate half of our meals with the groceries we bought from Graceway Gourmet. Between the spa, water activities, and tennis courts, you’ll feel transported to a luxury resort paradise from the moment you arrive. This is a family-friendly resort but geared more toward serving adult groups and romantic getaways.
Transportation
We used Grace Bay Car Rentals. I loved that it was conveniently across the street from the airport and we had an easy check-in process. It made the start and end of our trip seamless and hassle-free!
Tip: If renting a car on the island, be sure to download Google offline maps for your destination because cell phone service can be spotty.
Where to Eat
Dining out can be expensive anywhere you travel, but in Turks and Caicos especially. We cooked in our suite half of the time and dined out half of the time. These are some of the favorites from the restaurants we tried!
Somewhere Cafe and Lounge
Live music with a tex-mex menu makes Somewhere Cafe a local favorite! The open-air cafe and lounge is a fun atmosphere for a night out with artisan cocktails.
Hemingways
From breakfast to surf and turf, Hemingways is known for having some of the best food and views located at The Sands on Grace Bay Beach.
Coco Bistro
I recommend making a reservation in advance, but the ambiance at Coco Bistro can’t be beat! This is a great place to enjoy some of the best food of the islands under the stars for a romantic dinner.
Mango Reef
Located in the Turtle Cove Marina. This was my favorite restaurant on the trip. I recommend making a reservation in advance here, but it is completely worth it!
Mr. Grouper
Head to Mr. Grouper for locally sourced seafood and island-inspired cocktails. This is a fun stop for appetizers and drinks or a full meal.
Da Conch Shack
Fresh seafood, ribs, chicken, and steak dominate this beach bar menu that is all infused with flavors of the Caribbean. Be sure you leave room for dessert!
The Deck
Take in the views of Grace Bay while you enjoy the island-inspired menu that The Deck is known for.
Turks and Caicos Beaches
The beaches are one of the biggest attractions for visitors in Turks and Caicos. With the soft sand and turquoise water, you definitely want to plan to spend some time on the beach during your visit! Let this be your Turks and Caicos guide to the best beaches!
Smith’s Reef – This is a great area for snorkeling
Bight Reef – Also known as Coral Gardens Reef, this is another good area for snorkeling.
Turks and Caicos Activities
Even if you plan to spend most of your time lounging on the beautiful beaches, I highly recommend planning an activity or two so you get to experience more of what the islands have to offer!
Plan a drone photoshoot with Island Adventure TCI
I loved this experience! You receive around 100-150 photos for your 30-minute session. They will even help you with posing so you feel comfortable since being photographed from above is not something you are accustomed to. I loved how the photos turned out and it’s such a fun way to capture your vacation!
Book a kayak tour with Island Adventure TCI
Learn about marine life on the islands with a mangrove tour in clear kayaks. I loved being able to see directly below me so I didn’t miss anything while kayaking. You’ll have the opportunity to see turtles, sharks, jellyfish, and conch.
Check out Blue Hills Jetty
Experience a bit of the history of Turks and Caicos as Blue Hills was the first area settled on the islands. The jetty is a good spot for photos, fishing, and watching the waves.
Visit the Turks and Caicos map mural
Find this next to Caribbean Beach’n in the Ports of Call Resort Plaza. I had a hard time finding this spot so hopefully these directions help you locate it better. It’s best to visit in the morning to avoid the shadow.
Go horseback riding with Provo Ponies
A short drive from Long Bay Beach, Provo Ponies offers group rides, private rides, and special rides if you plan to take lots of photos for a special occasion like an engagement. I loved this experience and being able to ride the horses in Longbay Beach. The horses love the water!
Take a private boat tour with Caribbean Crusin’
On the tour, we visited Water Cay, Little Cay, and Sand Bar. My recommendation would be to book this tour during low tide so you can see the sand bar more.
Take a day trip to Grand Turk
Book a flight at 8 AM with InterCaribbean to fly to Grand Turk for the day. I recommend sitting on the left when going to Grand Turks in order to see the Blue Hole. You can rent a golf cart from Paradise Carts, which they will deliver to you directly at the airport.
Spots you don’t want to miss in Grand Turk:
Governor’s Beach, the Grand Turk sign, Pillory Beach, and Grand Turk Lighthouse. The lighthouse is where you can buy carrots to feed the donkeys on the island. Stop for lunch at Jack’s Shack Beach Bar and Grill before heading off for a stingray and conch diving tour.
Gibbs Cay Stingray and Conch Diving Tour
Exclusive Escapes offers a great stingray and conch diving tour. You will learn about stingray habitats, breeding patterns, and their coexistence with humans. The captain also leads a conch demonstration and will make you a fresh conch ceviche, which is a full experience in itself!
Explore the Conch Bar Caves
Take the TCI ferry to North and Middle Caicos, which is a day trip. You will want to rent a car to get around. You can also explore Mudjin Harbor Beach. However, I think the most worthwhile activity is the Conch Bar Caves. If that’s not of interest to you, I would skip this activity.
Are you ready to head to the islands? Now that you have a Turks and Caicos guide, you are ready to book your trip!
Looking for other fun travel destinations? Check out these other blog posts!
Escape to the Maldives
Unforgettable Aitutaki Day Tour