Planning a Trip to Turks & Caicos? Start Here
From beaches to buccaneers, luxury resorts to local culture, there’s a wealth of ways to experience Turks & Caicos
Lazy days on some of the world’s best beaches and the languor of tranquil nights – whether watching the sun set or trying some of the freshest seafood in the Caribbean – are guaranteed on this group of islands. Located in the Lucayan Archipelago, which is also home to the Bahamas, this Atlantic dynamic duo of Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI) is made up of the larger Caicos Islands and the more diminutive, but no less spectacular, Turks Islands.
Canadians have long been fans, and our intrepid nature will take us beyond the beach of this British Overseas Territory – although we won’t say no to that either! On these islands, luxury accommodations and top-notch cuisine meet eco-tourism and outdoor adventures, taking travellers beyond the traditional sun-and-sand vacation. With all that it has to offer, it is much more than a winter getaway. In the summer, the beaches are less crowded, but the islands’ spirit of hospitality still moves with its welcoming rhythm.
Fly into the island of Providenciales (or Provo, as the locals call it), where Howard Hamilton International Airport is located, as well as being one of the most developed of the island groups, with high-end resorts, fabulous foodie finds and activities for every level of fitness. Make this your home base, or island hop from here. You can also visit while cruising, as the lesser-travelled Grand Turk, the second most populated island after Provo, is the lively heart of it. The Grand Turk Cruise Center is the only cruise port in TCI, and it has been decked out with shops, restaurants (including the largest Margaritaville in the Caribbean), and offers easy access to the island’s beaches and water sports. While in port, cruise tourists will also have a chance to explore the history and culture of TCI.
Say grace
When one of the world’s most beloved beaches is only minutes away from the airport, you may not want to go much further. Grace Bay is known for stretches of pearly sand and sparkling turquoise waters that are calm – perfect for swimming, snorkelling and building sand castles with kids of all ages. Consistently voted the number one beach in the world, Grace Bay hugs nearly 5 kilometres of coastline; take a stroll – you’ll get your steps in while also breathing in the healthy sea air.
But we’re not the only ones that think so: Grace Bay Beach has been nominated for Air Canada Vacations’ Travellers’ Top Picks awards in the Beach Vacation category. The awards spotlight where Canadian travellers’ are voting as their “top” destinations. “This nomination is no surprise – it’s a clear signal that Turks and Caicos is back on the radar in a big way,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly. “Grace Bay isn’t just a beach – it’s a global benchmark for luxury.” Canada, he adds, remains one of TCI’s strongest markets.
But Grace Bay is not the only beach to take the spotlight. Bambarra Beach, in Middle Caicos, has been ranked in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (Grace Bay came in at number nine). “It is very heartwarming to see our sister islands getting greater recognition,” says Minister Jolly, and, she says, reaffirms the Turks and Caicos Islands’ reputation for having a variety of beautiful beaches.
Luxe Sleepover
If you’re looking for the ease of an all-inclusive resort, Provo’s Grace Bay is the first place to look. But, there are plenty of options for places to stay, from full-service villas to new beachfront hotel openings.
Late in 2024, two newly minted resorts on Provo greeted their first guests. South Bank by Grace Bay features 92 rooms, for a boutique like intimacy, with its modern, boat-house style accommodations, dotted along the dunes, facing the blue sea. Sailors will appreciate dedicated boat concierge services, while beachfront bars and open-air dining (book a table at the resort’s Lua) will satiate the foodie’s appetite. The low-rise suites, villas and residences of The Strand hug the island’s Cooper Jack Bay. Part of the Leading Hotels of the World, the property features villas that can sleep up to 10 holiday-seekers. Top-notch bone-fishing, kayaking and snorkelling are a shell’s throw away on Caicos Banks, while land lovers will work up a sweat on the tennis and pickle ball courts.
Of course, there are timeless favourites as well, but these resorts are not resting on their well-established laurels. Four resorts were recognized in 2024 by the Forbes Star Awards: Amanyara, Wymara Resorts and Villas, Como Parrot Cay and Seven Stars Resort and Spa can all claim Forbes’ Four-Star status.
Looking to venture off Provo? Salterra Resort and Spa is on South Caicos island, a quick flight from Provo. The resort is dedicated to responsible stewardship of the environment, and is involved with the protection initiatives of neighbouring Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Parks. Spot the bright pink Flamingos in their natural habitat here. For longer stays, consider Sailrock South Caicos, one of the country’s top-tier luxury resorts and residential communities. A World’s Leading Luxury Villa Resort, the views of the Atlantic and the Caicos Bank alone are a blissful boon, but the privacy of Sailrock’s location adds to the sense of being surrounded by nature. The sound of the waves, the fresh ingredients in the award-winning cuisine, the indulgence of a spa treatment that will revitalize your senses and the feeling of being at rest – experiences that come naturally here.
Beautiful by nature
Speaking of Flamingos, at Flamingo Pond in North Caicos, there’s a chance to see, from a respectful distance, the statuesque birds in the thousands – a sea of joyous pink, in a protected habitat within the safe space of the Ramsar Natural Reserve. Outdoor adventure lovers can go beyond the beach, and be actively immersed in nature at every turn. Unique eco-tourism experiences such as low footprint Mangrove kayak tours, mindful collaborations with conservation and scientific initiatives and local businesses leading the way with best eco practices are only the beginning. The country’s government is taking a strong approach to preservation, including 35 protected areas, national parks and reserves and fishing only in certain seasons. It allows for travellers to experience TCI at its natural best. With more than 200 bird species, birdwatchers will be in their element; active lovers will get their blood pumping with paddleboarding and kayaking, land-lovers can take a trip to Little Water Cay, where Rock Iguanas make “Iguana Island” their home, while underwater enthusiasts can snorkel and scuba dive among safeguarded coral reefs. The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund is celebrating 15 years of education and advocacy for the well-being of TCI’s marine eco-system, with preservation and restoration at its core, ensuring the reef’s survival for generations to come.
Whale-watching is another way to connect with nature, but the bounty of the sea also is integral to local culinary pursuits; the Queen Conch is a staple, whether breaded and fried or in a citrus-infused ceviche style juice that “cooks” the conch, for local favourite, Conch Salad. Seafood, lobster, grouper and snapper are freshly caught from the sea; grilled, baked or fried, it’s health-food of a delicious kind. And don’t miss a chance to try Johnny Cake, a Caribbean classic, born from “journey cake” and the need for workers to have something to eat as they travelled from home to work. The baked, slightly sweet cornbread is a fortifying snack or accompaniment to a dish of pan-fried fish, rice and peas and locally grown mixed greens. Add a helping of Peas and Grits, TCI’s national dish, and dinner is served.
Ready to trade your
routine for paradise?
Whether you’re craving barefoot luxury, world-class beaches, vibrant local culture or eco-adventures off the beaten path, the Turks & Caicos Islands deliver it all—and then some. Dive into crystal waters, dine on fresh conch and seafood, and explore beyond the shore on your next unforgettable escape.
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