The Turks and Caicos Islands are a veritable paradise for any beach and water sports lover. An archipelago of 40 low-lying cays, the number of white-sand beaches found here seems endless. From the renowned Grace Bay, with its low tide and luxury facilities, to near-empty stretches of sand like Parrot Cay, there’s always a beach within reach on the island of Providenciales. This is the most developed of the islands, so you can expect plenty in the way of shops and restaurants, and a good infrastructure that includes diving schools and marine life attractions. But there’s a less trodden side to the Turks and Caicos that’s certainly worth exploring. See flocks of pink flamingos on North Caicos, known as the ‘Garden Island’. Swim with stingrays off Gibbs Cay. Get some historical perspective at Cheshire Hall, an old plantation now in ruins. Or watch pods of humpback whales migrating off the coast of Salt Cay. You can learn more about the islands’ history at the Turks and Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town, the cruise port capital located on Grand Turk. There are apartments to rent here as well as on the smaller islands. For luxury hotels and private villas, look no further than Providenciales.
