s a very small country that relatively few have heard of, the Turks and Caicos has seen quite an impressive number of famous visitors, from both present and past eras.
Today, the unparalleled beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands attract people from across the globe, and there’s a wide range of luxury accommodation choices to stay at.
The exclusive all-inclusive resorts on Providenciales, Parrot Cay, and Pine Cay are favorites with the rich and famous, yet the expansive private rental mansions have also become popular as well.
As every beach in the Turks and Caicos is public and free-to-access up to the high tide point, regardless of whether the coast is on a private island or not, it’s possible to visit almost any location mentioned on this page.
Historic Arrivals
Along with being a possible site of Christopher Columbus’s first point of landfall in the Americas and New World, quite a few other interesting (albeit perhaps not globally significant!) historical events involving important people took place in and around the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Christopher Columbus
Date: 1492
Grand Turk is one of the three likely possible points of
first landfall of Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage to the New World.
Ponce De Leon
Date: 1512
Spanish conquistador Ponce De Leon, then governor of Puerto Rico, received a royal charter from the Spanish Court which encouraged him to search for Bimini and the Fountain of Youth. Presumably on his way to discover what eventually became Florida, he anchored at an unknown location in our archipelago.
Captain John White
Date: 1587
English artist and explorer Captain John White stopped on
West Caicos during the journey to Roanoke Island in Virginia. According to his accounts, he was expecting to gather the
salt that would naturally occur in the shallow ponds, yet did not. Instead, his crew hunted “swanees” (probably flamingos!)
François l'Olonnais
Date: Later 1600s
French pirate François l'Olonnais was known to have operated off of
French Cay and
West Caicos. The origins of the Turks and Caicos
name is derived from the islands being a pirate base.
Anne Bonney and Mary Reed
Date: Early 1700s
During a wilder time of Turks and Caicos history,
the islands between Providenciales and North Caicos supported pirate bases due to their freshwater sources. In fact, what is now
Parrot Cay used to be known as
Pirate Cay because of the buccaneers. Famous female pirates Anne Bonney and Mary Reed were known to have operated from the island.
Horatio Nelson
Date: 1783
Horatio Nelson, the famed British naval commander, suffered one of his few defeats when he attempted to retake Fire Hill (near the current
cruise center) from the French during the
Battle of Grand Turk.
Theodoor Hendrik Nikolaas de Booy
Date: 1911
Dutch-American anthropologist and noted authority on the Caribbean peoples Theodoor de Booy spent a bit of time in the Caicos Islands searching the land and
caves for evidence and artifacts from the Taino people. The result from these efforts was a book:
Lucayan Remains on the Caicos Islands, possibly the first published book centered on the country.
Prince George
Date: 1928
Prince George, Duke of Kent, visited Grand Turk aboard the Royal Navy D-Class Light Cruiser HMS
Durban during a relief mission after the major
1928 Hurricane (referred to as the
Hurricane of the Century). He went ashore incognito.
Princess Margaret
Date: 1960
Princess Margaret Rose of the United Kingdom, Countess of Snowdon, paid an official visit to Grand Turk on the HMS
Britannia. On the visit, she stopped at the two U.S. bases on the island:
NAVFAC and South Base.
John Glenn
Date: 1962
The first landfall of American astronaut John Glenn after the historic Mercury space mission was the island of Grand Turk. Today, a monument commemorating the incredible event can be seen at the
Grand Turk Cruise Center.
Lyndon B Johnson
Date: 1962
In 1962, then U.S. vice president Lyndon B Johnson greeted John Glenn on Grand Turk after the astronaut’s historic mission.
© Joel Rouse / Ministry of Defense
H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
Date: 1966
Queen Elizabeth II visited South Caicos in 1966 aboard the HMS Royal Britannia. To commemorate the visit, the South Caicos Regatta has been held ever since.
Duke of Edinburgh
Date: 1966
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to South Caicos.
Prince Charles
Date: 1973
Prince Charles of the United Kingdom stopped over at Grand Turk on the HMS Minerva. During his stay, he took part in local cricket matches as a member of the ship’s team. The ship’s crew also conducted community service and took the island’s Series Land Rover ambulance to the local hospital to repair and paint!
Prince Andrew
Date: 2000
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, made an official visit to the Turks and Caicos and stopped on both Grand Turk and Providenciales.
Grace Bay and Providenciales
Grace Bay Beach, the hallmark of the Turks and Caicos, is world renowned for its pristine sand and turquoise water. Luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts line this breathtaking beach, and there’s a wonderful selection of water sports and things to do.
Paul McCartney
Several visits
Paul McCartney of the Beatles visited the Turks and Caicos by yacht and anchored off of Grace Bay.
Christopher Walken
Date: 2002 and 2014
Actor Christopher Walken starred in two films shot in the Turks and Caicos: 2002 Life’s a Beach and the 2014 Turks and Caicos.
Kenny Rogers
Date: 2007
Singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers performed in
Turtle Cove on Providenciales during the now-defunct Turks and Caicos Music Festival.
Alicia Keys
Date: 2007
Alicia Keys also performed at the 2007 Turks and Caicos Music Festival and went
horseback riding with a local stable.
Maria Sharapova
Date: 2006
Tennis star Maria Sharapova stayed at the
Grace Bay Club on the unparalleled Grace Bay Beach, and modeled for Sports Illustrated.
Katie Couric
Several visits
New anchor and author Katie Couric is known to have made quite a few trips to Providenciales and the brilliant Grace Bay Beach.
Conan O'Brien
Date: 2008
Conan O'Brien stayed on Providenciales and Grace Bay Beach.
Robin Wright
Date: 2017
Robin Wright, famous for her roles in the
Princess Bride and television series
House of Cards, stayed at
Babalua Beach west of Grace Bay.
Jimmy Buffett
Several visits
Along with having one of his namesake
Margaritaville restaurants at the
Grand Turk Cruise Center, Jimmy Buffett has stopped over at Providenciales on the
Hemisphere Dancer, his signature 1955 Grumman Albatross amphibious airplane.
Beyoncé
Date: 2008
Beyonce and Jay Z visited Providenciales and stayed at the Nicki Beach Resort (now
Blue Haven).
Jay Z
Date: 2008
Beyonce and Jay Z visited Providenciales and stay at the Nicki Beach Resort (now Blue Haven).
Drake
Date: 2019
Drake stayed at an expansive villa at the beautiful
Leeward Beach on the eastern side of Grace Bay.
Heidi Klum
Date: 2017
In 2017, Heidi Klum stayed at Gansevoort Resort (now
Wymara Resort) at the
Bight Beach on the western side of Grace Bay.
Sean 'P-Diddy' Combs
Date: 2020
In 2020, Sean 'P-Diddy' Combs celebrated his 51st birthday at Hawksbill Villa in Leeward, Providenciales.
DJ Khaled
Date: 2020
In September 2020, DJ Khaled (Khaled Mohamed Khaled) stayed at a private villa in Providenciales.
Peter Benchley
Date: 1970s
Peter Benchley, the famous author of Jaws, visited Providenciales and stayed at the historic Third Turtle Inn in Turtle Cove. He was also the author of The Island, a modern-day pirate story that actually takes place in the Turks and Caicos.
Amanyara Resort, Providenciales
The exclusive and secluded all-inclusive Amanyara Resort is located on Malcolm's Road Beach on the Northwest Point Marine National Park. This wild and scenic region of Providenciales is a perfect backdrop for a tranquil stay.
Will Smith
Several visits
Will Smith has stayed at several different spots on Providenciales, including on Grace Bay Beach and the remote Amanyara Resort.
Brad Pitt
Date: 2016
Brad Pitt spent Thanksgiving 2016 at the secluded Amanyara Resort at Malcolm Road’s Beach on Providenciales.
LeBron James
Date: 2014
LeBron James and his family visited Providenciales in 2014 and stayed at Amanyara.
Bill Nighy
Date: 2014
Bill Nighy stared as Johnny Worricker in the political thriller
Turks and Caicos, shot on Providenciales at Amanyara Resort,
Blue Hills and
Long Bay Beach.
Winona Ryder
Date: 2014
Winona Ryder played a part in the 2014 film Turks and Caicos shot at Amanyara.
Helena Bonham Carter
Date: 2014
Helena Bonham Carter was another one of the famous actors that played a part in the 2014 Turks and Caicos movie.
Kim Kardashian
Date: 2018
Kim Kardashian stayed at the remote and exclusive Amanyara Resort at the Northwest Point Marine National Park on Providenciales.
David Beckham
Date: 2017
David and Victoria Beckham and his family visited the Turks and Caicos in late December 2017.
Zac Efron
2008
Zac Efron of the High School Musical movie series and Vanessa Hudgens stayed in the Turks and Caicos in 2008.
Vanessa Hudgens
2008
Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron stayed at Amanyara in 2008.
Courteney Cox
2014
Courteney Cox of the famous Friends sitcom series stayed at the exclusive resort in 2014.
Long Bay Beach, Providenciales
Found on the southeast side of Providenciales, Long Bay Beach is one of the region’s top kiteboarding spots, and attracts kiters from all over the globe. Luxury vacation villas can be seen across this 3-mile coast.
Nicki Minaj
Date: 2016
For her 34th birthday, Nicki Minaj stayed in a luxury beachfront villa on Long Bay Beach, Providenciales.
Kylie Jenner
Date: 2016
Kylie Jenner celebrated her 19th birthday at The Pearls of Long Bay luxury villa on Providenciales.
© U.S. Department of State
John Kerry
Date: 2014
Former U.S. Secretary of State John F Kerry visited the Turks and Caicos in 2014, and took
kiteboarding lessons at Long Bay Beach, Providenciales.
Kourtney Kardashian
Date: 2019
The Kardashian sisters stayed at a luxury villa on Long Bay Beach on Providenciales.
Khloe Kardashian
Date: 2019
Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian vacationed at a villa on Long Bay Beach in July of 2019.
Turtle Tail, Providenciales
Turtle Tail is a highly scenic residential area on the south coast of Providenciales. The beautiful hills and bluffs on this peninsula offer incredible views over the turquoise Caicos Banks and inland marine ponds.
Several beautiful yet small beaches are found interspersed along this limestone coast.
Prince
Owned Home
Prince owned one of the largest mansions in the Turks and Caicos, complete with a purple driveway!
Rihanna
Date: 2016
Famous Bajan singer Rihanna stayed at an opulent and expansive villa in Turtle Tail, Providenciales.
Olivia Munn
Date: 2019
Oliva Munn visited the Turks and Caicos several times, and in July of 2019 stayed at one of the expansive villas at Turtle Tail on Providenciales.
Simone Biles
Date: 2022
Simone Biles visited the Turks and Caicos for her birthday and stayed at Prince's former house in Turtle Tail.
Naomi Osaka
Date: 2020
Naomi Osaka, who has been ranked No. 1 by the Women's Tennis Association, visited Providenciales with her sister and stayed at a luxury villa.
Parrot Cay
The 1000-acre (405 hectare) Parrot Cay is found east of Providenciales. The island boasts spectacular beaches and luxury low-density development. Unlike the neighboring Pine Cay, Parrot Cay does not have an airstrip, so visitors are ferried to the island by boat.
The island is home to the COMO Parrot Cay Resort, luxury villas managed by the resort, and private residences. The resort also features Shambhala Retreat, the famous full-service spa and well-being center. Quite a few celebrities own homes or real estate on this tranquil cay.
President Bill Clinton
Date: 2011
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Parrot Cay and stayed at Donna Karan's private villa.
© U.S. Department of State
Hillary Clinton
Date: 2011
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Parrot Cay with her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Several visits
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married on the exclusive Parrot Cay in 2005.
Bill and Melinda Gates
Date: 2009
Christie Brinkley
Owns home
Christie Brinkley owns a luxury villa, Lucky House, on Parrot Cay.
Donna Karan
Owns home
Fashion designer Donna Karan has been a long time property owner in the Turks and Caicos.
Bruce Willis
Owns home
Actor Bruce Willis owned one of the more luxurious villas on Parrot Cay for years, in addition to real estate on
Ambergris Cay.
Keith Richards
Owns home
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards owns a villa on the exclusive Parrot Cay.
Michael Douglas
Date: 2007
Actor Michael Douglas visited the Turks and Caicos in 2007 with Catherine-Zeta Jones, and was rumored to have considered purchasing property on
Dellis Cay. However, the project fell through due to the 2008 financial crisis.
Demi Moore
Date: 2011
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher stayed on Parrot Cay at Bruce Willis’s villa.
Ashton Kutcher
Date: 2011
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher stayed on Parrot Cay at Bruce Willis’s villa.
Prince Edward
Date: 2001
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visited Parrot Cay on holiday in 2001.
Cindy Crawford
Several visits
Cindy Crawford lists Parrot Cay Beach as her favorite
beach.
Justin Bieber
Date: 2015
Justin Bieber stayed at Christie Brinkley’s Lucky House on Parrot Cay.
Brad Pitt
Date: 2012
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and family stayed at Donna Karan’s villa.
Angelina Jolie
Date: 2012
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and family stayed at Donna Karan’s villa.
Cara Delevingne
Date: 2015
English supermodel Cara Delevingne lists Parrot Cay as her favorite island in the world.
Barbra Streisand
Date: 2000
Barbra Streisand spent Christmas at the island.
© Neil Grabowsky / Montclair Film Festival /
CC BY 2.0
Gene Simmons
Date: 2007
Gene Simmons spent some time on Parrot Cay and filmed part of a Family Jewels episode here as well.
Howard Stern
Date: 2010
Howard Stern’s stay on Parrot Cay was apparently marred by migrating swarms of termites! This rare and localized event can be seen at times throughout the country.
Jerry Seinfeld
Date: 2000
Jerry Seinfeld honeymooned on the island with wife Jessica.
Liam Neeson
Date: 2000
Liam Neeson and his late wife Natasha Richardson stayed at Parrot Cay in 2000.
Eva Longoria
Date: 2007
Eva Longoria stayed on Parrot Cay for her honeymoon with Tony Parker in 2007.
Rio Ferdinand
Home
Professional footballer Rio Ferdinand owns a villa on Parrot Cay.
Matt Damon
Several visits
Matt Damon has made several trips to the Turks and Caicos with his friend Ben Affleck.
Julia Roberts
Several visits
Actress Julia Roberts has been known to visit the private island several times.
Kate Moss
Several visits
British supermodel Kate Moss has made quite a few trips to the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, and has done modeling work here as well.
Janet Jackson
Date: 2001
Janet Jackson made a quick trip to Parrot Cay in 2001.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Several visits
Gwyneth Paltrow has visited the Turks and Caicos and Parrot Cay a few times, and owns land on
Ambergris Cay.
Taylor Swift
2017
Taylor Swift visited Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos with boyfriend Joe Alwyn in 2017.
Sofía Vergara
2016
Sofía Vergara, of sitcom Modern Family, stayed at Parrot Cay in September of 2016.
Mel B
2016
Melanie Janine Brown, aka Scary Spice of the Spice Girls, visited the Turks and Caicos in 2016.
South Caicos
South Caicos is the last of the Caicos islands east of Providenciales, and is considered to be the nation's fishing capital. South Caicos has a generally laid-back atmosphere.
New developments, such as Sailrock Resort, are catering to a high-end of tourist wanting seclusion and privacy.
Neil Patrick Harris
Visited 2017
Neil Patrick Harris, of
How I Met Your Mother and
Doogie Howser, M.D. fame, stayed at
Sailrock in 2017.
Lindsey Vonn
Visited 2017
Lindsey Vonn, the first American to win the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, stayed at
Sailrock in 2017.
Ansel Elgort
Visited 2018
Ansel Elgort, known for his role in
The Divergent Series and
Baby Driver vacationed at
Sailrock in 2018.
Jacques Mayol
Lived in Bell Sound
The famous French diving legend and holder of many world records in free diving lived in
Bell Sound, South Caicos.
Water Sports Champions
With an amazing and pristine marine environment, it’s no wonder that our archipelago has attracted some of the world’s top ocean athletes.
Tanya Streeter
Date: 2002
World champion
freediver Tanya Streeter broke the no limit world freediving record in 2002 off of Providenciales, descending to 525 feet in depth on a single breath of air.
Brian “de’Action Man” Talma
Date: 2016
Bajan pro
windsurfer and general water sports ambassador Brian Talma visited two of the local Windvibes competitions as an honorary guest.
Kevin Pritchard
Date: 2016
World champion windsurfer Kevin Pritchard visited Providenciales in 2016, and supported the Windvibes event.
Kelly Slater
Several visits
World-famous professional surfer Kelly Slater is known to have visited some of the surf spots of the Turks and Caicos.
William Trubridge
Several visits
William Trubridge, a world champion freediver from New Zealand, visited the Turks and Caicos several times, and stayed at the exclusive Amanyara resort on Malcolm’s Road Beach on the island of Providenciales.
Rowdy Gaines
Date: 2015
Olympic gold medalist
swimmer Rowdy Gaines made a stay in the Turks and Caicos and supported the local Race for the Conch swim event.