Exploring Providenciales
We highly recommend that visitors rent a vehicle for at least part of their stay on Providenciales. Taxis can be quite expensive, and there are so many great beaches and sites to visit.
Providenciales isn’t very large at only 15 miles (24 km) across on its longest dimension, so navigation isn’t difficult.
One of the highlights of Providenciales is the number of great beaches there are to discover. After you check out the popular beaches, consider some of the island’s hidden sites. Many of the beautiful coasts are secluded, and a rental car is the most convenient way to get to them. Lesser-visited yet amazing coasts include Turtle Tail Beach, Babalua Beach, and Malcolm's Road Beach.
Scenic Drives
Providenciales has experienced quite a bit of unsightly development over the last two decades, yet there are still several highly-scenic routes to enjoy.
Chalk Sound Drive
This paved and winding road follows the south side of the incredibly-turquoise Chalk Sound National Park. There are rugged little limestone cays, luxury villas, and vibrant water here is one of the top sights in the Turks and Caicos.
Once in the Chalk Sound area, you’ll also want to stop at Sapodilla Hill for the views, and the tranquil Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay beaches.
The vegetation in the area is also unique. Much of the terrain is weathered limestone, and the stunted and salt-resistant thatch palms, joewood trees, sea grapes, and sword bushes can be quite reminiscent of traditional bonsai trees.
Take care when venturing into the wild at Chalk Sound as the poisonous Coral Sumac tree is very common in the area.
Venetian Road and Turtle Tail
Venetian Road off of central Leeward Highway offers another highly-scenic drive. Unpaved, this 4.7-mile (7.6 km) road travels along the banks of Turtle Pond and Juba Sound, and ends at the eastern point of Turtle Tail peninsula.
The views from the 75-foot (23 m) tall Bristol Hill near the end of Venetian Road offers breathtaking vistas over the Caicos Banks and the inland marine ponds.
The Blue Hills Coastal Road
This beachfront road fronts Blue Hills, the oldest settlement on Providenciales. You’ll see coconut palms, small churches, and a quaint Caribbean vibe.
Several popular restaurants can be found on this road, but there’s no particular main attraction.
West Harbour Bluff
For the adventurous, the long and unpaved drive out to West Harbour Bluff is quite scenic. After traveling through the remote hills south of Blue Hills, the road continues through 3.7 miles (6 km) of isolated western Chalk Sound and Frenchman’s Creek wetlands. You’ll see saline tundra, mangrove channels, natural salt flats, and straggling cotton plants from bygone times.
This road terminates at the beach and high peninsula of the scenic West Harbour Bluff beach.
The interior hilly parts of this road can be quite bad, so you’ll want to have a high-clearance vehicle.
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Sights and Attractions
There are so many beautiful beaches on Providenciales waiting to be discovered, many of which remain deserted.
Cheshire Hall Plantation is the primary historical attraction on Providenciales. The ruins of this late 1700s cotton plantation offer an insight into the old Caribbean colonial way of life.
The Hole, a natural limestone sinkhole, is found in Long Bay. At over 60 feet (18 m) deep, brackish water can be found at the bottom.
A satellite location branch of the Turks and Caicos National Museum is now open in Grace Bay. The main museum is located on the island of Grand Turk, yet the small Providenciales branch is fascinating nevertheless. Funds are being raised to build a much-needed extensive museum complex on Providenciales.
The National Environmental Centre on Providenciales is another great stop. The exhibits here aren’t extensive, but it’s definitely worth a quick visit.
Hiking
Providenciales unfortunately doesn’t have many dedicated nature or hiking trails.
Bird Rock Trail on the southeast point of the island is the only actual developed path.
The remote western side of Providenciales offers spectacular coastal and wetland landscapes, but access can be difficult and trails simply don’t exist. The locations below will likely appeal to those who don’t mind venturing off the beaten path.
Such an area is the coast south from the Northwest Point National Park. The secluded beaches, crystal water, wetland ponds, and low ironshore cliffs are quite beautiful.
Another isolated yet stunning site is the Frenchman's Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve. The largest protected area on Providenciales, this region is home to red mangrove-lined waterways, tidal flats, and beautiful interior wetlands, all of which teem with wildlife.
