Providenciales Sailing Charters
If you’d like to experience the timeless tranquility of sailing, there are several Providenciales sailing charters to choose from, with vessels ranging from a classic rum runner schooner to expansive catamaran yachts.
It’s refreshing to enjoy the incredible marine environment and crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos without the distraction of engine noise.
Sailing adventures are great for the whole family. There’s plenty to occupy kids, from beachcombing for seashells to looking for JoJo the Dolphin. Public sailing cruises and private sailing charters are typically offered as half-day, full-day, or sunset cruises.
Grace Bay Sailing Charters
Many shared and private sailing trips start or end with a cruise along the Grace Bay coastline. The beach is home to most of the island's luxury resorts and beautiful turquoise water, where on calm days you can see stingrays, turtles, and even dolphins swimming below. Several sailing catamarans offer pickup for guests directly from Grace Bay Beach.
Destinations
As is the case with many boat tours on Providenciales, sailing tours also typically visit the exquisite and uninhabited cays between Providenciales and North Caicos. This archipelago includes the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay, as well as Half Moon Bay, Water Cay, Pine Cay, and Fort George Cay, where cannons from the 1700s can be seen in the shallow water.
The Turks and Caicos rock iguana is a feature of many boat cruises from Providenciales. This large and docile lizard is found on several small uninhabited islands in the archipelago, and often greets visitors to Little Water Cay and adjacent Half Moon Bay. The visitor’s center on Little Water Cay offers the rare opportunity to easily and responsibly see this endangered animal in its natural environment.
Activities
Public sailing trips typically combine cruising at sea with snorkeling, snacks or lunch, and time to wander the beaches of Provo's nearby uninhabited cays. Private sailing trips are much more flexible, and allow you to customize your itinerary based on your interests.
Snorkeling
The Caicos barrier reef is found close off the cays and is home to an incredible collection of corals, sea fans, colorful fish, turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks. It features a complex system of coral formations, from gullies and majestic coral arches to small caves (and, in some parts, beds of yellow sea fans that wave back and forth with the gentle ocean swell).
Most cruises visit at least one snorkel spot, but many visit several, allowing you to see underwater settings ranging from the sheltered interior reefs to the awe-inspiring deep blue off the wall.
Beach Hopping and BBQs
Most sailing excursions either serve food and snacks on board or stop at a secluded beach for lunch. The menu can range from sandwiches to a BBQ feast of fish, chicken, and sweet corn cooked fresh on the beach.
Many popular Turks and Caicos dishes incorporate queen conch, a giant sea snail found in the seagrass beds surrounding the country. Conch salad, where diced raw conch is combined with acidic fruit and vegetables, is a very common way to serve conch when out on the water. Some tours allow you to try a simpler version of diving for conch, where tour operators hide conch in shallow water for tourists to collect via snorkeling.
Drinks—such as soft drinks, bottled water, local beer, and rum punch—are typically complimentary on public sails and charters.
Sunset Cruises
The Turks and Caicos is an amazing place to watch the sunset, and there’s no better vantage point than a sailing yacht on the water. You never know what display you’ll get, whether it's a golden sky or clouds painted in hues of pink, purple, and peach.
Sunset sails are offered as public and private experiences, and trips are typically 2–3 hours long. Drinks are included on most sunset cruises, and some companies offer light appetizers or snacks.
Around the full moon, several companies offer sunset glowworm cruises where you can watch elusive marine glowworms light up the water after sunset. These worms glow a brilliant green and add something extra to the typical sunset sail.
Private Sailing Charters
Many sailing vessels on Providenciales can be chartered for private tours, which are great for groups, large families, corporate events, or those simply seeking additional tranquility and privacy.
Private trips typically give you greater control over the trip's destinations, activities, and catering.
Special Events and Weddings
Some of the larger sailing yachts and catamarans can work as a venue for small weddings and other special events. It's best to contact the sailing charter companies well in advance for special events to ensure availability and feasibility. They're also happy to accommodate surprise proposals.
Upon request, your charter may be able to arrange a photographer or videographer to capture memories of your day on the water (or under it, as some Providenciales photographers specialize in underwater photography).
Bookings and Reservations
It's best to book your sailing excursion well in advance, as there's a limited number of sailing vessels available for charters and cruises on Providenciales. Many tour companies offer 2–3 public sailing cruises per week—usually one or two sunset cruises and a half-day snorkeling trip—and private excursions on the remaining days.
Cancellations
Sailing charters often require a deposit to book. As many businesses cannot rebook a trip with short notice, you may be charged all or a large percentage of the excursion cost if you cancel within a few days of your charter date. Be sure to read the company's cancellation policy before booking.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, companies typically work with guests to reschedule at no additional cost. Nearly all tour sailing vessels in Turks and Caicos have engines they use if the wind is not cooperating.
Sailing Companies
