Top Things to Do in the Turks and Caicos

Discover Spectacular Beaches 

There are so many incredible beaches in the Turks and Caicos and on the island of Providenciales, all with beautiful and clear turquoise water to go swimming in.

The unparalleled Grace Bay Beach is the general favorite, but many smaller and secluded beaches can also be found on Providenciales. All beaches in the country are public and free to access up to the high-tide line. Crowds are rare.

Some of the best beaches on Providenciales include world-famous Grace Bay Beach, calm Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay, Long Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, Malcolm’s Road Beach, and the Bight Beach.

Exceptional coasts on other islands in the Turks and Caicos are Mudjin Harbour, Bambarra Beach, Little Ambergris Cay, the sandbars at Fort George Cay and Pine Cay, and the shallow channel and sandbar systems at Parrot Cay and Sandy Point Beach on North Caicos. Discover your own piece of paradise.

Go Boating in the Caicos Cays 

There’s a wonderful collection of small cays between Providenciales and North Caicos, and these beautiful islands offer miles of spectacular and deserted white-sand beaches. You can discover serene turquoise water, snorkeling reefs, and the indigenous Turks and Caicos rock iguanas.

Possible destinations include the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay, the beach and lagoon at Half Moon Bay, the secluded and amazing beach at Water Cay, the exquisite sandbars and sunken cannons at Fort George Cay, and the vibrant corals and fish at the Leeward Reef snorkeling site.

Excursions visiting the south coast of Providenciales explore a totally different set of sights and attractions, from the wrecked La Famille Express freighter ship to the breathtaking blues of West Caicos and the West Caicos Marine National Park. They may also visit the cave and historical features of West Harbour Bluff, the iguana habitat of Bay Cay, and snorkeling sites that include Turtle Rock, beautiful reefs, and shipwrecks.

Some of the large all-inclusive resorts on Grace Bay, including Beaches and Club Med Turkoise, run scheduled boat tours for their guests. These typically visit Half Moon Bay Beach and the Leeward Cut snorkeling reef.

Take a Snorkeling Cruise 

The reefs around the Turks and Caicos are amazing, offering an abundance of crystal-clear water, fish and sea animals, and healthy coral. Going on a boat snorkeling cruise or private charter often makes for a great underwater experience. You won’t have to search for the reefs, and the offshore sites are often livelier than reefs near the beach.

On snorkeling boat trips, you also may encounter one of the friendly wild Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that call the Turks and Caicos home. Two dolphins regularly interact with people: the famous JoJo the Dolphin and a younger dolphin called Dreamer.

The Grace Bay and Leeward barrier reef snorkeling sites combine tranquil beds of yellow and purple sea fans (that wave back and forth with the swell) and intricate coral gullies and caves topped with colorful corals. Schools of fish as well as stingrays, turtles, nurse sharks, and lobsters can be seen across the reefs.

Explore North & Middle Caicos 

Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Providenciales are the quiet islands of North Caicos and Middle Caicos. These two islands are less developed than Providenciales and feature great landscapes, secluded beaches, old plantations, and Conch Bar Caves, one of the largest dry cave systems in the Caribbean.

Many visit Middle Caicos just to see Mudjin Harbour, a majestic coastal landscape of beaches, cliffs, and turquoise water.

It’s easy to plan your visit to North and Middle Caicos from Providenciales. Simply reserve a rental car, catch the passenger ferry boat, and explore. Both islands are excellent for birdwatching. It’s common to see flamingos at one of the wetland viewing spots, such as Flamingo Pond Overlook or the Pumpkin Bluff Ponds.

Kayak in the Wetlands 

The Turks and Caicos supports an amazing network of mangrove wetlands and tidal channels. These pristine waterways act as the nurseries for many types of sea life. A guided excursion by kayak or paddleboard into these shallow wetlands will allow you to spot wildlife up close in their natural environment. On a good day, you can see juvenile sharks and turtles, conch, barracuda, bonefish, starfish, stingrays, and birdlife.

A great way to explore the wetlands without missing a thing is by clear kayak. These kayaks have a clear bottom that allows you to see straight through the hull and down into the shallows.

Snorkel From the Beach 

A great complement to a snorkeling cruise is to visit some of the beach reefs in the Turks and Caicos. Providenciales has some really beautiful sites, where large numbers of colorful reef fish, stingrays, turtles, and lobsters are easy to approach and see.

The Bight Reef (Coral Gardens) is the most popular and easiest to access of the beach reefs. It's located on the western end of Grace Bay. Smith’s Reef, found near Turtle Cove, is even more extensive and complex than the Bight Reef (albeit a little harder to find).

Last but not least are Malcolm’s Road and Northwest Point. This is a spectacular area, yet quite remote. There’s clear water and a wide array of life, including small and mid-sized sharks. See also The Best Snorkeling Reefs in Turks and Caicos.

Go on a Semi-Submarine Tour 

Want to enjoy the beautiful reefs in air-conditioned comfort without getting wet? The Undersea Explorer is a semi-submarine operated by Caicos Tours that allows passengers to ride below the water’s surface. There are large observatory windows you can peer through to soak in the underwater vistas.

Tours depart from Turtle Cove Marina and visit the fascinating bay reefs of Smith’s Reef, Turtle Cove, and Babalua Beach. The Undersea Explorer is a great experience for all ages. The Mermaid Adventure tour—where a freediving mermaid swims past the windows and interacts with passengers through the glass—is particularly magical for kids.

Parasail Over Grace Bay 

There’s a reason why you see parasail boats operating in Grace Bay every day—gliding at 200 feet (60 m) in the air over Grace Bay is an amazing experience. No experience is required to go parasailing. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the beach, resorts, barrier reef, and even larger sea animals in the water below. Some parasails hold up to three people in the sky at once.

Explore Chalk Sound 

The incredibly turquoise Chalk Sound National Park offers some of the most vibrant water you’ll see anywhere. This sheltered lagoon is home to hundreds of tiny islands, a vast blue hole underwater cave, a submerged plane wreck, and even the Turks and Caicos rock iguana. Two beautiful beaches are also located nearby: Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay.

Go Scuba Diving 

There are so many beautiful and vibrant reefs to explore in the Turks and Caicos. Sites spread across over 80 miles (129 km) of the majestic Turks and Caicos barrier reef are regularly visited by dive boats from Providenciales. If you haven’t yet begun to scuba dive, several local dive shops offer PADI Open Water and Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) courses. More experienced divers may want to try liveaboard diving to explore the country's more untouched reefs.

Great dive spots are found in the West Caicos Marine National Park, at Northwest Point, in the Princess Alexandra National Park, and at the remote French Cay.

Ride Horses at Long Bay 

One of the most magical experiences in the Turks and Caicos is horseback riding on Providenciales, where you can ride your horse into the shallow turquoise waters of Long Bay Beach. Provo Ponies is the island’s primary horse riding stable and offers this experience throughout the year. Their ponies and horses are well-trained and enjoy wading in the ocean just as much as the riders.

Rent a Jet Ski 

There’s no denying it: jet skis can be a lot of fun. There are so many spectacular places to explore in the Turks and Caicos that are accessible by jet ski. Guided trips are offered on Providenciales to uninhabited cays, secluded beaches, the La Famille Express shipwreck, West Harbour Bluff, and more.

Attend a Local Event 

From live performances to sports events and beach parties, the Turks and Caicos Islands plays host to numerous events throughout the year. Major events include Maskanoo—a parade and street festival that happens annually on Boxing Day—the weekly Fish Fry on Providenciales, and the summer Caribbean House Evolution music festival. Many events are free to attend.

Providenciales is also home to a vibrant live music scene. On any given night of the week, you can find a restaurant with a live singer, band, or solo musician serenading guests.

Explore by Jeep 

Another great thing to do on Providenciales is to simply rent something fun to drive and explore. The island has several central scenic (and paved) coastal routes, including the Venetian Road and Turtle Tail area, Chalk Sound Drive, and the coastal road at the Blue Hills and Wheeland settlements.

If you’re looking for more adventure and excitement, the west coast national parks offer some fun off-road tracks. There’s West Harbour Bluff, Malcolm’s Road Beach, and the Northwest Point National Park to discover. High-clearance 4x4s, such as upgraded Jeep Wranglers, are recommended. Please stay on established roads and don’t drive on the beach—this can damage the environment.

Regardless of whether you stay at a resort or villa, it’s typically best to rent a vehicle when visiting the Turks and Caicos. The country doesn’t have effective public transportation, so having your own vehicle will allow you to get out to some of the amazing beaches and sights.

Shop at Grace Bay 

A visit to the Turks and Caicos isn’t complete without a shopping trip to the galleries and stores at Grace Bay. At the Saltmills and Regent Village plazas, there are several stops you’ll want to make. These include Jai’s, Brilliant Studios Gallery, Anna's Art Gallery, and Potcake Place (to see some cute Potcake puppies).

There’s some great dining nearby as well. Other nearby plazas include Ports of Call, La Petite Place, One Season Plaza, Le Vele Plaza, and Grace Bay Plaza.

Go on a Day Trip to Grand Turk 

Another day trip experience that offers a unique ambiance is a visit to Grand Turk. This island is home to the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands: Cockburn Town. Ironically, Grand Turk is a much quieter island than Providenciales. It's home to interesting historical sights, beautiful beaches, and a quaint laid-back way of life.

Grand Turk also has the country's only cruise port, and is where all cruise ships to the Turks and Caicos disembark. Top sites on the island include Governor's Beach, the Grand Turk Lighthouse, and the Turks and Caicos National Museum, where you can explore fascinating exhibits and artifacts from shipwrecks. Coffee fanatics may want to visit the picturesque pink Starbucks coffee shop at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

The best way to get to Grand Turk from Providenciales is by plane. Domestic flights to Grand Turk from Providenciales are offered several times a day, making it easy to do a day trip to the island.

Visit a Historical Site 

The Turks and Caicos doesn’t have any impressive forts or monuments, yet there are some fascinating historical sites to be seen.

That being said, Providenciales and the other islands all have some interesting places to discover. On Providenciales, there’s Cheshire Hall Plantation and the National Museum and Heritage Site. On North Caicos and Middle Caicos are Wade's Green Plantation and Haulover Plantation. Yankee Town on West Caicos is a particularly interesting site that's accessible by boat from Providenciales. See also Turks and Caicos History.

Explore the Great Outdoors 

The sights, beaches, and uninhabited islands that remain largely undiscovered and unexplored are some of the best features the Turks and Caicos has to offer. Many boat excursions pick up guests directly on the beach fronting their resort—a fabulous way to start the day.

If you make it away from the famous attractions of Grace Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, Half Moon Bay, and Little Water Cay (amazing attractions in their own right), you’ll get to experience the tranquil and undeveloped side of the country.

West Caicos is a great example. Due to its significant distance from Providenciales, this uninhabited island is only accessible via a custom boat charter. Once you get there, there is so much to experience: beautiful landscapes, incredible snorkeling, cliff jumping, historical ruins, and more.

Another great aspect of visiting the more remote islands and coral reefs in the Turks and Caicos is the journey out. The more time you spend on the water, the more likely you will experience an unforgettable and spontaneous wildlife encounter. It could be a pod of wild dolphins, a jumping eagle ray, or (in the winter months) a humpback whale with its calf. Whale watching and snorkeling with whales in the clear waters of the Turks and Caicos is a bucket list experience.

Try a New Water Sport 

Your vacation in the Turks and Caicos is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone and try a new activity.

Freediving on the barrier reef and swim training in the shallow bays are unforgettable ways to experience the spectacular ocean and wildlife.

If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, a wilderness adventure can allow you to see natural and historical sights experienced by few others. There’s also great golfing at the award-winning Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club in Grace Bay.

Traditional surfing, stand-up paddleboard surfing, and e-foil surfing (which uses an electric-powered board) are all fun, exciting, and rewarding water sports.

Try the Food  

While there aren't many food and drink tours offered in the Turks and Caicos, the country does have some great culinary attractions. Providenciales has a great combination of fine dining and Caribbean cuisine restaurants. There are also several culinary events held on the island, from the weekly Fish Fry food and cultural event on Thursdays to the upscale Caribbean Food and Wine Festival held each fall. Local food often incorporates fresh seafood, with dishes such as conch salad, grilled lobster, and fried or steamed fish being general favorites.

There are numerous great beachfront and waterfront restaurants to try that provide a tropical ambiance of coconut palms and host live music.

Some island tour guides also offer food tours, which visit several restaurants for their menu specialties, as well as pub crawls.