Turks and Caicos Land Sports & Activities
Given that Turks and Caicos is a tropical island destination, the sports and activities to do on land are a bit more limited compared to the plethora of things to do on and in the ocean.
Similar to the situation with water sports, most land tour and excursion businesses are located on either Providenciales or Grand Turk.
Hiking, Birdwatching & Nature
If spending time in the great outdoors sounds like a great vacation, this archipelago is the perfect destination.
Turks and Caicos has countless amazing coastal hiking locations (though dedicated trails are lacking). North Caicos and Middle Caicos offer the top hikes, yet the rugged and wild coasts of Providenciales, South Caicos, and Salt Cay don’t lag far behind.
The Crossing Place Trail on Middle Caicos is the longest (and, according to many, the most scenic) established trail in the Turks and Caicos, and follows the traditional route that led to North Caicos. There’s plenty to see, including the highest cliffs in the country, beautiful wetlands, Karst cave features, and beaches with long-traveled flotsam.
All the main islands in Turks and Caicos offer secluded and desolate beaches to walk and explore, and each offers a unique atmosphere and experience.
You never know what you may find while beachcombing. There are seashells, interesting bottles, sea glass, and fishing net floats of every age and origin.
Experiencing a spectacular sunset is a perfect ending to the day. Each of the islands has a great spot to watch the sunset, and possibly even glimpse the elusive green flash. See Turks and Caicos Sun for information on sunrise and sunset times.
Birdwatching is another great nature activity. Saline ponds and mangrove channels are common throughout the Turks and Caicos. Inside these beautiful environments are an impressive array of wildlife. Great blue herons, yellow-crowned night herons, tricolored herons, green herons, reddish egrets, snowy egrets, great egrets, cattle egrets, grebes, and flamingos are common in the wetlands and ponds, and on the coasts, there are oyster-catchers, kingfishers, ospreys, sanderlings, terns, stilts, and more. If you’re lucky, you may spot one of the country's rarer species, such as the West Indian whistling duck, peregrine falcon, roseate spoonbill, or frigatebird. There are over 200 bird species that can be sighted in the Turks and Caicos.
Photography
Outdoor photographers will find endless subjects on land and in the water. If you’re looking to photograph an endangered animal in its natural environment, it doesn’t get much easier than visiting Little Water Cay to photograph the friendly and approachable Turks and Caicos rock iguana.
If travel and cultural photography is more appealing, Blue Hills and Five Cays on Providenciales offer beachfront communities with abundant color and a Caribbean atmosphere. Kew and Bottle Creek on North Caicos support down-to-earth settlements with tropical small-scale agriculture. Balfour Town on Salt Cay and Cockburn Town on Grand Turk have a rich British-Bermudian colonial heritage. The fishing village of Cockburn Harbour on South Caicos doesn’t see much tourism, and consequently exhibits an atmosphere of a bygone Caribbean.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is offered on Providenciales. Tours take place in very scenic settings, and all tour businesses typically include beach rides and wading in the crystal-clear ocean for those who wish to do so. On Providenciales, rides take place on Long Bay Beach and the Bight Beach.
The average Turks and Caicos pony is a little smaller than those found at the stables in many other countries, yet is hardy and sure-footed.
Golf & Tennis
Providenciales is home to the top-rated Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, featuring a course designed by Karl Litten. This expertly maintained 18-hole course offers interesting limestone features and ponds teeming with birdlife. The club also has driving nets, chipping and putting areas, and tennis courts that double as pickleball courts.
Many resorts, hotels, and luxury rental villas feature tennis courts, and lessons by professional instructors are available for those looking to learn.
ATV & Off-Road Tours
Guided ATV and buggy tours are offered on Providenciales and Grand Turk and are a fun way to see the islands.
Another way to discover the wild side of the Turks and Caicos is to take a day trip to North and Middle Caicos, rent a 4x4, and explore the back roads and lesser-traveled trails.
E-Biking
E-biking is a newer activity in the Turks and Caicos, and is offered on both Providenciales and on North and Middle Caicos. For more information, see Turks and Caicos e-bike rentals.
All-Inclusive Resort Activities
There are several all-inclusive resorts in the Turks and Caicos, and in addition to the boat excursions, snorkeling, and complimentary use of non-powered water sports equipment, guests also have various land sports to choose from during their stay.
The largest all-inclusive in the country is Beaches, a family-oriented complex that features a water park and more than 20 restaurants. There’s tennis, volleyball, basketball, soccer, giant chess, and a gaming arcade, as well as the water activities.
Club Med Turkoise is an adult-only all-inclusive hotel on Grace Bay Beach with active fitness programs, tennis, trapeze, and a sports field.