Turks and Caicos is a small British Overseas Territory located southeast of the Bahamas and north of the Dominican Republic. More than 40 islands and cays make up this Atlantic Ocean archipelago, where world-class beaches are the norm. English is the official language, and the US dollar is the currency.
Unbelievable turquoise waters colored a shade that's truly unique to Turks and Caicos await visitors of this relatively undiscovered Caribbean beach destination. Experience it yourself.
It's easy to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands, which are just a 90-minute flight from Miami and less than four hours from New York and Toronto. Regular flights arrive from many United States cities, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several Caribbean countries.
Travelers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union do not require a visa to visit.
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Islands of the Turks & Caicos
From its luxury islands to its uninhabited cays, Turks and Caicos is an explorer's paradise. Visit via private or commercial flight, pleasure craft, or cruise ship. Domestic flights and passenger ferries connect the main islands.
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Providenciales
Often simply called Provo, Providenciales is the most populated island in the Turks and Caicos. Here, you’ll find beautiful hotels and resorts, luxury villas, fine dining, shopping, and the famous Grace Bay Beach. There's also a wide array of water sports, from snorkeling and scuba diving to sailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and more.
It's easy to get to Providenciales, as nearly all international flights to the country land on this island. There are direct flights from many cities in the US, as well as a few from Canada and the UK.
North & Middle Caicos
The verdant North Caicos and Middle Caicos are connected by a road causeway, and function as one island. Found in the center of the Caicos Islands archipelago, they offer limited development, a quiet atmosphere, outstanding natural attractions, and secluded beaches.
Regular passenger ferries and flights via small aircraft operate between Providenciales and North Caicos.
South Caicos
Teeming with old-school Caribbean charm, South Caicos is a quiet island with incredible beaches, a bountiful marine environment, and historical remnants of the sea salt industry. The island is an outstanding destination for fishing, especially for flats and bonefishing.
American Airlines offers a direct international flight from Miami to South Caicos (XSC) twice per week, and regular domestic flights are offered daily between Providenciales and South Caicos.
Grand Turk
Grand Turk has the capital city of Cockburn Town and the country’s only cruise ship port. Formerly a major sea salt producing island, this quiet retreat offers interesting historical sites, Bermudian architecture, and exceptional scuba diving.
Most visitors to Grand Turk are day visitors arriving via cruise ship. Overnight visitors typically fly to Providenciales before boarding a domestic flight to Grand Turk.
Salt Cay
Salt Cay is the smallest of the main inhabited islands in the Turks and Caicos. You won’t find all-inclusives, nightlife, or spas on Salt Cay—but it’s the perfect destination for travelers seeking tranquility, secluded beaches, rich history, and a place where everyone knows one another by name.
There is no international airport on Salt Cay. Domestic flights connect Salt Cay to Providenciales and Grand Turk.
East Caicos
The largest uninhabited island in the Turks and Caicos, remote and wild East Caicos was once the site of guano mining, sisal plantations, and cattle ranches circa the late 1800s and very early 1900s. Today, the island is a thriving sanctuary for flora and fauna, particularly endemic Turks and Caicos plants and regional birds.
East Caicos is quite difficult to access, so very few make the journey to visit. A custom charter with one of the few guides knowledgeable about the island is the only way to visit.
West Caicos
Formerly known as Belle Island, West Caicos boasts a stunning marine environment and treasures from times past. This uninhabited island was once home to a Victorian-era town, an airstrip, and even a small railway. West Caicos offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the country.
Cracked conch, grilled lobster tail, and the ubiquitous peas n’ rice are must-try local foods for first-time visitors. The island of Providenciales also boasts a great gourmet dining scene with a variety of cuisines, including Italian, Asian, and Mediterranean.
What good is a top-rated beach without sunny weather and a perfect climate? Turks and Caicos (locally known as TCI) has sunny days, warm tropical temperatures, very little rain year-round, and a typically mild hurricane season.
Throughout the year, the ocean water temperature maintains a pleasantly warm and serene average in the mid-80°F range (29°C). On land, the average temperature range is 75° to 95°F (24° to 35°C).
The Turks and Caicos is a top vacation destination for visitors wanting to relax and unwind on an idyllic beach. Planning a trip to the spa can make a vacation to the islands even more restorative.
Whether it's a deep-tissue couples massage on the beach, a facial, or a manicure and pedicure, the treatments offered by the popular local spas are sought out by many travelers.
There’s plenty to do in Turks and Caicos, from snorkeling and paddleboarding excursions to golf or private yacht charters that visit the pristine cays.
An expansive barrier reef, one of the largest in the world, protects the coasts and hosts vibrant marine life.
Renting a car is the best way to explore what the Turks and Caicos has to offer. There’s a range of vehicle and transport types for rent in the islands. You can cruise idyllic coastlines in a jeep or 4x4, explore Grace Bay by electric bike, or rent the typical compact car.
There is no organized public transportation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, taxis are readily available.
The quickest way to get through the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) and onto a peaceful Turks and Caicos beach is with fast track, a service that allows you to move through immigration and customs swiftly.
You can pair this service with private VIP transport or a luxury car service. These private cars, typically SUVs, provide a more high-end experience than the typical taxi.
Land in the Turks and Caicos has long been a popular investment for the rich and famous, from musician Prince to actor Bruce Willis. You'll find a growing real estate market in the islands offering a range of property types. Villas, condominiums, and luxury home enclaves are popular buys for investors from around the world.
Picturesque properties throughout the archipelago can be found on the market, from the quiet shores of Salt Cay to the busy tourism center of Grace Bay, Providenciales.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to species and features you can’t find anywhere else on Earth. Endemic orchids, humbling cave systems, and the Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguana (a friendly large lizard you can visit on several uninhabited cays) are just a few of the archipelago’s natural treasures on land.
Offshore, you’ll find one of the largest barrier coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean, sheltering the famous JoJo the Dolphin and an array of marine life and corals. Off the south coast of Middle Caicos is the Ocean Hole, possibly the widest blue hole in the world.
Spend a week in the archipelago, and you'll realize it's no wonder the country's tagline is Beautiful By Nature. There are more than 25 national parks, nature reserves, and sanctuaries to explore.
From the roaring horns and beating drums of Junkanoo to the quick rhythm of ripsaw and rake n’ scrape, there’s an interesting music culture and a range of traditional sounds that you can experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
On Providenciales, you can also hear live music just about every night of the week, from rock to funk, soul, and reggae.
The entertainment and nightlife scene is far smaller than what you’ll find on other Caribbean islands, but there’s almost always something to do when the sun sets. Experience the nightclubs and lounges, a sunset sail, the casino, or a mouth-watering beach BBQ at night.
Looking for something to do during the day? Spend an afternoon at one of the popular floating bars.
