Providenciales Half-Day & Full-Day Boat Tours
If there’s one activity you won’t want to miss on your vacation, it’s a boat cruise in the clear waters off Providenciales. There’s a wealth of amazing attractions nearby catering to a variety of interests, whether you want to see endangered iguanas, laze about on soft beaches, or simply enjoy a trip along the coast.
Half-day and full-day boat tours are one of the most popular ways to spend a day on the water. Many companies offer these public boat trips several days per week, so there’s almost always a shared cruise to join on any given day.
Popular Destinations
The vast majority of half-day and full-day Turks and Caicos boat tours visit the 9-mile (14.5 km) string of small cays and islands between Providenciales and North Caicos, an area known as the Caicos Cays. The itinerary for these shared trips typically consists of a cruise along the water, a snorkeling stop, and a visit to one or two beaches in the area.
Common stops include Little Water Cay (Iguana Island), Water Cay, and Half Moon Bay (and for snorkeling, Leeward Reef).
On the south side of Providenciales, the beaches of Silly Cay, Split Rock and Pirate’s Cove at West Harbour Bluff, and the shallow fringe reefs are the primary attractions.
The Caicos Cays itinerary is the most popular for half-day and full-day boat tours, as it generally offers better snorkeling and the chance to see Turks and Caicos rock iguanas. The south coast is a quieter alternative with beautiful hidden beaches, some of which are only accessible by boat.
Cost
Boat tours in the Turks and Caicos are offered as either private charters or shared half-day and full-day cruises.
Shared excursions are popular for several reasons. Not only do they visit many of the same beaches and reefs as the private charter companies, but—in general—they offer a great experience at sea for a much lower cost.
The standard per-person price of a shared cruise varies by company, but it’s common to pay around $150 for a half-day boat tour and $275 for a full-day boat tour (2025 prices). Most companies offer a discounted rate for children.
While prices are typically consistent year-round, some boats offer discounts during the low season months of September and October.
Vessels and Ambiances
More than a dozen different businesses offer shared boat tours, each with their own schedules and features. Most cruises tend to visit the same sites, but each tour (and vessel) has its own ambiance.
The catamaran powerboats usually play music and have more of a party vibe that’s geared towards adults. Many of these boats have a second level and a slide you can use when the boat is anchored.
Generally, the sailing excursions are a more laid-back affair and are better-suited to families. Some of the catamaran powerboat trips aren’t very family-friendly (namely, trips that play very loud music and serve large amounts of alcohol).
Half-Day Boat Tours
There’s plenty to see and do on a half-day boat tour around Providenciales. The standard half-day cruise is about four hours long, which gives you enough time to go snorkeling along the vibrant Leeward Reef off northern Providenciales, see iguanas at Little Water Cay, and explore the tranquil beach and lagoon of Half Moon Bay.
Morning or afternoon boat excursions from Providenciales are offered aboard a variety of vessels, from expansive sailboats to two-level power catamarans with water slides and trampolines.
Half-day boat trips on Providenciales usually include refreshments, a light lunch, snorkeling gear, and rum punch (often only served after snorkeling). Some companies also offer complimentary pickup from your hotel or resort or directly from Grace Bay Beach.
Full-Day Boat Tours
If you want to spend as much time snorkeling, island-hopping, and cruising the coast as possible, it’s best to book a full-day boat tour.
Like half-day boat tours, full-day boat tours typically include refreshments (such as soda, water, beer, and rum punch) and snorkeling gear, as well as a full lunch. Some full-day excursions are centered around a beach BBQ, where your crew prepares a delicious spread that can include fresh fish, the local delicacy of conch, and BBQ meat on the beach.
Sunset Cruises and Sails
Come late afternoon, several companies offer a shared sunset sail with rum punch, refreshments, and music that sets the mood for a serene trip along the coast. These cruises don’t include swimming or stops at beaches or cays, but usually simply navigate along the north shore of Providenciales and Leeward area.
Shared sunset tours are typically around two hours long and start at $80 per person, inclusive of refreshments.
Glowworm Sunset Cruises
If your visit coincides with a full moon, consider booking a glowworm cruise. These trips are the best way to see the magical displays of the phosphorescent glowworms that dwell in the country’s shallow banks.
For a few days before and after a full moon, these small marine worms wiggle to the surface to mate. The result is a glimmering green display of flashes and sparks that are beautiful to witness.
Glowworm tours typically depart from the Leeward area of Providenciales, where the glowworms are known to shine bright. The typical duration of a glowworm cruise is two hours, and cost per person starts at $80.
Shared Fishing Charters
Most fishing excursions in the Turks and Caicos are private charters. However, local company Seaside Tours runs a shared half-day fishing charter once per week, where you can fish for reef species like jacks, snapper, and grouper with other anglers. The four-hour tour includes gear, bait, refreshments, and light lunch, and requires a minimum of four people to run.
Local Businesses
