Turks and Caicos is a stunning tropical archipelago filled with renowned, pristine beaches and is inarguably one of the most beautiful places on earth with a relaxed, uncrowded vibe. Its crystal blue waters are warm year-round thanks to the third largest barrier reef in the world, showcasing stoplight parrot fish, queen angelfish, snappers queen triggerfish, black durgons, filefish, damselfish, trumpetfish, blue tangs, wrasse, jacks, and butterflyfish plus a variety of turtles, sharks and sting rays. You can even catch Humpback whales migrating past Turks and Caicos from January to April. Turks and Caicos are filled with pirate lore and history and even shipwrecks to which you can dive along with other sites that are within protected nature reserves and national parks. Get scuba certified here and try night diving with sting rays too!
Located just 575 miles southeast of Miami, Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory with a population of about 30,000 spread over 9 inhabited islands, around 100 named islands and cays, and 400 miles of coastline. It has one of the lowest annual rainfall averages in the region and great weather: 350 sunny days a year with daily average temperatures around 75 in winter and 82 in summer. English is the official language, and USD is used here too.
All major North American airlines travel to Turks and Caicos year-round with direct flights from seven major US cities. Miami is under two hours away; New York, Charlotte, Boston, and Philadelphia are less than four hours, and Chicago is just over four hours away. People travel halfway across the world for incredible barrier reefs and beaches, when nearby Turks and Caicos rivals all others. I recommend staying 5-10 days and splitting your time between two locations like Grace Bay and Parrot Cay, for example, for a combination of main beaches and more remote exploration. I hope you enjoy this guide to discovering your own Turks and Caicos paradise!
Start in Providenciales
Locally known as "Provo" in the northwest Caicos Islands, here you'll find the main international airport, and expansive Grace Bay Beach, a famous water sports hub with exceptional resorts, shops, and restaurants, plus snorkeling and world-class diving are available in the nearby reefs. On your first or second day, take a private, customizable catamaran tour to all the best locations with highly trained local guides. Embark on a full-day adventure to Ambergris Cay, Dickish Cay, Joe Grants Cay, and South or East Caicos to visit uninhabited and unspoiled locations where wildlife reigns; experience snorkeling, bird watching, and encounters with marine life like the humpback whale migration for a safari on the sea. Equipment, food, beverages, and other preferences are included for up to 15 guests on your fully staffed and catered catamaran. Take your lunch as a picnic out on a sandbar and see the most exclusive spots far away from any tourists.
Parrot Cay
Parrot Cay is a private island about 50 minutes away from Provo by speed boat, and it contains about 1,000 acres of land and mile-long beaches. It was originally named Pirate Cay because of a local legend that famous female pirate Anne Bonny camped here in the 1720s. It was renamed Parrot Cay to not frighten visitors! Great activities here include kayak nature safaris, fishing charters, biking, diving, North Caicos green island eco tour and remote beaches that no one else can reach - unless you book a stay here through Nine Muses Travel, that is!
Dining and culinary experiences
Turks and Caicos is an up and coming culinary hot spot in the Caribbean, and an exciting destination for foodies. Providenciales supports a vibrant gourmet scene, with over sixty restaurant options. Highly recommended eateries with fresh seafood can be found on Grand Turks, Salt Cay, North and Middle Caicos. A popular excursion is deep sea sport fishing, where you can have restaurants prepare your catch for a meal. What might be on the end of your line? Yellowfin, bluefin, blackfin and skipjack tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and mackerel all make a delicious meal. We can arrange reservations to some of the top restaurants like Coco Bistro and even plan your trip around food festivals like the Conch Festival. With more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, from high end to conch shack, you can find any kind of food on all the main islands plus top notch chefs at all the resorts. Foodie paradise!
Exploring the offshore islands - North & Middle Caicos
Take a thrilling 30-minute boat ride through the archipelago of the Caicos Cays to North Caicos, and explore the Conch Bar Caves system that nature lovers will especially enjoy. Head to Mudjin Harbor for views of the pristine Atlantic coastline before lunch at a local café showcasing fresh-caught snapper, conch, and vegetarian options. You'll have time to admire the beautiful pink flocks at Flamingo Pond.
Northwest Point National Park
Northwest Point is a highly scenic coastal environment at the northeastern point of Providenciales, and it includes two protected areas. The first is Northwest Point Marine National Park, which includes a significant region of the ocean and coast up to the high tide point; its pristine reefs offer a vibrant underwater wonderland for divers and snorkelers. The other is the Northwest Pond Nature Reserve, an island marine wetland system of two ponds and underwater caves. These are remote spots where you truly feel away from it all.
Learning about the local reefs
Engage with a marine biologist for an insight into the beauty and balance of the underseas ecosystem. You'll get a crash course in marine biology, learning how coral is the cornerstone of ocean life.
Turks & Caicos Resorts & Villas
Amanyara on Providenciales is the perfect place to stay for exploring the national parks in the northwest. Offering standalone villas and pavilions, it's secluded, private, and good for couples as well as families. A short drive from PLS airport, it's a stunning property with extraordinary reefs and sea wall formations and an incredible spa encompassing four treatment pavilions, a relaxation pavilion, and an outdoor yoga space. You can participate in nature discovery and eco tours and programs for sports and creative arts here too. Amanyara won the top honeymoon award of Brides magazine!
COMO Parrot Cay is an award-winning luxury resort set on its own private island and 1,000 unspoiled acres and over four miles of beach. 75 sun-drenched rooms, suites, and villas are reached at Parrot Cay by private boat, and your airport transfer can bring you right to the boat dock. You'll have your own island to explore while enjoying a more bohemian, barefoot luxury vibe. World-class cuisine, yoga, diving, holistic spa treatments, and miles of perfect beaches make this feel like your own little world, and many choose to not leave Parrot Cay and its water sports, diving, adults-only pool plus great family-friendly accommodations and activities.
The Palms Turks and Caicos is just steps away from the white sands and sapphire waters of Grace Bay on Providenciales. Its 72 rooms offer a more boutique experience at a property where they touch up the paint between every guest, making it always feel new. It's located in a busier area with more dining and nightlife while still offering beautiful and quiet beaches.
The Shore Club was the first resort on Turks and Caicos' unspoiled Long Bay Beach, on the southern end of Providenciales. Its 106 rooms with multibed units are perfect for families.
Wymara Resort and Villas is a boutique beachfront retreat where every room has stunning ocean views overlooking Grace Bay on Providenciales. You'll find a more hip, modern vibe here with newly renovated. 4-5 bed villas with their own docks.
Grace Bay Club is the first all-suites resort in Turks and Caicos and is on Providenciales at Grace Bay Beach. A meal package can be added for this beachfront destination which has three distinct offerings: The Hotel (adults only), The Villas Suites (all ages), and the exclusive, uber-luxe resort within a resort, The Estate (4-5 bedroom residences).
Exclusive Virtuoso Hotel Amenities for Nine Muses Travel
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Breakfast daily, for two guests per bedroom
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
VIP treatment, bonus amenities & more!
Turks and Caicos Highlights
Caribbean food tour of local restaurants
Private stargazing experience
Luxury yacht or catamaran day charter to discover private islands
Private speedboat and stand up paddle full-day, customizable adventure with lunch
Gibb's Cay stingray snorkel on Grand Turk
Deep sea fishing charter
Jet ski excursion
Kayak eco-tour through mangroves
ATV island adventure to beach shacks, caves, secluded beaches
Wall reef or shipwreck scuba diving expedition
Horseback beach ride and swim
Private kite surfing lesson
Wake boarding adventure
Nine Muses Travel works with exceptional tour operators who add unparalleled value for my clients.
Expert guides for private tours: historians, naturalists, artists, unique locals
Exclusive experiences
Custom-designed routings
24/7 real-time support
Competitive rates at sought-after properties with strict health and safety protocols
Deep destination knowledge
Flexible and worry-free cancellation and change policies
Contact Nine Muses Travel when you're ready for a quick flight to paradise at Turks and Caicos and to learn more about me and what I can do for you!
I design journeys that inspire by highlighting local arts and culture, history, and cuisine for intellectually curious clients longing to feel deeply inspired by exciting destinations, culinary delights, and authentic cultural experiences on a life-changing, joyful journey of discovery.
Danielle Dybiec
Founder & President