Turks & Caicos Islands Overview

Turks & Caicos National Museum

A look into the rich history of the Caribbean: museum featuring fragments of a wrecked Spanish sailing ship from the early 1500s.

Attraction type: History museum

The Turks and Caicos consist of 40 different islands and cays in the British West Indies, only 8 of which are inhabited. The islands of the Turks and Caicos are almost as diverse as its people. From the main tourist center of Providenciales to the quiet and tranquil islands of North and Middle Caicos to the historic Capital Island of Grand Turk; each one offers a different experience and a unique character but all offer year round great climate, beaches and underwater activities.

The only true way to experience the Turks and Caicos Islands is to experience each island in the entire chain. This is probably why most of the visitors come back to the Turks and Caicos on a regular basis. You can read about each of the islands here and maybe pick a few to see on your vacation either for daytrips, or longer stays.

Most of the islands are only about 10 to 25 minutes by air from Provo and most can be reached by boat, too. There are also regular ferries from North to Middle Caicos.

And at only an hour's flight from major hubs like Miami, getting here is easy. Staying on the islands of Turks-Caicos is even easier - you can rent or buy RCI-affiliated timeshare nearly everywhere you like. Try staying on Grand Turk one year and the next try one of the more peaceful middle islands. All of the islands are unique and offer visitors the chance to vacation in fantastical beauty.

NILA Destinations - Turks and Caicos Vacation Planner - Complete source of vacation planning for individual travel and group travel. Planning suggestions & personalized programs.Lots of detailed information including weddings, excursions, activities, hotels, pictures and links.

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Providenciales is the most well known of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is the center of the tourism industry with a wide range of hotels, restaurants, attractions and facilities.

Grand Turk and Salt Cay offer a glimpse into Caribbean history with great Bermudian architecture and a rustic charm as well as some of the best diving and probably the most "relaxing" time you will ever have. Grand Turk is also home to a brand new cruise ship center.

Middle Caicos and North Caicos represent the best of the environment, with lush green woodlands, the biggest cave network in the Caribbean on Middle Caicos, cottage pond and flamingo pond in North Caicos and a vast range of plant life and birdlife. North Caicos is also an up and coming resort destination with several new projects under development.

South Caicos is the center for fishing, with lobster and conch exported from the islands, the historic Cockburn harbor and the natural phenomenon of the boiling hole. This small yet friendly island offers many secluded beaches with awe inspiring views of the turquoise waters and surrounding islands.

Parrot Cay and Pine Cay are privately owned islands and are home to the most exclusive resorts Parrot Cay Resort and Spa and the Meridian Club.

There is also development underway in previously uninhabited West Caicos (future home of a Ritz Carlton hotel and community), Ambergris Cay (site of the exclusive Turks and Caicos Sporting Club), and Dellis Cay (where a major lifestyle resort to be run by The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has just been announced).

Casablanca Casino, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales

Opening times: 7pm to 5am daily (with extended hours to be in effect during peak season)
Games to play: Slot machines (85); Live table games (12): Blackjack, American Roulette, Poker (both Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold 'Em), Craps, and Baccarat (Punto Banco).
Facilities: The Casablanca Lounge and Bar located inside the casino offers a variety of distinctive cocktails and wines as well as both bottled and draft beers. Free transportation to and from the casino for guests of any hotel or resort on Providenciales.
Remarks: The Casablanca Casino is Providenciales' only live casino, featuring several live gaming tables and the Casablanca Lounge and Bar, opened on the 19th of June, 2007

JoJo the Dolphin

JoJo is a unique Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin that has been living and playing in the shallow waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the West Indies since 1980. He is one of the few dolphins around the world that voluntarily interacts with human beings in his own natural habitat. Much loved by the islanders, the government has proclaimed JoJo a National Treasure, with a specially appointed warden to protect him. The friendly dolphin has become a powerful symbol for nature conservation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sparsely populated and so far unspoiled, the islands and their turquoise waters are a unique haven for wildlife. Marine Turtles, migrating whales, schools of wild dolphins and a variety of rare birds are found in the area. Seeing so many tropical islands ruined by careless development, the government has recently committed itself to the path of ' eco - tourism' in an effort to protect the Country's fragile natural heritage. The small island nation has already established 27 national parks and protected areas, in an effort to safeguard its pristine shores and coral reefs

Bird Watching

The salt ponds and inland marshes serve as excellent feeding grounds for resident and migratory birds. Search for Great Blue Herons, Flamingos, Osprey and Pelicans alongside Egrets, Terns, Frigates, Boobies and other water birds. As part of the National Parks system more than twelve small cays have been set aside and protected for breeding grounds. 170 species of bird can be found in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Pelicans and Flamingos to Osprey and Cuban Crows. The variety is staggering and the photographs that have been taken here have been published across the world. On North Caicos in particular the tidal flats on the South side of the island attract scores of birds including wild Pink Flamingos that regularly inhabit the aptly named Flamingo Pond.

Turks and Caicos also is home to the West Indian Whistling-Duck, a rare bird that gets its name from a distinctive whistling call.

Even in the winter, the temperatures on the island remain quite warm at about 80 or 85°F (27-29°C), with the water being only slightly cooler at 75°F (24°C). However, thanks to the moderating influence of the Caribbean Sea and constantly circulating trade winds, the temperature rarely goes above the mid-90s Fahrenehit (35°C) even in the late summer, when the water is just over 80°F (27°C). The islands get a moderate rainfall of about 40 inches (100cm) per year, which means plenty of sunshine. However, the months of June through October constitute hurricane season, which can get quite severe in this area due to a lack of surrounding land to slow down the winds. Therefore, it is probably best to visit outside of these months; some tropical storms may still develop between November and May, but these are much milder and more infrequent.

No matter when you go, you will rarely need anything more than summer clothes and a light jacket for chillier evenings. Most restaurants do not require formal dress, so there is no need to bring anything formal, since it will probably be too hot to wear. The sun does shine down quite intensely on this tropical region, though, so sunblock and a hat are always a good idea.

SNUBA Turks and Caicos

SNUBA-Go beyond snorkeling.....Designed for families, children ages 8 and older and seniors. Go diving without the hassle of wearing all the dive equipment or pool courses that use up your valuable vacation time. Dive right away and see turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, lobster, tons of fish and of course the spectacular coral.

Attraction type: Specialty shop

Big Blue Unlimited

Try taking one of the kayaking ecotours during your visit. They pick you up and dropped you off at your hotel promptly. Kayaks are good quality and are in good shape. This is a good full tour by...

Attraction type: Group tour/boat

The main casino of the Turks and Caicos Islands is located on Providenciales, or"Provo," which is the country's main tourist hub. Provo is the most well-known of the little islands that make up the Turks and Caicos, and here travelers will find various forms of entertainment and attractions, as well as top-notch restaurants and an array of accommodations options. The Turks and Caicos Islands aren't particularly known for their exciting casino gambling, but if you want to include gaming action in your vacation, you may enjoy visiting the one major casino in this region.

Avantair, Inc. Adds Turks and Caicos to Its Primary Service Area

CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 11, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avantair, Inc. (OTCBB:AAIR) (OTCBB:AAIRU) (OTCBB:AAIRW), the only publicly traded stand-alone fractional operator and the sole North American provider of fractional shares in the Piaggio Avanti P.180 aircraft, announced today that it has added the Turks and Caicos Islands to its Primary Service Area. This allows fractional owners in the Avantair program to fly to and from this frequently visited destination without incurring repositioning fees.

Steven Santo, Avantair's Chief Executive Officer commented, "Turks and Caicos is a popular destination for our customers and the decision to include it in our Primary Service Area has been well received."

The Turks and Caicos Islands compliment Avantair's existing Primary Service Area, which includes the continental United States, locations 200 miles into Canada and select airports in Mexico and the Bahamas.

"The expansion of our Primary Service Area provides additional travel options and advantages to our existing fractional owner base as well as appeals to new travelers," said Avantair's Senior Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Matthew Doyle. "We are pleased to provide this service for our fractional owners and Edge card members and continue to develop enhanced services to add value to our program."

Turks And Caicos Travel – A New Experience

By Sarah White

Pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise water and near perfect weather are just a few reasons you might consider Turks and Caicos travel, a different experience from your typical Caribbean destinations. The natives to these islands are known for their friendly spirits; they will ensure a vacation that entails a truly relaxing and comfortable stay. If you are looking to de-stress from the pressures of daily living, look no further.

These beautiful islands are home to the third largest coral reef system and some of the best tropical beaches in the world. With over 230 miles of beaches, Turks and Caicos is a premier destination for family vacations, adventure seekers, ecotourism and of course for romance. An ideal location for diving and snorkelling, it is considered to be one of the top 10 in the world. Perhaps this is just one of the reasons why over 60% of visitors choose to keep returning to the incredible beaches Turks and Caicos offer.

The weather is very consistent; it is hot, sunny and rarely experiences rain. October and November are the wettest months of the year and by Caribbean standards, it is not really that wet at all! Of the 40 different islands, only 8 of them are still inhabited. A great way to truly experience the Turks and Caicos Islands, is to visit each island in the chain. Most of the islands are only about 10-25 minutes by air from Providenciales and most can be reached by boat as well.

Providenciales, or more commonly known as “Provo,” is the most developed island in Turks and Caicos. Found on the west side of the islands, it offers all the modern conveniences and is the most populated, while remaining a destination for those looking to escape their busy lives and relax. You can find a full service grocery store, a casino, retail shops, a golf club and offers a wide choice of Providenciales hotel and resort accommodations. One of the most beautiful beaches Turks and Caicos has to offer, Grace Bay, can also be found here.

North Caicos is the lushest of all the islands and boasts the largest flock of Pink Flamingo on the islands. Here you will find Whitby Beach, a 7 mile stretch of white sands that covers most of the northern coast. North Caicos is also home to the famous Three Mary’s Cays where you can go snorkelling to find a huge Osprey Nest on the third Cay.

Grand Turk is the capitol island that features historical buildings and an unforgettable rustic charm. One of the main attractions of Grand Turk is diving. There are many dive operators and schools that cater from novice snorkels to experienced divers. Here you will find an incredible protected coral reef that drops to 8000 feet and is close enough to shore for beach dives. One of the most popular excursions just off Grand Turk is Gibbs Cay. It is an uninhabited island that is perfect for a picnic on the beach and offers you a chance to feed the beautiful stingrays that swim right up to the shore!

No matter what you are looking for from your Turks and Caicos travel, you are sure to find it among the incredible beaches and resorts that are found here. From diving excursions to fun in the sun, the friendliness and warmth found here on the islands is unparalleled. Your vacation dreams are sure to be found amongst the islands of Turks and Caicos.

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