Turks & Caicos Overview- Turks & Caicos Vacation Packages

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.

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).

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