The Caribbean is world famous for its beautiful scenery and crystal clear waters. While you may have heard about Grand Cayman or Aruba, we have another idea for you. If you’re looking for an adventurous Caribbean trip, try these Turks and Caicos tips.
Guest contributor, Brette Sember, is taking us on an incredible Providenciales vacation in Turks and Caicos. You’ll definitely find paradise combined with lots of fun!
Whether your perfect tropical getaway is time at the beach or pool with a cold drink or water sports and active exploring, Provo (as those in the know call Providenciales) serves it all to the boomer traveler.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is just the right size
The best thing about Provo is that it’s not too big and not too little—it’s just right. At only 23 miles long, it’s small enough that you can actually see everything in a four- or five-day, visit but big enough that you won’t feel bored.
Most Providenciales hotels and resorts are clustered in the five-mile area of Grace Bay which is consistently named the best beach in the world. With powder soft sands, virtually no shells, stunning turquoise water, a long swath of bay that is perfect for long walks, and resorts that are spaced well, the beach lives up to the hype.
Choose luxury and relaxation in Turks and Caicos
If you’re going to the best beach in the world, you want a comfortable, pampered way to enjoy it. The Grace Bay Club was the perfect fit for us.
They offer an adults-only section and accompanying pool, personal concierges, spa, comfy cushioned pool and beach loungers with umbrellas, spacious rooms, the longest beachside bar in the Caribbean, plus lots of amenities that will get you moving.
Play on the beach at Grace Bay
The Grace Bay Club provides complimentary stand-up paddleboards, one and two-person kayaks, hobie cats, and snorkel gear for beach time fun. When you’re ready for an excursion, it’s one of the few pick up points on the entire bay for water adventures like parasailing, snorkel trips, or booze cruises.
If you’ve never tried parasailing, Provo is the perfect place.
The boat takes you out right in the bay and gently raises you into the sky where you’ll float above the crystal clear water (look for fish!) and get a bird’s eye view of the entire island. For extra beach fun, head to Potcake Place, the island animal rescue, and take one of their dogs for a walk on the beach.
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Sleep on the beach
When you just want to relax, this is a beach worth sitting (or sleeping) on. There’s a gentle breeze, comfy chairs, and enough space to feel alone.
Bonus: if you’re on the beach around 11 a.m., flag down the gelato man. “Homemade gelato!” he shouts in an Italian accent as he pulls his cooler full of amazing flavors.
Too lazy for that? Pool and beach chair service is one of the amenities at the Grace Bay Club.
Get some wheels to discover Providenciales
Many guests do not rent a car on Provo since everything in the resort area is so close. Grace Bay Club has complimentary bikes, which are perfect for pedaling to Grace Bay Gourmet, where you can stock up on snacks, picnic food, and more, or to the handful of shops.
Don’t miss Anna’s Art Gallery and Anna’s Too as well as the Driftwood Studio, Serene by Mel B and a few typical Caribbean jewelry shops.
You can bike to many restaurants since most are clustered in Grace Bay. Coco Bistro is the most popular spot (reserve before you even get to the island). Grace’s Cottage is a charming restaurant set in a tropical enchanted forest with a gazebo and fairy lights.
See the other sides of Turks and Caicos
If you’re able to tear yourself away from the gorgeous view, there are other areas you need to visit. You’ll need a car or a cab to get there.
First, head to the Caicos Conch Farm. Conch is an eponymous island food (be sure to enjoy some cracked conch or conch chowder during your stay: Da Conch Shack is the place) but the Caribbean Queen Conch is rapidly being fished out and may become endangered (for this reason Turks and Caicos has restrictions on how much conch shell you can take out of the country).
The Caicos Conch Farm is working to make conch sustainable by farming. During your visit, you’ll get to see conch at different stages of development, touch an adult living conch (you won’t believe how long its tongue is) and also learn about other types of fish farming. If you want to buy conch shell, do so in their gift shop so you know it is sustainably raised.
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Go wild at Northwest Point National Park
Next, head to the west end of Turks and Caicos to Northwest Point National Park. The one-lane dirt and sand road is an adventure and you’ll end up parking by pulling off into the brush, but it’s worth the rugged arrival.
This beach feels completely untouched and wild and is an excellent place to hike if you like the challenge of a rocky shore. It’s not great for swimming due to the rocks and rough water, but it’s an incredibly beautiful place to explore on shore.
See the sound at Chalk Sound National Park
To hit the south side of the island, head to Chalk Sound National Park. This almost completely enclosed lagoon (there is one outlet to the ocean) is a smooth, iridescent turquoise paradise for kayakers and paddleboarders since no power boats are permitted. Rent equipment at Las Brisas restaurant and head out onto the gorgeous sound where you can spot bonefish and barracudas.
If you’re looking for boomer adventure on Turks and Caicos, Providenciales is the perfect combination of active lifestyle, luxury and relaxation.
Discover more boomer travel fun in the Caribbean
With so many islands in the Caribbean, how do you sort out all of the adventure opportunities? Start here:
- Visit colorful Curacao
- Experience active travel on Grand Cayman
- Explore beautiful Aruba
- Enjoy an active afternoon in St. Lucia
