How to Plan an Amazing Trip to Turks & Caicos
Going to leave the country, gonna see a lot of a beaches. Dozens of beaches. Beaches for me.
In 2022, I spotted an incredible deal for flights to Turks & Caicos for less than $300, so naturally, we booked our tickets and never looked back! Megan and I had never been to the Caribbean before, and I thought this would be a great place to go for her birthday. We had a great time exploring Providenciales (also known as Provo), the most populated island in the Turks and Caicos (T&C) archipelago. The vibe in T&C is much more relaxed than, let's say, Cancun— the locals don't mind helping outsiders have a good time by not taking themselves too seriously. That being said, the areas outside of the hotel or resort zones can feel pretty gritty. There were certain parts of the island that felt very poor and industrial, with trash bags and packs of stray dogs lining the sides of the roads in more underdeveloped areas. If this bothers you or makes you feel unsafe (which it never did for us), I would recommend getting a taxi or ground transportation directly from the airport to your resort. For what it's worth, we found the locals to be very friendly, fun to be around, and proud of their home. I've put together some helpful tips for exploring the island and getting the most out of your trip to Provo!
How long should I stay in Turks & Caicos?
Because there were no direct flights to T&C (coming from the Midwest), we had to spend at least half a day getting to the island, getting a rental car, etc. I think you should spend no fewer than three full days in Provo. We ended up going for the perfect amount of time—from Thursday to Sunday. If we had another full day, I would have probably added more beach time at Grace Bay. Four to six days is really all you need for a quick island getaway. If you really need to unplug and recharge, I think a full week for your first time on the island(s) is a good start. There are tons of great places to visit in the Caribbean, but you can squeeze a lot of relaxation into seven full days. Trust us, we've tried ;)
How do I get to Turks & Caicos?
The T&C airport is like your legroom on a economy flight on Frontier Airlines: tiny and cramped.
We ended up having a longer travel day since there are no direct flights from St. Louis International Airport. That being said, there are tons of direct flights from major cities along the eastern seaboard, including Miami, Atlanta, New York, etc. The airport in Providenciales is very small compared to most domestic airports and can get very cramped (and at times, tense) during peak travel times. We experienced this on our way home, where we could barely find a place to sit while we waited to board, and there was little to no airflow in the terminal on an 80+ degree day. Nerves were high! Either way, Provo is very accessible from most of the U.S. and is definitely a great place to visit if you truly want to relax and enjoy some of the world's best beaches. Both of us were blown away by how truly picturesque all of the beaches we visited were: white sands, gentle waves, beautiful shades of blue, and crystal clear. If you can't get enough beach time on your vacation, I HIGHLY recommend adding Turks & Caicos to your bucket list.
Where should I stay in Turks & Caicos?
This was the view from our awesome 2nd floor patio at the Airbnb we stayed at in T&C. While we didn’t have any beachfront, we ended up saving some money on this unit and were very close to the grocery store and other amenities.
This totally depends on what kind of experience you want to have while in T&C. There are going to be some people who love the convenience and familiarity of a resort—don't fret—Provo has tons of very nice beachfront resorts—ranging from large, family-friendly all-inclusives to romantic boutique hotels. We opted for an Airbnb to have a little more privacy and flexibility, and it turned out to be more cost-effective than getting a hotel. We wanted to explore the island rather than staying in any one particular area, so we rented a small car, and the Airbnb we rented offered free parking. I really don't think you could go wrong with either option; it just comes down to personal preference! Another benefit of getting an Airbnb or vacation rental was that we were able to buy groceries. Something to know about staying in T&C that you might not realize is that it is extremely expensive. As you can imagine, getting supplies to the island requires a lot of logistics, which carries an expensive upcharge on everything from gas to booze to cereal (all the necessities). We really enjoyed waking up to the sound of the ocean outside our window, making a homemade breakfast, and enjoying a peaceful meal and coffee on our patio overlooking the island.
Breakfast of champions prepared by moi. Definitely worth splurging for some fresh mango!
It’s also worth checking your vacation rental for some additional amenities that may prove valuable during your stay. Ours provided us a small cooler which we used to keep our drinks cool during beach days as well as two beach chairs and an umbrella. Some of the more popular beaches will charge upwards of $25 per person for these items to rent so it definitely saved us some money in the long run. We never used these given how long it would have taken us to ride to some of the more popular sections of the island but we also had access to two old-school cruiser bikes! While the island isn’t massive, there is a bit of choice as to where to stay during your stay. We opted to stay just outside of Grace Bay near the Bight Settlement—this was incredibly convenient for us as the largest grocery store on the island (IGA) was less than a 2-minute car ride away. Grace Bay, arguably the most popular beach on the island and one of the nicest beaches in the world, was less than a 10-minute drive away from our vacation rental. For a first-timer, I don’t think you can go wrong getting a place near or on Grace Bay, especially given the proximity to local shops and restaurants.
How do I get around Provo?
If you plan to be mobile during your trip (e.g., not just staying in a hotel and enjoying the same beach day after day), I highly recommend renting a car. You can hail taxis, but they aren't cheap, although you do have the benefit of not having to get acquainted with driving on the left side of the road. We ended up taking a shuttle from the airport to the car rental counter, which was less than a five-minute drive. Many cars on the island are from Japanese automakers, although it is possible to rent right-hand drive vehicles if you look hard enough. Some private rental companies offer more 'fun' vehicle options (like a Jeep Wrangler), but these are very popular and sell out quickly.
"If you do decide to rent a car, please only do so if you are willing to endure a bit of a learning curve in getting used to driving on the left side of the road. Everything is opposite to what you're used to, from the merge lanes to the controls in the car, etc. There are also a LOT of roundabouts along the major highways, which adds another layer of complexity. It took me about a day to feel fully comfortable in the car, and I had some close calls in traffic. Just remember to think, take it slow, and if/when you feel overwhelmed, find a safe place to pull over and gather yourself before continuing on.
Another point I'll mention regarding car selection is that if you want to explore the more remote parts of the island, which are only accessible by dirt or rock roads, I highly recommend getting a high-clearance/4x4 vehicle. When we headed west to explore Malcolm beach, I was really worried that our little Suzuki wouldn't be able to make it. Several times, I apologized to Megan for putting us in such a precarious situation, and luckily, we didn't get stuck trying to navigate some massive gaps and imperfections in the road (if you can even call it that). If you're brave enough to go the rental car route, exploring the island on your own terms is a special experience that only a subset of T&C travelers get to enjoy. We loved having the freedom to explore and visit different parts of the island during our trip!"
What should I do in Turks & Caicos?
There's no harm in immersing yourself in the 'island life' and maximizing beach time in T&C, given the sheer variety and quality of beaches on Provo. That being said, if you're up for exploring, there's plenty to do to keep you occupied even if you're only spending a few days on the island. T&C really forced me to relax, considering how active I usually am on vacation. There aren't many quality hiking trails on the island, nor are there many cultural activities or institutions like museums. Where T&C truly shines is in its beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and other water-based activities.
Apart from spending time at the beach, there are some cultural activities to add to your list if you can manage. We visited the Thursday Night Fish Fry (5:30 pm to 9:30 pm), which has relocated from Bight Park to a large parking lot near Mr. Grouper's restaurant. There are plenty of street vendors who sell traditional T&C cuisine, drinks, as well as local art, jewelry, souvenirs, and trinkets. Later in the evening, they brought out a live band, which was a lot of fun, especially with some audience participation!
At the Thursday Night Fish Fry you can grab food and drinks from local vendors and enjoy some live music. Try to get there early to grab a parking spot because it gets full quickly!
The other highlight of our trip was booking a half-day snorkeling experience out of Grace Bay. Before our trip, I had read many great reviews about how awesome the snorkeling was in the area, and it didn't disappoint. Our boat was pretty full—we ended up going with about 20 people—but we still had a really fun time. The experience included sandwiches (no James Beard awards here) and drinks (the rum punch was quite tasty and was only served after everyone finished snorkeling). The boat took us to several popular snorkeling spots, and the company that ran the tour even provided us with snorkeling equipment to borrow (masks and fins), even though we had brought our own.
Once we were anchored, those who were interested in swimming off the boat were provided with equipment, given some safety directions, and informed about where to swim to see the most coral and underwater wildlife. While there are some great snorkeling spots near Provo beachfront, it felt really cool and unique to find a spot seemingly in the middle of the ocean. Both Megan and I had a magical snorkeling experience in Croatia during our honeymoon, so it was fun to relive some of that experience in T&C. We never felt rushed, and after about 45 minutes in the water, we continued on to Half Moon Bay/Iguana Island for some more beach time and to see some large lizards.
These iguanas near Half Moon Bay were unbothered by humans and enjoyed soaking up sun. Avoid any temptation to feed them, touch them, or pack them in your carry-on luggage.
If you aren’t an activity person on vacation, then beach it up! I put together a quick guide to help you figure out where to kick back and relax on the island 🏝️ . You really can’t go wrong with any of them!
What are the best beaches to visit in Turks & Caicos?
There are so many beaches to choose from in T&C and picking a favorite totally depends on what you’re looking for and what type of vibe you enjoy. Here’s our guide to the beaches we visited:
Best All Around Beach in Turks & Caicos for Lounging: Grace Bay Beach
Is it technically a beach vacation if you don’t post a photo of your feet near water?
There’s a reason that so many publications call Grace Bay the #1 Beach in the World. It stretches for miles and miles and shares a coastline with some very nice resorts, hotels, and condos. The sand is some of the whitest I’ve ever seen and the water boasts some shades of blue and green I didn’t think were possible in nature. You absolutely have to visit Grace Bay on your first time to T&C; there are a ton of restaurants and bars nearby and it’s super convenient if you’re staying at one of the nearby resorts. That being said, Grace Bay is very popular so it can be difficult to get a nice spot during peak vacation times or if you’re looking for more of a private and natural experience. Grace Bay is probably the most developed part of the island in terms of amenities, safety, etc.
Best Beach for Families: Sapodilla Bay Beach
Sapodilla Bay is perfect for families. Maybe next time we’ll bring our LO ;)
While we really enjoyed spending time at Grace Bay, Sapodilla Bay Beach felt private and removed from the hullabaloo of the main part of the island. Sapodilla Bay is about a 20-min drive from Grace Bay but is pretty accessible. We recommend getting there before 10am in the morning because there is limited parking along Chalk Sound Drive. After walking from your car down to the oceanfront, you’ll be greeted by some street vendors who renting out chairs, umbrellas, and who are also selling food and drinks. The options are fairly limited here so bring food/cooler if you can. Once we got settled, the water was so nice and shallow; you could walk away from the beach for a good 50 meters before it got significantly deeper! This is great for little ones (and even some adults who enjoy sipping drinks and relaxing without having to worry about sinking). The other downside is access to restrooms–you’ll need to go across the street (look both ways!) and head toward the hotel/restaurant near Chalk Sound called Las Brisas. We were planning on going to lunch there later anyway but we were told by some locals that we would have to pay a small fee to use those restrooms if we weren’t staying at the hotel or eating at the restaurant. Seeing the [Chalk] Sound is really cool too - it’s very quiet and you can kayak or paddleboard around the Sound if that floats your proverbial boat.
Best Natural Beach for Sunsets: Malcolm Beach
PICTURED: Man in awe of ocean. But seriously, this is a great place to watch the sunset. We had the whole beach to ourselves.
WARNING: Getting to Malcolm Beach is not for the faint of heart! Especially if you don’t have a 4x4 vehicle. It’s a little bit of a drive to get to Malcolm Beach but the views and the privacy were totally worth it. Malcolm Beach is about a 30-min drive from Grace Bay (on the northwest part of Provo) and has you venture down some very rocky roads–if you are at all worried about damaging your rental car, especially those with low clearances–don’t make the trip. Someone on TripAdvisor described it as a treachourous drive and I can’t really disagree with them. After several heartfelt apologies to my wife, we arrived at Malcolm Beach just before sunset. We set up our beach chairs and just washed wave after wave crash up against the dark, ink-colored rocks that formed the beachhead. It was truly a special moment for us and there were only a few visitors that were walking the beach when we were there. This is a great beach to visit on your way back to your hotel room and it felt very peaceful and tranquil to experience all of the elements: sand in between your toes, wind in your hair, salt water and sun on your face.
Best Beach for Snorkeling: Smith’s Reef
PRO TIP: Be sure to look for the buoys if you are interested in snorkeling near Smith’s Reef. This is helpful from a navigation perspective and you’re far less likely to get clipped by a boat, which is a great way to ruin one’s vacation.
Because we had a late flight out of T&C on our last day, we got some nice snorkeling in before we dried off, had lunch, and headed to the airport (tears were shed). Smith’s Reef is located just west of the Bight Settlement and Grace Bay on the north part of the island. Similar to Sapodilla Bay, parking was pretty limited near the entrance (if you can even call it that) to Smith’s Reef. Just plug in the address into Google Maps and it will take you to a small, meager parking lot and from there you can walk north to Smith’s Reef. Beachfront is pretty limited here and really just serves as space to lay your things out while you snorkeled. I would recommend keeping any valuables like wallets or passports in your car or hotel room if your entire party is snorkeling/swimming just to be on the safe side ;) From there, you can walk or swim about ¼ mile east from where you emerge from the parking lot to a really nice reef where you can see tons of coral, fish, and underwater creatures. There’s plenty of buoys near this area which help keep boats away and can be helpful from a navigation perspective (or if you need to catch a breath before swimming back to shore). Snorkels, goggles, fins, and an underwater camera or GoPro come in handy here, don’t leave them at home!
Where should we eat in Turks & Caicos?
Breakfast
We made breakfast every morning that we stayed on the island since we had a small kitchenette at our Airbnb. Avocado toast with scrambled eggs, sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon. And coffee for wifey, of course. We heard good things about Crest n Berry (açaí bowls), Lemons2Go, and Shay Café & Lounge; all of these places are located in Grace Bay are are very close to each other.
Something Sweet
Turkberry Frozen Yogurt ($$): I think we went there three times over four days. The employees are really nice and it reminded me of TCBY in Texas!
If you have a doubt about whether to added shredded coconut at Turkberry, DO IT.
Lunch:
Da Conch Shack ($): One of the most popular spots on the island. Not close to Grace Bay but worth the drive. Enjoy the live music, ocean views, and don’t skip on the friend conch. It’s chewy but delicious! The rum punch will knock you on your, well, you know.
Came here for to conch, stayed for the Phil Collins cover band.
The Deck ($$): Easy place to grab lunch if lounging on Grace Bay. Salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and the drinks aren’t half bad.
Las Brisas ($$): Very convenient lunch spot if you’re spending time near Sopadilla Bay. Fish sandwich and fries were incredible. Nice view of Chalk Sound.
Megan and I rarely drink Coke, but we have been known to split one on vacay. Hits different.
Best Meal
Indigo ($$$): Indigo Turks & Caicos is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant with an emphasis on fresh, sustainable ingredients. Indigo is located at the Wymara Resort near the Bight Settlement. This is where we went for Megan’s birthday and it truly felt world-class. The head chef came out to our table to greet us and suggest dishes based on our own preferences and tastes. Really special dinner, but pricey! Cool, modern ambiance, very different from a lot of the other places we tried on Provo.
Oh, you fancy now? If you have something to celebrate 🎉 in T&C, make a reservation at Indigo.
Worst Meal
Mr. Groupers ($$): I was really excited to try Mr. Groupers given all of the recommendations on Reddit and from friends. We found the entrees (I got the grouper, because obviously) to be overwhelming and the sides to be passable at best. It was also extremely loud because a student was celebrating a 10-year old birthday party and they invited what appeared to be their entire elementary school class. They were playing Van Helsing on the projector in front of the bar so just weird vibes all around.
The life said the lobster was passable. I’ve had better sides at church basement potlucks.
What was your itinerary for Turks & Caicos?
Like I mentioned before, we spent 4 days (Thursday morning through Sunday evening) in Turks & Caicos. Here’s how we spent our time there:
Thursday
Travel Day, arrive in Provo and pick up rental car
Check into Airbnb, drive around island (practiced driving in the left lane!)
Get groceries at IGA
Change, head to Fish Fry
Friday
Coffee, breakfast at Airbnb
Drive to Grace Bay public parking
Beach day at Grace Bay, lunch at The Deck
Downtime
See the sunset at Malcolm Beach
Dinner at Mr. Grouper’s
Saturday
Coffee, breakfast at Airbnb (early)
Drive to Sapodilla Bay
Half-day beach time at Sapodilla Bay
Lunch at Las Brisas
Half-day snorkeling trip
Dinner at Indigo
Sunday
Coffee, breakfast at Airbnb
AM snorkeling at Smith’s Reef
Lunch at Da Conch Shack
Return rental car
Flight home :(
What did we miss?
This was our first visit to Turks & Caicos and probably not our last. We only spend four days here so I’m very interested to hear about your experiences and what you enjoyed most! Safe travels!