TURKS AND CAICOS: Home To The Best Beach In The Worldworld,With Most Spectacular Coral Reefs

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI),home to the Best Beach in the World, breathtaking hues from inviting waters, and legendary diving, snorkeling and fishing.

The Turks and Caicos Islands or TCI for short, are a British Overseas Territory consisting of the larger Caicos Islands and smaller Turks Islands, two groups of tropical islands in the Lucayan Archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and northern West Indies.

They are known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre. The resident population is 31,458 as of 2012 of whom 23,769 live on Providenciales in the Caicos Islands.

The Turks and Caicos Islands lie southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas island chain and north of the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and the other Antilles archipelago islands.

Cockburn Town, the capital since 1766, is situated on Grand Turk Island about 1,042 kilometres (647 mi) east-southeast of Miami, United States. The islands have a total land area of 430 square kilometres (170 sq mi).

The first inhabitants of the islands were Arawakan-speaking Taíno people, who crossed over from Hispaniola sometime from AD 500 to 800. Together with Taino who migrated from Cuba to the southern Bahamas around the same time, these people developed as the Lucayan. Around 1200, the Turks and Caicos Islands were resettled by Classical Taínos from Hispaniola.

Soon after the Spanish arrived in the islands in 1512,they began capturing the Taíno of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Lucayan as slaves as workers in the encomienda system to replace the largely depleted native population of Hispaniola. The southern Bahama Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands were completely depopulated by about 1513, and remained so until the 17th century.

Hiding at the southern tip of the Bahamian Archipelago, elude most travelers' radars. Yet this sparsely populated string of low sand cays boasts some of the world's most spectacular coral reefs, and has built itself into a true luxury tourism destination. The pace of life is easygoing, the local welcome genuine and the diving truly out of this world.

Providenciales is the bustling epicenter of all this, but beyond its endless beaches and world-class resorts, you'll find local festivals, jungle-wrapped ruins, perfect seaside bars and even traces of Europe's first discovery of the New World.

Venture to the less-populated islands, and you'll be enchanted by colorful postcards of fading colonial glories, gobsmacked by the annual migration of thousands of humpback whales, spoiled with your pick of deserted beaches and all but forced to abandon the pace of modern life.

World class Turks and Caicos Luxury Hotels, Spas, and Restaurants await, as do our famous stretches of uncrowded beaches and vibrant coral reefs. On land or below the water, you’ll relax in the unique serenity, hospitality and beauty of our islands.

Turks and Caicos has seven main islands in the country and about 40 small islands and uninhabited cays. Providenciales and Grand Turk are home to the majority of the country’s population. Both islands host nearly all of the infrastructure and tourism.

Turks and Caicos by Air

Don’t let the cold weather and depressing economy get you down. Take a quick trip to the Turks & Caicos and warm your soul…and toes. This time of year it’s even easier to get here with additional flights coming from a wide range of gateways.

Providenciales Flight Arrivals
Providenciales Flight Departures

American Airlines has two daily flights from Miami, and one a day from Dallas on Saturdays.

Delta offers Thursday, Friday and Saturday service from Atlanta, as well as Saturday only flights from Boston and New York.

Air Canada has direct flights from Toronto everyday, except Tuesday and Thursday; and from Montreal on Sundays.

JetBlue has daily flights from New York and Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Saturday service from Boston.

United Airline offers service from Newark, NY everyday except Tuesdays. .

Westjet has service from Toronto on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and a flight from Montreal on Fridays.

British Airways provides service to London via Antigua on Sundays and Thursdays

The Turks and Caicos Islands currently have 2 full service international airports on Providenciales and Grand Turk, and all other inhabited islands have domestic airports, some with limited international entry facilities.

Provo Airport:
Airport Code: PLS
Latitude: N 21°15′ .6
Longitude: W 72°46′.7
(17° MBPV PLS N21 46.4 WO72 16.0 F-4, Jet A-1. 1100 – 2300)

Most visitors fly into Providenciales upon entry to the islands and then can easily take a commuter flight to the other islands. It is a modern, full service facility that welcomes dozens of international flights every week from North America, Europe and other Caribbean Islands. It is also the gateway to the rest of the Turks & Caicos Islands. You are welcomed to visit the local airport web site for up to date flight schedules and route maps.

Visitors from the US are reminded that effective January 8, 2007, all US citizens visiting the Caribbean must be in possession of a valid US passport.

All visitors arriving via international flights and connecting to any of our other islands through Providenciales must first clear immigration and customs and claim baggage at PLS before making the connection through the domestic departure area at the Providenciales Airport

Entry Requirements

For a list of countries that does not require a visa to visit Turks & Caicos – Turks and Caicos Entry Requirements / Immigration

Private pilots can make use of full service FBO facilities in Provo through the Provo Air Center

Grand Turk (GDT) ( 13° MBGT GDT N21 26.7 WO71 08.t Jet A-1 1100-0100 JASU) is our country’s capital and its international airport is served by scheduled daily flights from Providenciales/PLS on interCaribbean Airways and on Caicos Express Airways. Flying time is approximately 30 minutes. The airport offers full international entry and departures services, as well as a restaurant/bar, ground transportation, tourist information, and a full-service FBO for private planes.

By Sea

Many visitors arrive to the Turks & Caicos by boat and enjoy our pristine waters. Private boaters are reminded that they must clear customs and immigration upon arrival.

The most popular tourism route by sea is aboard one of the dozens of cruise ships that now call on Turks and Caicos. You will arrive at a state of the art cruise ship terminal in Grand Turk and be able to enjoy a wide variety of activities, attractions and shopping.

Private boaters can use a number of facilities in Providenciales, most notably the full service Turtle Cove Marina (649-941-3781) that features extensive docking facilities, fuel, lodging, restaurants, washing facilities, Internet access as well as complete entry facilities.

Other marinas in Provo can be found at Leeward Marina (649-946-5553), South Side Marina (649-946-4747), and Caicos Marina and Shipyard (649-946-5600). South Dock is the main entry facility for large commercial boats and cargo.

Sapodilla Bay on the south side is the preferred anchorage for sail boats. Customs and Immigration clearance can be arranged in advance through Al Services (649-941-3267).

South Caicos and Grand Turk both have entry facilities at the government docks there.

Boat repair services are available in Provo at:

Walkin & Sons Marine Supply (Envirude, Johnson, Mercury) 649-946-4411
Sonny’s Yahama: 649-231-0293, 649-231-4330
MPL Enterprises, TCI Yamaha Products: 649-946-2227 & 231-0376
Bombardier Seadoo, Mercury Outboard Sales: 649-946-5724
Caicos Marine & Boatyard: 649-946-5600
Caribbean Marine & Diesel: 649-946-5902

Accommodation

From magnificent villas and secluded hideaways, to award-winning luxury hotels in Turks and Caicos and all inclusive resorts for families. Browse through our selection of accommodation options to find the perfect place for you to spend some time in our island paradise.

Many hotels and resorts work with dive & tour operators so that hotel and dive packages can be created and tailored to your requirements. Arrangements for golfing, scooter, golf cart, car or bicycle hire can easily be made for you as well as all water sports and excursions. A select number of hotels and resorts offer in-house fitness rooms and spas for ultimate relaxation and well-being. Mobile services are also available through most properties.

If you are traveling on business most hotels offer internet links, fax service and corporate business rates. A few hotels also offer meeting rooms and full service conference facilities.

Whether you choose an all-inclusive, resort suite condo, private villa or inn, most hotels offer wonderful dining experiences. We also offer 70+ Turks and Caicos local restaurants throughout the islands. Visitors are encouraged to go and explore the local and international cuisine while in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Whatever you wish for – a home away from home, or maybe just something a little different; the Turks and Caicos Islands has a place for you.

Turks and Caicos has a wide variety of accommodations and many of them offer great deals and special packages throughout the year. If you time it right at participating resorts, you can often see significant savings over standard ‘rack rates.’ Resorts and hotels feature packages that combine room nights with other services and amenities such as dining, spa treatments, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing or golf. Turks and Caicos packages are also available for group events, weddings, and special occasions, such as Valentine’s Day and anniversaries. Look for deals during the ‘shoulder’ seasons of early summer and fall – it’s not uncommon for hotels and resorts to offer specials featuring free room nights or heavily discounted rates.

All offers are subject to change without notice, have specific restrictions and are the responsibility of the provider. The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is not responsible for the accuracy of the offer, or for honoring the discounts being advertised.

Hotels and Resorts

Turks and Caicos hotels and resorts are world famous for their luxury and service and are the perfect vacation option. When you plan your vacation, the resort or hotel you choose is a major part of your experience. You want the right mix of room size, amenities, services and location – and do it within your budget.

We are certain you won’t be disappointed in the range of Turks and Caicos resorts and hotels available in our islands. From small intimate guest houses and hotels, to luxurious resorts.

From five star hotels, to family friendly all inclusive resorts. Your vacation will be enhanced with the beauty, comfort and luxury of the resorts and hotels in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Blue Haven Resort

Blue Haven Resort occupies an idyllic private beach, framed by a picturesque gazebo and hammocks swaying among palm trees. This intimate resort offer 51 rooms and suites furnished with contemporary decor. All one, two and three bedroom suites offer private terraces, deluxe kitchens, as well as amenities such as bathrobes, bespoke bathroom products, premium HD flat screen TVs with cable channels, complimentary WiFi, bottled drinking water, and tea and coffee provisions.

Resort amenities include an IGY marina accommodating yachts up to 220 feet, hammocks on the beach, two restaurants, a MARKET, gym, Sandpiper Kids Club, Elevate Spa and more.
With its premier location in close proximity to all the popular watersport activities in Turks and Caicos, including the world’s third largest barrier reef, Blue Haven Resort offers an outdoor playground for adventure and water sports enthusiasts right on its doorstep.

Amenities: Private beach, hammocks on the beach, 2 restaurants, pool, Elevate Spa, gym, market, marina, Sandpiper Kids Club.

Northwest Point Resort

Northwest Point Resort is located steps to 16 miles of white sand beach, with stunning views of turquoise waters. Our ocean front suites provide an outdoor pool, hot tub, and bright Caribbean inspired spacious living. Modern amenities include washer, dryer, kitchen, large and small appliances, and multi bathroom and bedroom suites. This property is ideal for guests that want to relax. Our fully furnished suites are perfect for families, couples and small groups. Our landscaped gardens and walkways are lush and tropical. This resort is ideal for your Caribbean vacation with a nearby beach, snorkeling, swimming and other outdoor activities. All of our suites have balconies with views of the ocean.

Amenities: On the Beach, Multi-Room Suites Available, Kitchen or Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool, Gym

Sibonne Beach Hotel

For casual elegance, relaxation and great value come to Sibonné Beach Hotel, a small, 30 room, intimate hotel located directly on Grace Bay Beach – voted one of the best beaches in the world. With all of the room amenities of a modern resort (cable TV, mini-fridge, hair dryer, in-room safe, air conditioning, ceiling fan, direct-dial telephones with data port, coffee maker), we offer comfortable accommodations with lush garden or ocean views, a freshwater pool and the best location on Grace Bay Beach. Our everyday value rates, including Continental breakfast at the Grace Bay Bistro Restaurant, make Sibonné Beach Hotel the best choice in the Turks & Caicos Islands for a perfect Caribbean vacation!

Amenities: On the Beach, Restaurant, Pool

Airport Hotel

Whether you are traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands for pleasure or business, or if you are connecting from any of our sister islands, Airport Hotel, is committed to making your trip and your stay comfortable, enjoyable and successful.

Located minutes away from the Providenciales International Airport, which is the gateway to the Turks and Caicos Islands, our hotel offers comfortable amenities, supreme service and well-appointed, air-conditioned guest rooms each equipped with remote controlled multi-channel televisions.

We offer shuttle services to and from the airport and to any of the pristine, award-winning beaches on Providenciales.

Our hotel is in close proximity to downtown Providenciales and is minutes away from major commercial banks, post office, beaches and some of the finest restaurants on the island.

We take great pleasure in welcoming you to the Airport Hotel, where your stay will be so comfortable and safe that you will want to return again and again.

Amenities: Restaurant

Alexandra Resort

The Alexandra Resort offers the best beachfront resort value on Grace Bay. The suites at this centrally located resort feature large decks or terraces, kitchen facilities (kitchenettes in studios), and spacious floor plans. Complimentary amenities include non motorized watersports, concierge, in room coffee/tea, WIFI property wide, a weekly manager’s party and a 24 hour front desk. Attentive service, affordable prices and a fabulous beachfront location make the Alexandra Resort a popular choice with families, couples and groups alike.

Amenities: On the Beach, Multi-Room Suites Available, Kitchen or Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool, Tennis Court, Spa, Gym

Other amenities on property: Caicos Dream Tours.

Amanyara

Amanyara is located along the coast of Northwest Point on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies (B.W.I.). With 300 metres of white-sand beach adjacent and the remarkable coral reef walls of Northwest Point Marine National Park directly offshore, Amanyara offers easy access to diving and other water sports.

Amenities: On the Beach, Multi-Room Suites Available, Restaurant, Pool

Beach House

Beach House Turks and Caicos is the first authentic boutique hotel on Grace Bay. Our 21-suite abode overlooks the white dunes, swaying sea grass and azure waters of one of the world’s most beautiful destinations – Grace Bay Beach. Our passion for exquisite service and sublime relaxation is matched only by a commitment to spontaneity. From suites with names instead of numbers to complimentary afternoon tea and homemade popsicles served daily at the beach the new Beach House is all about breeziness going well beyond the weather and into your soul.

Amenities: On the Beach, Multi-Room Suites Available, Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool, Gym

Blue Horizon Resort

Blue Horizon Resort on Middle Caicos offers seclusion, relaxation and the pleasure of being completely surrounded by the unsurpassed beauty of our islands. Our five Caribbean style cottages and three villas are seamlessly set into the landscape with ocean views. Guests can take the short walk to the beach and the onsite restaurant, Mudjin Bar and Grill, on cobblestone paths. Each cottage or villa is completely equipped with all the amenities to guarantee the comfort and needs of our guests. Our onsite manager can assist with transportation, fishing, kayaking, hiking, caving, snorkeling, biking and more. You can dine in our onsite restaurant, Mudjin Bar and Grill, overlooking beautiful Mudjin Harbor. Our varied menu offer dishes with fresh local seafood prepared with a Caribbean influence.

Amenities: On the beach, restaurant on property, full kitchens.

Blue Water White Sands Resort

The Blue Water White Sand Resort (BWWS Resort) is a newly renovated group of one and two bedroom suites located on Grace Bay Road in the heart of Providenciales’ famous Grace Bay beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This intimate hotel offers full kitchens, flat screen televisions, complimentary WiFi, and beautiful views.

Grace Bay beach is a three minute walk away. Guests of the Blue Water White Sand Resort receive outstanding personalized service during their stay. This includes airport greetings to help you upon arrival, a personal concierge while on island, and access to special deals such as discounted car rentals. Our fun friendly staff is looking forward to working with you and ensuring your trip to Turks and Caicos is full of wonderful experiences and memories.

Amenities: Pool

Bohio Dive Resort

Bohio offers Caribbean diving or beach holidays with a difference. You’re guaranteed a friendly and personal service at this small intimate resort, and a diving experience that will feel like a real vacation, not a boot camp. We’re situated on the best diving beach in the world, as voted by a popular men’s magazine, on the leeward side of this quaint Caribbean island. Our food is unrivaled on the island. Our ocean views are idyllic and our atmosphere is laid back. Grand Turk is consistently ranked among the top diving destinations in the world, notably for its spectacular wall diving.

Amenities: On the Beach, Kitchen or Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool

Caribbean Paradise Inn

The Best Little Hotel with European touch located at Provo’s famous Grace Bay Beach known for it’s white-sand beach and stunning turquoise water on the northeast of the island. Caribbean Paradise Inn is both casual and cozy, a quiet place to relax that offers exquisite accommodations with ocean view at bay watch rooms and paradise rooms amid lush tropical garden that provides access to the swimming pool. Coyaba Restaurant is now located at Caribbean Paradise Inn. This restaurant offers a truly unique experience that excites and appeals to the senses with Executive Chef and Owner Paul Newman.

Amenities: Kitchen or Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool

Coral Gardens on Grace Bay

Welcome to Coral Gardens on Grace Bay, an intimate and luxurious resort located directly on a secluded stretch of Grace Bay in Princess Alexandria National Marine Park. Grace Bay is internationally renowned and called “the best beach in the world” by many. Our spacious and finely appointed accommodations offer breathtaking views of the island’s famous aquamarine waters, and are just footsteps from the Coral Gardens reef sanctuary, home to the island’s premier snorkeling.

Amenities: On the Beach, Multi-Room Suites Available, Kitchen or Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool

COMO Parrot Cay

COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos is the northern Caribbean’s pre-eminent private island. It combines nature—1000 unspoilt acres, a mile-long powdered beach—with relaxed luxury and the multi-award-winning COMO Shambhala Retreat, which offers a range of holistic, Asian-inspired therapies, from reflexology to Ayurveda, as well as yoga and Pilates with world-class tuition.

Weeklong yoga weeks are held throughout the year; daily complimentary yoga classes are also popular, and take place in a dedicated pavilion overlooking the island’s wetlands. There is a substantial, fully equipped gym as well as tennis courts for the actively inclined.

Accommodation, comprising whitewash interiors with chic teak finishing, includes beachside houses and villas. Plunge and infinity pools are attached to the bigger beachside houses, with one main pool for all resort guests. The island also features very large private residences available for purchase and rental to deliver even greater privacy away from the main resort.

The island’s two restaurants serve gourmet and easy dining as well as healthy COMO Shambhala Cuisine, with watersports, diving and island adventures completing the Parrot Cay experience for families, honeymooners and couples seeking impeccable service at one of the world’s leading beach resorts.

Amenities: On the Beach, Multi-Room Suites Available, Kitchen or Kitchenette in Room, Restaurant, Pool, Tennis Court, Spa, Gym

Eagles Rest Villas

Come live the dream, whether your looking for romantic interlude, family quality time & adventure or just plain privacy, then Middle Caicos is for you.

Caicos Blue II Vacation Condo on Grace Bay

Luxury awaits you at Villa Renaissance on Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos. This professionally decorated beach-front two bedroom suite has everything you could possibly want in first class accommodation. This resort features an oversized pool, tennis courts (lit for evening play), fitness centre, cozy pavilion bar and café pool-side, all just steps from Grace Bay Beach.

Quick Facts

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. The islands are located 550 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, just below the Bahamas chain and just to the east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti.) Technically, the Turks and Caicos are located in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea.

The islands are home to roughly 30,000 full time residents, and welcome more than 200,000 tourist annually.

Language – English

Currency – The US dollar is the official currency of Turks and Caicos. Most hotels, restaurants and taxi services accept traveler’s cheques, which can be cashed at local banks. Most credit cards are accepted and banks offer ATM’s as well as cash advances on credit cards.

Tipping is normally paid to waiters, taxi drivers, maids and porters at 15%.

Time Zone – Atlantic Standard Time (AST) as the year round time observed in Turks and Caicos.

Electricity – 110 volt/60 cycle, suitable for U.S. appliances.

Climate – The average temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees celsius) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90’s (35 degrees celsius), especially in the late summer months. From November to May the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees (27-29 degrees celsius). Water temperature in the summer is 82 to 84 degrees (28-29 degrees celsius) and in winter about 74 to 78 degrees (23-26 degrees celsius). A constant trade wind keeps the climate at a very comfortable level.

There is an annual rainfall of 21 inches on Grand Turk and South Caicos, but as you go further west the average rainfall could increase to 40 inches. In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30th.

People – Turks & Caicos Islanders are mostly descendants of Africans who were brought in to work the salt pans or the cotton plantations. The expatriate population consists of British, Canadians, Americans, French, Bahamians, people from Hispaniola and virtually everywhere in the world.

Economy – The economy of the TCI relies on the tourism industry, real estate development and the exportation of seafood. A wide variety of financial services are available, including company formation, offshore insurance, banking, trusts, limited partnerships and limited life companies. The Financial Services Commission regulates, develops and promotes the industry in major world markets.

Government – The Turks & Caicos Islands are a British Crown Colony. A Governor is appointed by the Queen and presides over an Executive Council formed by an elected local self-government. Government offices are located in Grand Turk, with branches on other Islands as needed. The legal system is based on English Common Law.

Courier Service – Daily delivery service is provided by FedEx, with offices on Provo and Grand Turk. Service is also provided by DHL and UPS.

Cable Television – Satellite television service is provided throughout the islands, with most major American networks available.

Water – As on many Islands, our fresh water is precious, we depend upon rainfall or desalinated water produced by reverse osmosis for the supply. Please be conservative in using water.

Telephone Service – Local and international service is provided by Cable & Wireless and Digicel (wireless only). Telex, facsimile, internet and cellular phone services are provided. You may use your credit card or a debit PhoneCard at public phone booths.

Country code is 649. Network is through Cable and Wireless. Pay phones, calling cards, facsimile, Internet, cell phones for rent at various locations.

If you have cell service in the USA please bring your phone with you because if you have International Roaming service with a cellular carrier that has a roaming agreement in the Caribbean then your phone will be able to make and receive calls whilst in the Turks and Caicos. If you do not have roaming then you will be able to make calls using the credit card platform.

Postal Service – Post Offices are located on all inhabited islands. All mail is transported by air. There are many different issues and denominations of stamps for enthusiasts to collect. Philatelic Bureaus are located on both Provo and Grand Turk.
Driving License Requirements – Visitors from the British Commonwealth Countries, The United States of America, Canada and holders of International drivers license are permitted to drive for 30 days on their respective license.

Visitors from all other countries are required to posses a Visitors Permit, which can be obtained at the Road Safety Department, located on Good Street, Grand Turk and at the office in Butterfield Square, downtown Providenciales.

Crime – These Islands boast one of the lowest crime rates and highest crime-solved rates in the Caribbean. We cannot, however, let down the guard against opportunist-type theft. Do not leave valuables unattended. Lock doors and windows. Use the hotel safe for storage of valuables. These simple precautions should prevent the loss of cash, jewelry and identification. Confrontation and violent crimes are extremely rare. Any problems should be reported immediately to the Royal Turks and Caicos Police.

Clothing – Shorts are worn in town as well as the beach during the day, it is advisable to also wear sunhats and sunscreen. In the evenings, light sweaters and jackets may be occasionally needed in the winter. Dinner is usually not formal, most restaurants accept dress shorts while others require pants with a collared shirt for gentlemen and dress slacks or dresses for the ladies.

Public Nudity is illegal throughout the islands.

Customs and Immigration – Duty free goods that may be brought in to the Islands include: 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1.136 liters of spirits or wine and perfume for personal use.

There are no restrictions for travelers on the import of cameras, film or sports equipment, except spear guns and Hawaiian slings.

To bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), you must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police. Controlled drugs and pornography are illegal.

All visitors traveling to the Turks & Caicos Islands must have a valid passport. Visas are necessary from some countries of the former Eastern Bloc. They are advised to contact the nearest British Consulate Office.

All visitors must hold a round trip ticket. Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days; this is renewable one time only. For luggage restriction, individual airlines should be consulted.

Please see also our Traveling to Turks and Caicos with Plants and Animals page and Entry Requirements page.

Health Care – Health Care – There is a modern hospital system comprising two state-of-the-art medical centres, managed by InterHealth Canada; Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales and Cockburn Town Medical Centre on Grand Turk. Health services provided at the centres include: emergency care, dental, dialysis, internal medicine, surgical, orthopedic, obstetric and endoscopic procedures, physiotherapy and diagnostic imaging. Tele – medicine is also currently being introduced to improve inter island healthcare delivery.

Providenciales also has a number of private general practitioners and all of the other islands have community clinics.

Protect the Turks and Caicos Islands (DEMA)

Here you will find some information that may prove useful to ensure that you are an exemplary environmental steward while visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands. Tourism Guide to Protect our Islands.

Things to do in Turks and Caicos

Turquoise waters & pristine beaches

With the most pristine, turquoise water and beach in the world, it’s no surprise that most of the activities in Turks and Caicos and things to do in Providenciales revolve around the ocean and beach. Scuba Diving, snorkelling tours, kayaking eco-tours and boat charters are great ways to make your stay memorable.

World famous Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving

For expert divers, Turks & Caicos is a mecca for their walls: the islands lie right on the edge of two undersea mountaintop plateaus with steep walls throughout. Closer to shore than almost any dive site anywhere, you can swim along the edge of an awe-inspiring abyss, staring into the dark where the ocean floor drops off rapidly to as deep as 7000 feet.

Tourist Guide to protect the Turks and Caicos Islands (DEMA)

DEMA has the responsibility of sustainably managing Protected Areas and Fisheries and overseeing all Maritime Affairs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, such a mandate is only attainable with the cooperation of the public. Here you will find some information that may prove useful to ensure that you are an exemplary environmental steward while visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands. Tourism Guide to Protect our Islands.

Religion in the Turks and Caicos Islands

72.8% of the population of Turks and Caicos are Christian (Baptists 35.8%, Church of God 11.7%, Roman Catholics 11.4%, Anglicans 10%, Methodists 9.3%, Seventh-Day Adventists 6%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.8% and Others 14%).

Catholics are served by the Mission "Sui Iuris" for Turks and Caicos, which was erected in 1984 with territory taken from the then Diocese of Nassau.

Music In Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands are most well known for ripsaw music. The islands are known for their annual Music and Cultural Festival showcasing many local talents and other dynamic performances by many music celebrities from around the Caribbean and United States.

Women continue traditional crafts of using straw to make baskets and hats on the larger Caicos islands. It is possible that this continued tradition is related to the liberated Africans who joined the population directly from Africa in the 1830s and 1841 from shipwrecked slavers; they brought cultural craft skills with them.

The island's most popular sports are fishing, sailing, football (soccer) and cricket (which is the national sport).

Turks and Caicos cuisine is based primarily around seafood, especially conch. Two common dishes, whilst not traditionally local, are conch fritters and conch salad.

Citizenship

Because the Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory and not an independent country, they, at one time, could not confer citizenship. Instead, people with close ties to Britain's Overseas Territories all held the same nationality: British Overseas Territories Citizen (BOTC) as defined by the British Nationality Act 1981 and subsequent amendments.

BOTC, however, does not confer any right to live in any British Overseas Territory, including the territory from which it is derived. Instead, the rights normally associated with citizenship derive from what is called Belonger status and island natives or descendants from natives are said to be Belongers.

In 2002, the British Overseas Territories Act restored full British citizenship status to all citizens of British Overseas Territories, including the Turks and Caicos.

Tourism

The United States was the leading source of tourists in 1996, accounting for more than half of the 87,000 visitors; another major source of tourists is Canada. Tourist arrivals had risen to 264,887 in 2007 and to 351,498 by 2009. In 2010, a total of 245 cruise ships arrived at the Grand Turk Cruise Terminal, carrying a total of 617,863 visitors.

The government is pursuing a two-pronged strategy to increase tourism. Upscale resorts are aimed at the wealthy, while a large new cruise ship port and recreation centre has been built for the masses visiting Grand Turk. Turks and Caicos Islands has one of the longest coral reefs in the world and the world's only conch farm.

The French vacation village company of Club Mediterannee (Club Med) has an all-inclusive adult resort called 'Turkoise' on one of the main islands.

Several Hollywood stars have built homes in the Turks and Caicos, including Dick Clark and Bruce Willis. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner married on Parrot Cay in 2005. Actress Eva Longoria and her ex-husband Tony Parker went to the islands for their honeymoon in July 2007 and High School Musical actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens went for a vacation there. In 2013 Hollywood writer/director Rob Margolies and actress Kristen Ruhlin vacationed here. Musician Nile Rodgers has a vacation home on the island.

To boost tourism during the Caribbean low season of late summer, since 2003 the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board have organised and hosted an annual series of concerts during this season called the Turks & Caicos Music and Cultural Festival.Held in a temporary bandshell at The Turtle Cove Marina in The Bight on Providenciales, this festival lasts about a week and has featured several notable international recording artists, such as Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Billy Ocean, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, Ludacris, Chaka Khan, and Boyz II Men. More than 10,000 people attend annually.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a biodiversity hotspot. The islands have many endemic species and others of international importance, due to the conditions created by the oldest established salt-pan development in the Caribbean. The variety of species includes a number of endemic species of lizards, snakes, insects and plants, and marine organisms; in addition to being an important breeding area for seabirds.

The UK and Turks and Caicos Islands Governments have joint responsibility for the conservation and preservation to meet obligations under international environmental conventions.

Due to this significance, the islands are on the United Kingdom's tentative list for future UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Famous Turks and Caicos Islanders

- Trevor Ariza, a professional basketball player who plays in the NBA for the Houston Rockets. His mother, Lolita Ariza and father, Trevor Saunders were born there, but he holds American citizenship due to being born in the United States.

- Gavin Glinton, a professional association football player who plays in the V-League for the Nam Định F.C.

- Delano Williams, a professional sprinter

The Turks and Caicos Islands are divided into six administrative districts,two in the Turks Islands and four in the Caicos Islands, headed by district commissioners. For the House of Assembly, the Turks and Caicos Islands are divided into 15 electoral districts,four in the Turks Islands and eleven in the Caicos Islands.

A great number of tourists who visit the Turks and Caicos Islands are Canadian. In 2011 arrivals from Canada were about 42,000 out of a total from all countries of about 354,000.Owing to this, the islands' status as a British colony, and historical trade links, some politicians in Canada and the Turks and Caicos have suggested some form of union between Canada and the British territory.

In 1917, Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden attempted to persuade the British government to annex the islands, and the idea has been discussed several times over the last century. In 1974, the government of the islands sent Canada a "serious offer" to join the country, however at the time the Canadian government was focusing on their free trade agreement with the United States.

In 2013, Rufus Ewing, the Premier of the islands, rejected the idea of the islands joining Canada, however the following year he stated that he wasn't "closing the door completely" on the possibility.

In April 2016, it was reported that the New Democratic Party, one of the three major political parties in Canada, was considering a resolution at an upcoming national convention to discuss the possibility of working with lawmakers and citizens of Turks and Caicos Islands to have it join Canada as the eleventh Canadian province.