Best Adventures In Turks & Caicos West

The Turks and Caicos are a British Overseas Territory located in the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas. It is made up of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. The main islands that you must visit are Grand Turk, Providenciales, North Caicos, and South Caicos. Let’s find adventure in Turks and Caicos.

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Providenciales, also known as Provo in Turks and Caicos West is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, and for good reason. Grace Bay Beach is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the world. The turquoise waters and soft, white sand will take your breath away. You’ll want to spend all day lounging on this picturesque beach.

Talking Capitals

Grand Turk is the capital island of the Turks and Caicos. This island offers a unique blend of Caribbean and British culture, with colonial architecture, historic sites, and duty-free shopping. Walk down Duke Street to see some of the island’s most historic buildings, including the Grand Turk Lighthouse. Or, head to the Grand Turk Cruise Center to take a dip in the saltwater pool and indulge in some duty-free shopping. A little-known fact is the island of Grand Turk played a part in the 1962 Mercury Space Mission. John Glenn’s first step on dry land after returning to Earth was on Grand Turk, and a U.S. Navy Base that was operating on the island at the time, NAVFAC 104, helped in the recovery operations.

The Islands are also known for their excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. The crystal clear waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins. Take a diving or snorkeling excursion to see the island’s underwater world for yourself.

Discover Paradise

The Turks and Caicos is a great destination to visit year-round, as the weather is consistently warm and sunny. The average temperature ranges between 75°F and 85°F, with the warmest months being June to September. The rainy season is typically from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in September and October. The winter months (December to April) are considered the dry season, with less rainfall and more sunny days. This is also the peak tourist season, so it’s the busiest and most expensive time to visit. The summer months (May to November) are considered the off-season, with more frequent rain showers, but also lower prices for accommodation and flights. It is also a good time to visit for those who want to avoid crowds and enjoy a more laid-back vacation.

Jump off La Famille Express Shipwreck

Photo by Maryna Yazbeck on Unsplash

During Hurricane Frances in 2004, the La Famille Express became securely anchored in the shallow seas of the Caicos Banks. It’s totally abandoned and a popular spot to jump into the ocean. Because the shipwreck is 2 miles out into the ocean, the majority of visits take place on jet skis or boat excursions, and the ship is a well-liked stop on charters that travel to the south side of Providenciales. In the Tripio App, this adventure will be under the Intense adventure so make sure you select 5 on importance to ensure this gets added to your custom Itinerary. 

Horseback Ride into Shallow Water

Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash

A tour with Provo Ponies is a unique experience that any animal lover will surely enjoy. They do two daily guided rides, a morning ride at 9:30 am, an afternoon ride at 3:00 pm during winter hours, and 3:30 pm during summer. They ride along quiet dirt roads and trails to Long Bay Beach, a 4-mile-long beach. The shallow waters of the Caicos Banks off Long Bay make it an ideal place to take horses into the ocean. 

Tours: 60 or 90 mins

Age limit: 7+ years old

Weight limit: 230 pounds max

Little Water Cay – Iguana Island

Photo by Anthony Rae on Unsplash

Little Water Cay, a small cay close to Providenciales’ Leeward region, is most known for serving as a refuge for rock iguanas native to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The cay, which is a frequent stop for boat charters operating on Providenciales’ eastern side, features a tiny tour port, a welcome center, and nature trails. The gentle Turks and Caicos rock iguana can usually be found in large numbers at the cay, lazing around in the coastal flora. The journey to the adjoining island from Providenciales’ Leeward Marina region just takes a few minutes by tour boat or kayak.

Go Scuba Diving

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

Caicos Adventures is one of the oldest scuba diving operations/Boat and Snorkeling Tours and Charter shops in Turks & Caicos. As a premiere scuba diving and Boat Tours shop in they are able to offer modern equipment, an efficient scuba diving operation, professional service and years of Turks & Caicos scuba diving experience. 

Caicos has several different dive sites to explore:

– West Caicos – Walls & Walls (35 To 40 Minute Boat Ride!!)

– Sandbore Channel (30 To 35 Min From Their Docks)

– Southwest Reef (35 To 40 Min From Their Docks)

– French Cay (40 To 45 Minutes From Their Dock!)

– Molasses Reef (35 To 40 Min From Their Dock!)

– South Walls (30 To 35 Min From Their Dock, Need Calm Sea Conditions)

The Bright Reef – Coral Gardens Reef

Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash

The Coral Gardens Reef is another name for the Bright Reef. The most well-liked snorkeling location in Turks & Caicos is a fantastic snorkeling reef that starts not far from the beach. The Bight Reef is made up of just one main coral ridge that stretches roughly 350 feet from the beach. At its extreme reaches, the ocean depth drops to 15-20 feet. At Bight Beach, vendors frequently have beach chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, and other water sports equipment for hire.

Soar Over Turks & Caicos Parasailing

Photo by Joe deSousa on Unsplash

Captain Marvin’s Watersports is Turks and Caicos Islands’ premiere parasail operator. With Over 200,000 safe flights flown since 1991, their skilled and professional crew are by far among the most experience in the business. Captain Marvin’s Watersports is owned and operated by Captain Marvin Pratt who has been flying since 1990. They operate on Provo’s Grace Bay Beach and do pickups from all major resorts and all public beach access points. Their boats are kept in the Turtle Cove Marina where they also do pickups.

Cheshire Hall Plantation

The Loyalists were the initial American colonists who supported England throughout the American Revolution. Thousands of Loyalists abandoned their estates in the southern states by 1778 when the British soldiers left those states, and they eventually fled with their slaves to British-held Florida and later to the Bahamas, which at the time comprised the Turks & Caicos Islands. Wade Stubbs, proprietor of Wade’s Green Plantation (Bellefield), owned by his brother Thomas Stubbs, persuaded Thomas to go looking for riches in the Caicos Islands. In the late 1700s, Thomas Stubbs established a plantation on Providenciales (then known as Blue Caicos) and gave it his home county’s name. The structures were made of locally quarried limestone. The entry fee is $15 per person at Cheshire Hall Plantation. This is for admission and a tour with a National Trust guide lasting 30 – 40 mins. Cash and pre-booked tickets. No credit cards.

Ocean Outback Adventures

Photo by Muhammadh Saamy On Unsplash

For decades, Ocean Outback Adventures has provided fun boat charters to the beautiful beaches, sights, and reefs of the remote southwest region of Providenciales. Join Captain Bill on Jammin’, a spacious, comfortable, and stable catamaran. The family-friendly vessel offers a laid-back ambiance, a fully shaded deck and a roof deck, sanitized snorkel gear and flotation belts, and a slide, jumping board, and trampoline that make the boat a floating playground. Choose from public cruises or private charters.

Visit the Historical Sapodilla Hill

Sapodilla Hill is filled with rock carvings and inscriptions in the exposed limestone. The Museum has an ongoing project to make molds of each one and to explore the documentary records to identify the individual people and ships mentioned in the inscriptions.

Cliff Jump at Split Rock

Photo by Pedro Slinger on Pexels

Split Rock is also known as Pirates Cove and West Harbour Bluff. This coastal setting offers several interesting features, including a small peninsula with sea cliffs, a small open-faced cave, and about a mile of a secluded beach. The West Harbour Bluff area is one of the more remote sections of Providenciales, and about a five-mile drive from any developed part of the island. Cliff Jumping is a popluar activity here. You will find a cave to explore with several ancient Lucayan Indian artifact fragments that were found in the cave in 1912 by anthropologist and explorer Theodore de Booy.

Kayak or Paddleboard Mangrove Cay

Photo by Angela Smart on Unsplash

The most popular wetland kayaking and paddleboarding location is Mangrove Cay, largely because it is accessible from Providenciales. Most eco-tours visiting the area stop at a few of mangrove tidal estuaries on this wetland island. Marine and avian life can be found in abundance at Mangrove Cay. It’s typical to see young lemon sharks and nurse sharks, small turtles, conch, southern brown stingrays, starfish, and a variety of young fish in the canals and shallows surrounding the cay.

Spend the day at Grace Bay Beach

Photo by Jennifer Ranicki on Unsplash

The Turks and Caicos Islands are known for their immaculate beaches, and Grace Bay Beach has received numerous accolades, awards, and classifications. It presently holds the title of World’s Leading Beach Destination according to World Travel Awards. Grace Bay is wonderful and stunning, with crystal-clear water the color of turquoise, silky white beach, and no pebbles, seaweed, or pollution. About a mile away, a substantial barrier reef shields Grace Bay from the Atlantic’s surges, keeping the water at the beach calm and safe. This is a must add to your custom Tripio App Itinerary.

Thank you for reading, remember, adventure awaits you on the Tripio App. Travel has never been so easy!

Interested in more island adventures, check out: Discover Cebu: An Outdoor Adventure Paradise

-Catherine Mortimer, Tripio Guru

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