The Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of forty islands located 925 kilometres southeast of Miami. Mainly consisting of coastal forest, mangrove wetlands, and pristine beaches, the islands are the perfect destination for sea lovers looking for a fun balance of beach time and water adventures. If you’re staying in these absurdly luxurious holiday villa rentals in the Turks & Caicos, we completely understand if you don’t want to set foot outside the property, but if you’re more interested in trying out some fun water activities, here are some experiences to consider:
Spend your day island hopping
While only six of the Turks and Caicos Islands are inhabited – these include Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk and Salt Cay – that doesn’t mean you can’t visit some of the uninhabited islands and smaller cays. Many of the other islands are accessible via boat tours or eco-tours, so it’s just a matter of narrowing down what you want to see and where you want to go. You can have a look here for a closer look at what each island has to offer.
Come face to face with the gentle giants of the sea
If you time your visit just right, you can witness one of the most amazing displays of nature in the world. Every year between late January to early April, North Atlantic humpback whales begin the migration that takes them through the Columbus Passage that separates South Caicos and Grand Turk. These gentle giants come from as far as Iceland and Greenland, and they venture all the way to the Silver Banks off the Dominican Republic, where they breed and nurse their young ones. It’s a sight unlike any other, and truly something you won’t soon forget.
Suit up and go scuba diving
Turks and Caicos is home to the third largest barrier reef system in the world, which makes it an unparalleled diving destination. There are 3 islands at the top of every diver’s radar, and those are Grand Turk, Salt Cay and Providenciales; they each have their own unique personalities, but they all offer incredible dives. You can have a look here for a more in-depth look at what to expect from each dive site.
Go on an unforgettable sunset cruise
Sunset cruises are a nice way to unwind after an action packed day of activities and sightseeing. You have beautiful views, the sea breeze blowing in your hair, and plenty of rum punch as you sail out to sea. However, things around Turks and Caicos are a little more special. Three to six nights after the full moon, an unusual phenomenon occurs where glow worms perform a dazzling mating ritual. About one hour after sunset, for 15 minutes, the marine worm, Odontosyllis enopla, emits a green luminescence on the water. It only lasts a few brief moments, but people have described it as “seeing all the stars in the sky appear in the sea”.
Try your hand at Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand Up Paddleboarding, also known as SUP, is still a relatively new sport but it’s been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years. It requires some good balance, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a really fun way to explore the coast. If you want to try the sport, one cool spot to consider is Mangrove Cay, which consists of mangrove forests in Princess Alexandra National Park. You can learn more about Stand Up Paddleboarding excursions here.
What are some of your favourite water activities to try in Turks in Caicos?
This is exactly why I want to go to Turks and Caicos! I’ve heard marvelous things about the sea there, especially for scuba diving. That’s amazing you saw humpback whales while there!