Destination: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Dates: June 2024
Nights: 6 nights
Accommodation: The Sands at Grace Bay
Highlights: Beaches, the water and the weather
Low lights: Expensive, potholes and mosquitoes 
Currency: US Dollars 

Welcome to the island baby! Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory but there’s nothing British about the island apart from they drive on the left (great news for us). Everything else is American, the plugs, the currency, the tourist and the TV channels! There are 40 islands and cays but only 8 are inhabited. Provindenciales (Provo) is the most developed and has most of the population.

Turks and Caicos was my first Caribbean experience and it didn’t disappoint. We stayed at The Sands at Grace Bay in the Grace Bay ‘hub’ area. The hotel was at the start of the strip and in a good location. We had a court yard Junior Suite with a kitchenette and no thrills. The rooms were basic and could do with an update, beds were comfy and the air con was loud for any the light sleepers. The hotel offers really good free facilities if you need a distraction from your room like free use of tennis/basketball court, volleyball net, kayaks, stand up paddling boards, bicycles, beach games, 3 swimming pools and of course the Grace Bay beach.

Getting around

Due to the lack of the public transportation on the island, high costs of taxis and wanting freedom to explore we hired an economy car for £470 for the week,

The Grace Bay area was only a 20 minute drive from the airport. We pre-booked the car in advance with SIXT at the airport to save time and money. It was straight forward to find as the airport was small. The only phone network to work on the island was O2 so luckily we could use google maps to locate our hotel.

Driving around is fairly easy as it’s a small island. The 8 inhabited islands are not connected by road and you can only explore the other islands by boat. Leeward is the main highway that runs from the airport to East of the island. Most roads are paved but do have a lot of pot holes and when it rains the roads becomes flooded. A lot of drivers are reckless and often suddenly stop in the middle of the roads to pick people up with no signal so allow plenty of space between cars.

The Grace Bay Area

The Grace Bay area is where you will find a variety of resorts, hotels, villas, condos and rentals. The beach is 7 miles long with calm, clear waters and white sand, no wonder it was voted number one beach in the world.

This is a great place to start if this is your first time. Pretty much all hotels offer free parking and parking is generally free around the island. The Grace Bay strip has a lot to offer in terms of duty free shops, restaurants, souvenirs, bars, cafes, ice cream cafes and a supermarket. The road is paved so you can take you complimentary hotel bicycles and explore the strip.

Things to do

Love Buggy Tour

We booked a Love Buggy Tour with Marvelous Marvin and Nico. This is a tour of 85 percent of the island from 9 am-1 pm, with stops at Cheshire Hall Plantation, Junkanoo Museum, and lunch at Da Conch Shack. Total cost £185 per person regardless if you are a driver or a passenger. We didn’t manage to see the plantation or the museum and lunch at Da Conch Shack was more like a taster session. Nevertheless, it was still a good time and a great way of seeing locations you would like to revisit and road conditions. This is why we did this at the start of our trip.

Boat Trips

Caicos Charters

There are many cruises to choose from but we opted for a full-day tour 9 am-4 pm picking us up from Grace Bay Beach. Total cost $215 which doesn’t include gratuity. There are 4 stops. The first stop is Leeward Reef the most popular snorkeling site to see plenty of colorful fish, coral, arches, gullies, and small caves.

After 40 minutes of snorkeling, we headed to Shell Island where the boat anchors and the crew prepare an awesome seafood and chicken barbecue lunch. You can choose to snorkel, lay back in the sand with a beverage, relax in the turquoise waters, or go for a scenic beach walk.

Bellies full, we headed to the Fort George Land & Sea National Park for our second snorkeling trip. Here the water was only 3 ft deep perfect for crack opening a can of ‘I-soon Reach’ beer, walking in the warm turquoise waters and catching the Caribbean sun!

The last stop was Half Moon Bay at Little Water Cay to see the iguanas before cruising back.

Puppy Walking

Got a few hours to spare in the morning? Why not walk a Potcake puppy? Potcake Place K9 Rescue is a non profit charity in the Turks & Caicos Islands that helps reduce the number of homeless Potcake puppies (Yes, it’s a real breed) on the island. Daily walkies are available from 10 am-12:30 everyday except Sundays. They provide you with a beach bag with all the essentials for walking your puppy. We collected our puppy Cowboy for a beach walk and cuddles. Cowboy was a pleasure to walk and we were glad to find out he had been adopted by a Canadian woman who fell in love with him whilst visiting!

Provo Ponies

For an unforgettable experience and one of the most sought-after activities on the island, make your way to Provo Ponies horseback riding stables on Providenciales. With a variety of packages to choose from, we opted for the delightful 75-minute afternoon group ride tour priced at $169 per person. These amazing horses have been rescued and carefully nurtured by owner Camille. She will thoughtfully match you with a horse, ensuring your comfort before leading you to the serene waters of Long Bay beach on the south side of the island. Secure your spot in advance as availability is limited

Fish Fry Thursday

Held every Thursday from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM at Stubbs Diamond Plaza in the Bight.

Visiting the island’s Fish Fry is an absolute must, it offers a wide array of delectable Turks and Caicos Caribbean dishes to suit all tastes. The menus boast island favorites like rice and peas, crab, lobster, conch prepared in various ways, mac and cheese, corn, and more. The star of the show is the beloved fried fish, which lends its name to the event. The best part? It was just a short stroll from our hotel, allowing us to savor rum punch and lively music.

Explore the island

If you do decide to hire a car, make sure you check out every corner of the island. You will discover even more places to eat and amazing scenery. On our short road trip around the island we discovered:

Chalk Sound National Park is a natural lagoon located in the southwest of the island. This national park boasts shallow and stunning turquoise waters, dotted with hundreds of small rocky islands. Although many of the luxurious properties have claimed prime views, the drive between the houses offers a delightful and scenic experience.

Taylor Bay Beach is located in the southwest of the island. The beach is shallow, clear, and calm, making it ideal for children. Despite a few rental properties, the beach is never crowded.

Long Bay Beach is a stunning 3-mile stretch of coastline located in the southeast of the island. The water here glistens in beautiful shades of turquoise and remains calm and shallow, making it the perfect spot to relax or have a picnic. This tranquil area is known for its luxurious rental properties that attracts celebrities. You can even catch a glimpse of the grounded shipwreck La Famille Express or a celebrity.

The Hole is a large limestone sinkhole with water at the bottom. It has semi-tidal characteristics, indicating a connection to the ocean or nearby marine ponds. If you are on this side of the island then why not pay the hole a visit. There are no designated paths or safety handrails, so caution, especially with children.

Places to Eat

The island’s cuisine is great for fish enthusiasts. Most restaurants offer a similar menu featuring a variety of local fish, including snapper, fish tacos, lobsters (when in season), shrimp, and the famous conch. It’s a culinary paradise for seafood lovers! Here are some of our favorite restaurants on the island:

Da Conch Shack $$

Da Conch Shack is situated west of Grace Bay, offering a laid-back atmosphere typical of the island’s dining spots. This spot quickly became my top choice, thanks to its delicious fried conch fritters, refreshing fruit rum punch, and scenic views. You will need to take a taxi or driving when visiting the Da Conch Shack.

Omar’s Beach hut $$

Omar’s Beach Hut is located south of the island and again you will need a car or taxi to get here. What’s great about dining here is that you have the option of sitting in the low shallow waters.

Hemingway’s Restaurant $$

Hemingway’s was incredibly convenient for us, being situated in The Sands complex. We frequented dined here having both lunch and dinner. It was brilliant for it service, atmosphere, and breathtaking ocean views. Just remember to have some repellent on hand!

The Deck $$

We happened to arrive on a rainy day and sought shelter. When it rains on the island, it rains! Also a perfect time to savor delicious food, enjoy drinks, and patiently wait for the weather to clear. The restaurant is conveniently located within walking distance from the Grace Bay area. While the service was sometimes slow, we made the most of it, embracing the relaxed pace that reflects the charm of island life!

On a budget?

Eating on the island is expensive and you can easily spend a lot of money when dinning in restaurants. If you are on a budget I suggest you check these places to keep the costs low:

Graceway IGA Supermarket on Leeway Highway, not the Grace Bay area, is a fantastic option! It’s spacious and provides an array of affordable ready-to-eat food compared to other spots on the island. For under $5 a pot, you can enjoy a hot meal of rice, vegetables, fried chicken, plantains, and mac and cheese. They also do custom sandwiches.

The Patty Place offers a variety of patties at reasonable prices. The bustling atmosphere is a testament to its popularity among locals, making it an excellent choice for grabbing a satisfying hot meal on the go.

Mangrove Bay Restaurant- Despite its unassuming appearance, this hidden gem offers a delightful dining experience with delicious, freshly caught dishes at reasonable prices. The absence of a fixed menu adds an element of surprise, ensuring a unique and authentic dining experience based on the day’s catch.

Time to say goodbye…

I’m thrilled to have chosen Turks and Caicos as my first Caribbean destination. I’d never encountered such serene, turquoise waters before, and the culinary offerings everywhere were surprisingly delightful. The locals were incredibly welcoming and eager to share their island living experiences. Despite being quite pricey, especially when compared to European activities, it was a fabulous experience that has left me craving for more.