Why go? For fantastic white sand beaches fringed with warm, emerald waters and coral reefs with a rich and colourful marine life. Like the Bahamas to the north, the Turks & Caicos are sunshine islands ideal for a lazy week or two by the sea. Officially they are a British Crown Colony, but the style here is abundantly American. Expect big cars, well-stocked supermarkets, prices in US dollars and resort hotels where your room comes with a huge fridge and kitchen facilities. International flights land on Providenciales, and few travellers go further thanks to the 12-mile (20-km) sweep of Grace Bay, which has a superb beach where most hotels are situated. Standards are high and the island is developing fast, and while the arid, low-lying interior has little of interest, there is a lot of fun to be had out to sea. The Turks and Caicos are renown for their excellent diving, and there are good excursions to outlying islands should you want to get off the sun-lounger.
Best for Beach bums; divers; families looking for somewhere safe and easy.
Best avoided Sunburn: there’s little shade on the islands, so don’t forget your sunscreen.
Need to know It’s worth hiring a car for a few days on Providenciales to visit sights, shops and restaurants. The best way to explore the outer islands is by hiking and biking, so pack some strong shoes or sandals.
TC Tip British Airways has a direct flight here from London, or you can fly via Miami.
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
