For winter fun in the sun, try the Turks & Caicos

Miles of white sand beach stretch along the shores of Grace Bay in the Turks & Caicos  (Taylor)

TURKS & CAICOS, December 12, 2015 – Christopher Columbus discovered the Turks & Caicos from the sea in 1492. Nearly 500 years later astronaut John Glenn rediscovered them from space, and they haven't been the same since. 

The main pool at the Sands at Grace Bay  (Taylor)

Six years later the airport opened in the capital city of Providenciales, or Provo as it is called by locals, and large scale international tourism was on the horizon.

Despite the influx of travelers however, the chain of 41 islands has been extremely sensitive to over-development, choosing instead to upgrade infrastructure while maintaining its pre-Glenn ambiance. It’s a recipe that has made them one of the most desirable destinations in the Caribbean.

So careful have the residents been about protecting their “pristine” image that the main road was paved less than ten years ago and only now is the airport in the process of upgrading to accommodate the increase of international travelers.

Water sports, especially snorkeling for conch, are favorite pastimes in the Turks & Caicos  (Taylor)

There are two sets of islands in the archipelago, of which roughly 25% are inhabited. The Turks derive their name from the indigenous Turk’s head cactus, while Caicos comes from the Lucayan term caya hica meaning “string of islands.” Before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 the Lucayan and the Taino Indians comprised the native population.

Rum punch and conch salad are staples  (Taylor)

The Turks make up the northern cluster of islands, while the Caicos are to the south. Most of the tourist activity these days centers around Grace Bay where luxury hotels offer all the amenities a visitor desires while retaining an atmosphere of seclusion and a respect for the environment.

Activities include kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, nature walks, parasailing, paddle-boarding and, of course, golf. Boasting the third largest coral reef in the world, combined with an abundance of conch, it’s little wonder that water activities are among the most popular.

Reef Peepers, one of several popular outfitters in the islands, offers a variety of excursions. Half-day snorkeling programs include snorkeling, gear, searching for conch, a visit to Half Moon Bay, lunch and drinks. You can also try TI Reef Adventure on Grand Turk for snorkeling sessions, adventures with stingrays, and deep sea fishing.

A rock iguana greets guests at his home on Iguana Island  (Taylor)

Half Moon Bay, also known as Iguana Island, is a favorite outing because it is the home of the rock iguana, the smallest creature of its type in the Caribbean.

As might be expected in an area so linked to the sea, there is a passion for shellfish, especially conch. It is virtually impossible to go anywhere and not find conch on a restaurant menu in one form or another. In fact, the Caicos Conch farm is the only commercial conch farm in the world.

Da Conch Shack is an island favorite  (Taylor)

Arguably the favorite hangout on Provo is Da Conch Shack, which harvests its own conch for its signature white meat delicacies of conch fritters, conch salad and scorched conch. You can even watch as they pull lunch or dinner directly from the water before preparing it within minutes. You would be hard pressed to find food fresher than that.

Jerk chicken is also a popular island dish. Smokey’s has the reputation for the best jerk chicken, plus you can play a round or two of miniature golf before or after your meal.

The Sands at Grace Bay is a metaphor for relaxation, comfort and luxury  (Taylor)

The islands feature a wide range of accommodations catering to any budget. The more upscale properties can be pricey, as with any resort, but they are not extravagant by luxury standards. The Sands at Grace Bay features multiple swimming pools, a small spa, spacious rooms, superb dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a twelve mile stretch of white sand beach to boot.

Rooms at the Sands are extra spacious  (Taylor)

Situated just eighty minutes by air from Miami, the Turks & Caicos are easy to reach, especially from the east coast of the U.S. Little wonder 70% of the visitors come from the United States and another 20% arrive from Canada.

Driving can be tricky until you get accustomed to using the left side of the road, but the ability to use U.S. dollars and American electrical outlets quickly compensates for the driving adjustments.

Off-season travel is increasing in popularity for many people, but when it comes to the Caribbean, off-season is really a misnomer. In a land of eternal summer and sunshine, it really doesn’t matter when you visit. As a result, the so-called off-season in the Turks provides the same wonderful weather plus a reduction in price.

Days end in the TCI always has the promise a bold new tomorrow  (Taylor)

Today, Turks & Caicos stands on the threshold of an exciting future boasting the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean coupled with strictly controlled development to protect the islands.

Island life as it used to be combined with luxury and comfort is the best of two worlds, and you can find it in the Turks & Caicos.

The article appeared first in Communities Digital News

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