Gwyneth’s a fan, Oprah’s a fan, even Drake’s a fan. But who wouldn’t be with 350 days of sunshine and 230-miles of some of the world’s best beaches. It can only be the Turks and Caicos islands…
If you’re planning a visit to this breathtaking archipelago of islands, then it’s time to book your Turks and Caicos luxury villa rental and get ready for the trip of a lifetime, here’s the lowdown on the best activities.
The best of beach life
Surrounded by nothing but turquoise waters and stretches of soft white sand, this is the place for beach life at its best. There are so many idyllic coastlines to choose from, but Grace Bay Beach and Parrot Cay are noteworthy crowd-pleasers.
Not content with just basking in the sunshine? There’s plenty of water-based activities to inspire. Head to The Bright Reef and Smith’s Reef in Providenciales for a memorable underwater experience snorkelling amongst the coral reef. Take it up a notch at West Caicos Marine National Park- welcoming to both snorkelers and divers with 397 hectares of protected land to explore. Accomplished divers should make the time to visit French Cay. Here you can experience drops of over 6,000 feet and reefs with an abundance of fish, rays, sharks and when in season – even Humpback whales.
If you’re better above sea level, then a favorite tourist attraction is jet-skiing around ‘La Famille Express’. This decaying shipwreck is quite the draw, and afterwards you can jet over to Dellis Cay to marvel at giant-size star fish – the kids will love it.
For a more luxurious experience, there’s plenty of private yacht charters to see the island in style. If you have a private dock, some of these will even collect from your Turks & Caicos villa rental. Tailor the trip to your preference, be it visiting the local beaches, reefs or islands – it’s a delightful way to spend a day.
Explore the island
This is the perfect landscape for exploring nature in all its extremes. Start with Conch Bar caves in Middle Caicos, this is the largest non-submerged cave system in the Bahamas and an unusual place to tour – look out for low-flying bats and prehistoric ruins!
Be at one with nature at East Bay Islands National Park. This stunning vast land is home to flocks of wildlife, bird life and mangrove wetlands – a soothing backdrop for boat trips and kayaking its lagoon-like waters.
Finish the extreme tour with a bird’s eye view of Grace Bay. There’s a number of reputable parasailing companies that will take you up to 500 feet for incredible views of the beach, the barrier reefs and the large sea animals below.
A foodies paradise
Whether you’re entertaining friends in your Turks and Caicos villa rental, or being entertained in one of its many five-star establishments, the food scene here is sizzling. Local cuisine is fragrant, filling and joyously healthy. Boiled fish and grits, conch fritters, and grilled lobster tail are popular dishes, with an unmistakable Caribbean kick.
The iconic Da Conch Shack is a great place to sample local staples, especially its namesake conch. There’s live music on Wednesday-Sunday evenings, making it a lively and inviting spot for kicking back and having fun.
In South Caicos, The Great House is a romantic clifftop retreat, with panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean and a first-class fine dining menu – the jerk chicken is a must. Nestled away in the Providenciales, Grace’s Cottage is a gem of a find – this bijou homely setting offers creative seafood dishes with world-class cuisine. As one of the most famous restaurants on the island, be sure to book in advance.
Finally, a favorite with the jet-set elite, Coyaba at Grace Bay offers a sophisticated setting for dining alfresco. Using fresh seasonal produce, the tropical setting is popular with couples and foodies, under the helm of Chef Paul Newman.
Villazzo leads the way in luxury villa rentals in the most desirable destinations throughout the world, including Turks and Caicos.
