It has “the best beach in the Caribbean”, its waters worthy of those of the Maldives and its luxurious hotels give the impression of being a VIP: welcome to the Turks and Caicos, also known by the welcoming nickname “Turquoise Islands”. .
A British Overseas Territory formerly part of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, it is made up of 40 islands and islets, only nine of which are inhabited. Put on the ‘tourist map’ in the 1980s thanks to the still operational Club Med Turkoise, it has evolved over the years into an upscale destination where luxury hotels far outnumber all-inclusive hotels. Celebrities like singer Drake, to name but a few, now have their habits (and their meer-doo!).
The most developed and populous of the Territory’s islands is Providenciales, or “Provo” for short. As it is also the most touristy, this is where we drop our “hand luggage”, the time of a long weekend of luxury, idleness and exploration. Here are some essentials for a relaxing holiday in the sun.
“The best beach in the Caribbean”
According to TripAdvisor’s Top 2022, the northeast coast of Providenciales is home to the most beautiful beach in the entire Caribbean. This is Grace Bay Beach, which has earned that title multiple times over the past 20 years. Is it really nicer than Playa Pilar or Playa Bavaro? Either way, with its 3 miles of translucent water and soft sand like baby powder, it really has something to enchant!
The turquoise sea like in the Maldives
If you can, choose a window seat for your flight into Providenciales International Airport: the blues and greens of the Caribbean Sea will strike you as soon as you arrive, as will those of the island’s many lagoons (where a few flamingos can be spotted) . over at certain times of the year!).
The chic Wymara Hotel and its VIP villas
There are many hotels on Grace Bay Beach and its white-sand neighbors. Some facilities are a bit removed from the action, like Wymara Resorts and Villas, owned by a Canadian named Bruce Maclaren, who splits his time between Turks and Caicos and Australia. Here we stay in one-bedroom condos with a sleek and bright look, with balconies and ocean views, and we swim in a bougainvillea-lined swimming pool. In addition to its main resort, the Wymara offers villas worthy of magazine decorations. Its brand-new homes for two make you want to honeymoon (again), while its large VIP villas offer an infinity pool, multiple terraces, and a slide into the sea. Wymara isn’t the island’s only upscale hotel line, of course, but it does have its chic and intimate side (91 rooms) earned it a Travel + Leisure Magazine Favorite in 2022. Something too fancy for your budget? Be sure to reserve a table at Indigo Restaurant (and order the lobster!) or join in the moonlight beach barbecue.
boat trips
Sarah Bergeron-Ouellet / Agency QMI
Sailing the sparkling waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands is a delight. There is a wide range of cruises and sea excursions, some taking you onto white sandbars in the middle of nowhere, others offering BBQs, snorkeling trips, sunset cruises or real parties on the water. A few evenings a month it’s even possible to spot the bioluminescent worms that inhabit certain rare sectors of the islands!
Floating Bar Noah’s Ark
The atmosphere changes completely when you disembark at Noah’s Ark floating bar, which is only accessible by boat or watercraft. Music, cocktails, local beers, conch salads and DJs on the weekends: mingle with the locals in a fun atmosphere and don’t hesitate to sip your drink right in the turquoise waters.
Another popular floating bar is Captain Oaks Tiki Bar near Long Beach, an area well known to kite surfers. Both bars are only open in the afternoon until sunset.
The local restaurant Mr. Groupers
Photo from Mr. Grouper’s Facebook page
Lobster platter, fried clams, grilled grouper, sautéed snapper, homemade burgers… Would you like to try the local Caribbean cuisine? Mr. Groupers restaurant is a Provo favorite. Accompany your meal with a cold beer or a colorful cocktail and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the place. Go as a group to taste everything if you can!
snorkeling
Turks and Caicos offers many opportunities for snorkelers. Several reefs are accessible from the beach, such as Bight Reef and Smith’s Reef, while others, such as Leeward Cut Reef off the famous Grace Bay Beach, are accessible by boat. Before your eyes: rays, turtles, parrot fish, corals and other colorful creatures.
The Fish Fry on Thursday evenings
Sarah Bergeron-Ouellet / Agency QMI
Several Caribbean islands have their “Fish Fry,” an evening where you can enjoy grilled fish and other local dishes. The Turks and Caicos Tourist Board hosts one every Thursday on Providenciales Island at PTV Stubbs Diamond Plaza. On the program: a dozen small restaurants and souvenir shops, “live” music and cultural performances. A parade of dancers in traditional costume called “Junkanoo” usually closes the colorful evening.
Canada’s 11th province?
This may be familiar: in the last 100 years, Canadian politicians have raised the idea of making Turks and Caicos a Canadian province a number of times. The NDP was still talking about it in the mid-2010s, but it’s not a very concrete project, as confirmed by the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board. However, he says that Canada is the second largest tourist market (behind the United States) and that Canadians are one of the largest minorities in the territory.
USEFULL LINKS
– For tourist information about Providenciales and the other islands
– To find out more about the Wyamara Hotel
– To get to Turks and Caicos Islands (Air Canada currently offers direct flights from Montreal or Toronto to Providenciales. The Wymara Hotel is also one of the hotels offered by the company as a package tour.)