Things to Do
1.
Snorkelling
Providenciales
5 star rating by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Providenciales offers some great snorkeling right from the beach. Generally, the best snorkeling reefs are off the north coast, but there are quite a few interesting sites elsewhere as well. See detailed information on the main locations below. If your schedule allows, it’s worth waiting for calm and sunny conditions as your snorkeling experience will be more enjoyable.
2.
Scuba Diving
Providenciales, Grand Turk, Salt Cay
4 star rating by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Amazing diving is offered from Providenciales, Grand Turk and Salt Cay. In our opinion, the sites off French Cay and West Caicos are the finest, but these locations are normally accessed by an hour long (each way) boat trip from Providenciales.
The excellent reefs of Grand Turk and Salt Cay, however, are only a short boat ride off the coast.
3.
Island Hopping & Beach BBQ Cruises
All Islands
5 star rating by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
One of the most popular things to do on Providenciales, a beach cruise will appeal to all age groups. Tours usually visit snorkeling spots, the iguanas of Little Water Cay, and the pristine beaches of Water Cay, Pine Cay and Fort George Cay.
For half day and longer tours, lunch (often a beach BBQ with fresh conch or lobster if in season) is typically included. When in season, collecting your own conch for lunch may be an option!
Snorkel gear is usually provided, but these cruises really don’t tend to visit the best reefs, unlike dedicated snorkeling cruises.
Most of these tours pick up guests on the Grace Bay and Bight beaches outside their resorts or include complimentary hotel pickup if your accommodations are located elsewhere.
Destinations and Sights
The vast majority of boat trips visit the nine-mile (14.5km) (string of small cays and islands between Providenciales and North Caicos.
At less than a mile (1.5km) from Providenciales, the iguana nature sanctuary of Little Water Cay and the adjacent Half Moon Bay Beach are the most popular stops. Here, three-quarters of a mile (1200 meters) of pristine beach await, along with the indigenous Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana and birdlife.
Further northeast is Water Cay, with two miles (3.4 km) of low white limestone cliffs with interspersed secluded beaches.
The deserted beaches of Fort George Cay, Pine Cay, and Dellis Cay are also occasional stops but are less popular due to the greater distance from Providenciales.