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Turks Caicos Information

3 Blogs to Follow to Learn About Turks and Caicos

turks and caicos bloggers

 

turks and caicos bloggers

Our corner of Grace Bay Beach is hard to  leave – it’s been recognized as one of the top 10 beaches in the world for several years. As well, sometimes accurate, up-to-date Turks and Caicos information – what to do and where to go on Providenciales – can be hard to find, even on the official tourist websites.

Where to go, what to do, and when to do it – these are all things that people want to know before making plans to explore the island.

The best thing to do, sometimes, when visiting a new place, is to read about what the locals are doing. Luckily, there are some bloggers here in the Turks and Caicos (TCI)

Island Insight Blog

Run by Turks and Caicos Tourism, this blog offers regular updates about things to do on Provo, including festivals events, most recently Maskanoo, an event that is a little like Mardi Gras in early January. The Island Insights blog also provides information about other islands in TCI besides Provo, including North and South  Caicos, Middle Caicos (with its amazing limestone caves), as well as Grand Turk, across the Caicos Channel.

A blog post about checking out TCI beyond Provo is worth reading if you are planning a trip.

 My Sea Story Blog

This blog is a classic expat blog about some folks who have decided to make their life on the island of Providenciales. The blog features some fantastic photos of Grace Bay Beach, plus their Vimeo channel is pretty amazing:

Follow the leader… me, grouper, turtle and shark…. from joana vaz-pinto on Vimeo

Their recent blog post on new Turks and Caicos restaurants is well-worth reading if you’re planning an upcoming trip.

2 Gringos in the Caribbean

This excellent blog features excellent photography taken around Providenciales and the beautiful, shallow Caicos Bight to the south, with shipwrecks, dive spots, and plenty of local color.  Their story:

Tired of the rat race and cold weather in the northeastern United States, we decided to chuck the life and try something new. We pulled up roots, sold the house, took only the most prized possessions and with child and Jack Russell Terrier headed to the Turks & Caicos Islands, British West Indies in September, 2005. This is our story…… so far.

So far, so good. If you’re looking for an alternative to Da Conch Shack, check out their blog post on Bugaloos.

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Turks Caicos Information

A Few Top Spots in Providenciales!

There are so many incredible things to do and sights to see on our breathtaking Turks & Caicos island of Providenciales, while vacationing here at The Sands at Grace Bay. Here are a just few of our favorite island spots, that our guests love to visit during their island stays:

1. Princess Alexandra National Park – With over 6500 acres of protected wildlife and uninhabited beach areas, this park is the perfect place to go to enjoy nature and view iguanas, ospreys, mangroves and the magnificent coral reefs and marine life that are located just offshore and considered one of the Caribbean’s best snorkeling spots. Our guests love kayaking through the mangroves and walking along the tranquil beaches in this protected wildlife reserve.

2. Provo Golf Club – this top-ranked course offers breathtaking views and earns consistent “top ten” course ratings in the Caribbean. The manicured greens, lush fairways, extensive lakes on both the front and back nine holes, PGA pro’s on hand and full service clubhouse make this a golfer’s paradise!

3.  Da Conch Shack – You haven’t truly experienced our island’s favorite food from the sea – Conch – until you’ve visited this open-air Conch Shack restaurant and bar, which serves conch in nearly every way imaginable! You’ll enjoy fresh seafood alongside the ocean at this colorful Turks & Caicos landmark – where you can eat barefoot on the beach and sip rum punch while enjoying the ocean breezes.

4. Cheshire Hall Plantation – This is one of the island’s most historic attractions, a 200 year-old former cotton plantation that offers spectacular views of the island, overlooking much of Western Providenciales. The building ruins have been carefully preserved by the National Trust, which also leads weekday guided tours of Cheshire Hall from 8:30am – 4pm for $5 per person.

To view some photos of our favorite “Top Spots in Providenciales”, we’ve created a new resort Pinterest board where we will regularly post our favorite things to do and sights to see around our island: http://pinterest.com/thesandstc/top-spots-in-providenciales/

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Turks Caicos Information

“Surf & Turf” Scuba Dive Vacation

A “Surf & Turf” Scuba Dive Vacation Package Deal Combines On Land & Undersea Adventures With Spring Savings At A Top Turks & Caicos Resort

The Sands at Grace Bay has partnered with Ocean Vibes LTD – a leading PADI dive and snorkel facility in Providenciales – to offer a weeklong scuba dive vacation deal for travel beginning this spring 2013. This “Surf & Turf” themed travel package highlights Turks & Caicos’ adventures and beauty both on-land and undersea – featuring a discounted luxury resort stay and daily scuba dive excursions to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater sites.

The “Surf & Turf” vacation package deal boasts more than $450 in per couple savings. Package rates start from $1,130 per person for a six-night stay, and from $1,338 per person for a seven-night stay (based on double occupancy) and include:

  • Studio Courtyard accommodations at The Sands at Grace Bay resort (room upgrades are available for an additional charge)
  • Resort taxes & fees
  • Two-tank scuba dive excursions for “two” offered through Ocean Vibes: The 6-night package includes 5 days of diving and the 7-night package includes 6 days of diving.

To book this offer, call the resort’s toll-free reservations line from the U.S. (877) 777-2637; or from Canada (800) 567-5327 and request the “SCUBA DIVE” travel package. For more information about this resort or package, visit www.thesandstc.flywheelstaging.com or the OceanVibes website.

More Package Details

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Turks Caicos Information

Spend Family Day at A Turks and Caicos Resort

kids activities turks and caicos

February 18 is Family Day in the Turks and Caicos and around the world. This holiday comes at just about the best time of year in our part of the Caribbean –  blue skies prevail, and the temperature is just perfect, and even heavenly if you compare it to the deep freeze that has descended on many cities in North America. Check out our Turks and Caicos deals and plan your escape.

kids activities turks and caicos

So, if you’re traveling with children to the Turks and Caicos on Family Day, here are some things you can do with them:

Visit the Science Museum on Provo

The National Environment Centre is quite close to Grace Bay Beach, and is a perfect place to take kids – there’s a playground right across the street. Learn about local wildlife and ecology, and why our white sand beaches are so dazzling!

Explore Chalk Sound

Chalk Sound, located on the southwest coast of Providenciales, features a beautiful expanse of shallow turquoise water, and is great for birdwatching exploring the natural beauty of our island home. Beaches are hard to find, but on the flip you can find a stretch of sand to call your own.

Boat over to Iguana Island

Lying off the northeast corner of Provo, Iguana Island does what it says on the tin – it’s a tiny cay that is home to a colony of iguanas, many of which come running when they hear the small ferry arrive. It’s a perfect morning or afternoon trip to do with kids.

Snorkel Coral Gardens

Coral Gardens, on Grace Bay Beach, is a great place to learn how to snorkel. The waters are shallow with few waves, and the area is marked where it’s safer for beginners to swim. Of course, children should always be accompanied (within arms’ length) by an adult, and should wear a personal flotation device.

Visit Grace Bay Beach

We think the best place for kids is Grace Bay Beach – right in front of our hotel. Besides the sand and the gentle surf, there are beach chairs and plenty of shade under an umbrella, with the pool close at hand.

 

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Turks Caicos Information

Our Pinterest Page Offers Turks & Caicos Travel Inspiration

Follow our new Pinterest page (pinterest.com/thesandstc) to view our most recent resort and beach shots, share and repin the photos you like best, and receive some beach vacation inspiration and Turks & Caicos travel planning ideas! Our Pinterest page helps paint a picture of our resort and beach destination by showcasing photos of our world-renowned Grace Bay Beach location, lush resort grounds, spacious studio and suite accommodations, resort pools and amenities, local island shots and much more. We also created a “Turks & Caicos” weddings board to provide couples with destination wedding planning inspiration, highlighting photos of our stunning Grace Bay Beach wedding and reception venues!

Happy Pinning 🙂

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Turks Caicos Information

Learn About Grace Bay Resort With These Quick Facts

Here are quick facts about the Turks and Caicos Islands:
  • The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays (pronounced keys)
  • The territory is located 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, just below The Bahamas chain and to the east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti.)
  • There are eight major public islands
  • Salt Cay and the island capital of Grand Turk make up the Turks islands
  • The Caicos islands are South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales and West Caicos.
  • The Columbus Passage separates the Turks islands from the Caicos islands.

Turks and Caicos photos

What we’re proud of

Turks and Caicos Islands has one of the longest coral reefs in the world, making our islands an amazing diving destination.

TCI is are famous for white sandy beaches – remnants of ancient coral reefs – which in total cover 230 miles and are complimented with unique turquoise waters.

The weather on Provo

  • The average temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees Celsius) from June to October
  • From November to May the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees (27-29 degrees Celsius).
  • Water temperature in the summer is 82 to 84 degrees (28-29 degrees Celsius)
  • In winter the water temperature is about 74 to 78 degrees (23-26 degrees Celsius).
  • A constant trade wind keeps the climate at a very comfortable level.
  • There is an annual rainfall of 21 inches on Grand Turk and South Caicos
  • In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine
  • Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30th.

What to wear

  • Shorts are worn in town as well as the beach during the day; light sweaters and jackets may be needed at night in winter
  • Bring sunhats and sunscreen. In the evenings
  • Most restaurants accept dress shorts; some require pants with a collared shirt for gentlemen and dress slacks or dresses for the ladies
  • Public Nudity is illegal anywhere and everywhere

About Provo

  • Providenciales, or more commonly known as “Provo”, is surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches
  • Provo has been ranked “Best Beach” by Conde’ Nast magazine and other major publications.
  • Provo is home to villas and condos, numerous restaurants, spas and shops, a championship golf course, and is  a destination for those who want to relax.

The north shore of the island, near Grace Bay, is home the most beautiful beaches, as well as a long coral reef.

 

 

 

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Turks Caicos Information

With Valentine’s Day Approaching, Here Are Tips For Planning A Romantic Vacation In Turks & Caicos

From our breathtaking oceanfront location alongside Grace Bay Beach coupled with our spacious suites and luxurious amenities, The Sands at Grace Bay is a simply a blissful setting for a romantic retreat. Whether you are vacationing in Turks & Caicos over Valentine’s Day or if you’re simply seeking a romantic escape…your ultimate couples vacation is here for the taking.

Not only do we offer several affordable and customizable Romance? packages that feature alluring inclusions like a chilled bottle of champagne in your room, a Swedish massage for two, and a Couples Sunset Beach Cruise, but there are also many lesser known ways that couples can enhance their romantic stay at The Sands at Grace Bay. Here are just a few tips for making your next couple’s vacation in Providenciales more memorable, based on previous guest experiences and our insight into some of the most romantic island activities:

Go Horseback Riding Along a Secluded Beach – Provo Ponies on the southeast end of Providenciales offers a charming horseback riding experience along a four-mile secluded stretch of Long Bay Beach. Provo Ponies offers small group guided horseback riding tours as well as private rides that are ideal for beginners to advanced riders, where you’ll have the chance to leisurely ride a horse along quiet paths and on the pristine white sands of Long Bay Beach. Riders can even take the horses into the crystal clear turquoise ocean waters for a truly unique experience.

Take a self-guided Tour of Providenciales and the Island Beaches by Bike – Come explore the idyllic splendors around The Sands with your loved one at your own pace. You can take advantage of our free resort bicycles for a fun day trip. On this bicycle ride you’ll experience some of the most captivating beaches in the world. If you’re craving privacy, seek out Malcolm Beach, situated away from the mainstream resort beach stretches.

Arrange a Glow Worm Cruise for a? Magnificent Evening Ocean Encounter –? For three to six nights each month? after a full moon, there is a natural? display of under water bioluminescence ?produced by Turks & Caicos “glow?worms” that can be seen about an hour? after sunset in the ebbing tides of the? Caicos banks. There are several local char?ter boat companies that offer tours and ?cruises to enjoy this amazing bioluminescent experience where you will set sail and? take-in a beautiful, island sunset at sea. Once ?the sun is down, a magnificent underwater? display makes the waters aglow as part of the mating ritual for the “glow worms.” The sparkling stars that you will see both in the sky and underwater on this fascinating sailing excursion make it a once-in-a-lifetime, romantic and memorable night.

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Turks Caicos Information

Turks and Caicos Events for Winter and Spring 2013

Feb 6 – Bob Marley’s Birthday Reggae Jam
To celebrate this annual remembrance of one of the Caribbean’s greatest cultural icons, read up on the man revered by Bob Marley and all other Rastafarian’s: Haile Selassie, former Emperor of Ethiopia. Play Bob’s debut release track, “Judge Not,” Pop open a Red Stripe, Jamaica’s favorite beer, in tribute to Marley’s homeland.

Feb 16 – 13th Annual Valentine’s Day Cup (Middle Caicos)
Come and celebrate the day, watch majestic sailing, try out your skills, enjoy local cooking. Volunteers are always needed, so lend us a hand. Email [email protected] and visithttp://www.middlecaicos.biz for more information on the Middle Caicos Sailboat Association.

Mar 10 – Bob Graham Classic, Provo Golf Club
With an 8 hole championship golf course voted consistently within the top ten Caribbean golf courses, each March the Provo Golf Club hosts the Bob Graham Classic. It’s a great time to enjoy golf, make new friends, and experience the Turks and Caicos outdoors. The Classic was inaugurated by Bob Graham back in 1997 after the Turks and Caicos Golf Association competed in its first Caribbean Championship held in Jamaica.

Apr 4 – 7 Annual Wine Cellar Golf & Fishing Tournament (WCGFT)
Here’s a great weekend of events that brings together members of our community, visitors to our islands and of course fishing and golf enthusiasts to have fun and participate in a number of competitive and entertaining events, with all the benefits and proceeds going towards various  charities throughout the islands.


 

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Beach Weddings Turks Caicos

Have a Turks and Caicos Vacation Idea? Let Us Know!

Do you have a Turks and Caicos vacation idea? Let us know on Facebook! We’ll be sure to include your ideas in our blog. In the meantime…

In a recent Facebook post, guests were asked to name their favorite spots on Provo. There were a ton of replies, but there were some common themes:

Grace Bay Beach
Influential magazine US News and World Report has just named Turks and Caicos one of the top 22 honeymoon destinations in the world. Why?

Turks & Caicos are perhaps one of the least developed Caribbean destinations — and make for an intimate and somewhat secluded honeymoon experience. Besides the beaches, the main attractions in Turks & Caicos are snorkeling, scuba diving and spa treatments, all of which can be enjoyed by newly married couples. 

Grace Bay Beach, with its sugary sand and views of onyx ocean and turquoise sky is itself regarded as one of the world’s top beaches.

Iguana Island
Iguana Island is a small cay off the northeastern tip of Provo that’s accessible only by boat. The resident iguanas have become habituated to people, and actually will run out to greet visitors. Close to Grace Bay, Iguana Island makes a perfect afternoon excursion.

Bight Reef, Princess Alexandra National Park
Located just off Grace Bay, this easily accessible reef teems with tropical fish, and is also a perfect destination for glass-bottomed kayak tours.

Chalk Sound
Located on the wild, less developed western end of Provo, Chalk Sound is a shallow lagoon dotted with small islets that dot a beautiful turquoise vista. Perfect for birdwatching or just taking fantastic picture, Chalk Sound is  great for families.

Half Moon Bay
Tour operators offer a popular half-day excursion here, dropping you off with chairs, umbrellas, and refreshments and returning later to pick you up. It’s also included in many multi-stop tours, though the visit is shorter.

 

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Turks Caicos Information

Providenciales Named The “World’s Leading Beach Destination”

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos has been named the “Caribbean’s Leading Beach Destination” in 2012 by the World Travel Awards! The Turks & Caicos Islands also took home the “World’s Leading Beach Destination” Award for 2012 at the World Travel Awards Ceremony. The World Travel Awards is hailed as the “Oscars of the travel industry” and annually rewards all sectors of the global travel industry.

Providenciales’ Grace Bay Beach was also voted the #1 Beach & Sun Destination In The World by Trip Advisor’s ‘Traveler’s Choice’ Awards.

What are you waiting for?! Plan a winter or spring vacation to The Sands at Grace Bay resort, located on the World’s #1 Beach…Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales.