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Announcements Just For Fun Turks Caicos Information

The Sands at Grace Bay Launches 100% Hurricane Refund Policy

The Sandes at Grace Bay pool and beach

— Guests can book with confidence thanks to No-Hassle, 100% Refund Policy offered at The Sands at Grace Bay —

The Sands at Grace Bay today announced the launch of its newly created No-Hassle, 100% Refund Policy, in the event of a Hurricane. Developed to offer guests the ultimate “peace of mind” guarantee, the new policy states that if the threat of a hurricane prevents travel to Providenciales, or otherwise interferes with the guest’s vacation, the luxury hospitality group will offer a 100% refund of any unused portion of the resort stay, no questions asked.

More specifically, the policy states that if the NOAA National Hurricane Center says that Turks and Caicos Islands are under a Hurricane Watch or Warning and inside the “3- Day (72-hour) Zone of uncertainty, inside the white cone” for a Hurricane (code “H”) or Major Hurricane (code “M”), guests may elect to cancel their stay and receive a full refund. The policy is in effect for Hurricane only, not for lesser impacting Tropical Storms.

Confirmed guests who wish to cancel their reservation under this Hurricane Guarantee must contact the resort or the travel professional who booked their vacation package directly and specifically reference the Harling Group/The Sands at Grace Bay Hurricane Guarantee policy.

Here are additional guidelines for every possible scenario:

Tropical Storm Warning: If the Turks and Caicos Islands are under a “Tropical Storm” warning and this impacts guest’s ability to travel to the island, they can elect to receive a credit for a return stay of the same value, valid for one year. There will be no refunds issued for Tropical Storms.

Pre-arrival Cancellations: Guests who choose to cancel the entire duration of the trip due to Hurricane conditions (based on terms and conditions outlined) will be fully refunded with no cancellation penalties.

In-House Guests Departing Early: Guests who choose to depart early from Turks and Caicos will be credited for the “unused nights” and fully refunded.

Missed Flights and/or Delayed Arrivals: If hurricane conditions cause guests to miss a flight, and/or otherwise arrive one or more days late to the resort, guests will receive a full refund for any such days, or you may have the option of extending your vacation to the original planned time, based on availability. Airline ticket holders are subject to the airlines’ policies and guidelines.

Evacuation Orders: In the event that the Turks and Caicos government issues a mandatory evacuation order, guests will receive a full refund of any days for which they are unable to use the resort resulting from the evacuation order. Guests who are unable to depart due to airport closures will be offered a distressed rate, IF the hurricane makes landfall resulting in a disruption of services at the resort.

Post-Hurricane Damage: If the resort is damaged by a hurricane and is temporarily uninhabitable while repairs are being performed, guests will receive a full refund of those days booked.

Confirmed guests who wish to cancel their reservation under this Hurricane Guarantee must contact the hotel or the travel professional who booked their vacation package directly and specifically reference the Hartling Group/The Sands at Grace Bay Hurricane Guarantee policy.

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Just For Fun Turks Caicos Information

This Family Vacation, Get Your Kids Outside and Keep Them Safe From The Sun

family vacation in turks and caicos

Tips for avoiding sunburns while remaining active on your summer family vacation

family vacation in turks and caicos

It’s summer, so it’s family vacation season. After months of winter weather, it’s time to go outside and enjoy the sun, whether it be at the beach or on the grass in your local park.

Children need to spend time out in the sun — sunlight boosts the body’s production of vitamin D, which is critical for building strong bones and healthy teeth.

However, as any parent knows, spending time out in the strong summer sun can be potentially dangerous for children. A sunburn is both painful and can lead to future problems, such as skin cancer. It’s also easy for children to overheat, as their bodies are not yet able to regulate body temperature as effectively as adults.

Here are a few tips to help prevent these problems, and allow your family to safely spend time out in the sun this vacation.

caribbean family vacation

Tip 1: Cover Up

Children’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adults’ skin, and is thus more vulnerable to sunlight. This can result in sunburns. Every sunburn a child experiences increases the risk of getting skin cancer in later life, so it’s important to cover up.

A hat and a long-sleeved top made from a cool, easy-to-dry material (such as cotton or sun-resistant polyester) is great for preventing burns.

For kids, the best kind of hat will have a wide brim and a flap that covers the ears and neck.

Tip 2: Know When to Stay Out of the Sun

The sun’s rays are strongest during midday hours. When on vacation, try to make sure your kids spend time outside before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.

Once again, always put sunscreen on your child — even your newborn — before heading out, paying special attention to their cheeks and the top of their hands and feet.

caribbean family vacation

Tip 3: Choose the Right Sunscreen

Adults should use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. SPF refers to the length of time a person can remain in the sun before turning red. The higher the SPF, the longer a person can stay out, but the amount of time is also influenced by skin type.

For example, if you have a medium complexion, you would multiply an SPF of 15 by a “sun factor” of 10, meaning you could stay out in the sun for about 150 minutes before burning. The sun factor will be lower if you have fairer skin, so even using the same SPF, a fair-skinned person can’t stay in the sun for as long as someone with darker skin.

Sunscreens made for children usually come in higher SPFs — ranging from 30 to 50 — because kids need more protection.

Tip 4: Apply Sunscreen Multiple Times a Day

In order for your sunscreen to work, you need to apply it 30 minutes before going out into the sun. Reapply when you first arrive at the beach, park, or pool.

Reapply sunscreen after swimming and toweling off, even if the sunscreen is waterproof.

caribbean family vacation

Tip 5: Make Time for Shade

Make sure your child’s play area has a shady spot, or bring along a sun umbrella or beach canopy.

Why Not Take a Family Vacation in Turks and Caicos?

If you want to make sure your kids have plenty of things to do on vacation besides stare at a screen, why not plan your family vacation in Turks and Caicos?

Check out our blog post How to Avoid Screen Time This Summer Vacation to get some ideas about what to do while you’re here.

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Just For Fun

Ten Reasons Why Providenciales Was Prince’s Secret Hideaway

Recently the world discovered that Providenciales is home to a stunning Caribbean hideaway belonging to the late singer Prince. The mansion in Turks and Caicos is an oceanfront property, features 10 bedrooms and a purple driveway, and went on on sale for $12 million following the singer’s death in 2016.

And now, two years later, Prince’s Turks and Caicos estate is up for auction. Why did Prince and other celebrities choose Providenciales for their secret hideout? Let’s take a look.

segue

Prince’s mansion has captured the world’s imagination

Reason #1: Beautiful Beaches

The Sands - Grace Bay Beach

There is over 230 miles of beach, most of it softest white sands on Earth. Need we say more?

Grace Bay beach is frequently ranked the world’s best beach, thanks to its soft sand, clear waters and incredible turquoise hues. Prince’s mansion enjoys its own private stretch of shoreline, looking out over the azure sea.

Providenciales itself is also regularly named a top island destination in the world, mostly for its relative seclusion and pristine beauty.

Reason #2: We’re off the Beaten Track

south caicos
South Caicos, by Murray Blacomb.

We’re quite close to the mainland, yet still remain relatively undiscovered.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are 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). Although they’re less than an hour by air from the mainland, Turks and Caicos are still located in a relatively quiet corner of the Caribbean — perfect for celebrities who want to remain out of sight.

And there are many opportunities to stay off the beaten track. The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, and each one offers a chance for a celebrity to enjoy a private Caribbean vacation.

Reason 3: We’re Sublimely Beautiful

Chalk Sound
Chalk Sound. By Flickr user Tim Sackton. (CC BY-SA 2.0)

From beautiful beaches to truly turquoise seascapes, Turks and Caicos is unbelievably beautiful. Why wouldn’t Prince want to spend his vacation time here?

The natural beauty is not limited to Providenciales. From the majestic caves of North Caicos to isolated Dragon Cay on Middle Caicos, we’re located in an exceptionally beautiful part of the world.

Reason 4: We’re Close to the Mainland

Provo Airport (PLS)
By Flickr user Stefan Krasowski . (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Providenciales International Airport (PLS) is also centrally-located, and it takes typically less than 15 minutes to travel to any resort on the island, or any private residence.

Celebrities, like anyone else, want to spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying their vacation and the beach.

Reason 5:

sands grace bay guest comments

While Grace Bay Beach may be the jewel in the Turks and Caicos crown, many other spectacular beaches await you here on the island of Providenciales.

The Turks and Caicos Islands themselves are the tips of banks (basically coral atolls) that rise nearly 3000 meters above the ocean floor.

The bank on which our islands sit is made from the remains of ancient corals and shelled creatures. The chalky limestone has gradually eroded over time to give us the beautiful powdery sand that has made Grace Bay Beach a favorite location for so many people around the world.

All this means there are many secluded white-sand beaches to be explored by celebrity and regular visitors alike. Learn more about Turks and Caicos beaches.

Drone Footage of Prince’s Turks and Caicos Estate

Want to know more about Prince’s mansion? Watch this great video that includes a ton of overhead footage shot by drone!

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Just For Fun Turks Caicos Information

How to Avoid Constant Screen Time on Summer Vacation

Mom and Dad are taking a break, too.

Mom and Dad are taking a break, too.

Summer vacation is just around the corner. For children it typically means freedom from the day-to-day routine of school. However, for parents the words “summer vacation” tend to conjure up a dilemma: how to make sure devices and screens don’t fill every waking minute of every day for two months.

Too much screen time has indeed been linked to sensory overload, lack of sleep, diminished ability to recognize emotions and even genuine addiction. On top of that, by keeping themselves glued to their screens, your kids may be missing out on many of the summer pastimes that have marked childhood since time began, from going to the beach, exploring the neighborhood with their friends to simply dealing with being bored.

In limiting screen time for kids, you are working to create a healthy “play diet” that balances many types of play. You can keep screen time as part of this play diet, while also ensuring your kids get in some social, physical, unstructured, and creative play.

But how to achieve this balance?

Here are some tips for limiting screen time while helping your kids enjoy a fun and memorable summer. And remember: success comes when parents enforce the family rules while demonstrating by by example.

Tips for Limiting Screen Time in Summer

Kids these days use their devices for everything: research for school projects, texting with friends, letting us know they’re safe when they’re out, as well as for gaming and consuming media. Yet kids need to spend time outdoors or reading books, or simply just thinking.

However, it can be difficult to set and then reliably and consistently enforcing rules. As with most everything else in life, developing a game plan can help pave the way for success.

summer screen time with kids

Tip 1: Be Realistic

“Forbidden fruit is the tastiest,” says Lucy Jo Palladino, a clinical psychologist and author of Parenting in the Age of Attention Snatchers. Completely banning screen time may simply double the desire of your kids to get online.

Instead, be realistic: devices are a part of everyday life for kids. Accept that fact, and create a flexible plan that manages screen time.

Tip 2: Start With an Endpoint

Negotiate the length and amount of screentime with your kids ahead of time. Either set firm time limits, or limit screentime to the duration of a specific program. That way, one show won’t flow into the other, and you can avoid commercials.

Because most games don’t have built-in endings (and are, in fact, designed to make kids play as long as possible), set a timer or some other cue that says “time to stop.”

Tip 3: Help Kids Balance Their Day

Kids need guidance from you on a daily plan that includes a little bit of time for everything. Kids whose parents make an effort to limit media use spend less time with media than their peers do, according to a study. As parents, it can be easy to nag kids to try to get them to do things, but this will not necessarily work with limiting screen time.

Instead, it’s best to work on a concrete plan that structures activities throughout the day. This gives kids a sense of predictability, and also lets them know what your expectations are. They can also more easily refrain from turning to devices when bored by focusing on some other activity.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ worksheets to create a family media plan that can help you and your kids balance their day.

Tip 4: Walk the Talk 

If you want to make sure your kids reduce screen time this summer, it’s important to model behavior. It’s tempting for adults to keep reaching for your phone to check email, texts, Facebook, or the news. But your kids will be the first to call you out for not “walking the talk.” Plus, they’ll pick up habits from you.

Model the media behavior, and enjoy your summer, too!

Why Not Take a Family Vacation in Turks and Caicos?

If you want to make sure your kids have plenty of things to do besides stare at a screen, why not plan a family vacation in Turks and Caicos? Check out our blog post 5 Fun Activities In Turks and Caicos to get some ideas about what to do while you’re here.

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Turks Caicos Information

What Islands Are in the Caribbean?

what islands are in the caribbean

What islands are in the Caribbean? And which island is best for planning your perfect vacation?

There are at least 700 islands, reefs and cays in the Caribbean, and every one of them promises adventure for travelers. Some offer all the comforts of home, while others are harder to reach and provide rewards for explorers.

To help you understand where everything is to plan your vacation, let’s take a look at the geography of the Caribbean.

Map of the Caribbean

Lesser Antilles and Leeward Islands

When you start researching the Caribbean, you’ll encounter two terms: “Lesser Antilles” and “Leeward Islands.” These are major island chains in the region, and home to some of the most famous vacation destinations in the world.

But what exactly are they?

Leeward Islands

The Leeward Islands face the open Atlantic Ocean to the east, in the outer, southeast corner of the Caribbean.

The islands get their name from the time when sailing ships were the only form of transportation across the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and its Caribbean colonies. The Leeward Islands include Anguilla, St. Martin, Guadeloupe and other islands.

The Leeward Islands’ counterparts are the Windward Islands to their southeast, including St. Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad.

In terms of where each island chain gets its name, in sailing terminology, “windward” means towards the source of the wind, while “leeward” is the opposite direction.

In the Caribbean, the prevailing winds, known as the trade winds, blow out of the southeast. Therefore, an island to the northwest, such as Puerto Rico, would typically be leeward of an island to the southeast, such as Antigua. As well, Antigua would typically be windward of Puerto Rico, but leeward of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Lesser Antilles

While most people can easily name individual islands and nations that make up the Greater Antilles — Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba — the Lesser Antilles can be harder to identify.

The Lesser Antilles, a chain of volcanic islands stretching along the southeastern edge of the Caribbean, also includes the Leeward and Windward Islands. So, the Lesser Antilles includes popular vacation destinations such as the Barbados, Antigua and the US Virgin Islands.

What About Turks and Caicos?

The islands of the Turks and Caicos aren’t technically located in the Caribbean at all. Instead, we’re in the Atlantic Ocean, and are part of the Bahama Archipelago, to the north of Cuba and to the east of Florida.

The Turks and Caicos shares many characteristics with the Bahamas, the country and island chain to the northwest of us. We share blue seas, white sand beaches, and a similar culture.

Caicos Islands by Satellite

However, it’s Providenciales here in Turks and Caicos that is regularly recognized as one of the top travel destinations in the world. And it’s Grace Bay that is also regularly voted the world’s best beach.

All together, the islands of the the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the Bahamas, including Turks and Caicos, make up the West Indies.

Popular Caribbean Island Destinations

The Caribbean and the West Indies are filled with tropical vacation destinations to suit every wallet and every taste. Generally speaking, your travel budget and accessibility — how long it will take you to reach your destination — are two of the biggest considerations when planning a Caribbean trip.

With those considerations in mind, here are several Caribbean destinations popular with people all over the world.

St. Martin

One of the Leeward Islands in the southeastern Caribbean, St. Martin is one island shared by two countries, France and the Netherlands. St. Martin is famous for its airport adjacent the beach, where jumbo jets fly low right over holidaymakers.

St. Martin is a beloved airport destination because of its direct flights from Europe and the United States, and its mix of French, Dutch and Caribbean culture. Unfortunately, the 2017 hurricane season left both the island and the airport significantly damaged.

Haiti

While many travelers visit its neighbor, the Dominican Republic, Haiti is a mostly overlooked Caribbean destination. Although Haiti is quite poor, it has developed into a cruise ship destination with all-inclusive resorts. The history and culture of the country offers many opportunities for more adventurous tourists.

haiti tourism

While Haiti is quite beautiful, because of its location it also tends to experience more than its fair share of hurricanes from September to November. Travel between the airport and resorts can be challenging, so visitors should exercise caution.

St. Lucia

This isolated island hidden away in a remote corner of the Caribbean is a romantic paradise for lovers. Forested mountains tower above pristine beaches, and ultra-exclusive resorts hide among the trees.

st lucia pitons

St. Lucia is one of the more spectacular destinations in the Caribbean, but, even with direct flights from the United States it can be hard to reach — plan on booking an entire day just on travel. The tree-top resorts are also generally aimed at luxury travelers with big budgets.

Turks and Caicos.. The Perfect Caribbean Destination?

Turks and Caicos, still largely undiscovered by mass tourism, is not only off the beaten track, but is also easy to reach from the mainland. It’s about an hour by air from Fort Lauderdale to Providenciales (PLS), with direct flights to Turks and Caicos from other major airports including Atlanta, Boston and New York.

And, what’s more, the beautiful award-winning beaches here on Providenciales have to be seen to be believed.

The average temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees Celsius) from June to October, and in an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine.

The Sands at Grace Bay is located directly on beautiful Grace Bay, right on the beach. With our pool and spacious suites, we’re a family favorite. We’re just a short 15 minute drive from the airport, so you’ll spend more of your time enjoying your vacation.

Every 4th Night Free

Between now and Dec 19, 2018, stay 3 nights at the Sands Resort and get the 4th night free. Learn more.

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Announcements Just For Fun Things To Do In The Caribbean Turks Caicos Information

Our North and Middle Caicos Adventure

‘– by Mona Beeson, General Manager of The Sands at Grace Bay
A continuation of the Adventures of “Hartling Girls Empowered” ~ the exploration and sights of the Turks and Caicos Islands with GM, Mona Beeson and my special young teen friend from last year.

This year as with previous years, I had the wonderful opportunity to join in mentoring girls from the island at the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre Summer Camp Program that took place at The Palms Resort called “Hartling Girls Empowered” – and, as an extension, to share a trip to North and Middle Caicos with a couple of these amazing girls – sisters in fact – along with Karen Whitt, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for The Hartling Group.

As you may remember in my post about last year’s trip, we are so enthusiastic about being able to share this experience that teaches these young ladies about their country’s heritage, history, and destinations facts firsthand. So we set our plans to paper and plotted out our course to explore an ambitious 10 sites in North and Middle Caicos, rounding out our day at famous Bambarra Beach for a swim and picnic lunch.

Map

The car was packed with our cooler, picnic basket, beach bags (filled with towels, sun screens, and insect repellent – all a must) and, of course, a very necessary road trip snack bag! We were ready for our adventure with an early 7:30 AM pick-up for Karen and the two girls, soon we were on our way to Heavin’ Down Rock in Leeward and Walkin Marina’s Caribbean Cruisin fast ferry to North Caicos. Easy and convenient, all in one place we also arranged our North Caicos rental car there too with Caribbean Cruisin. Now, it was all about just sharing in a great experience!

On the fast ferry from Walkin Marina, we passed picturesque mangrove-clad inlets as our vessel splashed against the colorful turquoise waters, passing Little Water Cay, Half Moon Bay, Water Cay, Pine Cay, Fort George, Dellis Cay, and the famous private Island of Parrot Cay. All of these glorious islands and cays looked so inviting and beautiful from the water.

Once we arrived in North Caicos, we loaded-up the rental SUV and set out to the first stop on our map, Wade’s Green Plantation.

While that day it was closed, we set out on a 3-mile hike around it to explore the nature paths and took a rest on the area’s convenient benches. Quick tip for anyone looking to visit on a Sunday – you should call in advance to arrange a special tour. All-in-all the hike was delightful and insightful as we saw many indigenous plants and birds, and splendid scenery. Naturally we took photos of our adventure — a must for our memory books!

With our map out, we were on our way to Hollywood Beach via Pumpkin Bluff Pond. Having the SUV made for a fun off-the-road trek. Then we got back onto the main road to get to Hollywood Beach.

We met several potcakes once we arrived at Hollywood Beach, friendly dogs with wagging tails that headed right into the ocean for a dip. This beach and its four-legged visitors were fun to see. After a short walk, back on the road we went. We had to keep our schedule in order to end up at Bambarra Beach for lunch while also making it back in time for the last ferry to Provo…

The next stop on our adventure was Flamingo Pond. Up on a small hill, we proceeded to the lookout stage – any Flamingos out there?

This time we saw them only painted on the wall, but that didn’t stop us from taking some more selfies, and talking about the live pink flamingos we saw on the lookout stage during our last trip and in Grand Turk. Next it was time to hit the snack bag … and head on to the Causeway to Middle Caicos.

We passed through the little villages of Major Hill, and Bottle Creek on Kings Road enjoying the lush greenery and flowering trees. Once the Causeway came up, sparkling waters like glittering diamonds were all around. What a sight to behold, the colors of the water changed again. Simply amazing!

On Middle Caicos we turned left into the old Blue Horizon (now Dragon’s Cay Resort) to Mudjin Harbour. If you have never been here, this spot needs to be on your “life’s list” of places to see and experience. Imagine breathtaking bluffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with some of the most stunning azure waters – it’s a definite must see!

Circle of Hope Prayer handsWe took in the views of not only the amazing bluffs, but also the two caves that are sure to stir the explorer in you at any age. The first pathway leads to a large cliff cave overlooking the Harbour. Another path leads to the sculpted bronze “Circle of Hope” prayer hands, dedicated to Dale Marie Witt. Picture time? Yes again! The higher level view – again amazing – will take your breath away (from both the hike up and the view).

Continuing on the pathway, we approached and saw mysterious stairs leading down to an underground cave.

It’s a place you are sure to think pirates must have hidden once upon a time. Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, but the cave walls won’t tell…

 

This is a wondrous cave – though last year’s storm took out some of the honed stalactite tips, it is still magnificent to see.

With its mesmerizing nature and beauty, it is certainly well worth the drive for peace, serenity… and for some delicious conch fritters at Dragon Cay’s Bar & Grill. Oh, and they make a delicious frozen lemonade too…

A special request from Karen for the girls – definitely refreshing! The view from the top deck is spectacular. Friendly staff, good menu, and a killer view to boot.

Now that we had hour respite, we were on our way to the Indian Cave. It’s been a while since it’s been weeded, though we’ve seen the road workers making their way down.

As it turns out, we drove right past the Indian Cave, so we’ve decided to head on to Bambarra Beach – and catch it on our way back. On the way over we stopped by the airstrip to take pictures and then quickly got back on our way.

Signs pointed the way to Bambarra Beach. Were pleased to see the new leveled road and soon saw the brightly colored Tiki huts in bright lime green, yellow, and turquoise as well as gorgeous light green waters just beyond a small cay in our view.

You may be surprised to see some folks you know like we did in this lesser traversed area.

We saw our friends from Provo visiting not only at Mudjin Harbour, but also at Bambarra Beach as well. It’s always nice to see a friend you know with a welcome smile.

The long awaited time had come to get into the water! If you have not yet gotten to Bambarra Beach, it’s great to know that the water is not deep – you have to wade a long way out before it gets a just a little bit deeper which makes it perfect. Many times I wanted to go out all the way to the cay…This time, I was determined to make it happen so off we went! Mind you, it does take a little time to wade through the water and get to that point, but we made it! Adventuring all along the way, we found smooth sand dollars and picture-perfect little shells as mementos of our day trip. We made it to the beach of that little cay, left our mark by piling up some stones, and then headed back – our picnic was waiting to be savored.

With lunch bags set out and the cooler setup, we had a lovely picnic lunch of assorted sandwiches, Caesar chicken salad, fresh fruits, snacks, and dessert. Well worth the wait for a tasty lunch. After a bit of a rest, it was time to back into the SUV and head towards North Caicos and the ferry.

We had just enough time to circle back to Indian Cave.

Making our way through Middle Caicos, Karen and the girls spotted the little sign “Indian Cave,” of course we pulled over! Car parked, we put on plenty of insect repellent to ward off bugs ~ all the ready for cave exploring. With little rain these past few weeks, it made it comfortable inside this cave.

The pathway was a little overgrown but we know soon enough that will be cleared away.

We spotted some interesting sights on the pathway leading to the cave…

Rosary pea or crab’s eyes plant , cotton plants, banana spiders, interesting seed pods such as these called Nickernuts , and more.

 

 

 

Then, once we got inside the cave, all of the magnificent green colors and long hanging tree roots from the ceiling to the floor welcomed us.

You can feel the cooler temperatures and see the high vaulted ceilings, and understand why this was a safe refuge for the Taino Indians.

The girls of course we’re all taking pictures and selfies for our memory books. I got a picture of Karen peering through those awesome vines. Fun! But now it’s time to get back into the car and head to North Caicos so we can make the ferry on time!

Passing through the causeway at Middle Caicos we stopped again to take some more beautiful pictures of the shimmery green water, then quickly got back in the car as we waved hello to some more friends from Provo passing us. They were visiting family on the Island. A honk-honk, friendly wave and a hello and we were on our way!

We made it back to the North Caicos dock with 18 minutes to spare. It was just enough to load up onto the ferry. What an adventurous day we all had! We boarded the ferry and within minutes we were well on our way to Provo. On the ferry ride back to Provo we shared more time talking with friends, listening to upbeat TI music, while our minds were saving memories and reminiscing about our day – already we were starting to dream about what our next trip should be. Hmmm, we think it’s going to be Salt Cay.

Until then…see you next time!

 

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Announcements Awards Turks Caicos Information

U.S. News & World Report Names The Sands Among “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos”

US News Logo
U.S. News & World Report Logo. (PRNewsFoto/U.S. News Media Group)
US News Logo
U.S. News & World Report Logo. (PRNewsFoto/U.S. News Media Group)

We are pleased to report that U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, has named The Sands at Grace Bay as one of the 2018 “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos” — an acclaim the resort has received since 2015.

U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on Education, Health, Personal Finance, Travel, Cars and News & Opinion, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 30 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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Announcements Awards Comments From Our Guests

The Sands Receives Hotels.com “Loved By Guests” Award

We would like to thank our past guests for your reviews that have made The Sands a 2018 Hotels.com™ “Loved by Guests” award winner are based on verified guest reviews.

Knowing that reviews are becoming even more influential than the official star ratings, Hotels.com looked at more than 25 million Hotels.com guest reviews on the website to pick the winners.
We are very proud to continuously receive such prestigious awards,” said Mona Beeson, GM of The Sands at Grace Bay. “The Sands truly is better than ever! Having our resort receive such praise demonstrates how much our commitment to excellence, the high level of service provided by our staff, and the affordable luxury we offer on Grace Bay Beach is appreciated and recognized by our guests.”

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Turks Caicos Information

Fantastic Photos of Turks and Caicos

Summer vacation season is almost here! Many of us look forward to spending time in the summer with our families. In Turks and Caicos, the warm sun, white sand and impossibly turquoise ocean make for a perfect holiday. To get you in the mood, here are some photos of our favorite parts.

There’s nothing like the first glimpse of Providenciales

If you have never flown into Providenciales before, the view from the airplane window is amazing. It’s almost like the Turks and Caicos are floating in the sky.

flying high on my way to #turksandcaicos ✈🌺

A post shared by Lauren Megrue (@havent_got_a_megrue) on

The unearthly turquoise waters of Providenciales have to be seen to be believed.

A post shared by ?? VICTORIA & PAWEL ? (@timezonemingle) on

Here on Providenciales, you can get up to any number of different adventures over the break, including snorkeling, kiteboarding or stand-up paddle boarding (SUP).

Go horseback riding off a deserted beach.

A post shared by TCHTA (@officialtchta) on

Lounge under the palms and enjoy a quiet afternoon break.

Or sit on the edge of the pier and take the Caribbean in.

Be sure to take a break at a food truck serving authentic local comfort food.

You may even make friends with a local “potcake.”

The crystal-clear waters of Grace Bay beach have to be seen to be believed.

• island in the sun •

A post shared by sea sage (@sea_sage) on

At the Sands resort, this paradise is just steps away from where you’re staying.

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Just For Fun

“Are Dolphins Common in Turks and Caicos?” and Other Questions about Turks and Caicos Nature

turks and caicos dolphins

Many of our guests ask us if dolphins live in Turks and Caicos. Yes, dolphins do live in Turks and Caicos, and one even regularly visits Grace Bay Beach right in front of our hotel!

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The dolphin’s name is JoJo. He’s an Atlantic Bottlenose who has visited the crystal clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands for thirty years, and is one of a rare handful of dolphins around the world who voluntarily interacts with human beings in the wild. These types of dolphins are known as lone, sociable or “ambassador” dolphins.

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According to the Turks and Caicos tourism authority, “JoJo is a unique Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin that has been living and playing in the shallow waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the West Indies since 1980. He is one of the few dolphins around the world that voluntarily interacts with human beings in his own natural habitat. Much loved by the islanders, the government has proclaimed JoJo a National Treasure, with a specially appointed warden to protect him.”

There has even been talk over the years of providing Jojo a luxury Caribbean villa with a saltwater swimming pool.

Explore the Natural Habitat of Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos is recognized as one of the last unspoiled island chains in the Caribbean. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities to encounter wildlife up close.

Scuba and snorkeling

Providenciales is world-renowned for its snorkeling, and many reefs can be accessed just steps from the beach. Coral Gardens, suitable for families, is located just steps from the Sands resort.

Scuba divers are attracted from all over the world to visit the healthy barrier reef protecting our island chain to the northwest. The barrier reef is the third largest of its kind in the world, and is home to millions of corals, tropical fish and other underwater companions, including hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, and, of course, dolphins.

Whale watching

Every year from January through the beginning of April, thousands of North Atlantic humpback whales migrate through the barrier reef and the Turks Head passage that separates South Caicos and Grand Turk.

During this time of year, the whales can be seen and heard all over the Turks and Caicos Islands, and can even be spotted right off of Grace Bay Beach beyond our reef.

Whale watching tours are now offered from Grand Turks and Salt Cay, and are popular excursions taken by many tourists visiting our Islands each year.

Visit Iguana Island

Endangered Turks and Caicos native rock Iguanas have made “Iguana Island” their home. Just a short boat ride away from Provo, this uninhabited and protected island allows visitors to view friendly and harmless rock iguanas sunning themselves on the beach and rocks, and is a favorite day trip for families.

iguana island turks and caicos

Island tour and excursion providers, including Caicos Dream Tours, offer snorkeling adventure excursions that include stops to Iguana Island for a truly fun family outing.

Birding Turks and Caicos

At least 170 species of birds can be found in the Turks and Caicos Islands, from pelicans and flamingos, to osprey and Cuban crows. The Salt ponds and inland marshes serve as excellent feeding grounds for resident and migratory birds.  

Typical birds include:

  • Tropicbirds
  • Pelicans
  • Boobies and gannets
  • Cormorants
  • Frigatebirds

As part of the national parks system, more than twelve small cays have been set aside and protected for breeding grounds.

On North Caicos in particular, the tidal flats on the south side of the island attract scores of birds, including wild pink flamingos that regularly inhabit the aptly named Flamingo Pond..

Book Your Excursion With Our Tour Desk

Scuba diving, whale watching, and other excursions can be arranged by our Tour Desk, located next to Hemingway’s restaurant alongside the hotel’s main swimming pool.