Tropical Turks and Caicos Island Vacations

East of Miami, south of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands are growing in popularity with tourists who, for the most part, come to explore the underwater spectacle in some of the region's best dive sites. The beaches are wide, white and handsome, great for daydreaming, with plenty of space to claim as your own.

Providenciales (Provo) is the busiest of the islands, eight of which are inhabited. It has pleasant small hotels and large luxury beachfront resorts, a casino and an 18-hole golf course designed by Karl Litten. There's an interesting Conch Farm and a Dolphin Project. But, basically, it's all about watersports.

Though once a British Crown Colony, the character is casual.

North, Middle and East Caicos can be reached by plane or boat. Spend an afternoon bonefishing, shelling or feeding friendly iguanas!

Grand Turk, farthest from Provo, is the seat of the government. You may still pass a donkey cart on Main Street in the capital, Cockburn Town, where the architecture shows Bermudian influence.

The National Museum is known for the Molasses Reef wreck displays -- artifacts collected during the ten-year long excavation of the oldest authenticated European shipwreck in the New World.

In the country, there are caves once used as dwellings by the Lucayan Indians, the earliest inhabitants, and sites reminiscent of the once-thriving salt industry. (Salt Cay, the other Turk, was once the world's largest producer of salt.)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Visitors from the US and Canada will only need to show proof of citizenship: either a valid passport, or an expired passport no more than five years, or an original birth certificate and official photo identification, such as a driver's license. Other nationals wishing to visit these islands will need valid passports, while those visiting from Eastern Bloc Countries will need visas. All visitors must hold an onward or return ticket.

CURRENCY:
US dollars. Traveler's checks and major credit cards are accepted in most stores.

TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES:
Departure tax: US$23.00. Room tax: 8%. Service charge: 10% at resorts.

COUNTRY PROFILE

GEOGRAPHY:
The Turks & Caicos Islands' name came from the combination of two words, cays and the Turks cactus. These islands are an archipelago of 40 islands and cays and are located 30 mls southeast of the Bahamas & half way between Miami & Puerto Rico. They cover a land area of 193 sq mls. The islands are each surrounded by a continuous coral reef. The Turks & Caicos Islands are made of two groups of islands, the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands. The Turks include Grand Turk which is the administrative and political capital. Middle Caicos, also known as Grand Caicos is the largest island in the archipelago. It is 48 sq mls, lined with limestone cliffs along the north, and has numerous caves and beaches. North Caicos is the garden center of the islands. It is accessible by boat or plane. The resort area of Whitby lies at the northernmost tip of the island. South Caicos, once a salt producing island, has now become the heart of the fishing industry. It is also the home of the Commonwealth Regatta held every year. Providenciales, with 12 mls of beach along the northeast coast has the most tourism related development. Pine Cay is one of the smallest islands located between North Caicos and Provo. It is privately owned and has its own exclusive resort development. East Caicos once had a flourishing sisal industry but is now the home to wild cattle. It can be reached by boat, but there are miles of beaches perfect for the adventurous beachcomber. West Caicos is uninhabited with a dramatic cliff coastline and excellent dive sites. Salt Cay is a time capsule from the days when salt was king. Little has changed on Salt Cay since 1900, when the salt industry last flourished. The buildings, the salinas, the windmills, and the artifacts essential to solar salt production are still in place. Parrot Cay: Local legend purports that female pirate Anne Bonny stayed here in the 1720's, lending the original name - Pirate Cay - to this Caicos Cay. An exclusive resort and villa hideaway, reached by boat from Provo, just opened for vacationers in January 1998.

CLIMATE:
Summer: high/low 90/83 degrees F. Winter: high/low 75/70 degrees F. Avg. humidity 35%. Avg rainfall 21". Approx sunrise: Summer 0600. Winter 0630. Approx sunset: Summer 1900. Winter 1700.

DINING:
Restaurants available: Native. International. Local, Chinese, Caribbean, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, French. Tip where no gratuities are stated.

NIGHTLIFE:
Discos. Nightclubs. Dinner/Dances. Live Music. Casino.

SHOPPING:
Locally produced items available: Straw work. Wood work. Shell work. T Shirts. Dress & casual shirts. Duty free shopping is available.

SPORTS:
Activities: Aerobics. Deep Sea Fishing. Golf. Gym. Horseback riding. Jogging. Parasailing. Sail/Power Boat Races. Scuba diving. Skydiving. Tennis. Water sports. Windsurfing.
Spectator sports: Basketball. Cricket. Soccer. Volleyball. Softball. Rugby. Annual underwater photographic competition: May October.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
(2002) October First Week: Tourism Awareness Week Celebrations. October 11-13: 9th Annual TCI Amateur Open Golf Championship at Provo Golf Club. October 24-27: North Caicos Extravaganza on North Caicos. (2003) April 3-8: Experiencing the island in Paint". April 11-15: "Capturing the Spirit of an Island". April 26-27: Salt Cay Day "Fun in the Sun" on Salt Cay. Feb-May: 40th Anniversary events of John Glenn & Scott Carpenter's splashdown.

TRANSPORTATION:
Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Rentals available include Cars, Jeeps, Scooters and Bicycles. Temporary license/permit requirements Valid license required for use up to three months by US and Canadian citizens as well as citizens of Commonwealth and Caribbean countries. All other nationalities must receive prior approval from the Traffic Department for temporary use of vehicle. Local Services: Charter Airlines. Scheduled Airlines. Caicos Express Ferry services. Executive Tours Bus Service.

MARRIAGE:
Must be present in the Turks & Caicos Islands for at least twenty-four hours prior to making this application. Must have parents' consent if under the age of 21. Proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable. License fee $50.00. If you require any further details, please contact: Registrar's Office, Front St, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands. Tel: 649 946 2801. Fax: 649 946 2821.

MEDICAL FACILITIES:
Hospital. 24 hour casualty department. Air ambulance. Diving decompression chamber. Doctor on call at hotels. Pharmaceutical services.

RELIGION/CHURCHES:
Anglican. Baptist. Brethren. Catholic. Church of God. Church Of God Of Prophecy. Jehovah's Witnesses. Methodist. Seventh Day Adventist.

What To Do & See

Snorkel the Black Forest: Just off-shore in 35 feet of water is a "forest" of black coral chock-full of brilliantly-colored coral and marine life. It's snorkel heaven, not to mention a fantastic spot for underwater photography!

Caicos Conch Farm: You'll learn all about these unusual sea critters from their breeding stage to egg incubation to full maturation through touch tanks and engaging videos.

Scuba Diving: All the islands offer excellent diving. Countless varieties of colorful fish and coral, and a breathtaking reef that is 65 miles across and 200 miles long, are just the beginning of the underwater attractions. Off the northwest corner of Provo is Smith's Reef, which houses brain and fan corals, sea cucumbers, green parrot fish, long-nosed trumpet fish, and hawksbill turtles. Off the shore of Provo's Grace Bay is a 14-mile long barrier reef that's teeming with everything from vibrant schools of fish to barracuda to rotund grouper. At Grand Turk, divers can take a night dive on a wall. Bioluminescence turns the daytime colors into phosphorescent illuminations of the night. Off Salt Cay divers can explore the HMS Endymion, which sank in 1790. The ship's cannons and anchors are still clearly visible. And off the southern shore of West Caicos is Molasses Reef, which is rumored to be the resting place of Columbus' ship, the Pinta.

Beaches: Non-divers can enjoy the spectacular ocean scenery from the pristine beaches. On Provo, Grace Bay has calm, iridescent waters and is the perfect place for a stroll at daybreak or dusk. Erebus Beach offers great snorkeling at Smith's Reef. And on isolated Long Bay, along Provo's southeastern shore, visitors find blissful solitude. On Grand Turk, Governor's Beach is the most popular spot for picnics and parties.

Boating: Don't miss out on one of the many boating excursions offered throughout the islands. Many include snorkeling and lunch (usually a picnic or barbecue). Some offers sunset cruises and glass-bottomed boats. Guests lucky enough to be on the islands from December through April may have an incredible whale-sighting as the entire Atlantic pod of 2,500 humpback whales migrate by the shores.

Biking: The flat terrain and mostly paved surfaces are perfect for leisurely bicycle riding. And biking offers a great way to see the many sites in town, including the beautiful Bermudan buildings in Cockburn Town. Many of the hotels have bicycles available, as do bike shops around the islands.

Golf: Golf lovers will love the Provo Golf Club, which is ranked among the Caribbean's Top 10. Along with the 18-hole course, golfers will find an air-conditioned West Indian-style clubhouse, a bar and grill, a driving range, and a pro shop.

Tennis: There are many courts available, and while most of them belong to the hotels, non-guests are usually welcome to use them for a small fee.

Turks & Caicos National Museum: The islands' only museum is on Grand Turk. The exhibits here offer a peek into the early days of the islands, going as far back as the tribal population. Don't miss the fascinating exhibit on the Molasses Reef wreck.

Shopping: Those looking to shop should head to Provo. The Bamboo Gallery sells various Caribbean art, everything from Haitian paintings to native metal sculptures. Greensleeves offers paintings, rag rugs, baskets, and jewelry all made by local artists. Maison Creole has furniture, carved wood masks, and canes. Mama's Gifts sells hand-woven and embroidered straw baskets, handbags, hats, and shell & wood jewelry. And Paradise Gifts/Art has an on-site ceramics studio, as well as jewelry and T-shirts.

Dining

Like everything else on the islands, dining out is a casual affair, which is not to say the meals are not delicious. In fact, the island's recent increase in tourism is attracting a flurry of talented and inventive young chefs. Fresh seafood is a mainstay on most menus, and you're likely to see grouper, tuna, conch, spiny lobster, and hogfish, which is a local favorite. Many dishes are seasoned with tangy spices, and Cajun blackening and Jamaican jerking are popular. Most restaurants are located within hotels and resorts, and reservations are generally suggested, but not required.

Gourmet: Alfred's Place has a terrace dining room that offers a wonderful view of Turtle Cove. The menu consists mostly of seafood and European dishes, with everything from lobster and veal to conch sashimi. Gourmet desserts and Caicos coffee top off the meal, with live entertainment as an added bonus. Provo

Highly Recommended: Secret Garden offers both local and American dishes. While hungry beachcombers can get sandwiches and burgers early in the day, dinner is a more elaborate affair in the garden. House specialties include the award-winning Junkanoo-style barbecued spareribs and Conch Creole. Go on a Wednesday or Sunday night and take part in the festive sing-a-longs. Grand Turk

Local Flair: The Water's Edge is an open-air, wood-framed restaurant perched atop a small sand dune near the sea. Many diners come by boat and tie up at a nearby dock. The delicious menu features local delicacies, such as grilled grouper, fish soup, leg of lamb, and curried lobster. Irresistible homemade pies and a breathtaking sunset view make the meal perfect. Cockburn Town, Grand Turk

Romantic: Anacaona is set in three thatch-roofed buildings, and offers candlelight dining right by the water. The chef's 3- and 4-course meals combine traditional French recipes with fresh seafood and Caribbean produce and spices. Choices include blackened lobster salad with pineapple and red pepper salsa, and red snapper with aubergine feuillantine, onion confit, and star anise sauce. The extensive wine cellar, homemade desserts, and gourmet coffee - not to mention and the soothing ocean breeze and birdsong - guarantee a night to remember.

Nightlife

Many of the hotels and resorts provide nightly entertainment. If your doesn't, Grand Turk and Providenciales have a few bars and clubs that offer music and dancing. Casino games are another popular nighttime diversion.

The Salt Raker and The Turk's Head Inn: Both are on Duke Street in Grand Turk, and offer music and sing-a-longs.

The Rack Room: On Grand Turk at Back Salina, it hosts live local bands and DJs that keep people dancing all night.

The Disco Elite: One of the islands' few discos, the party scene here is pretty good.

Casablanca: This is one of the hottest nighttime spots at Grace Bay in Provo, is a lively club with mirrors, music, drinks, and lots of fun.

The Casino at Allegro Resort: Try your hand at blackjack, craps, Caribbean stud, roulette, and poker. There are also about 100 slot machines. The casino often draws a large crowd and waiters serve frosty drinks all night.