The Grand Turk Lighthouse was inspired by President Fred Forth in 1851 after several shipwrecks that occurred due to poor lighting and knowledge of the island’s waters. This 1852 lighthouse stands at 60 feet tall at the highest point on the island and is situated along the coastal area of Grand Turk.
This 19th century prison once housed slaves, mostly from neighbouring islands who had committed petty crimes. At first, it could only house about 6 prisoners, but it was eventually expanded to house many more before it closed in 1990. This prison can be found in Grand Turk, where you can stroll through the old prison to see the cell, the exercise area and the solitary confinement cells.
Conch Bar Caves, which span 1.5 miles, are recognised as one of the biggest cave systems within the Caribbean territories. It can be found close to the Conch Bar village in Middle Caicos and it can be accessed through The National Trust. Contact the local authorities any time before 3 pm from Monday-Friday, for a 20-30-minute guided tour.
This protected area is believed to be one of the first places that Christopher Columbus landed on in the Americas, during his voyages. A well-preserved national site, the park is the largest of its kind in Grand Turk. The park spans 1280 acres and includes three recreational fishing zones, the west coast as a whole and the bodies of water in between.
These include Pillory Beach, English Point, Cockburn Town Beach, Governor’s Beach and the Cruise Center Beach which is also known as the Sun Ray Beach.
There’s no better way to return home from vacation, than to bring along some souvenirs to make your entire family feel as though they too have experienced a vacation in paradise. In Turks and Caicos, there are plenty of places to shop for these, such as Alverna’s Craft Market. You’ll also find souvenirs and gift items at stores in the shopping plaza in the Grace Bay area.
Fishing in the waters of Turks and Caicos allows you to catch a variety of fish in varying depths of the ocean, such as blue marlin, bonefish, wahoo and sailfish. The Provo waters are perfect for exploring fishing styles, like traditional and bottom fishing. Bone fishing can be done in North Caicos, in the Bottle Creek flats.
It has been said that this was the first place Columbus landed when he arrived in the Americas. This city is home to the Salt Museum, which has depictions of the salt industry that existed long before tourism took over. You’ll enjoy the quaint and history packed town and have plenty of memories to take home with you.
The highlight of this annual festival is none other than the conch- the national symbol of the island and its number one export product. Every November, the celebration of this delicacy begins with some of the most scrumptious conch meals, live entertainment, and lots of dancing and drinks. This is a festive time in Turks & Caicos that you do not want to miss!
Take in the full kite surfing experience by heading down to Provo, where you can find other like-minded kite surfing buddies, and even kite schools. Provo’s Long Bay Beach is one of the best spots to kite surf, thanks to its calm, shallow waters. Middle Caicos and Half Moon Bay Beach are top rated beaches for kitesurfing as well.
Bajari Beach is pretty to look at and it’s a great beach to spend the day on while in Grand Turk. Many excursions include this beach, and it is also often frequented by cruise ship visitors. You can find everything you need for the perfect beach day on these shores, including beach chairs and umbrellas, a restaurant, restrooms, music, snorkelling opportunities, and more. Water shoes are recommended if you plan on going swimming because of rocks and sea urchins.
Some of the best places to dive can be found within the West Caicos Marine National Park, thanks to the plateaus (walls) of great depths. Most are 30-60 feet from top to bottom and you will also get the chance to see ospreys, brown pelicans and even wild flamingos. There are also some shallow waters that provide excellent opportunities for snorkelling.