If you want an Instagram-worthy tropical vacation that’s an easy hop from the U.S., Turks and Caicos is a great option. You won’t have to convert money or worry about language barriers with the locals. 

I’ve been to Grand Turk on a cruise port day and visited Providenciales — known as Provo — to explore more. Here are some of the best places to stay, eat and explore in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Getting to Turks and Caicos

Located southeast of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of 40 low-lying coral islands. To get there, you can take a direct flight to Providenciales International Airport from many U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., New York and Miami.

Provo is only 38 square miles and while there is no public transportation on the island, private car services and taxis are available if you don’t feel comfortable renting a car and driving on the left. Ask your hotel concierge for recommendations on which service to use, as not all taxis are created equal. 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

As a tourist hub in Turks and Caicos, Provo is home to resorts, villas and hotels that line the island’s beautiful coastline. A popular destination is Grace Bay Beach, a stunning 12-mile stretch that consistently tops lists of the world’s best beaches. 

Where to stay in Provo

I stayed at Ocean Club Resorts in a beachfront deluxe suite with a full kitchen that overlooked Grace Bay’s startlingly teal water. Rates at Ocean Club start at $345 per night.

Ocean Club has two swimming pools, two restaurants and is walking distance from the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club. Staying here also gives you access via shuttle to Ocean Club West, a sister resort with a pool, oceanside restaurant and pickleball courts. 

Where to eat in Provo

If you’re not staying at an all-inclusive resort, be sure to venture off-property and get your fill of fresh conch. Local dishes include conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters. Here are a few favorite places to eat on Providenciales:

• Da Conch Shack. Order a rum punch and some Johnny Fries seasoned with Turks and Caicos salt. This local beach eatery is a great place to unwind with your toes in the sand. Check the live music schedule before you go. 
• Fish Fry. Don’t miss the local festivities at this weekly event. Craft and food stalls fill a large outdoor lot for a lively night of music and food. Entry is free, but bring cash for vendors who will load up your plate with mac and cheese, ceviche, rice, beans and corn. Make plans to stay to the end for the Junkanoo performance. 
• Opus. For a more upscale evening, make a reservation at this contemporary restaurant that blends American and Turks island fare. Visit the website for specials such as Oyster Night and Caribbean Night.

What to do in Provo

If you hop in a car, you can see the whole island in about an hour and there are adventures around every bend. 

• Scuba dive and snorkel. Explore marine life along the beautiful barrier reef by joining a diving excursion or snorkeling on your own. Popular spots to snorkel include Bight Reef, Smith’s Reef and Sapodilla Bay. You may see stingrays, turtles and possibly even an octopus. 
• Ride a horse in the ocean. Riders as young as 7 can wade through the ocean on horseback with Provo Ponies, a rescue operation that started more than two decades ago.
• Walk a rescue puppy. This free activity lets you help the nonprofit Potcake Place socialize its puppies to get them ready for adoption. If you fall in love, you can take one home (or arrange to have it delivered by a volunteer).
• Kayak or SUP. Borrow a complimentary kayak or stand-up paddleboard from your resort or join a tour. Excursions include Mangrove Cay and Chalk Sound National Park, where you may see lemon sharks in the shallow water.

Connecting to other Turks and Caicos islands from Provo 

Turks and Caicos has six main inhabited islands and three smaller private cays with resorts. In addition to Providenciales, the inhabited islands include North and Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk and Salt Cay. 

North and Middle Caicos

If you’re staying on Provo, consider a day trip to North and Middle Caicos, where you can explore limestone cliffs and caves. Conch Bar Caves on Middle Caicos is the largest non-submerged cave system in the Bahamas-Turks and Caicos archipelago.

To get to the islands, take a 25-minute ferry ride. The ferry runs several times a day but the schedule varies by season. 

South Caicos

South Caicos is a bit more remote but can be reached by plane or by ferry. The ferry ride takes about 90 minutes, while the flight takes only 35 minutes. 

Guests of Sailrock Resort typically get a complimentary flight to the island, if you book directly with the resort. Sailrock is a World of Hyatt partner but currently has no availability for booking with points. 

Grand Turk and Salt Cay

To get to these islands from Provo, you’ll need to take a domestic flight. But once you arrive on either island, there is a ferry that runs between them. If you’re visiting Turks and Caicos on a cruise, your ship will dock in Grand Turk. 

From the cruise center, you can walk to a nearby beach strewn with rocks and driftwood. The water is beautiful here even if the sand is not well-tended. 

For a cleaner beach, head to Governor’s Beach by taxi. It’s only 1.5 miles from the cruise center, on the way to Cockburn Town, but there’s no safe way to walk there. Other Grand Turk adventures include Gibbs Cay, where you can snorkel with stingrays, and Grand Turk Lighthouse, where you may see flamingos. 

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Cover Photo Heidi Gollub

Heidi Gollub is a huge fan of the turquoise water in Turks and Caicos. She can’t wait to go back to the white sand of Grace Bay Beach.