The Turks and Caicos Islands is one of the top destinations to visit in the Caribbean. This group of 40 islands has a handful of inhabited islands filled with exciting tourist attractions and many untouched islands offering private island experiences.
There are many things to do in Turks and Caicos to experience the island’s vibrant culture, history, architecture and enjoy the water recreation. From touring the historic towns showcasing British Colonial architecture to exploring the depths of the Caribbean Ocean in one of the world’s most extensive reefs, the Turks and Caicos Islands is a destination for all travels.
This travel guide explores the best things to do in the Turks and Caicos Islands that many of our Marchay travel agents recommend to our members.
Table of Contents
#1. Private Boating Charter Through Little Water Cay
Little Water Cay is one of Turks and Caicos treasures, giving visitors a private beach experience. Only accessible by boating charter, a visit to Little Water Cay is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos.
In just a 15-minute boat ride from the mainland, Little Water Cay is an escape to one of Turks and Caicos’ most diverse nature reserves. The tiny island is surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches that are perfect for relaxing or enjoying snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities.
Little Water Cay is nicknamed Iguana Island. It’s the only place in the world to see the endangered rock iguanas, with approximately 5,000 population remaining. A stroll on the island boardwalks is one of the many great places to see the iguanas.
The most common way to experience Little Water Cay is with a half-day or a full-day trip—and it’s plenty of time to see what the island has to offer.
#2. Scuba Diving And Snorkeling In Grand Turk
Turks and Caicos is famous for scuba diving and snorkeling. Grand Turk is the best place for these activities, where you’ll experience the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world. Explore over 40 dive sites to experience some of the world’s most extraordinary underwater phenomena.
Several local companies offer scuba diving excursions in Grand Turk. These tours provide tourists with an expert to guide them through the lively waters just a short distance from shore. Scuba diving and snorkeling in Grand Turk are great for all experience levels. Many places provide a dive instructor to get beginners up to speed to experience the rich marine life in Grand Turk.
Scuba and snorkeling excursions explore the depths of the beautiful turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos. These crystal-clear waters are known for having high visibility. As a result, tourists can look forward to seeing countless species of marine life. Reef sharks, barracudas, humpback whales, bonefish, stingrays, and tuna are just a few of the common creatures to see.
The Grand Turk Wall and Smith’s Reef are popular places to go diving.
#3. Take A Stroll Through Cockburn Town
When European settlers first arrived in Turks and Caicos after being discovered by Christopher Columbus, Cockburn Town was the first land they reached and now remains the islands’ capital. As a result, Cockburn Town is the oldest town on the island, where tourists will see the blend of history and beauty.
Cockburn Town is one of the main ports for cruise ships arriving in the country. Its waterfront location gives plenty of scenic views as you stroll along the famous Front Street or Queen Street. These streets are lined with colorful British colonial architecture dating back to the 17th century. It’s a cultural center, home to venues such as the Turks and Caicos National Museum. It’s also a place to find some of the best beaches in Turks and Caicos, such as Pillory Beach or Governor’s Beach.
Walking is the best way to get around Cockburn Town. The charming coastal town has tons of small shops to find locally made goods. Or go for a walk down Duke Street to taste some of the best Caribbean cuisines on the island.
#4. Deep-Sea Sport Fishing Off Of Providenciales
The island of Providenciales is the third largest of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the most populated. It’s a favorite tourist destination for tours of the landmark Cheshire Hall Plantation by the TCI National Trust or to enjoy water sport activities offshore like Deep Sea Sport Fishing. Deep-sea fishing is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos.
Head down to Turtle Cove Marina on the island’s northern shore to find several companies offering guided deep-sea fishing excursions in Turks and Caicos. Our expert travel agents assist our members in booking personalized tours with these companies to give guests an excellent experience for a chance to catch their trophy fish.
Tourists venture to the deep waters of Turks and Caicos, located just a short boat ride from the shore. These large deep sea fishing boats can reach sizes upwards of 60-ft long, equipped with everything you need.
Expert captains take guests to the best places off of Providenciales to catch fish. Some popular fish caught during deep sea sport fishing in Providenciales are sharks, marlin, barracudas, sailfish, and more.
End the day in Providenciales with a fresh fish meal at Da Conch Shack.
#5. Horseback Riding at Long Bay Beach
Long Bay Beach is one of the premier beaches in Providenciales. Visit the beach, and you’re sure to see a group of horses trotting along. Horseback riding at Long Bay Beach is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos.
Ride along the scenic Long Bay Beach, a four-mile stretch of white sand on one side and endless views of the Caribbean Sea on the other. Take a guided horseback riding tour where you can ride as a group for an hour or more along the beach and nearby nature trails.
Horseback riding is excellent for all ages, even kids. Several companies have stables of well-cared-for Provo ponies that are friendly with riders. These tours are great for all experience levels.
#6. Watch The Sunset At Grace Bay Beach
The sunsets in Turks and Caicos are the most scenic in all the Caribbean. Visit the northern shores of Provo for the best place to watch the sunset: Grace Bay Beach.
Grace Bay Beach stretches over 12-miles along the coast of Providenciales. It’s considered one of the best beaches in the world thanks to its clean, beautiful beach and colorful sunsets.
Many of the top all-inclusive resorts in Turks and Caicos line Grace Bay Beach. Guests of these hotels can get umbrellas and chairs to lounge on the beach, but it’s public and open for everybody to enjoy.
During the day, swimming, snorkeling, and kayak rentals are popular activities. But stick around for the evening, where you’ll get to witness the sun setting over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Watching the sunset at Grace Bay Beach is one of the best things to do on the Turks and Caicos islands all year round.
#7. Hike Through Crossing Place Trail
Get out and enjoy the outdoors with hiking, one of the top things to do in Turks and Caicos. The historic Crossing Place Trail remains one of the best hikes on the island that extends along the scenic coastline.
Crossing Place Trail was formerly used as a popular route traveling from Middle Caicos to North Caicos. After being rediscovered, it’s now a common trek for hikers looking for a fun recreational activity to do on the island.
Starting at Conch Bar Village, the Crossing Place Trail runs for 4.6-miles to reach the scenic Crossing Place Point. The trail extends through the high coastal cliffs and beaches of the island. Hikers can see the Conch Bar Caves, a major cave system, or take in views of Mudjin Harbour, Norbellis Coves, Juniper Hole, and other landmarks for the entire trip.
Crossing Place Trail is designed for walkers and runners. There are also guided tours available for the trail.
#8. Paddle Board Through Chalk Sound National Park
Established as the Chalk Sound National Park, this region of southern Providenciales is preserved for its natural landscapes lining the shores of Chalk Sound.
Chalk Sound National Park is one of the best things to do in Turks and Caicos to enjoy the outdoors. It’s a popular place for stand-up paddleboarding on the island. The rocky cliffs lining the coastline of the Chalk Sound make for excellent views while you explore offshore.
The waters of the Chalk Sound lagoon are the perfect shade of blue. It has high visibility to see fish swimming beneath your paddleboard, even while standing up. It’s home to an abundance of marine life, including sea turtles and sharks. You can also discover hidden beaches at Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay.
One of the best features of the Chalk Sound National Park is that the waters are relatively shallow compared to other parts of the island — It has depths of up to six feet.
Chalk Sound is accessible only by boat. However, there are driving paths available for the rest of the national park.
#9. Visit The Turks and Caicos National Museum
The Turks and Caicos Islands are full of history preserved in the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Located in Cockburn Town, this museum houses artifacts dating back one thousand years that showcase the country’s culture, nature, and history.
Turks and Caicos National Museum opened in 1991, established in the Guinea House built in the 1800s. The museum features exhibitions across two floors with various artifacts. Walk through the galleries to see displays like parts of a Spanish shipwreck, posters depicting the island’s role in the slave trade, details about the Native Lucayans, and even the local space race. The museum also features exhibitions about the natural history of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Turks and Caicos National Museum is one of the top museums in the Caribbean. It’s a popular destination for tourists while visiting the capital.
#10. Tour The Grand Turk Lighthouse
The iconic Grand Turk Lighthouse is a symbol of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This monumental lighthouse helps ships navigate the north shore of Grand Turk while providing a fun tourist attraction for visitors.
Ride a golf cart or walk up to the cliff summit, the highest point on Grand Turk, where you’ll find Grand Turk Lighthouse. It towers 60-ft tall, providing perfect visibility to alert ships of the shallow reef. The historic lighthouse was built in the mid-1800s, made in the UK but was transported and assembled on the island. It was recently renovated and remains in use today.
Tourists enjoy the experience of being at the lighthouse. There is a small entrance fee to enter inside and climb the stairs to the top balcony of the lighthouse. It’s one of the best views of the island’s northern shoreline, looking out towards the Atlantic Ocean.
#11. Attend the Turks and Caicos Fish Fry
Every Thursday night, Providenciales becomes one of the liveliest parts of the country with the Turks and Caicos Fish Fry. Although a weekly event, the fun vibes and atmosphere make it feel like a major festival.
The TCI Fish Fry is where tourists and locals alike join in on eating the best local food. You’ll taste the fresh flavors from fish caught earlier that day, and there are also tons more things to try, like the Island Rum Punch.
Hanging out at the Turks and Caicos Fish Fry is great for ending the evening or starting the night, and it features live music and dancing. So, walk around and join in the fun, taste fantastic food, or shop for cool merchandise.
The Bottom Line
Turks and Caicos are full of exciting activities to add to your itinerary when you visit this popular Caribbean destination. Its pristine white-sand beaches offer incredible views of the blue water ocean. And there are plenty of water activities like snorkeling, diving, and paddleboarding to cool off from the hot, Caribbean sun. From whale watching in Salt Cay to immersing into the lively culture, witnessing the rich wildlife like flamingos on South Caicos, to snorkeling in Bight Reef, Turks and Caicos is a place that always gives reason to return for more.
Whether you’re traveling as honeymooners, looking for a relaxing holiday, or a destination for family fun, joining our exclusive membership will provide you with the best travel experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Be sure to include a few of these top things to do in Turks and Caicos to experience the best that the country has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Turks and Caicos known for?
Turks and Caicos is known for its preserved natural beaches. There are many nature preserves across the Turks and Caicos islands, protecting both the land and sea, giving it some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
The most famous beaches on the Turks and Caicos Islands are Grace Bay Beach, Long Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, and Governor’s Beach. The beaches offer plenty of water sport activities like swimming, snorkeling, diving, parasailing, kiteboarding, catamaran tours, and more. Tourists can enjoy the numerous public beaches or take a charter boat to the country’s remote islands to experience the island’s secluded beaches.
What is the best place to visit in Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos has several inhabited islands that are popular destinations for tourists. The most visited places in the islands are Grand Turk and Providenciales. Each of these offers different experiences and should both be included on your trip if you have time.
Grand Turk is home to the capital, Cockburn Town, where you’ll get to experience the island’s history and culture. Providenciales has many preserved natural areas for fun outdoor activities like hiking, diving, and exploring the unique landscapes and cays.
Do I have to be fully vaccinated to enter the Turks and Caicos Islands?
For up-to-date information and travel guidance, please refer to the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) official resource on international and domestic travel during COVID-19.