Interesting Facts

? The Turks and Caicos Islands are made up of forty islands and small cays and of these only eight are inhabited

? The third largest coral reef system in the world is present on these very islands.

? The islands also have the largest cave system in the Caribbean.

? The dolphin Jojo has been around Grace Beach since 1985 and has entertained people for all these years.

? The remains of Columbus' ship the Pinta, which was one of the first vessels to see the new world is believed to be lying in Molasses Reef off the coast of Western Caicos.

? The island Providenciales is colloquially called Provo.

? The Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana is found only on these islands and nowhere else on earth.

? The native people of the island are called ‘Belongers'.

II. Destinations & Sight-Seeing

A. National Parks

The Turks and Caicos Islands have the most exhaustive natural reserve system in the Caribbean, with over thirty protected areas covering wetlands, mangrove estuaries and coral reefs. In fact the catchphrase of the island's tourism promotion is ‘Beautiful by Nature'. Some of these sites are historically important and the others are some of the most significant breeding and nesting grounds for wildlife.

The variety of natural habitats and wildlife on the islands is astounding. Humpback whales visit the shore for mating; rare bird species of pelican, heron, egret and stoneturners live here, as do some of the most amazing reptiles. A visit to the national parks of the island is a chance to see some of the most amazing natural scenes not only in the Caribbean, but also on the planet.

The following is an area wise listing of the national parks on the islands:

Caicos Banks

Reserves:

French, Bush and Seal Cays Sanctuary

Little Ambergris Cay Proposed Nature Reserve

Historical Interest:

Molasses Reef Wreck Area of Historical Interest

Grand Turk

Reserves:

Columbus Landfall Marine National Park

Creek National Park

Grand Turk Cays Land and Sea National Park

Long Cay Sanctuary

Middle Caicos

Reserves:

Conch Bar Caves National Park

Vine Point (Man O' War Bush) and Ocean Hole Nature Reserve

North Caicos

Reserves:

Cottage Pond Nature Reserve

Dick Hill Creek and Bellefield Landing Pond Nature Reserve

East Bay Islands National Park

Fort George Land and Sea National Park

Pumpkin Bluff Pond Nature Reserve

Three Mary Cays Sanctuary

Historical Interest:

Fort George Area of Historical Interest

Wades Green Proposed Area of Historical Interest

North, Middle And East Caicos

Reserves:

North, Middle and East Caicos Nature Reserve

Providenciales

Reserves:

Chalk Sound National Park

North West Point Marine National Park

North West Point Pond Nature Reserve

Pigeon Pond and Frenchman's Creek Nature Reserve

Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve

Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park

Historical Interest:

Cheshire Hall Area of Historical Interest

Sapodilla Hill Area of Historical Interest

Salt Cay

Reserves:

Big Sand Cay Sanctuary

Historical Interest:

H.M.S. Endymion Wreck Area of Historical Interest

Salt Cay Area of Historical Interest

South Caicos

Reserves:

Admiral Cockburn Nature Reserve

Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park

Bell Sound Nature Reserve

East Harbour Conch and Lobster Reserve

Historical Interest:

Boiling Hole Area of Historical Interest

West Caicos

Reserves:

Lake Catherine Nature Reserve

West Caicos Marine National Park

B. Beaches

What is a trip to the tropical islands if the highlight of the travel is not the beaches? Wherever you are on the islands, you are never too far away form the beach. The different breeds of beaches on the islands are something that not only please aesthetically but also provide lively entertainment and relaxation. The beaches are perfect spots to witness the setting sun over the spectacular horizon.

The waters all over the island are in shades of blue ranging from turquoise to azure and have a delightful temperature all through the year. People can lay on the beach to soak up the plentiful sun or they can head to the water's edge and explore the caves and cays that border it.

The following is a list of the best beaches on the island:

Sapodilla Bay Beach

Location: Providenciales, Southern Turks and Caicos.

This one is famous for its calm waters; great stretches of sand and mostly for providing ample privacy and seclusion even though it's in close proximity to the city.

Grace Bay Beach

Location: Near Turtle's Cove, East Turks and Caicos

This is perhaps one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean. You can try out a bout of parasailing, diving or windsurfing. The required equipment can be rented from the beach itself.

But the beach is not the real attraction at Grace Bay; the true crowd puller is Jojo. He is one of the ten odd wild dolphins in the world who prefer the company of humans to the presences of their own species. Jojo is an absolute delight, who comes and swims with visitors at least once during the day and when he is not doing that he's probably entertaining people on boats with his jumps and squirts. For further information on Jojo, please visit www.marinewildlife.org.

Long Bay Beach

Location: Near Turtle's Cove, East Turks and Caicos

Located near Grace, Long bay Beach is a stretch of sand apt for a quick getaway. Moreover, the waters are calm and clear and this makes it an ideal spot for swimming.

Governor's Beach:

Location: Cockburn Town, Grand Turk

With the powdery white sand this is again a very pretty place to see. There aren't too many organized activities on the beach and hunting for the restaurants will require some effort.

Big Sand Cay

Location: Northeastern Turks and Caicos

This is one of the uninhabited islands in the Turks and Caicos and a visit to it means perceiving miles of beautiful, virgin beaches where the only sound heard is that of the ocean waves. The only way to get here is to charter a boat and sail there, on your own. The waters are so clear that snorkeling becomes a delight and visitors, if they are lucky, can even run into a humpback whale while exploring the reefs.

Big Ambergris Cay

Location: Northern Turks and Caicos

Ambergris is a waxy substance that whales produce out of their body and this secluded island is named after it. This is the place to head for during the migratory season of the humpback whales, since, it lies in their path.

C. Iguana Island

Iguanas, in case you didn't already know, are some of the largest members of the lizard family and there are plenty of these reptiles on the Little Water Cay Island otherwise called Iguana Island. It is the last refuge of these creatures in Turks and Caicos since domestic animals and human interference has wiped them out from every other place. The island can only be approached by boat and each day numerous operators ply across the channels to take tourists towards it. A five-dollar fee is charged for entry into the island, which is used for the up-keep of the Iguanas and their home.

The Iguanas of Little Water Cay are rather interactive lizards. They ardently approach tourists, demanding food and attention. Nonetheless, do not hand out your snacks to the creatures but rather ask the boat operator for some ‘Iguana food' to dole out.

D. The Hole

The limestone geology of the islands is such that it has; over the ages come to be full of caves systems and holes. A hole is a natural sink formed when the top of the cave collapses leaving only the cavity. The Hole is the biggest of such sink on the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is nearly an eighty feet deep and forty foot wide crater on the surface that has filled up with water over the years making it one of the most challenging caving and climbing destinations in the world.

Caution however, this is one site for the professionally adventurous, no family recreation or pastime should be carried out here. Carry your climbing gear along with the ring torches and swimwear incase you want to hit the waters.

Besides, the Hole, other specimens on the island include the Blue hole, Cottage Hole and Banana hole.

E. Caicos Conch Farm

Turks and Caicos is the first and only place in the world to have a commercial conch farm. Of all the conches grown here, the Queen Conch is special because of its size and an exterior that looks like pink puckered lips. The shell of conch makes for exquisite ornaments and jewelry. Be sure to visit the one of a kind, on-site conch boutique to take home some of the farms treasures.

Location: Providenciales

F. The Cheshire Hall Plantation

This is an eighteenth century historical ruin that takes you back to the colonial days of the islands. The capacity of the place to shut out the din and confusion of modern life is amazing. The Cheshire Hall Plantation is renowned as a center to collect your thoughts and enjoy a state of peace.

The entire construction of the plantation hall is carried out in stone. The plantation also comprises of the Great House and several smaller cotton pressing houses. There is also an abundance of greenery, which has managed to grow all over the place during the neglected phases of the hall's existence.

An entry fee of five dollars is charged and the National Trust conducts guided tours of the area every weekday between 8:30am and 4:00pm

For further details contact:

The National Trust

Phone: (649) 941-5710 or

(649) 231-1172

G. Caicos Bay

Now any time of the year is great to visit the wonderful Caicos bay and enjoy all the activities that it has to offer. But visit there during any month, three to six days after the full moon, and you have an extra-special treat. The waning moonlight sets off the mating frenzy among the marine glowworms and at this time their little glows make the water dazzle with light.

H. Turks and Caicos Museum

This is the only museum on the islands and is rated at one of the top ten small museums in the world. The museum is the best place to learn of the islands' culture and heritage, as it brings together the pre-colonial and colonial past of the island. The museum offers guided tours and the arrangements inside are top-notch. An entry fee of five dollars is charged per person.

Location: Guinep House along Front Street, Grand Turk