Looking for the best things to do in Turks and Caicos? Don’t miss these activities if you’re visiting for the first time.
Turks and Caicos is the perfect beach getaway if you’re looking for quiet, pristine beaches. The water is so beautiful! We spent half our time on the beach but also found plenty of other fun activities that TCI offered. Here’s what we thought was most worthwhile.
If you haven’t already, read 21 Things You Must Know Before Traveling to Turks and Caicos.
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Last Updated: July 16, 2024
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Here are a few things you need to know before visiting. For a full list, see our full post on what you need to know before visiting Turks and Caicos.
- They speak English and use the US dollar.
- It’s a year-round destination, but its peak seasons are from mid-December to mid-April.
- You will find the best deals between June and mid-December.
- Cruises do not go tot he Caicos Islands because of the barrier reef. They typically will stop at Grand Turks.
- If you love lobster, visit between August 15 and April 1. Outside of that time, it is illegal to catch lobster.
- Turks and Caicos has the 3rd largest barrier reef and some incredible driving spots.
- If you plan on exploring outside of your resort, a rental car is the best way to get around. Cabs can be called as well, but note they are per person as opposed to per ride. For closer destinations, a lot of resorts provide bikes.
See More: 21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Turks and Caicos
15 Best Things to Do in Turks and Caicos
1. Scuba Diving
Turks and Caicos has some of the world’s best scuba diving spots. They have the third-largest barrier reef system in the world, and you’ll find a wide array of fish, lobsters, turtles, and sharks. If you’re lucky, you can even meet Jojo, a lone dolphin and national treasure to TCI. We hoped to get scuba-certified before our trip but didn’t have time.
Check out these dive sites: West Caicos Walls (West Caicos), McDonald’s Arch (Grand Turk), and Molasses Reef (French Cay).
See More: 25 Best Dive Sites in the World to Put on Your Bucket List
2. Snorkeling →
Snorkeling is great in TCI for the same reason as diving. We went on two different snorkeling tours, one with Island Vibe Tours and the other with Silver Deep. If you also want to try exploring on your own off the beach, the most popular spots are Smith’s Reef and Bight Reef in Princess Alexandra National Park. You can bring your own snorkel gear, or many nicer resorts will provide them for you.
Pro Tip: It’s much nicer using your own gear rather than the rentals. Check out our guide on how to pack for an epic snorkeling trip here.
See More: Photo Guide to the Snorkel Safari with Silver Deep
3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding or Kayaking THrough the Mangroves →
The mangroves are important to the ecology of the islands. They also act as a nursery to baby sharks, turtles, and more. You can get up close and personal to these animals on a stand up paddle board or kayak. We went with Big Blue.
See More: Photo Guide to the Stand Up Paddle Board Eco Tour
4. Chalk Sound National Park
Chalk Sound, TKCA 1ZZ, map
This turquoise lagoon on the southwest of Providenciales is home to hundreds of small rocky islands. The water is clean and no powered watercrafts are allowed in the sound. Keep your eye out for rock iguanas, bonefish, and barracudas. You may even catch a lemon shark or stingray swimming around.
If you’re looking for a good workout, you can also do stand up paddle boarding and kayaking here. Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay are officially outside of the park, but are still considered to be part of the area. They’re perfect for families with small children, since the sand is finer than other beaches and the water is very shallow and calm for swimming.
5. KiteSurfing Lessons
Turks and Caicos is still somewhat of an undiscovered destination among kite surfers, but the wind and water conditions on the Atlantic side make it some of the best in the world for beginners and seasoned pros. A popular spot is Long Bay, which is only 5 minutes away from Grace Bay.
6. Conch Cruise
This is one we were hoping to do but wasn’t available on the days we wanted to go. You get to snorkel along the barrier reef and then free dive for your very own conch. Afterwards, they show you how to open it up and make a fresh conch salad for you.
Most other snorkel trips also have their captains dive for conch and then make conch salad for you, but the only difference is on this one, they specifically help you find your own.
7. Tour the Only Conch Farm in the World →
The first and only commercial conch farm in the world is only an 8-10 minute drive from Grace Bay. You learn a lot about their lifecycle, see them in different stages, and you can even pet one at the end if you want! The tour is informative but short. It lasts about 30 minutes, 10 minutes of which is an indoor presentation.
Since we already got to see conch on our snorkeling trips, Jacob didn’t find it worth the money. Though I wouldn’t put this at the very top of my list of things to do, I would recommend it if you have the time!
See More: Your Guide to the One and Only Conch Farm in the World
8. Hang Out with Iguanas at Little Water Cay (Iguana Island)
21.8360192,-72.152657, map
Whether it’s a pit stop on a snorkeling tour, or a dedicated tour to Iguana Island, check out these critters that dig burrows in the sand. They’re good at blending in so keep your eye out.
9. Sunbathing on Grace Bay’s White Sand Beach
It’s so crystal clear, and with the white sand reflecting the light, it felt like we were swimming in the world’s biggest swimming pool. The barrier reef a mile out breaks all the waves, so it’s also the calmest beach we’ve ever been to. The only waves we got were caused by boats.
Pro Tip: Sometimes you can see nurse sharks that swim up pretty close to shore here and at Leeward Beach.
See More: Our Amazing Stay at the Somerset on Grace Bay
10. Horseback Riding in the Water
Even if you’ve ridden a horse before, there are few places you can ride along such beautiful beaches. You also get to take the horses into the shallow waters for a truly unique experience.
11. Island Fish Fry
Lower Bight Rd, The Bight Settlement TKCA 1ZZ, map
Every Thursday, the Island’s Local Fish Fry at the Bight Children’s Park (on Lower Bight Road) brings out the tourists and locals alike to mingle. Dozens of food vendors, entertainers, and cultural acts come together to create a great evening from 5:30 to 9:30PM.
Although this helps bridge the gap between tourists and locals, most tourists tend to come early for the overpriced food and leave early, while most locals come later and stay late for drinks and dancing.
12. Conch Bar Caves aka Middle Caicos Caves
TKCA 1ZZ, map
Conch Bar Caves is the biggest cave system that’s above-ground in the Bahamas-Turks and Caicos archipelago. They get their name from a nearby village Conch Bar, but we found a lot of tour companies referring to them as the Middle Caicos Caves.
You can book with most tour companies, but since it’s a long travel day from Providenciales, we’ve heard they typically have only one tour a week, because they don’t book up as quickly. If there isn’t a tour available, and you really want to go, you can ride the $50 ferry over and get a $70 rental car to explore on your own.
13. Deep Sea Fishing
TCI offers a wide range of fishing options: deep sea, bottom, bone, fly, sport. Unlike most deep sea fishing trips where you have to travel hours, in TCI, you can get into deep water in no time! The barrier reef is about a mile from shore, and then the drop off to 7000 ft is just a half mile after that.
We met a family on our snorkeling tour who told us they caught a bull shark, and it was the highlight of their trip. I’m not a fan of fishing like Jacob is, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a bull shark!
14. Parrot Cay
Parrot Cay Island, map
If you’re looking for a secluded and exclusive island experience, you can take a boat ride to Parrot Cay. This private island resort owned by COMO Hotels group is known to be frequented by celebrities. It’s a 50-minute shared car and boat transfer from Providenciales or you can always charter a private jet there. ;)
15. Turks & Caicos National Museum
Front Street Cockburn, TKCA 1ZZ, map
If you want to learn about the culture and fascinating history of TCI, there is a small but decent museum on the island of Grand Turk. Most cruises have a port destination in Grand Turk, but you can take a short flight over from Provo (~$85). This is especially great for the rainy days.
Bonus: Other Water Activities
The typical water activities available on every other Caribbean island like banana boats, jetskies, flyboards, parasailing, are also available here. TCI, however, has a charm that’s very different from any other Caribbean island. We personally think it’s a place that’s better off without noisy activities. Some nicer resorts offer complimentary hobie cat rides, kayaks, and paddle boards for their guests as a great option.
Map of Things to Do in Turks & Caicos
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Turks and Caicos best known for?
Turks and Caicos is best known for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts. Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales is one of the most well-known spots, often ranked among the world’s best beaches. The islands are also renowned for their exceptional snorkeling and diving opportunities, with vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life.
How many days should I spend in Turks and Caicos?
A stay of 5-7 days is ideal for Turks and Caicos. This duration allows enough time to relax on the beautiful beaches, explore the underwater world through snorkeling or diving, and enjoy various other activities the islands offer. It also provides some flexibility for day trips to other islands within the archipelago.
Do you need a car in Turks and Caicos?
While it’s not absolutely necessary to have a car in Turks and Caicos, renting one can be very convenient, especially if you want to explore Providenciales and other islands at your own pace. Taxis can be expensive, and having a car gives you the freedom to visit different beaches, restaurants, and attractions without relying on scheduled tours or transportation services.
What activities are available in Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos offers a wide range of activities, including snorkeling, diving, beach activities, boating, sailing, fishing, whale watching, eco-tours, golfing, and more. See our favorite activities here.
What is the best month to go to Turks and Caicos?
The best time to visit Turks and Caicos is during the dry season, from November to May. Within this period, the months of April and May are particularly ideal, offering warm weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices compared to the peak winter season. However, if you want to see humpback whales, visiting between January and March is recommended.
Best Places to Stay
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Turks & Caicos hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a TCI travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Which of these activities would you want to do the most? Do you have an activity you like to try at every destination you travel to?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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