Update September 2008.

I just wanted to send prayers and good wishes to the people and property on Turks and Caicos as Hurricane Ike moves over those islands. Hurricane Ike is now a category 4 storm and will be hitting Turks and Caicos within hours.

End update


Turks & Caicos is an group of islands south and east of the Bahamas. The name comes from the combination of the Caicos Islands including West Caicos, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, South Caicos among other islands that are combined with the Grand Turk Islands. Though those are the names of of most of the major islands of the 40 or so, it is the island Providenciales that has the international airport and most of the population, resorts and restaurants. That means most people stay on this island. We were two of them.

Number One Beach On the Planet

While flying in I couldn't help but notice the incredibly gorgeous electric looking turquoise colours as we swung around flying over Grace Bay. According to the brochure of the hotel we stayed at, Condé Nast travel magazine rated Grace Bay the "number one beach on the planet." Let me tell you, I was mesmerised by its colour. Being up close and personal was even more a delight!

The sands are powdery. When the feet get wet and then extend into the white sand the consistency is like damp flour. The gently sloped sand goes into a bay that has a colour that doesn't look real. Out perhaps a half mile or mile is a barrier reef that enclose the full reef. It's part of the third largest reef in the world.

Getting Around

The airport has but one landing strip and a four story tower. Getting in and on our way through ground service was easy and was run quite professionally.

The airport is but a ten fifteen mile ride to the major resorts, cabs are easy to call, and a "Gecko" bus service is operating through the resorts to make travel less expensive.

When we rented a car it allowed us to be free to check out other parts of the island. Most roads are in good shape though a few are well marked on local maps as dirt roads. They do drive on the left yet most cars having the steering wheels on the left too. Apparently many were made in the USA or designed to drive there. Once again I had to get a bit accustomed to round-a-bouts that I have previously experienced in England and Bermuda.

While we had our car we went to visit the Conch Farm that was listed as a place to see on the island. Alas, it was closed when we arrived even though the signs designating operation times clearly stated they should be open. I suppose that's the way the "island's belongers" work at times.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling on this island is fantastic!! I understand the diving is also world class. Many dive and snorkeling excursions are available on the island. We were also able to go out and "hunt" conch. Not just the shells but the living creatures. My wife and I both did well finding some. They aren't just laying on the sand under the water. They are actually well camouflage. I'll give more detail in a review about that tour in the near future.

We also found out about a particular reef not far from Turtle Cove that's a lively marina area with a few fine restaurants and hotel properties. We followed directions given in Fodor's Bahamas/Turks & Caicos 2008 guide at Smith's Point. After a five minute walk we found a reef that was thriving! The depths were from just a few feet to about thirty giving an interesting field to explore. The fauna and flora were amazing and varied. Three spotted eagle rays that seem to have made a little valley between two reefs home were wonderful to watch as they "flew" through currents at the oceans floor.

Expensive Island

WOW!! The prices for everything on this island are very high. Dinners are $100- $150 for appetisers an entre and dessert with a drink. We shared many a meal to keep in budget. Like everywhere else the quality of the food varied. Price didn't make a difference. We payed dearly for one dinner that was quite lackluster. Excursions were double what we pay in other places though at journey's end we thought it a memory well worth thr price. We paid $89 each for a snorkeling/private beach excursion.

In talking to "Belongers" as the citizens relate to themselves all prices are rising higher each day. The local IGA had prices that shocked me and my wife. I don't know how these people can survive!

Another person told us that electricity is also jumping sky high. We paid for gas at about $4.60 a gallon for the rental car we used a couple of days.

Places to Stay

Grace Bay, the main strip on the island, is miles long with many resorts lining it. At one time just five or ten years ago there was just Beaches on one end with Club Med on the other. Now this is a beach with incredibly beautiful and exclusive resorts and condos lined up one after the other but yet with some open spaces between some. The continued growth on this island may change its looks and demeanor in the near future so I say, get there NOW!!

Though the prices are so high people are investing money into this island surrounded by the most pristine, clear and colourful waters I have ever seen. I suppose that's the reason.

The People

I found most of the people on the island friendly enough. Most made us feel quite welcome. At the same time there were many in the service business that didn't seem to care about our experience. We had a few waitresses at a restaurant at our hotel that, I believe, simply weren't in the right business. After having breakfast five and six times there was no recognition that we have been there every day even though we went out of our way to be friendly and cheerful. Something was missing there.

I did find that a few belongers needed an encounter or two before they would "warm up". Sorry but in the service business I believe it's up to the workers to make the clients feel comfortable and NOT the other way around.

The cab drivers were all friendly as were the workers at the airport professional.

I'll also mention that two guys Shaun and Ashley that took us out on our snorkeling trip were naturally friendly, professional and made us all feel they wanted us to have the day of our life.

My wife and I also happen to enjoy meeting other vacationing people and sharing experiences. We bumped into many Americans including two from Long Island, NY where we live. My wife and I were fortunate to have struck up a fine, few day relationship, sharing dinner and talk with a wonderful couple from Ohio. It's encounters like that that make a vacation special.

During the week we also met a few Canadians and a good amount of Europeans to talk to. There were no airs and everyone was laid back and enjoying themselves. We liked that and that English is the primary language used making us quite comfortable.

Weddings

We saw more weddings with full receptions beach-side than on any other island or place we have ever been. There was a relaxed feeling as we watched people eating under tents with huge bonfires nearby and dancing to live music under the stars. My wife is already trying to plan a wedding for two of our unmarried daughters. At the prices in Turks & Caicos, I hope they decide to elope if marriage is in their plans. That said, Turks & Caicos wedding were the best overall I have ever seen. Being in the entertainment business I have witnessed many affairs at top venues. The people on these islands do know how to present a wedding and what better backdrop than Grace Bay.

Final Thoughts

My wife and I loved our experience at our hotel. It was a small place just steps from the beach and as noted, that beach is one of the most glorious we ever stayed on. We also liked being able to simply walk down the beach from one property to another and experience the mood and beauty of each and sample the fare at their restaurants even if it did put major dents in my wallet.

I liked that the main island is small enough to make it feel intimate yet still offer over 50 restaurants...most very expensive.

I do wonder how all the new construction will effect the beauty of the island. I also suggest asking very specifically if any construction is happening near any place you may decide to try and book. If possible talk to the managers to receive assurance that the "sounds of progress" won't dampen your visit.

There was some construction that was going behind our place but it didn't hinder our stay.

Even though we were not totally happy with the personal, we loved the proximity of the hotel to the beach and the comfort it offered.

We are already planning to return to Turks & Caicos. There is something very special about the beauty of Grace Bay.

Incredible!!


Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa

Fodor's 2008 Bahamas....Plus Turks & Caicos

Sibbone Beach Hotel On Grace Bay We loved it!

Other Warm Weather Snorkeling Destinations
Trunk Bay, St. John
St. John VI The island that is quiet and pristine.
The Baths National Park British Virgin Islands
Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix
Vieques, Puerto Rico's Island Treasure
Island Adventures Biobay Tours
Nassau, Bahamas Straw Market, High end Shopping, and awesome snorkeling
Stuart Cove's Aqua Adventures Nassau Bahamas
Dry Tortugas National Park
Stingray City Cayman Islands
Cozumel Mexico, A Different Kind of Snorkeling
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Couples