“Where is Providenciales?” could be your first thought as soon as you read the title. Well, it is in a tiny island nation called Turks & Caicos, which is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. Providenciales, commonly known as Provo, is not that commercialized yet, but it has great transportation links to the United Kingdom, the United States, and other Caribbean islands, making it an ideal stop for people who want something a bit more different: almost secluded beaches, powdery white sand, and turquoise waters.
A whole beach to call your own at Taylor Bay
Forget Grace Bay, which is the most famous and busiest beach in Providenciales. If you want a beach for yourself, head to Taylor Bay, which has some of the calmest and crystal clear waters in the island. Getting there is a bit of a challenge, as the beach access only has space for two cars to park in, and is a bit of a five minute walk from the lot to the beach itself. There are no facilities on the beach, so if you need to do your business, best to just do it in the wild. Do bring your own food and water too since there are no concessions either. You will rarely encounter other people on the beach, and the water is shallow so you can venture further out if you wish. In reality, there are houses fronting Taylor Bay, so it is best to just stay on the public beach area in order to not disturb the residents.
It’s probably one of the best beaches in Providenciales, and a great spot for a picnic.
A great vantage point
A few minutes’ drive from Taylor Bay is Sapodilla Hill, a small hill known for its historic rock carvings (if you can find them, of course!). Trekking up can be a challenge, as there are no paved paths so you will have to scurry up through some rocks and make your own way up the hill. You don’t need special footwear, if you are physically fit and you are hiking up with someone, you can survive wearing flip flops or aqua shoes. If you’re not used to climbing up rocks and hills in flip flops or trekking sandals, then it’s better if you wear closed shoes. You will, however, be rewarded with great views of Chalk Sound National Park, and Sapodilla Bay, both great bodies of water.
Sapodilla Bay is similar to Taylor Bay, in that it’s more secluded than Grace Bay, mostly dotted with luxury houses and not large resorts. The water is equally brilliant as in Taylor Bay, a beautiful turquoise that shimmers in the warm Caribbean sun, and the water is warm enough to rest in for a few hours.
Snorkel to your heart’s delight at The Lower Bight
If you think beaches are for snorkeling and marine life, then you’re in luck. Turks and Caicos actually has the third longest coral reef in the world. Just a few minutes’ drive from Grace Bay is The Lower Bight, also known as Coral Gardens because of the resort located on the beach. The name of the resort says it all: within a quick swim from shore is a great snorkeling area filled with corals and fishes. Best to bring your own snorkelling gear if you are planning to go on your own, as renting it may cost as much as buying your own gear!
If you are taking a tour, most tour companies provide the snorkel gear for you, but check with the company you are going with just to make sure. Some fishes are very curious and will swim alongside you, and you may find groups of fishes all feeding together. It’s funny how you’ll hear them crunch on the food underwater. As the country is trying to rehabilitate some of the corals and give them much needed rest from tourists, you may find that there are roped off areas where you can’t snorkel. You may, however, snorkel around its perimeter but you’ll still have a great time watching the fish within the proximity.
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The perfect beach island getaway
If you are looking for the perfect beach bumming destination where you can just wake up and drive to a different beach everyday, then Turks and Caicos is a great destination to do so. Its many beaches offer something new for you, not just sand and water. Some offer kiteboarding, some offer great views, some offer snorkeling, and some just offer luxury and convenience. Each beach is definitely unique, so pack your sunscreen lotion and your swimsuit. Start planning for this great island destination while it’s still raw and un-commercialized.
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