Whether you seek a dreamy beachfront retreat or a hilltop hideaway overlooking a blue lagoon, there’s no shortage of gorgeous resorts in Turks and Caicos.
The islands may be a little smaller than some of their Caribbean counterparts, but they pack in an abundance of vacation spots so beautiful that you’ll think you’re in paradise. Here’s our pick of the best…
There are more than 40 islands in Turks and Caicos and they are all gloriously beautiful – but only a handful of them are actually inhabited. Of these, Providenciales, or ‘Provo’ is the most developed, and it’s where you’ll find the majority of the villas and resorts in Turks and Caicos. Fringed by white sand beaches and striking turquoise water, Provo has won countless travel awards in recent years and it’s easy to see why. You’ll find Grace Bay Beach here, voted as one of the finest beaches in the world, and a number other beach and hillside spots that are so beautiful they’ll take your breath away.
Grace Bay
Otherwise known as the region’s tourism capital, Grace Bay is one of the most popular beach resorts in Turks and Caicos. Situated on the northeastern side of the island, this gorgeous region is relatively small in size (5 miles by 2 miles) but that doesn’t stop it ranking as one of the best resorts in Turks and Caicos. Grace Bay is where most of the hotels and vacation homes in Providenciales are located. It’s where the majority of restaurants, spas and shopping malls are found too.
Most of the restaurants and shops are located in two retail plazas, the Regent Village and Saltmills Plaza, located in central Grace Bay just across the street from one another. A number of other great restaurants and shops can be found at the Ports of Call resort and in the surrounding smaller plazas. You’ll find a large supermarket in the center of Grace Bay with a coffee shop and indoor/outdoor dining area; there are also a number of banks and ATM machines.
There are an array of exciting things to do in Turks and Caicos, all within easy reach of Grace Bay. There’s the Provo Golf Club with its 18-hole championship golf course. There’s a casino too, offering a free shuttle bus service to and from the main resorts. There are a number of other attractions nearby like the Caicos Conch Farm (the only conch farm in the world) and the many sights and landmarks in and around the region.
The area’s biggest attraction is its beach, an award-winning 12-mile stretch of coastline voted as one the finest beaches on earth (in 2017 it was named the second-best beach on Earth by TripAdvisor users). Grace Bay Beach offers warm calm water perfect for swimming and snorkeling, as well as soft powder-white sands and bags of classic Caribbean charm. Due to its impressive length and width, the beach never feels very busy and even in the height of peak season you’ll find plenty of space to sunbathe. It is is bordered by the Bight Reef on its west side, a great diving and snorkeling spot, and Leeward Beach on its east side, home to the Princess Alexandra National Park.
Due to its relatively small scale Grace Bay is easy to get around, however there is no public transport system so you’re limited to walking, cycling, renting a car or taking a taxi. Many of our Turks and Caicos vacation homes are located in Grace Bay, just a stone’s throw from the beach and local amenities so you won’t have to travel far if you’re heading downtown.
If you do require a hire car or any other form of transport our concierge team will be happy to arrange it.
Long Bay
If you’re looking for the best family-friendly resorts in Turks and Caicos, then Long Bay is an excellent choice. Located on the southern side of Providenciales adjacent to Grace Bay, this peaceful and picturesque vacation spot offers a beautiful beach and some of the most private and luxurious vacation homes in Long Bay Turks and Caicos.
The 3-mile stretch of beach is one of the biggest draws to the region, boasting calm shallow water and soft palm-lined sand. Sheltered by the Caicos Banks the waters here stay relatively calm throughout the year so it’s very safe for swimming and snorkeling for all the family. It’s great for kitesurfing too, due to the shallow water and steady trade winds.
Out and about you’ll find some fascinating attractions to visit. There’s the ‘Hole‘, an immense limestone sinkhole in the Long Bay Hills area, and Bird Rock Point, a great place for hiking and wildlife spotting. You’ll find the Heaving Down Marina here too, where you can take a ferry to the North and South Caicos islands. There’s also the Caicos Marina and Shipyard, a lovely spot for an afternoon stroll.
Turtle Cove
Located along the north coast of Providenciales, Turtle Cove is one of the most charming places to stay in Turks and Caicos. The area is home to a pretty marina with a number of fantastic shops and restaurants. It’s also home to some of the largest and most luxurious Turks and Caicos villas.
Turtle Cove Marina is one of the largest and busiest marinas on the island, and it’s where most of the activity can be found. Many of the local tour operators and water sports rentals are located here, along with some of the best waterside restaurants in the region.
Just off the beach is Smith’s Reef, the most easily accessible snorkeling spot in Providenciales. You can snorkel right off the beach here so it’s a great spot for kids and beginners. You’re likely to see lobsters, stingrays, turtles, and tropical fish along the reef, and visibility is great as it’s one of the cleanest and healthiest reefs on the island.
Blue Mountain
If you drive west from Turtle Cove you’ll arrive at the Blue Mountain region in just a few minutes. This secluded yet central resort is just 5 minutes from the airport and a short drive from the renowned Provo Golf Club. Aptly named, the Blue Mountain region boasts a unique elevated position, with great views over the island and the turquoise waters beyond.
The coastline here consists of a series of isolated beaches and coves that can only be accessed via private oceanfront villas. Unlike the other beaches on Providenciales, these are more rocky than sandy and the ocean floor is lined with seagrass so it’s not as popular with swimmers. Despite this, Blue Mountain remains one of the most desirable Turks and Caicos resorts, combining complete privacy with a lush tropical setting.
Sapodilla Bay
Situated on the south side of Providenciales just a stone’s throw from the Chalk Sound national park, Sapodilla Beach is one of the smallest Turks and Caicos resorts. Don’t let that put you off though as this stunning spot offers an abundance of tropical island appeal.
The beach is small and secluded with velvet-like sand and calm, clear water making it an excellent place to take children. It’s off the beaten track too, so it’s likely to stay quiet even during the busier times on the island.
There aren’t any shops in the area and there’s just one restaurant, but there are plenty of things to do nearby. You can check out the old rock carvings at Sapodilla Hill left by shipwrecked sailors as they waited for their ships. The Chalk Sound national park is well worth a visit too, perfect for swimming, kayaking and SUP boarding.
Ocean Point
If you venture west of Sapodilla Bay, directly south of Chalk Sound you’ll reach the luxury Ocean Point resort. Situated on a gorgeous peninsula between Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay, this resort is recognized as one of the Caribbean’s most desirable locales.
There’s not much here except a handful of luxury villas, but they’re some of the most high-end vacation homes in Turks and Caicos. Besides the allure of the homes there’s the beautiful Taylor Bay Beach, a sheltered cove with ultra-soft sand and very shallow water. There’s also the Chalk Sound national park with its stunning tropical vistas.
Taylor Bay
Just a stone’s throw from Ocean Point you’ll find Taylor Bay, one of the best resorts in Turks and Caicos for families with younger children.
This scenic 600-meter-long bay is sheltered from the trade winds by the Ocean Point peninsula, so the water here is particularly calm and safe. There are no currents and only a very few conch shells and small rocks in the sand, so little ones can while away the hours safely frolicking around.
There are only a few vacation rentals in the Taylor Bay area, and most of them are located along the beachfront with private access to the sand. These homes offer gorgeous views and complete privacy – and as the beach rarely sees any crowds you’ll often have it completely to yourself.
Taylor Bay is within easy reach of the surrounding areas of Sapodilla Beach, Ocean Point and Chalk Sound. And it’s just a short drive from here to the downtown area where you’ll find the majority of the island’s shops, restaurants, spas and nightlife. The roads in Provo are very well developed so it’s easy to get around the resorts, a popular way to travel is to hire a scooter and sightsee as you go.
Chalk Sound
Located on the southwest coast of Providenciales, Chalk Sound is stunning turquoise lagoon dotted with tiny islands and cays. Roughly 3 miles long this protected national park is home to an amazing array of sealife, birds and tropical plants, and it’s so beautiful it will take your breath away.
Before Chalk Sound became a vacation destination, it was a wildlife sanctuary used for raising turtles and cultivating sea sponge. In the early 1900s, George Silly, the namesake of nearby Silly Creek, founded the sanctuary and the ruins of his home still exist on the edge on the park.
Today Chalk Sound is hailed as one of the best resorts in Turks and Caicos, boasting some of the most exclusive vacation homes around. Dotted along Chalk Sound Drive, between Chalk Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, these villas are the perfect vantage point to see the lagoon and the lush landscape beyond.
In addition to soaking up the sights, there are some fantastic things to do at Chalk Sound. You can go for a swim in the striking turquoise shallows, or take in the underwater views on a snorkeling adventure. Motorized boats are not allowed in the park, but you can explore the cays by kayak or SUP board. There a great beach nearby too, as well as a fantastic local restaurant overlooking the lagoon.
Silly Cay
Also located in Chalk Sound is the Silly Creek peninsula, known for its stunning vistas and upscale vacation homes. Bordered on one side by the Caicos Banks, and on the other by Chalk Sound National Park, this is one of the most scenic and sheltered spots on the island.
Due to its semi-isolated location, Silly Creek tends to stay peaceful throughout the year so it’s a great resort to opt for if you like it quiet. Vacation homes here offer all the luxury and amenities you’d expect from a high-end villa, with stunning views over the ocean and the gorgeous Chalk Sound lagoon.
If you’re thinking of booking a Turks and Caicos vacation and you need advice on the best places to stay then contact us today. Additionally, our dedicated concierge team can arrange any added extras you need such as great-value car hire. You can see all of our Turks and Caicos villas.
