The best Turks and Caicos beaches and where to stay

Only 9 out of the 40 islands that make up Turks and Caicos are inhabited and the tourist centre of Providenciales is the most populated of them all with the widest selection of luxury resorts and seaside bars. For quieter vacations, the islands of North and Middle Caicos can provide, with extra history over on Grand Turk. A number of the uninhabited islands – namely Ambergris Cay, Parrot Cay, Pine Cay and Little Iguana – are also set for day trips and desert island playlists. Catch the ferry from Providenciales to the north and south islands, or catch a short flight from Provo International Airport. Regardless of where you stay, you’ll be struck by stunning ocean views, windswept beaches and a climate that stays warm the year through.

No stranger among lists of the world’s top beaches, Grace Bay Beach easily takes our top spot. You’ll find her on the north coast of Providenciales which just happens to be the site of many world-class resorts. As part of the Princess Alexandra National Park, Grace Bay and its offshore barrier reefs come completely protected, safeguarding its outstanding reputation among scuba divers. The award-winning beach itself stretches for 19 kilometres, along which resorts and condos take advantage of the view. Move west and you’ll eventually meet Bight Beach, where snorkelers congregate to explore the nearby Bight Reef and Smith’s Reef, while eastwards you’ll meet Leeward Beach, a peaceful oasis offering calm waters for wakeboarding, kayaking and SUP.

Where to stay: Of the best Grace Bay Beach hotels, we’ve gone for Grace Bay Club, The Tuscany on Grace Bay and The Venetian on Grace Bay. All three come kitted out with luxury facilities, including pool, full-service spa and restaurants either on site or nearby.

While most Turks and Caicos boutique hotels come centred on Providenciales, it’s South Caicos that can bring us back down to earth for more low-key vacations. The shores of Long Bay Beach on the island’s east coast are empty apart from the sophisticated Sailrock Resort – leaving your eyes free to focus on the 2-kilometre stretch of powder-white sands and jungle greenery. The wind conditions and shallow waters at Long Bay are just perfect for kiteboarding, though those wishing to stick to terra firma can go horseback riding along the beach, looking out for La Famille Express shipwreck on the horizon.

Where to stay: When we said South Caicos was low-key, we forgot that The Shore Club is that little bit extra. A nine-acre property with a private beachfront, The Shore Club also comes with a gym, full-service spa, kid’s club and on-site shopping, keeping guests wined and dined across its three restaurants and bars. H2O LifeStyle Resort meanwhile features a pool, fitness centre and garden, just moments from Long Bay Beach.

Of the multitude of cays between Providenciales and North Caicos, a few come privately owned, exclusive and downright blissful. The smallest of which is Parrot Cay, a tropical landmass spanning 4 square kilometres with very little development apart from the COMO Parrot Cay Resort. Besides luxury lounging on the shorefront, Parrot Cay also hosts mangrove forests on marine wetlands to the south. Pine Cay is another top option for exclusive escapes in the Caicos Cays, made famous for its stunning north coast beach and no-car policy. Instead, guests of the Meridian Club or any of Pine Cay’s 40 island residences can travel via golf buggy or bicycle, moving from the beach to the pine forests and back, switching gears to hiking and snorkelling excursions should you wish.

Where to stay: The aforementioned COMO Parrot Cay Island is one of the most extravagant Turks and Caicos luxury hotels, fitted with an infinity pool, half spa and wellness centre alongside gourmet restaurant Terrace and a diving school.

Then there’s The Meridian Club on Pine Cay, remarkably easy to reach from Providenciales (15 minutes by taxi and 15 more by boat), offering a spa, on-site bistro restaurant, and water sports facilities including kayaks, SUPs and Hobie cat sailboats.

Goldilocks travellers meanwhile might find their ideal vacation on Middle Caicos, where Mudjin Harbour sits regally on a carpet of white sand backed by high cliffs and caves. Also in the area, you’ll find Conch Bar Cave, the largest dry cave system in the Bahamas, as well as the hidden Bambarra Beach. Middle Caicos is connected to North Caicos by causeway making road trips between the two islands possible. Other activities worth pursuing include island-hopping tours to Dragon Cay and tandem kayak fishing off the coast. The island’s diverse population is spread across three main settlements, one of which – Bambarra – was formed by survivors of a Spanish slave ship that sank near the north shore back in 1842.

Now on to South Caicos, the smallest on the main archipelago, we come to an undeveloped spot perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure. While tourism remains low-key on the island, South Caicos is home to a number of paradise beaches, namely Cove Beach on the west coast which is less wild and overgrown than some. Though you won’t find many facilities or water sports rentals, swimming and snorkelling are top activities when the weather is calm. Shark Bay, Highlands Bay and Long Beach are also great for snorkelling while East Bay is a prime jumping-off point for divers with all the seclusion and white sand you’d expect from this Old Caribbean secret.

Where to stay: Sailrock Resort is known to be one of the best Turks and Caicos resorts thanks to its hillside position overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and the Bell Sound lagoon. Besides the resort’s Na Spa and Caribbean restaurant, there’s also Long Beach just moments away with water sports equipment and tours available. East Bay Resort meanwhile is the only property on Long Beach, set on 480 acres and offering luxury amenities across its grill restaurant, spa and fitness centre.