Salt Cay
Salt Cay – Salt Cay got its name from the salt mining activity here that goes back to the late 1600s. From the proud olden wind mills that guard the mournful Salinas, to the stately White House which is still owned and preserved by descendants of the original Salt Rakers, Salt Cay has an interesting story to share.
Explore some of Salt Cay’s Bermudian-styled homes and chat with the friendly locals, who will share a tale or two about the days ‘when salt was king’. In Salt Cay you are likely to make home in a charming Bed and Breakfast and experience true island hospitality. With less than eighty (80) inhabitants, even our visitors are greeted by their first name in this island getaway.
Grand Turk
Grand Turk — Grand Turk is the capital island of the Turks and Caicos, its historical heartbeat, and home to a state of the art luxury cruise ship harbor. Christopher Columbus first made landfall here on his initial voyage to the Americas in 1492.
Cockburn Town is the center piece of the island with a wonderful selection of historical buildings and a rustic charm that is unforgettable. It has the second largest population of around 3,720 people. Grand Turk is one of the main historical points of Turks and Caicos. You will find many Colonial style buildings and ruins, along with The Turks and Caicos National Museum.
Providenciales
Providenciales – this island, known by many as “Provo”, has an area of just 38 miles, and happens to be the most developed island in Turks & Caicos. Most international flights arrive at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Its beautiful white sand beaches have received accolades from Conde’ Nast magazine and by the World Travel Awards for several years running.
Found on the western end of the island chain, Provo has all modern conveniences, including luxurious hotels, villas and condos, numerous restaurants, spas and shopping facilities, a championship caliber golf course, and full service grocery stores. Although Provo is the most developed of the islands, its relative smallness, next to other travel destinations, still makes it a “get away” destination for many travelers.
On the island’s north shore, near Grace Bay, you will find the most beautiful beaches, as well as a long coral reef, which is rich in aquatic life. This main area has the majority of the island’s major resorts and tourism services.
Towards the south of the island is Chalk Sound, a large lake with striking turquoise water and an array of small cays. Along the south side of the island in areas, like Sapodilla Bay, Copper Jack, Discovery Bay, Turtle Tail and Long Bay, one can find many private villas available for rent. The island’s commercial port, South Dock, is found east of Sapodilla Bay and can receive containerized goods.
On the far western end is unspoiled Malcom’s Beach, close to the Amanyara Resort; while the eastern end is Leeward Marina and development.
The two main and oldest settlements on the island are the Bight and Blue Hills, and are built around fresh water supplies. Both locations give a real feeling of Caribbean villages. If you wish to do some shopping, Provo has a variety of boutiques at Turtle Cove and along the quickly developing Grace Bay Road. Downtown, you will find the retail shops, business offices and banks.
About Turks & Caicos
The Turks and Caicos islands, which were said to have been discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, were claimed by several European powers before the British secured control of them. The islands were never actually settled until the late 1600s, when a group of Bermudian salt collectors established a foothold there. Loyalists leaving the newly-born United States during the late 1700s also made a settlement at Turks & Caicos.
The British authorities made the Turks & Caicos an administrative part of its Jamaica colony during the 1870s, which continued until 1959 (when it was made a separate colony). With the islands being declared a Crown Colony in 1962, the Turks & Caicos eventually went through a period of self-government, until a political scandal compelled the UK to directly run the islands’ affairs again in 2009.
Visitors will be surprised to learn that, despite the fact that these islands are still British colonies, the U.S. dollar is the official currency there (presumably to facilitate the tourism industry). For tourists passing through this part of the Caribbean, they will learn that the Turks and Caicos consist of 40 different islands and cays, only 8 of which are inhabited. The islands of the Turks and Caicos are almost as diverse as its people. From the main tourist center of Providenciales to the quiet and tranquil islands of North and Middle Caicos to the historic Capital Island of Grand Turk; each one offers a different experience and a unique character but all offer year round great climate, beaches and underwater activities.
The only true way to experience the Turks and Caicos Islands is to experience each island in the entire chain. This is probably why most of the visitors come back to the Turks and Caicos on a regular basis. You can read about each of the islands here and maybe pick a few to see on your vacation either for daytrips, or longer stays.
Most of the islands are only about 10 to 25 minutes by air from Provo and most can be reached by boat, too. There are also regular ferries from North to Middle Caicos.
