5 days in Turks and Caicos

Day by day

1. Day 1: Grace Bay Beach and Bight Reef (Coral Gardens)

   Grace Bay Beach, Bight Reef (Coral Gardens) and Smith's Reef, then Island Fish Fry at Bight Park in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Grace Bay Beach

      Walk east towards Leeward in the morning for the quietest stretches, and use the marked public access paths if you are not staying on the beach. (Half a day or more, free).

   2. Late morning

      Bight Reef (Coral Gardens)

      Go early in the morning when the water is calmest and turtles are most active, and float rather than stand to protect the coral. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch salad

      Beachside shacks in Blue Hills and restaurants across Provo, and the Island Fish Fry.

   4. Afternoon

      Smith's Reef

      Check the conditions before swimming out, as boat traffic from the marina channel passes nearby, and snorkel with a buddy. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Island Fish Fry at Bight Park

      Arrive early in the evening for the shortest food queues, and bring cash for the stalls.

2. Day 2: Chalk Sound National Park and Sapodilla Bay

   Chalk Sound National Park, Sapodilla Bay and Sapodilla Hill rock carvings, then Sunset sail in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Chalk Sound National Park

      Rent a clear-bottomed kayak or paddleboard in the morning, when the wind is lighter and the water colour is strongest. (2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Sapodilla Bay

      Visit on a weekday morning, as the bay is busy with locals and boats at weekends. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cracked conch

      Most local restaurants and beach bars on Provo and Grand Turk.

   4. Afternoon

      Sapodilla Hill rock carvings

      Climb up in the late afternoon for softer light on the carvings and a view of the south coast, and wear sturdy shoes. (30–45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Sunset sail

      Sunset catamaran and sailboat cruises from Leeward and Turtle Cove sail along the reef with drinks as the sun goes down.

3. Day 3: Taylor Bay and Long Bay Beach

   Taylor Bay, Long Bay Beach and Iguana Island and Half Moon Bay, then Private cay picnic in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Taylor Bay

      Bring shade and snacks; there are no facilities, and the shallow water is perfect for wading at low tide. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Long Bay Beach

      Book a kiteboarding lesson in the windier months from about November to June; beginners learn quickly in the flat, shallow water. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch fritters

      Beach bars and restaurants across the islands.

   4. Afternoon

      Iguana Island and Half Moon Bay

      Stay on the boardwalks and do not feed the iguanas; combine the visit with a swim at Half Moon Bay on a boat tour from Leeward. (Half a day with a boat tour, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Private cay picnic

      Charter a boat to a deserted cay for snorkelling and a beach picnic, a common honeymoon excursion.

4. Day 4: Day trip to North and Middle Caicos

   About 30 minutes by ferry, then driving each way. Getting there: Ferry from Leeward plus rental car or tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to North and Middle Caicos

      About 30 minutes by ferry, then driving (Ferry from Leeward plus rental car or tour); about 30 km.

   2. Day

      North and Middle Caicos

      North Caicos has Flamingo Pond, the Wades Green plantation ruins and quiet beaches; a causeway leads to Middle Caicos, with the Conch Bar Caves and the cliffs and lagoon at Mudjin Harbour. Best for quiet stays, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Turks and Caicos

      Dinner: try Spiny lobster.

5. Day 5: Cheshire Hall Plantation and Northwest Point Marine National Park

   Cheshire Hall Plantation, Northwest Point Marine National Park and Turks and Caicos National Museum, then Beachfront dinner in Grace Bay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cheshire Hall Plantation

      Visit with a National Trust guide if possible; the signs are brief, and the guided stories bring the ruins to life. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Northwest Point Marine National Park

      Visit by dive boat rather than driving the rough roads unless you have a suitable vehicle and local advice. (Half a day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Spiny lobster

      Seafood restaurants on Provo and the outer islands in season.

   4. Afternoon

      Turks and Caicos National Museum

      Combine it with a walk along Front Street's colonial buildings and the old salt ponds on a Grand Turk day trip. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Beachfront dinner in Grace Bay

      Several Grace Bay restaurants set tables on the sand for candlelit dinners.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Grace Bay keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Leeward ($$$$) suits quiet stays, luxury and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 26–35 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.8 hours in December to 13.5 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Turks and Caicos
• 2 days in Turks and Caicos
• 3 days in Turks and Caicos

Questions travellers ask