Beaches · Turks and Caicos · Turks and Caicos Islands
The best beaches in and near Turks and Caicos
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dwkaminski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Grace Bay Beach (In Grace Bay, about 15 minutes from the airport). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 8
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
In Grace Bay, about 15 minutes from the airport · Swimming and walks
1.Grace Bay Beach
Several kilometres of soft white sand and calm reef-protected water along Provo's north shore.
About 10 minutes by car east of central Grace Bay · Peace and quiet
2.Leeward Beach
The quieter eastern end of Grace Bay, near the marina and the cays.
At the western end of Grace Bay · Shore snorkelling
3.The Bight Beach
Calm western end of Grace Bay with Bight Reef snorkelling right offshore.
About 20 minutes by car from Grace Bay · Families
4.Sapodilla Bay
A small, sheltered south-coast bay with calm, shallow water and rock carvings on the hill above.
About 20 minutes by car from Grace Bay · Young children
5.Taylor Bay
Extremely shallow, clear and calm water that stays knee-deep far out, ideal for toddlers.
About 10 minutes by car from Grace Bay · Kiteboarding
6.Long Bay Beach
A long, windy, shallow beach that is the island's kiteboarding centre.
About 15 minutes by boat from Leeward · Boat-trip beach stop
7.Half Moon Bay
A curving sandbar between two cays, reached only by boat, often with iguanas nearby.
About 30–40 minutes by car on rough roads from Grace Bay · Seclusion
8.Malcolm's Road Beach
A remote beach on the northwest coast with reef and wall snorkelling and few people.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C (77°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| February | 25°C (77°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| March | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| April | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, luxury and beach
Grace Bay
Grace Bay is where most hotels, condo resorts, restaurants and shopping plazas are concentrated, along Grace Bay Road behind the beach. You can walk to dinner and the beach from most properties, and Bight Reef snorkelling is at its western end. Prices are among the highest on the island.
- Good
- Walk to the beach and restaurants; Calm, reef-protected water; Widest choice of hotels
- Watch out
- Expensive; Busy by Caribbean standards in high season
- Nearby
- Grace Bay Beach, Bight Reef, Princess Alexandra National Park
Getting to the beaches
- Car — Renting a car is the most flexible way to reach Chalk Sound, Taylor Bay, Long Bay and Blue Hills; driving is on the left, though many cars are left-hand drive.
- Ferry — A passenger ferry runs from Walkin Marina at Leeward to North Caicos in about 30 minutes, connecting with rental cars for North and Middle Caicos.
- Boat — Snorkel and island-hopping boat tours leave from Leeward, Turtle Cove and Heaving Down Rock for Iguana Island, the cays and dive sites.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in November–September. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Petty theft from rental cars, villas and unattended beach bags is the most common problem, so lock doors and keep valuables out of sight. Use reef-safe sunscreen and shade, watch for boat traffic when snorkelling and check currents before swimming at remote beaches. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Turks and Caicos have beaches?
Yes: Grace Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, The Bight Beach, Sapodilla Bay, Taylor Bay, Long Bay Beach, Half Moon Bay and Malcolm's Road Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Turks and Caicos?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Turks and Caicos?
Grace Bay Beach: Several kilometres of soft white sand and calm reef-protected water along Provo's north shore.