Only eight of the one-hundred cays and islands which make up Turks and Caicos are inhabited. The island of Providenciales, being the most popular, is also home to many of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, namely, Grace Bay Beach. Located on the northside of Providenciales, idyllic Grace Bay Beach is consistently ranked by several travel authorities as being one of the very best beaches in the world! 

While Grace Bay Beach is the most famous, the islands of Turks and Caicos are home to a great number of beaches that are just as beautiful and cherished by visitors and islanders alike. 

If you’ve ever seen a picture of a Turks and Caicos beach, you may mistakenly assume that the image has been photo-enhanced. First-time visitors to Turks and Caicos are often mind-blown that the photos of perfect beaches they’ve seen prior to visiting, don’t even compare to the perfection of Turks and Caicos’ beaches in real life. Our beaches really are spectacular beyond belief! 

So, what is it that makes our beaches stand out amongst the plethora of coastlines that grace our planet? Read on to learn about a few key elements that make Turks and Caicos home to the very best beaches in the world (and why you’ll want to experience our beaches for yourself):

Sandy Perfection

Imagine sinking your bare feet into sand that is delightfully warm, soft and shimmery white. Sand that you thought you’d only ever see on a postcard. Sand that is so clean and light that it illuminates the seawater in such a way as to feel as though you’re wading in the world’s largest and most luxurious swimming pool! 

What makes our sand so sparkly and light?

The sand you see on Turks and Caicos’ beaches is made from crushed shells, limestone and coral particles, lending to its whitish-pink to peachy hue and powdery-light feel. 

When you visit, you’ll find that the texture of our sand varies between beaches. Beaches that trace the southern coastline of Providenciales have the finest and lightest textured sand, while beaches nestled along the northwesternmost point of our island are more rugged, featuring stony outcrops and coarser sand particles with identifiable fragments of shell and coral. The sand on Providenciales’s central and easternmost northside beaches sits perfectly in the middle, with a soft and squishy texture that’s perfect for building sandcastles. 

Impossibly Clear and Tranquil, Turquoise Waters

We’ve already touched on the unique colour and texture of Turks and Caicos’ sand, but we have to give it credit for the vivid colour and exceptional clarity of our waters, too. Our crystal-clear water is the result of sunlight reflecting off the white, sandy sea floor, creating an almost illuminated appearance with vivid shades of ice blue, turquoise and teal. This clarity and brightness make the beaches in Turks and Caicos some of the best beaches in the world for snorkelling and diving. 

What makes the waters so calm?

Beaches extending along the northside of Providenciales are sheltered by a large barrier reef, resulting in little to no wave activity, and mile-long stretches of knee-to-waist-deep water—perfect conditions for comfortably wading and stand-up paddleboarding. 

While you still want to exercise common sense and caution when entering any body of water, our coastal waters are especially calm, making northside beaches such as Grace Bay Beach and Leeward Beach, ideal for people of all ages and comfort levels to enjoy without worrying about being tossed around by incoming waves and strong currents.

 World-Class Diving and Snorkeling

Did you know? Turks and Caicos is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef! Not only does the reef shelter Providenciales’ northern coastline from big swells, but it also makes Turks and Caicos one of the best destinations on earth for snorkeling and diving. 

 Located about a mile off the northern coast of Providenciales, the 340-mile-long barrier reef boasts over sixty different species of coral and is teeming with sea life, including colourful tropical fish, sea snails, shellfish, turtles, dolphins and timid nurse sharks, lemon sharks and rays. The clarity of Turks and Caicos’ waters means you’ll enjoy superb visibility and opportunities to take great photos of the underwater world you’ll delight in exploring.

Perfect snorkeling conditions for beginners:

In addition to the barrier reef, Smith’s Reef and Bight Reef, to the west of Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, offer excellent snorkeling opportunities for beginners as well as pros. What’s especially unique about these two locations is that you can access their smaller reefs from the shallow waters, fairly close to shore.

 Coastline Variety

Whether you’re a beachcomber, sun worshipper, fitness buff, water baby or thrill-seeker, Turks and Caicos offers beaches to suit whatever you plan on doing while you’re here. The differing wind and wave activity between northside and southside beaches offer visitors plenty of variety when it comes to relaxing on the beach and watersports. 

Beaches located along the south side of Providenciales, namely Long Bay Beach, boast shallow waters and trade winds that are ideal for kiteboarding.

Beaches located along the northwesternmost point of Providenciales, including Malcolm’s Road Beach, are relatively secluded, unspoilt and rugged, requiring a 4 x 4 to get to. 

The calm, clear stretches of shallow waters found at Grace Bay Beach and Leeward Beach, (located on the northeastern side of Providenciales), as well as Sapodilla Bay Beach and Taylor Bay Beach, (sheltered beaches located on the southern coastline), are ideal for relaxing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, wading and sunbathing. 

Leeward Beach and Malcolm’s Road Beach are also excellent locations to forage for shells.

Grace Bay Beach is lined with many of the island’s luxury resorts, beach bars, shops and beach activities, making it the best beach for proximity to food, drink and play. 

The beaches along the northside of Providenciales are amongst the best beaches in the world for snorkeling the barrier reef – located a mile from shore, the barrier reef is accessible via several charters in Provo. 

Bight Beach and Smith’s Reef feature calm, sheltered water and smaller coral reefs that are accessible from shore, resulting in the best snorkeling conditions for youngsters and beginners. 

Ready to Experience The Best Beaches in The World for Yourself?

You really have to experience for yourself what makes our beaches the best beaches in the world. Beyond pristine beaches, our fun and relaxing atmosphere, upbeat music and flavourful Caribbean cuisine will ensure your first visit to Turks and Caicos won’t be your last–vacationing in Turks and Caicos can be habit-forming, for good reason! 

Stay at The Venetian on Grace Bay and Save

Located on idyllic Grace Bay Beach, The Venetian on Grace Bay resort offers comfortable and luxurious one, two, and three-bedroom suites. 

Every suite at the Venetian is oceanfront and comes with a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, in-suite laundry facilities, spacious sitting areas and a screened-in porch overlooking idyllic Grace Bay Beach. And the resort hosts a variety of complimentary amenities to enjoy during your stay. 

 The resort is located on the eastern end of Grace Bay Beach which tends to enjoy more tranquillity and privacy while still being within a short driving or bicycling distance from shopping, dining and activities.

 Visit Turks and Caicos before December 19th and save up to 40% on all suites. 

 Book now or contact us today to learn more.