Turks and Caicos Islands guide

Endangered rock iguana
Perching hummingbird
Half Moon Bay
Frog fish caught unawares
Hot air balloons above Grand Turk jetty

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Turks and Caicos Islands at a glance

About TURKS & CAICOS...

Turks & Caicos is made up of two groups of islands and cays (five main islands in all) at the south-eastern corner of the Bahamas. English-speaking, with extensive tourism (in certain islands), quite American in style, many mid-size hotels and condominiums, some small and smart hotels on remote islands, increasing numbers of villas, some cruise ships. Superb sand and vivid blue sea, excellent scuba diving.

Providenciales is the most developed of the Caicos Islands in the west. It has the most hotels and condominiums. North and Grand Caicos have some small development. East Caicos is undeveloped.

Other smaller islands with habitation are Parrot Cay and Pine Cay, each of which has an upmarket hotel. The two Turk Islands lie twenty miles to the east – Grand Turk, the capital of TCI, which has a strong local community, cruise tourism, and Salt Cay, very small and barely developed.

Read our guide about Turks & Caicos - with independent reviews, listings, and information from top travel journalists and Caribbean specialists.

Best for:: A low-key holiday exploring the islands
What for:: Beach, Scuba Diving, Weddings & Romance
Not for:: Corporate & Incentive
How to get there:: Easily accessible from North America, particularly Miami and some flights from Canada. Flights from Europe via US.
Top tip:: A visit to the world’s only commercial conch farm, Conch World, makes an offbeat diversion from the beach