Providenciales

Providenciales (or better known as “Provo” by the locals) is the main island for tourism and is the most-established in terms of what it has to offer for visitors. It is, by far, the most populated island in the Turks and Caicos. Provo features world-class hotels, resorts, and villas, more than 50 restaurants of all types, spas, shopping, nightlife and the international airport (PLS) and several marinas.

Provo offers all the modern conveniences anyone would need, as well as solitude and relaxation one may not even know they need! There is something for everyone here: beachcombers will find endless stretches of pure sand to idle away the time; sunbathers will soak up rays anytime they are outdoors; boaters will find the calm, still seas idyllic for exploring the neighboring islands and discovering secluded cays; fishermen will enjoy a pastime that’s been the legacy of these islands for centuries; divers and snorkelers will revel in walls, reefs and wrecks waiting to be explored below the water and families will enjoy quality time in a relaxing environment where the pace lets you live in the moment.

The crown jewel in Provo, is Grace Bay Beach, an eight-mile stretch of pristine sand along the island’s north coast. Lining one side of the beach are upscale resorts, shops and restaurants while the other side is protected by a coral reef system that encompasses the Princess Alexandra National Park - heaven for snorkelers, divers and anyone who loves the sea. The ocean here is such a turquoise shade of blue that many people believe this is how Turks and Caicos got its name (as opposed to the Turks Head cactus that grow wild here)!

Providenciales Beaches

While Grace Bay is Providenciales most famous beach, there are plenty of others that are less popular but equally beautiful. You’ll find “secret” beaches on the island’s south side such as Sapodilla Bay, Long Bay and Chalk Sound and on the north west side of the island there are two beaches that take a bit of effort to get to but are worth the trek. The beaches on Northwest Point are fun to explore and offer the same amazing water and sand experience as Grace Bay but in more unique, rugged and quieter settings. Not that Grace Bay isn’t quiet! Nature takes center stage at Grace Bay - you won’t find shops, vendors or much else than the lounge chairs and beach service offered by some of the beachfront resorts.

The accommodations offerings on Provo are vast and varied and many are so luxurious you won’t want to leave the premises. However, Provo has a lot to offer, so we encourage you to take a taxi tour or rent a car to see the rest of the island outside your resort and maybe even venture out to one or two other islands. Seeing other islands and meeting some of the island’s residents will give you a true feeling of what the Turks and Caicos is all about.

Have we missed an important aspect of this island that tourist and visitors should know about? We want to make sure this site provides comprehensive and accurate information on all of the Turks and Caicos Islands, so if you’ve visited these islands or live here and would like to see something added to this site, contact us via email and let us know.

Would you like to contribute to this site – please contact us.