“I call it the magic mirror effect,” my driver Denzel says, as we make our way from the airport in Providenciales to Beach Enclave Long Bay on my inaugural visit to Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) this past spring. True to Denzel’s words, over the course of the week I spent there, I found it nearly impossible to tear my eyes away from the crystalline turquoise water; on a clear day, it can be hard to tell where the sea ends and the sky begins.
TCI is comprised of eight main islands and 40 smaller islands and uninhabited cays; Providenciales — referred to by locals simply as Provo — is easily the Caribbean’s most awe-inspiring. It doesn’t hurt that the powdery white sand found along world-famous Grace Bay Beach has been well-documented by a laundry list of celebrities and influencers on social media, whose photos can almost always be counted on to include some variation of the caption: “No filter necessary.”
But if you dig slightly beneath the surface, you’ll find the real magic of this beguiling island just about everywhere you look, from the warmth and generosity of the locals to an extraordinary and ever-evolving culinary scene, as well as some of the most stunning hotels and private villas offering an abundance of barefoot luxury experiences at every turn.
Beach Houses
Beach Enclave
Beach Enclave offers a stunning collection of fully staffed private villas and beach houses spread across three locations across the island. On the North Shore, guests are treated to a stretch of private beach along with some incredible snorkeling spots and Mediterranean-inspired bites at The Bluff Bar. Considered the island’s water sports hub, Beach Enclave’s Long Bay location is just a short beach walk away from The Shore Club, where some of the island’s best restaurants and amenities abound. Finally, spread across 10 acres, Beach Enclave Grace Bay offers some of the most architecturally striking villas, all of which are set within the lush gardens of a private community nestled along the world-famous Grace Bay Beach.
Grace Bay Five-Bedroom Beach Villas from $8,250 per night. Contact Randi Carlson, guest relations manager, experiences@beachenclave.com, +1 866 580 1675.
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Rock House
Carved directly into the limestone cliffs on the north shore of Providenciales, Rock House offers some of the most dramatic views in town. With just 46 poolside studios or freestanding villas that come with a private plunge pool and terrace directly overlooking the sparkling sea, this jewel-box boutique is truly something special. Spend a leisurely day on the private beach, lounging at the infinity pool or nestled in one of the cliffside private nooks. The signature restaurant, Vita, offers outstanding alfresco Adriatic-inspired cuisine and live music every Thursday. Don’t miss a sunset cocktail at Cave Bar, a sultry craft cocktail lounge tucked directly into the cliffside.
The Ocean View Five Bedroom Reserve Villa from $7,000 per night. Contact reservations@rockhouseresort.com, +1 888 969 8455.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos
Set along Grace Bay Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos is not only the tallest hotel on the island, but offers a well-rounded resort experience ideal for couples and families alike. From homeopathic massages and facials at the resort’s sumptuous spa, to indulging in a variety of dining options from American-style dishes at BLT Steak to mouthwateringly fresh sushi at Noori to authentic homemade pasta at Casa Nonna, there’s a little something for everybody here. Don’t miss a chance to hop on The Ritz-Carlton’s luxurious The Lady Grace catamaran for a day of snorkeling, swimming and exploring nearby islands.
From $1,340 per night. Contact Melika Johnson, sales and marketing executive, melika.johnson@ritzcarlton.com, +1 649 339 2222.
Activities
Hop in a clear-bottom kayak or paddleboard with Big Blue Collective; they will take you on a journey through the local mangroves and to nearby islands teeming with local sea turtles, stingrays and other marine life. A sunset horseback ride with Provo Ponies offers daily group tours and private rides along the beach — creating a memory you won’t soon forget.
Where to dine
There’s no shortage of award-winning culinary experiences in Turks, starting with Wymara Resort + Villas, which is home to two of the island’s top-rated beachfront restaurants, Indigo and Blue Water Bistro. Nestled within The Shore Club along Provo’s Long Bay Beach, SUI-REN offers a fusion of Asian and Peruvian flavors in a romantic alfresco setting.
Conch is considered the national dish of TCI, and there’s no better place to sample this mighty mollusk than Da Conch Shack. This casual island outpost is a Provo institution and serves up a mix of island vibes along with one of the best parties every Wednesday night — complete with live music from We Funk Junkanoo Band.
Don’t skip town without checking out Coco Bistro. This island gem serves up Caribbean flavors and watermelon margaritas beneath a canopy of swaying palm trees and twinkling lights.
Finally, Marine Room just opened across from Bight Park and offers a mix of Italian and Mediterranean fine dining. Don’t miss the conch spaghetti or the 20-layer sideways lasagna.
If you do one thing
Getting out on the water is the one can’t-miss activity here. Opt for a half-day or full-day snorkeling tour with Island Vibes Tours. They will take you to some of the best local snorkeling spots while serving up unlimited rum punch.
Insider Tip: The main airport for Turks and Caicos is located on the island of Providenciales and tends to be quite busy both on arrival and departure. To help ease the process, purchase a SkyPass. This not only expedites the wait time by skipping the customs line, but a Skypass representative will also be waiting to escort you to your car service, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
