Turks and Caicos Islands

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Grand Turk

Population

20,500

Government

NA ( overseas territory of the UK)

Religions

Christianity (Protestant)

Languages

English

Calling Code

+1649

Contributors

• Utrecht (75%)
  from http://utrecht.travellerspoint.com

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Introduction

Grand Turk Island

© All Rights Reserved vegasmike6

The Turks and Caicos Islands look like the last in the lengthy line of Bahaman islands stretching away from Florida, but they are in fact an independent archipelago. For tourists, they offer beaches and diving, diving and beaches. Sure, there is a lack of variety in the attractions, but the relaxing powers of the Caribbean sun are able to put even the tensest heart at ease. For a quick escape from the water, you may be interested to explore the remnants of the islands' salt industry.

But the diving is world-renowned, so we don't think you will be needing to wander through museums to keep busy. Stunning aquatic scenery is provided in ample amounts over the miles and miles of coral reef. Expect to swim with dolphins. Expect to be awestruck by submerged wreckages. Expect an energizing respite, because you will get it.

Brief History

Geography

Regions/Islands

Two island groups make up the Turks and Caicos Islands, separated by the Turks Passage.

• Caicos Islands includes Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos and several uninhabited islands and resort islands.
• Turks Islands consist of Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

Cities/Towns

• Cockburn Town (Grand Turk, the capital)
• Cockburn Harbour
• Bottle Creek
• Blue Hills

Sights and Activities

Chalk Sound National Park

Chalk Sound National Park is a fantastic and huntingly beautiful part of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This is the place to come if turquoise is your favorite colour. Because this is the exact colour of the waters of this 5 kilometers wide bay, which holds a vast number of green and lush islands and and mushroom-like tiny islets. A peninsula with some fantastic beaches only adds to the beauty. A bit of culture is even available at Sapodilla Bay where you can find carvings on rocks that name shipwrecked sailors dating back to 1844.

Turtle Cove

Turtle Cove is located along a harbor with the same name. It is a very nice grill bar where you can have pleasure the whole night eating, drinking, dansing and, if you like it, do some karaoke. There is a live reggae band every Friday night and for a night out is is probably one of the better places on the islands.

Turks & Caicos National Museum

Turks & Caicos National Museum is located in Cockburn Town and houses the restored Guinep House. This historic building is constructed of salvaged ships' timbers and displays items like shell tools, stamps, locks, and greenstone cells. Several other rooms have displays about the island's salt industry and life on the coral reef.
And then the upper rooms have an underwater display in 3D, a natural history gallery about local wildlife, and a room where you can find many photos and artefacts about the pre-Columbian Taino culture.

Other sights and activities

• North Caicos - one of the wettest but therefore greenest parts of the islands, flamingo spotting as well
• Caicos Conch Farm
• Salt Cay: spectacular diving and seasonal turtle watching, sometimes even whales

Events and Festivals

• July: Festerama Festival - North Caicos
• October: Extravaganza Carnival - North Caicos

Weather

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a very pleasant and tropical climate with generally warm and humid weather. The seabreeze makes things relatively mild though and water is never far away. Temperatures generally average around 30 degrees Celcius during the day yearround and 23 degrees at night. December to May is the dry season, where July to October is the rainy season, but this generally means some showers at the end of the day instead of days of rain on end. Hurricanes are possible though from August to October.

Getting there

Plane

Skyking Turks and Caicos Airways is the main airlines of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Main destinations include the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its base is at Providenciales International Airport (PLS). From there British Airways has flights to and from London, while other destinations include Toronto and Montreal, Nassau on the Bahamas, several cities in the United States, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. JAGS McCartney International Airport (GDT) is on Grand Turk with Skyking serving the same destinations as from Providenciales International Airport. Global Airways has charter flight throughout the eastern Caribbean islands.
Air Turks and Caicos flies to the Bahamas, Jamaica and Fort Lauderdale in Florida with plans for Havana and the Cayman Islands in the near future.

By Boat

Despite its location relatively close to other islands chains like the Bahamas, there are no international ferry routes to and from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Getting around

Plane

Skyking Turks and Caicos Airways operates flights between Grand Turk, Providenciales and South Caicos. Global Airways and Air Turks and Caicos have many domestic flights as well between Grand Turk, Salt Cay and Middle and North Caicos.

By Car

Rental cars are available from several local companies , mainly on Grand Turka and Providenciales, less so on North and South Caicos. Many roads are not sealed. Driving is on the left and you will need a local temporary driving permit as well. You need to pay mandatory insurance and government tax as well.

By Bus

There are no public buses on any of the islands and therefore taxis are the way to go if you don't have your own set of wheels. And the good thing is that taxis are available on all the inhabited islands and most taxi drivers double as guides as well, making daytrips with several people an economical way of getting around and seeing something.

By Boat

There are several options regarding domestic ferry services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Dale Marie is a weekend ferry between Bottle Creek in North Caicos and Middle Caicos. It runs Saturdays from about 8 am through early afternoon. It is a 30 minute ride and carries 1-2 vehicles. Friday evenings and Sundays crossings are by appointment only.
The Buccaneer is a ferry between Grand Turk and Salt Cay. It is passenger only and it takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Travelling is one Wednesdays and Fridays only and it departs Salt Cay at 7am and Grand Turk at 2.30pm.

TCI Ferry Service is a new ferry service between Leeward Marina on Providenciales and North Caicos with 4 departures each day in both directions.

Red Tape

Visa requirements are roughly the same as for the United Kingdom, Schengen Visa not applying.

Money

See also Money Matters

The US Dollar, or "greenback", is the national currency of Turks and Caicos Islands. One dollar consists of 100 cents. Frequently used coins are the penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢) and quarter (25¢). 50¢ and $1 coins also exist, but are rarely used. Frequently used banknotes are the $1, $5, $10 and $20 notes. $2, $50 and $100 notes can also be found, but are rarely used.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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