Turks and Caicos – Vacation Packages

Despite a rapid and huge growth in dive tourism during the past 10 years, the Turks & Caicos remain one of the last great diving frontiers, with miles of vast reefs and wrecks yet to be explored. The beaches are beautiful, but the diving is some of the best in the world. In fact, some of the finest and oldest coral communities in the Western Hemisphere fringe the shores. Located well off the beaten path, at the southeastern tip of the Great Bahama Bank, most of these islands are sparsely populated. Topside, the terrain and vegetation resembles the Bahamas flat with scrub brush and tall cactus, edged by pink and white sand beaches.

The Turks consist of two main islands: Grand Turk and Salt Cay, which are separated from the Caicos by a 22-mile-wide deep-water channel, the Turks Island Passage. The Caicos group consists of six principal islands: West Caicos, Providenciales, North Caicos, Grand Caicos, East Caicos and South Caicos. All are flanked by small uninhabited cays.

Providenciales’ posh hotels, casino gambling and direct flights from Miami attract most dive tourists. Grand Turk, on the other hand, has fabulous diving too, but lacks the posh resorts and takes a little more effort to get to.

The Caicos’ six principal islands and their surrounding small cays offer superb wall diving. Along the barrier reef surrounding them you’ll find iridescent sea anemones, huge basket sponges and dense gardens of elkhorn coral. Closer to shore are patches of coral swarming with reef tropicals. Miles of beautiful swimming beaches attract families and non-divers as well.

For more on Turks and Caicos Islands, check out the Turks and Caicos Travel Guide on BootsnAll.