A mesmerizing tropical landscape awaits you in Turks & Caicos: a mixture of emeralds, aquamarine, and deep blue waters that protect the reefs surrounding the island. The archipelago is made up of 40 islands, separated over 20 miles. Although the gateway island of Providenciales is flat, it does not take away from the beauty of the trees that shade the multitude of bays and beaches. Turks and Caicos bounced back very quickly following two consecutive category 5 hurricanes that hit the island in the fall of 2017, and here's why you should pay a visit this fall.
Accommodations
Planted right on Grace Bay Beach on the Western side of the island, Ocean Club Resorts West instantly makes you feel like you are in a cozy seaside cottage: elegant wicker chairs; white painted wooden beds; tropical paintings; and crisp white linens and drapes seduce you into an afternoon nap. Ocean Club Resorts West is comprised of all-suite units, from one to three bedrooms’ with full kitchens, and washer-dryers– a very ideal setting for families. Stepping out onto the inviting balcony, there are wooden racks for drying clothes under the light island breeze, as well as cleverly placed screens to protect from bugs.
Fitness fanatics can take advantage of the property’s range of sporting equipment and facilities, including complimentary bikes, paddleboards and kayaks, a fitness center, and tennis court where you can practice your swing.
A magical dinner under the stars is possible at Ocean Club Resorts West’s new al fresco restaurant, Solana, which has been appropriated some of the $6.5 million in upgrades the property has made over the past few years. Favorite menu items include the Duck and Truffle appetizer, which comes with an onion soubise and mango salsa; and the Seafood Bolognaise, a mixture of linguini pasta, scallops, shrimp, lobster, and fish in a tomato sauce.
Underwater Adventure
Embrace the diverse underwater world by achieving a scuba diving certification through the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI). Located conveniently next door to Ocean Club Resorts, the Club Med Turkoise resort offers a private diving course through the Seafari dive shop that requires a couple hours of instruction in the morning for three days.
New divers are able to get comfortable with their new equipment in the 12-foot deep Club Med pool, and then take a day to complete the ocean dive requirements of the PADI certification. If the conditions are right, the dive team may take you West Caicos’ “Piranha Cove” dive site. At 40 feet, some of the usual marine suspects at this dive site are Hawksbill turtles, black durgon, conch, and honeycomb cowfish. At another dive site, “Crocodile”, there are chances to encounter shy reef sharks; longjaw squirrelfish; stoplight parrotfish; and an imposing grouper.
Mammals
Jammin, Levi, and Squeek are some of the horses waiting for eager riders at the Provo Ponies ranch. You take a relaxing hour-long ride on the horses in the shallow waters off Caicos Banks in Long Bay Beach. Your guide will capture pictures of you straddling the horse as you manage to steer the gentle animal into the water. More experienced riders can branch out and fast trot with their horse on the beach. The lapping waves will cool you and your horse down from the strong rays of the sun.
Cruising
Sun Charters offers a Bioluminescent Tour, which leaves from the Leeward Canal on the island. Chances are you will head out with the captain, Matthew at the helm, to find the nesting area of the glowworms, responsible for the brilliant, bioluminescent colors in the sea at sundown. Glowworms are one inch long and the females leave a green phosphorescent egg trail to attract the males to fertilize. The males swim through trails and grab females, and then they retreat under the sea and go dark. The luxe and comfy bean bags on the deck of the ship were made for watching the constellations as the boat rocks gently back and forth while you sip complimentary champagne.