Turks & Caicos is a dreamy destination for those in search of a serene and tranquil getaway with a spectacular Caribbean background augmenting every moment of their vacations. Beautiful soft sand shores and sights that promote relaxation and body and mind rejuvenation make up the landscape, paired with untouched lands and private spots that allow you to get lost in pristine natural scenery. Amidst this paradisal land lie some of the most charming towns and villages like the ones described below that have a unique way to steal your heart for eternity!
Cockburn Town – A Beloved Meeting Point
Sitting on the eastern side of Grand Turks Island, Cockburn Town is the beating heart of the entire nation and home to the international airport. Dazzling with long sugary stretches of land, wonderful colonial architecture, streets lined with historic buildings, and lots of restaurants and shops, Cockburn Town oozes authentic Caribbean vibes. And as it remains on her throne, it lays the table for exquisite Caribbean experiences. Feel free to learn a lot about the local history at the several museums or take a romantic sunset walk by the beach. Or even go on a venture to explore the aquatic world featuring adorable reefs offshore of Grand Turks with snorkelling and scuba diving endeavours. As for those wishing to combine the sea with water sports above the water, we suggest boating, paddling, or kayaking!
Cockburn Harbour – A Different Side of Island Life
Bearing almost the same name as the capital of Turks & Caicos, Cockburn Harbour is an entirely different settlement located on another island called South Caicos. As you walk into the small town, expect to be greeted with historic colonial-time buildings, old ruins, fantastic views, and an active community of happy and friendly people, whose entire economy and life revolves around fishing. In fact, Cockburn Harbour is considered the fishing capital of Turks & Caicos!
If you head north, you will come across a beautiful British colonial home now sitting vacant and quiet, as well as the remains of the salt industry that once thrived in Turks & Caicos and played a vital role in the local economy. Of course, you can always take a trek to the Sea National Park and the Admiral Cockburn Land for the most exquisite natural landscapes or attend the 4-day South Caicos Regatta sloop race if you happen to be around the area in May. It will definitely be worth it!
Blue Hills – Where Serenity Meets Magnetism
The island of Providenciales is where you can find this enchanting small settlement waiting for you. Situated on the northwest coast of the island, Blue Hills is the definition of island time and island living. With very few shops and restaurants, it is the perfect place for escapes away from the bustle of the hurried modern lifestyle, while attracting opportunities for outdoor ventures very few get to experience, such as swimming with dolphins and snorkelling among shipwrecks now sleeping peacefully on a sandy sea bottom.
Away from big-scale commercial operations, Blue Hills is the perfect retreat for families, whether you love swimming in calm turquoise waters, relaxing on sugary beaches, visiting historical sites (the town was once the epicentre of the country’s shipbuilding and salt industry), hiking through forested areas and lush vegetation, or another activity. You may even walk to the remains of a late-1900s plantation and, why not, even see the cannons that were used to protect the region from invaders (or just get there for the incredible views)!
Long Bay Hills – A Secret Haven
A densely populated residential area on the southeast coast of Providenciales Island with a stunning 4.8-kilometre (3 miles) white-sand beach featuring breathtaking, calm, azure waters. Head to the southwestern end of the shore for the most tranquil experiences, which is also where a few exclusive rental villas are waiting to impress with their luxury amenities and mind-blowing seascapes.
And if you are wondering what is that dot on the horizon some 4 kilometres (around 3 miles) off the beach, that would be the La Famille Express shipwreck, one of the most popular local attractions that were washed onto the more shallow waters of Canon Banks after a hurricane strike in 2004. Or you can come here for kitesurfing adventures since Long Bay Beach is the perfect destination on a windy day thanks to the side-on and onshore trade winds that often blow here.
As for the residential community of Long Bay Hills, it is a work in progress, with upscale residential properties being built continuously as part of the South Bank Project, including luxury condos that are constructed around the marina lagoon, on the limestone cliff coastline. That aside, you are also welcomed with hiking trails and bordering parks that enhance the overall experience.
Note: Another quite identical residential region is Whitby is North Caicos that has a similar vibe as Long Bay Hills, equally amazing white-sand beach and turquoise waters with a super-clean bottom, some holiday rentals, a pier that offers spectacular ocean views, and lots of water-related activities, including a snorkelling site.
The Bight Settlement – Authentic Island Experiences
A lively residential area on Providenciales Island where there is always something exciting going on! Tucked between the Grace Bay and Turtle Cove regions, it was once a small fishing and farming community (its economy still relies on the sea). Nowadays, the shallow seagrass bed that supports the conch and the fish-bustling barrier reef provide a fertile ground for the much larger-than-before Bight Settlement to thrive.
Besides its natural beauties, though, the small town is also filled with bistros, where you can find delicious drinks and flavoursome foods, while Thursday Fish Fry is a popular local event taking place near the Kingston area (at Stubbs Diamond Plaza) that fascinates with the abundance of tasty fried fish, the lively atmosphere, and the overall Rastafarian vibe.
Chalk Sound – Dreamy for Endless Hours by the Beach
The Providenciales National Park, a lagoon, and the residential area of Chalk Sound sit side by side, offering visitors unique experiences away from the noisy resort areas and magnificent views of the island. Perched on the southwest side of Providenciales Island, it is the most ideal spot to start a boat tour to the national park or explore the rest of the island.
As for the two sheltered shores in the region, they probably feature the finest sand and the bluest waters in all Providenciales, which makes them particularly attractive to families. Kindly note, though, that there is no public transport to get around, so it might be best to rent a car. Also worth a try is a sunset cruise. You can thank us later!
Turks & Caicos is a dreamy destination for those in search of a serene and tranquil getaway with a spectacular Caribbean background augmenting every moment of their vacations. Beautiful soft sand shores and sights that promote relaxation and body and mind rejuvenation make up the landscape, paired with untouched lands and private spots that allow you to get lost in pristine natural scenery. Amidst this paradisal land lie some of the most charming towns and villages like the ones described below that have a unique way to steal your heart for eternity!
Cockburn Town – A Beloved Meeting Point
Sitting on the eastern side of Grand Turks Island, Cockburn Town is the beating heart of the entire nation and home to the international airport. Dazzling with long sugary stretches of land, wonderful colonial architecture, streets lined with historic buildings, and lots of restaurants and shops, Cockburn Town oozes authentic Caribbean vibes. And as it remains on her throne, it lays the table for exquisite Caribbean experiences. Feel free to learn a lot about the local history at the several museums or take a romantic sunset walk by the beach. Or even go on a venture to explore the aquatic world featuring adorable reefs offshore of Grand Turks with snorkelling and scuba diving endeavours. As for those wishing to combine the sea with water sports above the water, we suggest boating, paddling, or kayaking!
Cockburn Harbour – A Different Side of Island Life
Bearing almost the same name as the capital of Turks & Caicos, Cockburn Harbour is an entirely different settlement located on another island called South Caicos. As you walk into the small town, expect to be greeted with historic colonial-time buildings, old ruins, fantastic views, and an active community of happy and friendly people, whose entire economy and life revolves around fishing. In fact, Cockburn Harbour is considered the fishing capital of Turks & Caicos!
If you head north, you will come across a beautiful British colonial home now sitting vacant and quiet, as well as the remains of the salt industry that once thrived in Turks & Caicos and played a vital role in the local economy. Of course, you can always take a trek to the Sea National Park and the Admiral Cockburn Land for the most exquisite natural landscapes or attend the 4-day South Caicos Regatta sloop race if you happen to be around the area in May. It will definitely be worth it!
Blue Hills – Where Serenity Meets Magnetism
The island of Providenciales is where you can find this enchanting small settlement waiting for you. Situated on the northwest coast of the island, Blue Hills is the definition of island time and island living. With very few shops and restaurants, it is the perfect place for escapes away from the bustle of the hurried modern lifestyle, while attracting opportunities for outdoor ventures very few get to experience, such as swimming with dolphins and snorkelling among shipwrecks now sleeping peacefully on a sandy sea bottom.
Away from big-scale commercial operations, Blue Hills is the perfect retreat for families, whether you love swimming in calm turquoise waters, relaxing on sugary beaches, visiting historical sites (the town was once the epicentre of the country’s shipbuilding and salt industry), hiking through forested areas and lush vegetation, or another activity. You may even walk to the remains of a late-1900s plantation and, why not, even see the cannons that were used to protect the region from invaders (or just get there for the incredible views)!
Long Bay Hills – A Secret Haven
A densely populated residential area on the southeast coast of Providenciales Island with a stunning 4.8-kilometre (3 miles) white-sand beach featuring breathtaking, calm, azure waters. Head to the southwestern end of the shore for the most tranquil experiences, which is also where a few exclusive rental villas are waiting to impress with their luxury amenities and mind-blowing seascapes.
And if you are wondering what is that dot on the horizon some 4 kilometres (around 3 miles) off the beach, that would be the La Famille Express shipwreck, one of the most popular local attractions that were washed onto the more shallow waters of Canon Banks after a hurricane strike in 2004. Or you can come here for kitesurfing adventures since Long Bay Beach is the perfect destination on a windy day thanks to the side-on and onshore trade winds that often blow here.
As for the residential community of Long Bay Hills, it is a work in progress, with upscale residential properties being built continuously as part of the South Bank Project, including luxury condos that are constructed around the marina lagoon, on the limestone cliff coastline. That aside, you are also welcomed with hiking trails and bordering parks that enhance the overall experience.
Note: Another quite identical residential region is Whitby is North Caicos that has a similar vibe as Long Bay Hills, equally amazing white-sand beach and turquoise waters with a super-clean bottom, some holiday rentals, a pier that offers spectacular ocean views, and lots of water-related activities, including a snorkelling site.
The Bight Settlement – Authentic Island Experiences
A lively residential area on Providenciales Island where there is always something exciting going on! Tucked between the Grace Bay and Turtle Cove regions, it was once a small fishing and farming community (its economy still relies on the sea). Nowadays, the shallow seagrass bed that supports the conch and the fish-bustling barrier reef provide a fertile ground for the much larger-than-before Bight Settlement to thrive.
Besides its natural beauties, though, the small town is also filled with bistros, where you can find delicious drinks and flavoursome foods, while Thursday Fish Fry is a popular local event taking place near the Kingston area (at Stubbs Diamond Plaza) that fascinates with the abundance of tasty fried fish, the lively atmosphere, and the overall Rastafarian vibe.
Chalk Sound – Dreamy for Endless Hours by the Beach
The Providenciales National Park, a lagoon, and the residential area of Chalk Sound sit side by side, offering visitors unique experiences away from the noisy resort areas and magnificent views of the island. Perched on the southwest side of Providenciales Island, it is the most ideal spot to start a boat tour to the national park or explore the rest of the island.
As for the two sheltered shores in the region, they probably feature the finest sand and the bluest waters in all Providenciales, which makes them particularly attractive to families. Kindly note, though, that there is no public transport to get around, so it might be best to rent a car. Also worth a try is a sunset cruise. You can thank us later!