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Turks & Caicos: So Many Islands, So Little Time!

The Turks & Caicos Islands are actually two sets of islands separated by the Columbus Passage in the Caribbean Sea. There are over 40 islands in this chain, but only 8 of them are inhabited. The Turks & Caicos have only recently sprung up as a tourist attraction. Fishermen and scuba divers, however, have known about them for eons. Some of the best fishing and diving in the Caribbean can be found in these astonishing waters. Water sports of all description can be a part of a Turks & Caicos vacation. Swimming, snorkeling, horseback riding, wind surfing, parasailing, cave exploring, and nature watching are all available for your enjoyment on these alluring islands.

The most popular, and most populated of the Turks and Caicos is Providenciales, or "Provo", as the locals call it. The island has just the right mixture of tourist services and areas yet to be developed. On the north end of the island sits beautiful Grace Bay, a beautiful white-sand beach with an extensive coral reef that will delight swimmers, snorkelers, and sun bathers. Chalk Sound sits at the southern portion of the island and has a gorgeous lake with turquoise blue water, and is near a string of smallish cays.

One popular activity while in Providenciales is to hop in a boat and take a 5-minute ride that brings you to Little Water Cay. This small island is only inhabited by iguanas and is protected by the National Trust of Turks and Caicos. The iguanas sun themselves on the beaches and are curious about visitors. Recent changes in the diet of the animals (tourists were feeding them chips and beer!) have caused the National Trust to restrict visitors to the boardwalk that serves as a trail for the island.

Snorkelers will want to visit both the White House Reef, located in the Bight area, and Smith's Reef, just east of Turtle Cove. Both of these areas have marked underwater snorkeling trails, and are fun for all skill levels.

With excellent visibility, warm water, pristine reefs, breathtaking underwater flora and fauna, and literally hundreds of species of fish, the waters off of the Turks and Caicos are a scuba diving paradise. The reef wall off of Providenciales starts at 20 feet and drops to hazardous depths. Charters will also take divers to the waters off of Pine Cay, North Caicos, and West Caicos. The same reef system runs the length of the main diving area, and visitors cannot go wrong with any of these destinations.

Turtle Cove marina, on Providenciales, will take anglers on excellent deep-sea fishing charters. The waters are teeming with Atlantic blue marlin, sailfish, barracuda, bonefish, and shark.

To get away from it all, head east to Middle Caicos (or Grand Caicos, as it is also called). With only 300 or so year-round inhabitants, Middle Caicos is the largest and the most undeveloped island of the inhabited islands in the Turks & Caicos. Great beaches surround this getaway, but one of the most popular sits near Mudjin Harbor. The harbor encompasses a half moon shaped lagoon that reaches into the ocean to link up with another small Cay. Middle Caicos is also the site of Conch Bar Caves. Full of stalagmites and stalactites, the caves are an archeological preservation area. Artifacts from the long vanished Lucayan Indians have been discovered in the caves. The huge limestone caves feature stalactites, stalagmites, bats, owls and salt lakes that link up with the sea, and are considered to be one of the most extensive cave systems in the region.

Although the Turks & Caicos Islands are relatively unhurried, each morning a kinetic energy bursts forth that defines the resolve of these colorful islands. Fishing charters launch from marinas. Dive masters take giddy divers to local reef walls. Restaurants begin preparing the day's special conch recipes. Children plunge into turquoise colored waters in search of fish or sea turtles. Beach combers lather on suntan oil in the hopes of improving their tan. Let the energy guide you as you enjoy all the benefits a vacation in the Turks & Caicos has to offer.