Excursions and Tours - Mar/Apr 2007

Things to Do - Plenty of Action On Land & On Sea

Many people you will encounter on these Islands may tell you a story of how they got here maybe ten years ago for a specific job opportunity, without knowing exactly where they were going. My story is the same; I first arrived here seven years ago and I must admit I had no idea what I was coming to. Yes, I had heard about the Turks and Caicos before - just south of the Bahamas; there was a Beaches Resort here - that was just about all that I knew. My mother kept telling people I was going to the Cayman Islands as she didn’t have a clue where these Islands were, and no one she was telling it to, knew either, so it didn’t matter. And I’m from the Caribbean! TCI was even less known to the world at large… but that has changed dramatically within recent five years.

These Islands are no longer the great unknown. In fact, they are now touted as the last of the unspoilt Caribbean; the best kept secret of the region now revealed. Extra! Extra! Read all about it… THIS is the place to be!

Of course many people come to these shores just to lie on the cool, white sand and do absolutely nothing; that is one of the biggest attractions to Grace Bay - World’s Best Beach. But, even the most dedicated sun worshipper needs some diversion. The Islands can be deceptively quiet; laid back, no crowds, so you may think - No Action. Big News! When you are baked and ready for some diversion, the TCI has plenty to offer.

These Islands are flat and low, so there are no stunning mountain ranges or rain forests to hike though, but few places on earth can challenge the beauty of the waters surrounding these seemingly simple rocks. The Turks and Caicos Islands has been almost permanently engraved in the top five of the World’s Best Diving destination list. The visibility below the water is as clear as the view out your window when you wake up in the morning. There are many professional dive companies to choose from – Flamingo Divers, Dive Provo, Cactus Voyager to name few - all giving personalised service and expert guidance. If you have never tried diving before, this is a great place to learn, as the water is calm, warm and the fish are friendly.

In Providenciales you can choose to do traditional diving trips - one or two tanks - or you can “Go Nitrox”. Diving for years but never tried that before? Don’t worry, Caicos Adventures and Provo Turtle Divers can teach you how to get more out of your dives.

For the not so adventurous, try the bridge between snorkelling and diving – SNUBA. Perfect for the whole family (they take kids from eight years old), it’s an easy and fun underwater adventure without the tanks or extra training. Seascooter Rentals provide an easy way to power snorkel - with a seascooter. Environmentally friendly, won’t scare the fish and allow you to stay down longer for great fish interaction. Try these two options by Provo’s best near shore reef - The Bight Reef just in front of The Windsong.

Want to experience that underwater world you keep hearing so much about, but not into getting wet? Do the Undersea Explorer; a semi-submarine ride. Sit in air conditioned comfort and look out of your own full-size window, onto the spectacular underwater views. Remember, this is the Turks and Caicos Islands, so you never have a bad viewing day. You can be assured that you will always see lots of bright, beautiful reef fish, a turtle or two, at least one ray and you just never know what else. Keep your eyes open and your cameras ready. For a completely unique treat take the champagne sunset cruise aboard Undersea Explorer.

Combine the underwater experience without losing sight of the sunshine, by taking a spin on a glass bottom boat. Reef Peepers will motor you out on their 40 foot catamaran, giving opportunities for swimming and snorkelling plus underwater viewing though panels of glass set into the stern of the boat.

After you have vegetated on that beach for a couple of days, you might want to try a new location. How about booking an excursion with one of TCI’s sailing companies? Half day trips, whole day sails, large party groups or romantic sunset cruises with wine and cheese, here in nature’s paradise, you have a choice of all and more. Sail Provo can put you on one of their regularly scheduled trips to discover the tiny cays and numerous bays around Providenciales, or they can tailor a trip just to suit your needs. For private party cruises contact Atabeyra. A favourite with residents of Provo, this rumrunner can guarantee you a day full of sunshine, laughter, secluded white beaches and deserted islands. A few nights after each full moon this party boat takes a sunset sail to see the “Glow Worms”!

Planning an extra special, romantic or exclusive sail? Try Beluga for a private sailing catamaran charter catered to your taste and schedule perhaps with champagne and caviar or whatever your gourmet preference. Want to get there faster... give Kenard Cruises a call for the motorised variety aboard ‘Dream Aweigh’ a beautifully designed power catamaran. Customise your dream cruise or let them plan your day. They specialise in private cruises with executive service and attention to detail. Private luxury cruises will cater to your every nautical whim and fancy.

Maybe you are one of those people who like to catch their own dinner. Looking for a tropical fishing adventure? Want to go back home with a real fishy story? Silver Deep, Catch the Wave, Hook’Em, or the Gwendolyn can all make that fishing dream come alive. Bone fishing, deep sea trolling, fly fishing, night fishing; shark, wahoo, mahi-mahi, barracuda, you name it these waters have it. From May to October is Blue Marlin season and that’s an adventure you don’t want to pass up.

There are several boating companies on Providenciales who offer day-trips to the small cays around Provo, with their secluded, powder-white, sandy beaches, and even to the other main TCI islands. You can do snorkelling tours, beach cruises with sightseeing, package lunches and picnics. Catch your own fish or conch and have a beach barbeque on an isolated beach. You can be dropped off on a deserted isle for the day with picnic lunch and umbrella. Or combine boating with a relaxing day of shelling and snorkelling off the beaten paths. This is the stuff that Caribbean vacations are made of and you can do it all right here; give J&B Tours and Silver Deep a call for these adventures.

Provo offers lots of motorised and wind powered sports on the water for your amusement. Your resort probably offers some water sports, but you can go further and higher with exciting water sporting options that are just a phone call away. Call up Captain Marvin’s Parasail for banana boat rides and try parasailing. The views you are treated to when parasailing are spectacular. The waters surrounding Providenciales are so calm and clear that you can see turtles and rays swimming in Grace Bay. If you are really lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of JoJo - the friendly resident dolphin mascot of the Islands - playing in the gentle surf.

If you’re a real speed junky, then believe it or not, Provo is the place for you. Go waterskiing and wakeboarding or tubing and wakeskating (or do it all) with Nautique Sports; they give private instructions by the hour or the day and provide all the equipment. Kiteboarding is increasingly popular now and Power Kite Flying too. Abuv-It-All can facilitate your needs for speed on the water, with PASA Certified instructors who give you safety training as well as landing and launching instructions. Of course, with such a name they also do windsurfing, providing boards for rent and how to tips and training. They can also rent you small, power boats for a few hours of hair blowing, surf skipping.

Sun and Fun Seasports provides sport boat rentals, (with or without a boat captain or guide), jet skis and watercrafts. They can organise a guided tour of the shallow waters around Providenciales or on to Parrot Cay, Dellis Cay and Pine Cay.

Big Blue Unlimited are the people to call if you are looking for eco-tours. wild life tours, coastal ecology, kayaking in and out of mangroves along the coast of shallow cays, they offer all of them. Take a bird watching tour or meet an iguana with attitude. They can organise day-trips to Middle Caicos for you, where you can explore bat caves and visit the local basket weaving industry. Try a boat and bicycle tour to North Caicos.

Nothing begins or ends your day better than a relaxing horseback ride along a beautiful beach - the waves gently lapping at the feet of your pony, the sunset or sunrise on the horizon, cool Caribbean breezes kissing your face. Provo Ponies can cater to riders of all levels, including beginners.

Providenciales has an 18 hole, par 42 championship golf course, with a driving range and putting practice area. The full service Provo Golf Club has equipment rental and golf wear and also houses an excellent restaurant, Fairways Bar & Grill, with a very cosy bar for after your round… or before… or in the middle.

Want to make sure you stay bikini fit while on vacation? This island may be small, but the gyms and spas are world-class and well equipped. Pulse Gym in The Saltmills offers all the latest equipment and classes, including spinning, Pilates and yoga.

For your bikini line touch up, manicures, pedicures and all the relaxing massages and treatments you need on vacation, contact Serenity Day Spa, Spa Sanay, Beauty & the Beach or Spa Tropique. Or maybe you need to get your hair done? Visit the experts at New Waves Hair Design, April’s Place or Maxime’s.

One of the great things about visiting a small island - or a country of small islands - is that you can just adventure out on your own without fear of getting lost. Rent a car, grab a map, take a copy of Where When How with you for suggestions, with details on all the things mentioned in this copy and you’re off.

A fun-filled, Day Trip around Providenciales could include The Conch Farm. The largest and oldest established conch farm in the world; harvesting up to 40 million conchs for worldwide export annually. The expert tours take you through the entire process of “growing” a conch and it’s informative and interesting for the entire family. The kids will love meeting Sally and Jerry, the world’s only trained conchs, at the end of the tour.

Make a few scenic/historic stops and visit a natural wonder, The Hole in Long Bay. Cheshire Hall Plantation Ruins off Leeward Highway across from Royal Jewels is of interest, the gate is usually locked so call the National Trust first to meet and guide you along the site. Take a leisurely drive down to Chalk Sound. A short walk up the hill at South Dock you can see the Sapodilla Hill Rock Carvings. Copies of the carvings may be seen in the Providenciales Airport Departure area. Stop at Sapodilla Bay and Silly Creek for photos and swimming. Fantastic water vistas across Chalk Sound National Park. Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay are very shallow and safe swimming for small children.

Take a quick turn “Down Town” and drop into the Turks & Caicos National Trust located in the Town Centre Mall. On display (and for sale) are prime examples of local craft - baskets, hats, bags and more, models of traditional Caicos sloops, ceramics and shell craft.

Then head up to Blue Hills, where you will find plenty local places to sample the native cuisine. The daily special at Smokey’s on the Bay is a stop definitely worth your time. Also drop into the Blue Hills Artisans Studio and discover the skill of local crafters and weavers. The works of over 60 TCI artisans are collected here, a perfect stop for locally made souvenirs.

A day of shopping may begin with the specialty stores within your resort. There are several areas with concentrated retail shops; Caicos Cafe Plaza, La Petite Place, Ports of Call, Central Square, The Saltmills will soon be doubling their stores and new shops are now opening at The Regent Village. The Unicorn Bookstore is situated right in front of the IGA Graceway supermarket with several stores in the nearby Graceway Plaza. There are Duty Free shops for fragrances, jewellery, watches and gifts. Clothing boutiques carrying designer names, art galleries, sports stores and gourmet specialty stores are all to be found.

If you don’t want to drive on your vacation, or if you plan to have lots of rum punches with your lunch and Turks Head beer with your dinner, the Gecko Bus Company is at your service. Check with your front desk or give them a call for daily routes, schedules and details on Island Tours, Conch Tours or their Rum Tasting Tour.

When you’ve explored all there is on Providenciales and wish to  venture beyond, look to the other Turks and Caicos Islands which are just a short plane ride or boat trip away. All well worth the effort - each unique in their offerings and attractions.

Grand Turk - The Nation’s political capital; this island is full of rich history. You can take yourself on a walking tour of Front Street and view all the historical buildings. Each of them now have full informational plaques to their fronts, so no guide is necessary, just take your time and your camera. You must stop at the award-wining, Grand Turk National Museum, where you will discover all you need to know about the history of these islands. Visit the recently restored Royal Gaol House, (now a museum) and take a quick horse and buggy ride up to the Lighthouse. Excellent duty free shopping at the Cruise Ship Centre*, where you can also get on various island tours and eco activities, and grab a fun meal at Margaritaville restaurant and bar.  Skyking offers a day excursion complete with tour and  lunch, see page 48 in this issue. (*Open when ships are in port.)

North Caicos -The “Green Island”, with lots of fruit trees and vegetation. Home to the most extensive Loyalist Plantation - Wade’s Green - dating back to 1789, and the one island you are guaranteed to see flamingos at any time of the year, bobbing up and down Flamingo Pond.

Middle Caicos -This island can be the perfect, one day trip from Providenciales. Explore the exciting Conch Bar Caves; trek Haulover Plantation Trail or Crossing Place Trail and enjoy beautiful Mudjin Harbour. Day trips usually include picnic lunches and cycling opportunities, so ask your tour operator.

Salt Cay - The “Island that Time Forgot”. A perfect tribute to the salt industry of a time long past, here you will see the remnants of the salinas, the salt ponds, the storage and shipping house and the windmills that powered the industry. This is the best island for whale watching during the months of January to March. Salt Cay is currently being considered by UNICEF to be named a World Heritage Site. Truly a well kept secret; an experience you will not forget.

South Caicos - “The Big South”, as locals call it. Famous for its annual Sailing Regatta each May, where the party lasts all weekend long. South Caicos is rich in marine life and offers wonderful diving visibility, so contact South Caicos Divers to book your trip and call up the folks at South Caicos Ocean and Beach Resort to make sure they have room for you.

Back in Provo you can sit back and unwind with dinner at one of our many restaurant and grills. When Where How has an extensive dining section and the 2007 Providenciales Dining Guide you should not be without. Pick them up everywhere.

Providenciales may be small but there are bars and throbbing night spots that can take you well into the early morning, if you want to party your vacation away. Bambooz at The Saltmills has big screen TVs, busy pool tables, happy games machines and lots of friendly people. Make new friends for drinks and sing Karaoke on Tuesdays at Calico Jack’s at Ports of Call. Combine dinner with party and get an all inclusive, night pass to Club Med Turkoise. For the world’s Best Margarita, try the happy hour at Hey Jose’s. They also have gaming machines and are excellent on major sport nights.

Newly opened, The Player’s Club now brings the exciting world of casino gambling to Providenciales. Located at the Queen Angel Resort in Turtle Cove, the Club houses 100 slot machines, multi-player Roulette and Blackjack and the traditional favourite - Poker. All modern, digital machines, air conditioned comfort and professional service; visit them for the latest dimension in this small island’s night life.

So relax, do nothing, enjoy your break from reality. But when you are ready to get out there, the Turks and Caicos Islands has a lot for you to choose from. Tiny islands with plenty of nothing going on.


Story by Karyn Williams-Sykes

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