Turks and Caicos Islands information

Please note that with effect from January 1st 2006 US citizens re-entering the US from the Caribbean must be in possession of a valid US passport.

Overview: One of the Caribbean's best-kept secret holiday destinations, the Turks and Caicos Islands are located at the southeastern tip of the Bahamas, 575 miles south east of Miami, Florida and 90 miles north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
This beautiful coral archipelago is a British Dependent Territory, comprises 8 islands, approximately 40 cays and a total of 230 miles of pristine white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters. The Turks and Caicos Islands are a haven for the Rich and Famous. Dick Clark (of American Bandstand fame) and Bruce Willis are just a few of the growing number of celebrities who have homes here. Britney Spears, Paul & Heather McCartney, Elton John, Whitney Houston and many other celebrities are regular visitors.The Islands are also famous for the 1,000 square miles of coral reef that surrounds them, providing some of the best diving and snorkeling to be found anywhere in the world. Swim with Jo Jo the tame bottle nosed dolphin, cavort with turtles and stingrays, enjoy a dive through a sunken Spanish wreck, or watch majestic whales migrating through the Columbus Passage on their way to their winter breeding grounds on the Mouchoir Banks. The Turks and Caicos Islands take their name from the scarlet dome of the barrel shaped Turks Head cactus and the Spanish word "cayos" which means small islands. The two groups of islands are divided by a 22mile wide 7000 ft. deep passage known today as Columbus Passage.

How to get here: Flying time from Miami to Providenciales via jet is approximately 1hr 20mins. Currently, American Airlines operates flights daily from Miami, scheduled flights from New York ( JFK) Tuesday through Sunday and a weekly service from Boston. US Airways operate 4 flights weekly from Charlotte, North Carolina. Delta have a daily service from Atlanta at the moment. British Airways currently flies direct from London Heathrow (LHR) via Nassau , each Sunday and Monday. There are also various scheduled flights from other Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Haiti. The airport code is PLS.

Climate: Constant trade winds keep life comfortable in the Islands, with the coolest months averaging 70 degrees in the winter and 90 degrees during the summer. It doesn't rain much here, so be sure to bring plenty of high factor sun cream.Island life is informal and most restaurants are casual, but a few insist on more formal wear in the evenings. It is not considered appropriate to be on the public beaches without a bathing suit.
Time Zone: is Eastern Standard Time, which is minus 5 hours GMT

Currency is the US dollar. Most hotels and restaurants accept traveler's cheques, which can also be cashed at local banks and stores. Most credit cards are widely accepted.
Voltage: 110volts the same as mainland USA

Driving is easy now that the main Leeward Highway has been reconstructed.We drive on the left - mostly in American manufactured cars. There are roundabouts. Remember to keep left and proceed with care. Driving is an exciting Island experience and there are plenty of places to explore.
Immigration and Customs:Visitors from USA and Canada may enter without a passport, if they have an original birth certificate and a photo ID (e.g. Driver's License), but Passports will be needed from 1st January 2006.Visitors from other countries (such as the United Kingdom and other EU members) just require a passport. In a very few cases, persons travelling from certain countries may also require a Visa. Contact the nearest British Consulate Office if you have any doubts as to whether your travel documents are valid. Each visitor has a duty free allowance of $50 and may also bring one carton of cigarettes or cigars, one bottle of liquor and a bottle of perfume for personal use. There is no restriction on the import of fresh or frozen meat or vegetables.Pets are welcome as there are no quarantine restrictions, but valid paperwork from your vet and the Turks Island Government is necessary. Check with the airlines for their travel restrictions at certain times of the year.Departure tax is now incorporated into the cost of the airline ticket.
Shopping Many local crafts are available for purchase through out the Islands and Providenciales in particular has a first class supermarket.Alcohol cannot be purchased in the supermarkey on Sundays.
Churches Many faiths are represented here, including Adventist, Episcopal, Baptist Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, Jehovah's Witness and Faith Tabernacle.
Crime The Turks and Caicos Islands are safe and the crime rate is low, but the usual simple common sense precautions, such as locking up and not leaving valuables unattended on the beach or in your car, should always be observed

Providenciales is the main tourist destination and has developed in very recent years to become the focal point for tourism and commerce. Visitors land at Providenciales International Airport (airport code PLS), a first class facility completed in 1996 and the hub for onward travel to the other Turks and Caicos Islands. Providenciales is approximately 14 miles long and between 1 to 4 miles wide, a total of 37.5 square miles, has a resident population of around 16,000 people and now boasts world-class accommodations; one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the world, an 18-hole championship golf course, a multitude of water sport activities including boating, fishing and professional dive operations and the world's only commercial Conch Farm. Most of the bars, restaurants, hotels, condos, resorts and dive operations are concentrated on the northern shores of Providenciales (or Provo as it is known locally), between Turtle Cove and Leeward, which incorporates the famous, breathtaking 12 mile Grace Bay Beach. The coral reef, teaming with marine life, is easily visible from here and protects this part of the Island from the Atlantic Ocean. The serene Turtle Tail area of Providenciales is a private unspoiled haven, offering great bone fishing (akin to fly fishing) in Flamingo Lake, wonderful private vacation villas with fabulous ocean views and deserted cove beaches, yet is centrally located and only a 10 minute drive to the main tourist areas.Long Bay Beach offers yet another unspoiled 5mile stretch of pristine beach and is still very undeveloped. Just a few fabulous designer villas grace its peaceful shoreline. Turtle Cove Marina hosts an International Billfish Tournament each July, when large sports fishing boats come from far and wide to compete. Many beautiful vacation villas are located on the quiet, but accessible southern part of the Island, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. To the South West, Chalk Sound National Marine Park is a shallow spectacular area of turquoise water and the beaches at Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay offer peace and tranquility.

Other Islands

Grand Turk has been the seat of government for over 400 years and is the political capital of the Turks and Caicos and home to the Governor's residence. In 1492 Christopher Columbus landed here on his first voyage in search of the Far East.
Today Grand Turk is a quiet island offering old world charm and excellent diving. Bermudian colonial architecture is still in evidence and a visit to the Turks and Caicos National Museum is a must. Look out for wandering donkeys. Salt Cay is known locally as "The Land That Time Forgot". Little has changed since 1900, when the salt industry flourished on this tiny island and the Salinas are still in evidence. This is the place to come between January and March to watch the migrating whales. Just to the south of the island lies the Endymion Wreck, a 140 ft wooden hulled British warship, which sank in 1790 after hitting the reef. A must-see for diving enthusiasts. South Caicos lies 22 miles to the west of Grand Turk and is the nearest of the Caicos Islands. Once a flourishing producer of salt and sisal (a plant for making rope) South Caicos is now a very quiet island, whose economy is sustained by the export of conch and lobster. Due to its very protected harbour, South Caicos hosts the Turks and Caicos Islands annual sailing regatta each May. East Caicos despite its size is completely uninhabited, with no plans at this time for development. There is a 17-mile stretch of pristine deserted beach on the north coast. Middle Caicos is perhaps the most dramatic and picturesque of all the Caicos Islands and has a population of about 200 people living in the settlements of Conch Bar, Bambarra and Lorimers. Visit Mudjin Harbour for spectacular scenery. The limestone caverns, dating back to Lucayan times are a must see part of the local tour of this lush island. North Caicos is know locally as the breadbasket of the Turks and Caicos and is the greenest of the islands and the local population is concentrated into four settlements, Sandy Point, Kew, Whitby and Bottle Creek.British loyalist fled here in 1789 during the American War of Independence and established cotton plantations. One of the most successful was Wades Green and a visit to the well-preserved ruins is a must.
Today, North Caicos, with its beautiful deserted beaches is beginning to develop into a very attractive and peaceful tourist destination, with small hotels and guesthouses. Flamingos, osprey and pelicans abound. West Caicos is currently an uninhabited island and nature reserve. In the late 1800 this was home to a thriving sisal plantation and some railroad tracks still remain. It is a favourite diving site and its small sandy beaches are excellent for finding shells and perfect for secluded picnics. Look for Osprey nests amid the old Haitian sloops.

Other notable Cays include Parrot Cay now home to an exclusive 5 star resort and spa, this small island was once a pirate hideout in the 1700's; Pine Cay a private Island boasting exclusive homes, with nine miles of nature trails and no cars. Residents travel around on golf carts; Dellis Cay an excellent place to find shells, including sand dollars; Little Water Cay asanctuary for the Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas and a popular stop off point for beach cruises; Fort George Cay a national historic site where Loyalist cannons can be seen in the shallow waters close to the shore. All are easily accessible by boat from Providenciales and well worth a visit.

THE STORY BEHINDTHE NAME - SEA FEATHERS..a true history

On the 18th of January 1687, the "Henry of London" with her captain Francis Rogers, second mate William Covell, three divers and salvage equipment, arrived off the coast of Grand Turk to search for the wreck of a Spanish galleon. On the first day, they searched the north side of the island to no avail, so they set off early the following morning to try their luck on the south side.Rogers took a small canoe and one diver and Covell took the other two divers in a slightly larger boat. After many hours of searching, Captain Rogers had become very discouraged, as neither he nor Covell had found any sign of the wreck.Since it was late afternoon and the light was failing, Rogers gave the order to head back to the ship. Just at that moment, Covell looked down into the crystal clear waters and saw a sea feather of "extraordinary colour and beauty" and as he had nothing better to bring his captain, Covell sent one of his divers down to fetch it. As the diver tried to pluck the sea feather, a current of water moved it aside to reveal the rusted guns of the sunken Spanish galleon. The crew worked the wreck for three days, recovering treasures that included silver artifacts and over 3000 gold pieces of eight. Captain Rogers kept the sea feather with him for good luck on all his subsequent voyages.

We were inspired to chose this name for our company for many reasons, including our love for these beautiful Islands which have been our home for over ten years.

Heartfelt thanks to the remarkably talented Turks and Caicos Island band Tropical Soul for their inspirational song "Turks & Caicos We Love You".



	Turtle Cove Marina Taylor Bay Turtle Tail Turtle Tail Flamingos Long Bay Beach Grace Bay Sapodilla Bay Malcolm's Beach Da Conch Shack -Blue Hills Blue Hills Beach Please feel free to copy any images or information from our website - we like to share!

USEFUL INFORMATION Please note that with effect from January 1st 2006 US citizens re-entering the US from the Caribbean must be in possession of a valid US passport. Overview: One of the Caribbean's best-kept secret holiday destinations, the Turks and Caicos Islands are located at the southeastern tip of the Bahamas, 575 miles south east of Miami, Florida and 90 miles north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This beautiful coral archipelago is a British Dependent Territory, comprises 8 islands, approximately 40 cays and a total of 230 miles of pristine white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters. The Turks and Caicos Islands are a haven for the Rich and Famous. Dick Clark (of American Bandstand fame) and Bruce Willis are just a few of the growing number of celebrities who have homes here. Britney Spears, Paul & Heather McCartney, Elton John, Whitney Houston and many other celebrities are regular visitors.The Islands are also famous for the 1,000 square miles of coral reef that surrounds them, providing some of the best diving and snorkeling to be found anywhere in the world. Swim with Jo Jo the tame bottle nosed dolphin, cavort with turtles and stingrays, enjoy a dive through a sunken Spanish wreck, or watch majestic whales migrating through the Columbus Passage on their way to their winter breeding grounds on the Mouchoir Banks. The Turks and Caicos Islands take their name from the scarlet dome of the barrel shaped Turks Head cactus and the Spanish word "cayos" which means small islands. The two groups of islands are divided by a 22mile wide 7000 ft. deep passage known today as Columbus Passage. How to get here: Flying time from Miami to Providenciales via jet is approximately 1hr 20mins. Currently, American Airlines operates flights daily from Miami, scheduled flights from New York ( JFK) Tuesday through Sunday and a weekly service from Boston. US Airways operate 4 flights weekly from Charlotte, North Carolina. Delta have a daily service from Atlanta at the moment. British Airways currently flies direct from London Heathrow (LHR) via Nassau , each Sunday and Monday. There are also various scheduled flights from other Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Haiti. The airport code is PLS. Climate: Constant trade winds keep life comfortable in the Islands, with the coolest months averaging 70 degrees in the winter and 90 degrees during the summer. It doesn't rain much here, so be sure to bring plenty of high factor sun cream.Island life is informal and most restaurants are casual, but a few insist on more formal wear in the evenings. It is not considered appropriate to be on the public beaches without a bathing suit. Time Zone: is Eastern Standard Time, which is minus 5 hours GMT Currency is the US dollar. Most hotels and restaurants accept traveler's cheques, which can also be cashed at local banks and stores. Most credit cards are widely accepted. Voltage: 110volts the same as mainland USA Driving is easy now that the main Leeward Highway has been reconstructed.We drive on the left - mostly in American manufactured cars. There are roundabouts. Remember to keep left and proceed with care. Driving is an exciting Island experience and there are plenty of places to explore. Immigration and Customs:Visitors from USA and Canada may enter without a passport, if they have an original birth certificate and a photo ID (e.g. Driver's License), but Passports will be needed from 1st January 2006.Visitors from other countries (such as the United Kingdom and other EU members) just require a passport. In a very few cases, persons travelling from certain countries may also require a Visa. Contact the nearest British Consulate Office if you have any doubts as to whether your travel documents are valid. Each visitor has a duty free allowance of $50 and may also bring one carton of cigarettes or cigars, one bottle of liquor and a bottle of perfume for personal use. There is no restriction on the import of fresh or frozen meat or vegetables.Pets are welcome as there are no quarantine restrictions, but valid paperwork from your vet and the Turks Island Government is necessary. Check with the airlines for their travel restrictions at certain times of the year.Departure tax is now incorporated into the cost of the airline ticket. Shopping Many local crafts are available for purchase through out the Islands and Providenciales in particular has a first class supermarket.Alcohol cannot be purchased in the supermarkey on Sundays. Churches Many faiths are represented here, including Adventist, Episcopal, Baptist Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, Jehovah's Witness and Faith Tabernacle. Crime The Turks and Caicos Islands are safe and the crime rate is low, but the usual simple common sense precautions, such as locking up and not leaving valuables unattended on the beach or in your car, should always be observed Providenciales is the main tourist destination and has developed in very recent years to become the focal point for tourism and commerce. Visitors land at Providenciales International Airport (airport code PLS), a first class facility completed in 1996 and the hub for onward travel to the other Turks and Caicos Islands. Providenciales is approximately 14 miles long and between 1 to 4 miles wide, a total of 37.5 square miles, has a resident population of around 16,000 people and now boasts world-class accommodations; one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the world, an 18-hole championship golf course, a multitude of water sport activities including boating, fishing and professional dive operations and the world's only commercial Conch Farm. Most of the bars, restaurants, hotels, condos, resorts and dive operations are concentrated on the northern shores of Providenciales (or Provo as it is known locally), between Turtle Cove and Leeward, which incorporates the famous, breathtaking 12 mile Grace Bay Beach. The coral reef, teaming with marine life, is easily visible from here and protects this part of the Island from the Atlantic Ocean. The serene Turtle Tail area of Providenciales is a private unspoiled haven, offering great bone fishing (akin to fly fishing) in Flamingo Lake, wonderful private vacation villas with fabulous ocean views and deserted cove beaches, yet is centrally located and only a 10 minute drive to the main tourist areas.Long Bay Beach offers yet another unspoiled 5mile stretch of pristine beach and is still very undeveloped. Just a few fabulous designer villas grace its peaceful shoreline. Turtle Cove Marina hosts an International Billfish Tournament each July, when large sports fishing boats come from far and wide to compete. Many beautiful vacation villas are located on the quiet, but accessible southern part of the Island, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. To the South West, Chalk Sound National Marine Park is a shallow spectacular area of turquoise water and the beaches at Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay offer peace and tranquility. Other Islands Grand Turk has been the seat of government for over 400 years and is the political capital of the Turks and Caicos and home to the Governor's residence. In 1492 Christopher Columbus landed here on his first voyage in search of the Far East. Today Grand Turk is a quiet island offering old world charm and excellent diving. Bermudian colonial architecture is still in evidence and a visit to the Turks and Caicos National Museum is a must. Look out for wandering donkeys. Salt Cay is known locally as "The Land That Time Forgot". Little has changed since 1900, when the salt industry flourished on this tiny island and the Salinas are still in evidence. This is the place to come between January and March to watch the migrating whales. Just to the south of the island lies the Endymion Wreck, a 140 ft wooden hulled British warship, which sank in 1790 after hitting the reef. A must-see for diving enthusiasts. South Caicos lies 22 miles to the west of Grand Turk and is the nearest of the Caicos Islands. Once a flourishing producer of salt and sisal (a plant for making rope) South Caicos is now a very quiet island, whose economy is sustained by the export of conch and lobster. Due to its very protected harbour, South Caicos hosts the Turks and Caicos Islands annual sailing regatta each May. East Caicos despite its size is completely uninhabited, with no plans at this time for development. There is a 17-mile stretch of pristine deserted beach on the north coast. Middle Caicos is perhaps the most dramatic and picturesque of all the Caicos Islands and has a population of about 200 people living in the settlements of Conch Bar, Bambarra and Lorimers. Visit Mudjin Harbour for spectacular scenery. The limestone caverns, dating back to Lucayan times are a must see part of the local tour of this lush island. North Caicos is know locally as the breadbasket of the Turks and Caicos and is the greenest of the islands and the local population is concentrated into four settlements, Sandy Point, Kew, Whitby and Bottle Creek.British loyalist fled here in 1789 during the American War of Independence and established cotton plantations. One of the most successful was Wades Green and a visit to the well-preserved ruins is a must. Today, North Caicos, with its beautiful deserted beaches is beginning to develop into a very attractive and peaceful tourist destination, with small hotels and guesthouses. Flamingos, osprey and pelicans abound. West Caicos is currently an uninhabited island and nature reserve. In the late 1800 this was home to a thriving sisal plantation and some railroad tracks still remain. It is a favourite diving site and its small sandy beaches are excellent for finding shells and perfect for secluded picnics. Look for Osprey nests amid the old Haitian sloops. Other notable Cays include Parrot Cay now home to an exclusive 5 star resort and spa, this small island was once a pirate hideout in the 1700's; Pine Cay a private Island boasting exclusive homes, with nine miles of nature trails and no cars. Residents travel around on golf carts; Dellis Cay an excellent place to find shells, including sand dollars; Little Water Cay asanctuary for the Turks and Caicos Rock Iguanas and a popular stop off point for beach cruises; Fort George Cay a national historic site where Loyalist cannons can be seen in the shallow waters close to the shore. All are easily accessible by boat from Providenciales and well worth a visit. THE STORY BEHINDTHE NAME - SEA FEATHERS..a true history On the 18th of January 1687, the "Henry of London" with her captain Francis Rogers, second mate William Covell, three divers and salvage equipment, arrived off the coast of Grand Turk to search for the wreck of a Spanish galleon. On the first day, they searched the north side of the island to no avail, so they set off early the following morning to try their luck on the south side.Rogers took a small canoe and one diver and Covell took the other two divers in a slightly larger boat. After many hours of searching, Captain Rogers had become very discouraged, as neither he nor Covell had found any sign of the wreck.Since it was late afternoon and the light was failing, Rogers gave the order to head back to the ship. Just at that moment, Covell looked down into the crystal clear waters and saw a sea feather of "extraordinary colour and beauty" and as he had nothing better to bring his captain, Covell sent one of his divers down to fetch it. As the diver tried to pluck the sea feather, a current of water moved it aside to reveal the rusted guns of the sunken Spanish galleon. The crew worked the wreck for three days, recovering treasures that included silver artifacts and over 3000 gold pieces of eight. Captain Rogers kept the sea feather with him for good luck on all his subsequent voyages. We were inspired to chose this name for our company for many reasons, including our love for these beautiful Islands which have been our home for over ten years. Heartfelt thanks to the remarkably talented Turks and Caicos Island band Tropical Soul for their inspirational song "Turks & Caicos We Love You".