Whether by land, air, or water, there are plenty of ways to get out and explore the surrounding Turks and Caicos Islands during your stay on Providenciales. With a prime location positioned near North and Middle Caicos, day trips are a popular vacation pastime and can open your eyes to the wonders that lie beyond the developed tourist areas.
You can plan your own itinerary or opt to book a tour with a local professional. Either way, taking advantage of experiencing the magic of the surrounding areas is a must during your visit. From water adventures like fishing and snorkeling to overland hikes and ATV rides, there’s an island day trip in Turks and Caicos that’s perfect for you. Check out our suggestions for the best day trips and start dreaming up your perfect getaway today!
Popular Island Day Trip Locations in Turks and Caicos
North Caicos and Middle Caicos
Larger and far less developed than neighboring Providenciales, North, and Middle Caicos are excellent day trip locations for visitors looking to enjoy unspoiled beaches and natural areas. Spend your day exploring the Karst cave systems and the massive Conch Bar Caves on a guided tour. Or visit Cottage Pond, a 300-foot-deep sinkhole pond on North Caicos.
Your trip to North Caicos begins with a ferry ride from Providenciales which takes roughly half an hour. From there, it’s about the same distance to Middle Caicos via the causeway road which connects the two islands. Depending on the tours offered during your stay, your day’s itinerary may include biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply sightseeing via car or van. Regardless, it’s best to plan for a full day of exploring.
Typical sights for a North or Middle Caicos day trip include Bay Cay, East Bay Cay, Joe Giant Cay, Mudjin Harbour, and Horsetable Beach. Be sure to bring your camera so you can capture photos of some of the last remaining truly natural areas in Turks and Caicos.
Salt Cay
Located 70 miles southeast of Grace Bay on Providenciales, Salt Cay offers exceptional diving, historical salt Salinas, stunning coastal views, and, from January through April, humpback whale viewing opportunities!
Booking your island day trip in Turks and Caicos to Salt Cay is easy! Caicos Express is the only airline that makes scheduled flights to the cay from Provo and round-trip airfare is roughly $200-$250 per person. Once you’ve arrived, renting an off-road golf cart is recommended for easy maneuvering across the 2.6-square-mile island.
For the best excursions during your trip, Salt Cay Divers has it all. From private charters to boat tours, their expert captains and guides will take you to the best snorkeling sites and offer expert island commentary that provides a layer of local color to your trip.
After your tour, visit a local restaurant for fresh conch fritters or a conch salad before returning to your Villa Esencia vacation rental on Providenciales, where you can relax in a private pool as you reflect on the day’s fun.
Grand Turk
Home to Cockburn Town, the capital of Turks and Caicos, Grand Turk is a popular day trip location full of things to do and see. Boat charters offer wonderful fishing opportunities where you can try your luck at hooking tuna, grouper, sailfish, marlin, snapper, mahi mahi, and other thrilling varieties. Or you can head to Gibbs Cay, where wild stingrays freely swim with snorkelers and divers.
The Grand Turk Lighthouse, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, and Turks and Caicos National Museum are all located on Grand Turk and are popular landmarks to see during your day trip.
Getting to Grand Turk costs around $150 per person and requires a domestic flight from Providenciales International Airport. You can book your ticket with Caicos Express or interCaribbean. When booking your airfare, it’s recommended to go ahead and reserve on-island transportation. Renting a car is best so you can easily get around the island, however, you can also choose from 4×4 buggies or scooters.
South Caicos
When you want to disappear for a day and feel like you’re on your own deserted island, South Caicos is the island day trip for you. See sights like the famous Boiling Hole or book a tour with the popular company Big Blue Collective and spend the day sailing the gorgeous turquoise waters.
Their South Caicos excursions offer visits to tidepools and sandbars as well as full-day snorkeling opportunities off the coast. For visitors who have more time, their Extended Full Day-All Day tour takes you to South Caicos, East Caicos, and the Ambergris and Seal Cays for an incomparable introduction to the region’s most beautiful areas.
To get to South Caicos, book a flight with interCaribbean for around $150 per person. At just 20 minutes, it’s well worth the price to experience this incredible island in the Turks and Caicos chain.
Types of Tours and Excursions in Turks and Caicos
The tour companies in Turks and Caicos are myriad, and as such, you can craft a day trip that perfectly matches your desired level of activity.
Private boat charters are great for relaxing days spent lounging in the sun and taking in the sights. Depending on your day trip destination, you can choose from fishing, diving, whale watching, sunset cruises, and snorkeling charters. Check out this resource on Turks and Caicos boat tours for more information!
Guided tours offer a more generalized experience but are great when you want to learn about the region and get local insights into communities and the storied past of Turks and Caicos. They tend to focus on landmarks and cultural enterprise more than nature, though you can certainly take nature-centered guided tours to protected habitats during your stay.
Self-guided exploration is always a popular option, too. For the wild at heart who crave the untraveled path, sometimes renting a car or scooter and just seeing where you end up is the whole point of a day trip. If you choose a self-guided tour, just be sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, and supplies and that you know when to be back for any return flights for ferry rides.
Travel Tips for Your Island Day Trips in Turks and Caicos
While booked tours will likely inform you of any necessary pieces you need to bring with you, general best practices are to bring water, reef-safe sunscreen, hats, comfortable shoes, your phone and a backup charging device, swimsuits, towels, and snacks if you’re visiting a remote area without restaurants.
Pay attention to the things you want to do during your day trip. Some things are seasonal like whale watching, so be sure you book travel dates that will let you make the most of your time.
Winter is a popular season in Turks and Caicos as many look to escape the cold. Pay attention to seasonal trends, and book day trip excursions in advance if you’re visiting during a busy time of year.
Why Island Day Trips in Turks and Caicos Are a Must
Beyond the touristy spots near Long Bay Beach and Grace Bay on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, on the whole, is still predominantly an unspoiled area in the Caribbean. Taking advantage of marveling at these remaining pieces of pristine land is a can’t-miss opportunity during your vacation.
Visit endangered Rock Iguanas, snorkel with wild stingrays, float on water so clear it looks like glass, and let the rest of the world’s noise drift away. Your day trip gives you a different perspective. One that reminds you there are still quiet and utterly perfect places left in the world. Center yourself and recharge in the brilliance of these natural surroundings. And if you need help planning things to do during your island day trip, you can check out our recent blog!
Remember, for the perfect day-trip home base, book your Turks and Caicos vacation directly with Villa Esencia. Our charming villas are located on Long Bay Beach and offer a dream hideaway feet away from crashing waves. Each unit is expertly decorated and offers exceptional amenities guaranteed to make your stay one you’ll cherish