BY: CLAIRE NASH
I recently took a vacation in the Turks and Caicos and it did not go as expected. In fact, it was far better than planned.
I had wanted to take an island holiday for months, sensing that I was on the verge of burnout at work. In my mind, that meant a trip where I spent most of every day at the beach. I planned to do nothing but swim, lie in the sun, and read.
My best friend came with and we found an incredible luxury villa. If you’re going there any time soon, check out the best places to stay in Turks and Caicos. Trust me. They’re worth it.
Staying in luxury turned out to be advantageous to our trip as a whole. There are charms to vacationing in rustic cabins (especially if you’re on a tight budget), but there’s nothing like coming home hot and sandy from the beach into a cool, clean home. Take a dip in the pool before heading inside and you won’t have to worry about getting sand all over the floor.
But we weren’t just coming home from long days at the beach. In fact, we found there was plenty to do in Turks and Caicos, in between hours of relaxation.
The Turks and Caicos are perfect for a balance of adventure and rest. Here are some of the fun things to do in Turks and Caicos.
Snorkelling Through Smith’s Reef
Snorkelling is definitely one of the fundamental activities you can’t miss out on. Smith’s Reef is the perfect location, as it is known for its high-visibility. You’ll find magnificent coral of different, vivid colours on display. You can spend time hanging out with different kinds of fish, getting closer than a kid’s forehead does to the glass at an aquarium.
There is an (unfortunate) element of danger here, as lionfish are known to pass through sometimes. They have poisonous spines on their backs, so watch out for them.
Smith’s Reef is easily accessed from Turtle Cove or Grace Bay.
Conch Bar Caves
Decades of movies and television have made caves incredibly appealing to me. There’s an aura of mystery about them. Adventure, even if you’re not looking for it. Even the idea of getting lost in a cave doesn’t sound as awful as it actually is. My mind just associates them with the good kind of exploration.
The Conch Bar Caves are cut out of the limestone rock beds in Middle Caicos Island. Walking through the caverns and tunnels was as exciting as I anticipated, even if I didn’t get to have a Tom Sawyer adventure. There is even some history to these caves, with remains of Lucayan tribespeople apparently being found there.
Count the Beautiful Things at Chalk Sound
“Let us lay in the sun and count every beautiful thing that we see”
That line from Neutral Milk Hotel’s In The Aeroplane Over The Sea kept running through my head as we drove through Chalk Sound Drive. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing, it consistently took my astonishment to another level. As soon as I’d thought nothing could be more spectacular, we’d come across another view.
The incredibly clear, turquoise water forms the perfect backdrop for limestone rocks, plantlife, and stone. By the end, I had lost count of the beautiful things, and I know I hadn’t spotted them all.
Hike The Crossing Place Trail
I have chronic knee problems, which means that hiking can be a painful endeavour for me. But some hikes are worth paying for later. Difficult terrain presents the risk of my legs buckling under me, which only makes it more exciting!
Mudjin Harbour was well worth it seeing from above. The Crossing Place Trail, which leads across the hills and cliffs, wasn’t the most difficult hike in the world, but it was a challenge. If you love hiking, it’s the perfect balance for your vacation.
And if you don’t love hiking, this is the sort of hike that will change your perceptions. Give it a try. You won’t regret it.
Go Bonefishing
Admittedly, the word “bonefishing” makes this sound like a very different endeavour than it actually is. No, you’re not going to be fishing for bones or with bones. You’re going to be catching bonefish, which will not go easy into that dark night.
Fishing for bonefish requires nothing more difficult than wading into shallow waters and using a bit of bait to try to outwit your targets. It’s a lot of fun, all while you’re essentially relaxing in beautiful waters.
If you’re an accomplished fisherman or woman, bonefishing is not going to give you the challenge you’re used to. But sometimes, instead of a challenge, playing a game of cat and fish can be easy fun.
Go Whale Watching
If you’re in Turks and Caicos between January and April, you have the opportunity to watch majestic humpback whales as they travel on their way to give birth. Apparently, chartering a whale-spotting boat is the best way to go about this. You can do this at Salt Cay island.
We weren’t there at the right time, but I’ll definitely plan my next trip accordingly. I find whales (and large sea animals in general) to be more fascinating than almost any other creatures.
It is wonderful to relax at the Turks and Caicos islands, but there is also plenty to do. Make sure you have somewhere comfortable to end your day in luxury.
