Planning Your Family Vacation in Turks and Caicos
When planning a family vacation, it can be tough to find a destination that meets the needs of grown-ups looking to relax and children craving adventure. Fortunately, Turks and Caicos offers the perfect blend of serenity and excitement to suit the whole family, making it an ideal spot for parents traveling with kids to vacation – 365 days a year.
Less than a 2-hour flight from Miami (ideal for young children or for a first flight), this charming archipelago boasts pristine beaches, calm, crystal-clear waters, and year-round sunshine. With the amenities and infrastructure families need to plan a first-class vacation, it’s easy to have a hassle-free, enjoyable family trip to the islands. Here are our recommendations to help you with planning your perfect family vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Visit Provo’s Best Beaches for Kids
Given that the sea surrounding Providenciales is calm most of the year, many of Provo’s beaches are great for kids. The two most popular beaches for families travelling with young children are Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay. Year-round warm weather means we enjoy warm water temperatures, so you don’t have to worry little ones will be stuck in the sand. The water always warm enough to jump right in!
Both beaches on the island’s south shore feature incredibly shallow and picturesque lagoons where kids love to splash, play, or snorkel for shells. Sapodilla Bay’s shoreline is also home to vendors during the day selling toys, food, drinks, and souvenirs, making mealtime easy and stress-free.
While the south shore is awash in beautiful beaches, don’t forget to head to Provo’s north shore to explore Grace Bay, the crown jewel of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This 3-mile beach offers not only great views and large swaths of sand for setting up your beach gear, but also water sports galore. The kids can try e-foiling, tubing, parasailing, and more while you park up on the sand with a good book and a cocktail from one of the many restaurants on its shoreline.
Try a New Water Sport Together
Trying a new water sport can keep the kids busy, as well as teach them to develop new skills and confidence in the water. The Turks and Caicos Islands offer a vast range of water sports that are suited to people of all skill levels. For kids and parents who like to live life in the fast lane, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, and tubing are your best bet.
Some of the best kiteboarding can be found on Long Bay Beach (also on Provo’s south coast) and there are several companies that offer beginner kiteboarding lessons, including Onda Water, Kite Provo, and Long Bay Kiteboarding. The conditions for kiteboarding are ideal in Turks and Caicos, and as a result the islands have produced several competitive kiteboarders who compete around the world.
Wing foiling is a lower impact variation of the sport that is gaining a following on Providenciales—this consists of an e-foil and a large, hand-held sail that propels you along the waves. Keen to book one of these experiences? We know the best sport companies and professional instructors on the island and are happy to help you book your first kiteboarding or wing foiling lesson.
If you relish slow vacations and relaxing activities, consider taking a paddle along the serene coastline of southern Providenciales, exploring the lush mangroves in the northwest by glass bottom kayak, or snorkelling along a bustling reef. Coral Gardens, a shallow coral head on the eastern end of Grace Bay Beach, is one of the best snorkeling spots in Providenciales for families. There, you can encounter stingrays, grouper, snapper, angelfish, and the occasional turtle. Just a few minutes away you’ll also find The Bight Park, where kids can learn to navigate the waves with Hobie Cats at the local sailing club.
Fun tubing with Wake to Wake Watersports. Swap the tube for a board or waterskis!
Spend a Day On The Water With a Boat Cruise
Booking a boat cruise on your vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands is a great way to explore the small cays and marine environments of Providenciales. Immerse your children in the magic of our archipelago’s hidden gems, like secluded beaches, pristine coral reefs, and vibrant local wildlife, all under the watchful eyes of experienced guides who know these waters like the back of their hand.
Boat cruises in Turks and Caicos generally come with onboard amenities like shaded seating, refreshments and snacks, snorkelling gear, and optional add-on activities like tubing or paddleboarding.
Let us arrange the perfect tour to suit your family so you can explore our many uninhabited cays and snorkel the reef. Depending on your personal preference, you can go anywhere from Little Water Cay—a low-lying sandy islet populated by friendly rock iguanas that are endemic to Turks and Caicos—to West Caicos, an uninhabited island home to unspoiled beaches, an iron shore perfect for cliff jumping, and ruins waiting to be explored.
Exploring Southwest Bluff with Panoply Sport Fishing & Luxury Charters.
The Turks and Caicos’ own Junkanoo Museum.
Explore on Land
There is also a great deal more to explore throughout the islands without getting your toes wet. Some of the most popular activities off the water include horseback riding along Long Bay Beach, ATV tours through ‘wilds’ of Northwest Point and renting a car or a guide to explore the off-the-beaten-path destinations which make Provo unique.
Discover interesting natural wonders like Long Bay’s ‘The Hole’ or immerse the family into the culture and sounds of the islands with a vist to the Junkanoo Museum downtown or the TCI National Museumin Grace Bay. Unique experiences you can enjoy at home are also available, just ask one of our knowledgeable concierges
Come Prepared
Essentials to Pack for Family Travel
We know that never-ending packing lists come with the territory of preparing for a family vacation. Make sure to pack sun protection like hats and rash guards, which can also keep kids safe from anything itchy or scratchy they might encounter on snorkels or hikes – or support local retailers by purchasing some on island. Consider adding water shoes to your suitcase, which are great for exploring the rockier beaches in Providenciales and protecting those little feet. Based on our experience, it’s also helpful to pack:
Introduce the Family to Luxury Island Living with Hummingbird Luxury
For families seeking ultimate comfort, opportunities for adventure, privacy and relaxation, renting a Hummingbird Luxury villa is the way to go. Each of our homes offer plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained—and the best part is you don’t even have to leave the property.
Whether you’re playing a game of table tennis or bocce ball, or taking a relaxing dip in the pool, family vacations with us build memories to last a lifetime. And there’s more to explore just around the corner too! Our villas are also close to hot spots like Grace Bay, Long Bay, and picturesque Chalk Sound. Contact us today to learn more about our properties and the activities around Providenciales that our concierge can plan for your family.
