Turks and Caicos The World Caribbean

Capital: Cockburn Town

Location: The Turks & Caicos Islands lie some 575 miles southeast of Miami- about 1 1/2 hours flying time - with the Bahamas about 30 miles to the northwest and the Dominican Republic some 100 miles to the southeast.

Main islands, from West to East resembles an Atoll, with the six large islands in the west, north and east, and a few tiny reefs and cays in the south.
Popular Places

Caicos Islands

North Caicos
Capital Bottle Creek

Together with Parrot Cay , Bay Cay off the eastern shore and a few more uninhabited offshore cays, it forms the North Caicos District .

Pine Cay
Island transportation is by electric golf cart and bicycle. Pine Cay is less than a mile wide and two miles (3 km) long,

Middle Caicos
Capital Conch Bar
The largest island in the country. Discover incredible vistas, impressive caves, secluded beaches, and a laid-back and quiet way of life.
Visit Mudjin Harbour three mile long section of beach and coastline on the north of Middle Caicos.

East Caicos
Capital Cockburn Harbour

East Caicos has no inhabitants. The island was once the home of a 19th-century sisal plantation and a thriving cattle industry, the ruins of the town of Jacksonville and abandoned railway are the only remnants of its former inhabitants.

The island is covered by ponds, lakes, swamps and mangroves inhabited by flamingos, wild ducks and pigeons. The highest point in the Turks and Caicos Archipelago is East Caicos' Flamingo Hill with an elevation of 156 feet. The island hosts a cave system that was once used to mine bat guano. Petroglyphs found there are evidence of the island's earliest settlers.

West Caicos

& Providenciales
Capital Blue Hills

South Caicos
Capital Cockburn Harbour

Known for excellent fishing, both deep sea and bone fishing, and scuba diving. Formerly a salt exporter, the island still hosts a network of salt pans as a reminder of the industry. South Caicos is one of the so-called "Sister Islands" of Turks and Caicos, beyond traditional hubs Providenciales and Grand Turk.

Ambergris Cay a three-mile-long, one mile-wide private island owned by the Turks & Caicos

Uninhabited until 1997 known as Big Ambergris Cay a three-mile-long, one mile-wide private island

It was named for valuable deposits of ambergris, a waxy substance that migrating humpback whales secrete, found on the 8 miles (13 km) of shoreline.

Has longest private runway in Caribbean capable of accommodating most private airplanes

Little Ambergris Cay a uninhabited natural reserve.You take a short ride on an ultra-luxe powerboat to a floating bar called the Hangover Barset off the coast of the nearby deserted island of Little Ambergris Cay enjoy your own private floating bar.

If staying at Ambergris Cay with all-inclusive program extends to the Hangover Bar, meaning that every rum punch or painkiller that the gregarious bartender Abbishek serves up is all included in your stay.

Turks Islands

At the present time only inhabited islands are

Grand Turk
Capital Cockburn Town

Salt Cay
Capital Balfour Town

The Turks and Caicos consists of 49 different islands, only 8 of which are still inhabited. The islands of the Turks and Caicos are almost as diverse as its people. From the tourism 'Mecca' of all these islands is the first in the line and known as Providenciales, Provo for short to the quiet and tranquil islands of North and Middle Caicos to the historic Capital Island of Grand Turk; each one offers a different experience and a unique character but all offer the same Turks and Caicos Islands all year round great climate, beaches and underwater activities.

Mouchoir Bank

(16 mi) east of the Turks Islands and separated from them by Mouchoir Passage, is Mouchoir Bank. Although it is submerged with a least depth of 1.8 metres (6 ft), and has no emergent cays or islets, it is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands and falls within its EEZ. Mouchoir Bank measures 960 km² in area. Two banks further east, Silver Bank and Navidad Bank, are geographically a continuation, but belong politically to the Dominican Republic

Part of the Bahamian archipelago, this string of islands is a beautiful and virtually untouched destination for travelers looking for something a little different. The beaches here are incredible and fantastic scuba diving opportunities are to be had in and among the coral reefs that surround the islands. But don't come to the Turks and Caicos Islands looking for posh resorts and casinos, this is a very down-to-earth place with small, charming inns often run by families and amenities are few. For most visitors however, that is the best part about the Turks and Caicos--what you see, is what you get. And with natural beauty like this, what you get is a great vacation.

Destination Guide

Special Note:

We direct travelers to our travel insurance provider, and point out that U.S. insurance plans seldom cover health costs outside the U.S., nor do Medicare and Medicaid.

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