General
Information
The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands
are situated 575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast
of Miami. Covering 193 square miles of the Atlantic
Ocean, the Turks and Caicos Islands has the third
largest coral reef system and the best tropical
beaches in the world, making it a premier beach,
diving and snorkelling destination and an ideal
location for romance, family vacations, ecotourism
and adventure seekers.
 There are eight inhabited
islands: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle
Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, Parrot Cay
and Pine Cay. East Caicos and West Caicos along
with several other fascinating cays are uninhabited.
The Columbus Passage, 22 mile-wide channel, separates
the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands. This
8,000 foot deep passage serves as major transit
lines for migrating *Humpback Whales, Spotted Eagle
Rays, Manta Rays, Turtles and Dolphins.
 Excellent visibility,
pristine reefs, abundant tropical flora and fauna,
fish and other marine life, quality diving services
and easy conditions make the Turks and Caicos Islands
a world class dive destination. World famous walls
are lushly landscaped in rich marine decor and play
host to a tremendous variety of sea creatures. Shipwrecks,
old and new further enhance these islands as an
outstanding diving destination.
Turks and Caicos has assured that for generations
to come, divers will be able to enjoy this underwater
wonderland. A series of marine parks and nature
reserves have been set aside to protect these beautiful
and fragile areas. A system of moorings is in place
which protect the reef from anchoring damage at
popular dive sites.
*From late December through April, the entire Atlantic
herd of 2,500 Humpback Whales pass through the shores
on their annual migration to the Mouchoir Bank,
just 20 - 30 miles southeast. During this period
divers can listen to an underwater concert of the
whale's' songs.
Climate 75 - 90F 24 - 32C
Water Temp 77 - 85F 25 - 29C
Visibility 100+ ft 30+ m
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement
does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to
or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S.
territory are not considered to have left the
United States and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include the following: Guam,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
Details... |
Getting
There
The Turks and Caicos is only 75 minutes from Miami,
less than 3 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina,
3 hours from New York and 3 and a half hours from
Boston and can easily be reached with direct flights
from the US, the UK, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica,
Dominican Republic and Haiti.
There are several regular direct flights to the island
of Providenciales from the US, Canada and Europe:
- American
Airlines www.aa.com
flies from Boston, Miami and New York
- US
Airways www.usairways.com
flies from Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC,
Pittsburgh, Raleigh and Richmond, VA through Charlotte,
North Carolina
- Delta
www.delta.com
offers seasonal weekly flight from Atlanta to Provo.
- Charter
flights are available from Toronto, Detroit, Boston,
Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale
- British
Airways www.britishairways.com
operates direct flights from London
- Flights
are also available through connections in Canada
www.aircanada.com,
the Bahamas www.bahamasair.com,
Jamaica www.airjamaica.com,
Dominican Republic and Haiti
Arriving in Grand Turk, Middle Caicos, North Caicos,
South Caicos and Salt Cay.
Sky
King and Air
Turks & Caicos fly international and domestic
flights to these islands.
Provo Airport is 1 mile (1.6km) west of Providenciales
town and has plenty of taxis. The airport on Grand
Turk is 2 miles (3.2km) south of Cockburn Town. A
taxi may be there to meet incoming flights; if not,
you can call one from the airport. On South Caicos,
Cockburn Town Airport is 1.5 miles (2.4km) north of
town. The sole taxi driver on the island will no doubt
head for the airport when he sees your plane land.
Entry Requirements
Visitors require passports, visas are necessary
for noncommonwealth countries of the former Eastern
Bloc. You are advised to contact the nearest British
Consulate Office for visa applications.
All visitors must hold a round trip ticket.
Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days; this is
renewable one time only.
DEPARTURE TAX: $23 is levied on all persons over the
age of 2.
For luggage restriction, individual airlines should
be consulted.
Duty free goods that may be brought in to the Islands
include: 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 1.136 liters of
spirits or wine and perfume for personal use.
There are no restrictions for travellers on the import
of cameras, film or sports equipment except spear
guns.
To bring in firearms of any type (including spear
guns and Hawaiian slings), you must have written approval
from the Commissioner of Police. Controlled drugs
and pornography are illegal.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
 There
are no public buses on any of the islands, so taxis
are the best all-around transport option. Taxis are
readily available in the Turks and Caicos. All fares
are priced according to the distance traveled. It
is always best to verify the cost to a particular
destination before the taxi takes off. You can also
hire taxis as guides for a day of sightseeing. Most
hotels offer complimentary airport transfers (check
with the hotel first).
Cars and motorcycles can be rented on Provo and Grand
Turk; elsewhere, car rental options are virtually
nil. A government tax of $10 is levied on each car
rental, and $5 on scooter rentals. Driving is on the
left. Bicycles can be rented at many hotels and concessions
but are limited to unwieldy one-speeders. They're
fine for tooling around but a hard slog on longer
trips. A valid driver’s license from your place of
residence is required when renting a vehicle.
Getting between the islands is easiest by plane. All
the islands except West and East Caicos are served
by air from Grand Turk and Provo. Sky King, InterIsland
Airways and Turks & Caicos Airways fly between
the islands on a quasi-scheduled basis. A sole ferry,
the Caicos Express, operates sporadically between
Provo and Sandy Point on North Caicos. It stops en
route by request at Pine Cay, Parrot Cay and Middle
Caicos. Sand Dollar Tours has a private boat service
between Salt Cay and Grand Turk.
Clothing
 Shorts
are worn in town as well as on the beach, but bathing
suits should be restricted to beach and pool areas.
During the day, it is advisable to wear sun hats and
sunscreen. In the evenings, light sweaters and jackets
can occasionally be worn, and those wishing to visit
some of the island's more elegant eating establishments
may want to bring along more formal attire. Nudity
is illegal throughout the islands but some hotels
do allow it.
Electricity
Electricity follows the U.S. standard: 120/240 Volts/60
Cycles.
Water
The water is safe to drink, but it tastes different.
Phone Service
The Islands enjoy direct worldwide telephone access.
Available telecommunications devices include fax machine,
telexes, cellular phones, and Internet connections.
Public phones operate by phone cards.
Country code is 649. Network is through Cable and
Wireless. Pay phones, calling cards, facsimile, Internet,
cell phones for rent at various locations.
If you have cell service in the USA please bring your
phone with you because if you have International Roaming
service with a cellular carrier that has a roaming
agreement in the Caribbean then your phone will be
able to make a receive calls while in the Turks and
Caicos. If you do not have roaming then you will be
able to make calls using the credit card platform.
Time Zone
Turks and Caicos is on EST and Daylight Savings Time
is observed from April to October.
Weather
 Bring your sunscreen.
The Turks and Caicos average 350 days of sunshine
per year. The tropical climate and cool island breezes
are comfortable year round. Temperatures range from
80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Water temperatures rarely
dip below 74 degrees. It’s like taking a bath.
There is an annual rainfall of 21 inches on Grand
Turk and South Caicos, but as you go further west
the average rainfall could increase to 40 inches.
In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days
of sunshine.
Hurricane season can vary but usually runs from June
to October.
Tipping
15 percent gratuity is standard for wait staff, drivers
and housekeeping personnel.
Medical Assistance
There is a hospital on Grand Turk, and an emergency
care facility on Provo.
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