Most of the year is a great time to visit Turks and Caicos (1), but there are some benefits to visiting during one season over another. In this article, I go over the best time to visit Turks and Caicos. We will look at the weather, crowd levels, and some fun activities. I will also discuss the dreaded hurricanes, spoiler alert: they are not that scary!
Let’s jump right in!
What is the best time to visit Turks and Caicos?
1. Peak Season in Turks and Caicos: December-March
The peak tourist season for Turks and Caicos is between December and March. This is when many cruise ships call on the islands, and hotels offer great rates for their rooms. If you are visiting during this time of year, it is also important to book flights in advance as they can be full due to the popularity of holiday getaways. Visitors will find that most attractions are open and there is less chance of rain.
The best time to visit the Turks and Caicos is during the Christmas and New Years holidays. The islands become even more beautiful with their Christmas lights (2), decorations, and music. You can enjoy the local food and drinks while listening to live music on your beachfront vacation.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on any of these festivities, book your trip way in advance because most resorts sell out quickly during this time of year.
2. Shoulder season in Turks and Caicos: April-May
The shoulder season in Turks and Caicos is from April to May, and it’s quieter than the busy winter months. The weather is mild and comfortable, with around 8 hours of sunlight a day. April is a good time to visit Turks and Caicos because you don’t pay peak season prices and it’s not the height of the summer heat. You’ll find fewer crowds at restaurants and bars during these months and lower prices.
This is the perfect time to go if you are looking for a good deal on flights, hotels, and excursions. You will also want to keep an eye on any last-minute deals for a cruise to Turks and Caicos. When a cruise company doesn’t sell enough tickets, they offer amazing deals if your schedule can be a little flexible.
3. Low Season in Turks and Caicos: June-November
Many people prefer to visit Turks and Caicos during the low season, which begins in June and ends in November. This period is considered to be off-peak, which means that many of the hotels are not full and you can get some amazing deals. It’s also easier to find flights at a great price.
The reason for the slowdown in tourist arrivals during the summer and fall is mainly the weather. Turks and Caicos is a tropical island, so it’s very hot and rainy, especially during the summer months.
If you are looking for the best deals and the least amount of people, aim for mid-September, it’s the month with the lowest number of arrivals on the island, but also be ready for quite a few rainy days.
What are the major events in Turks and Caicos?
Want to plan your vacation around events? Turks and Caicos have many of them throughout the year. Here are some of the best:
Christmas and New Years’ Eve – the traditional winter holidays have a special vibe when you are in shorts and a t-shirt. The Christmas decorations are everywhere, as are great food, drinks, and music. For New Years’ Eve, you will find the most amazing fireworks show over Grace Bay Beach, but most resorts in Providenciales will have their own fireworks shows.
Maskanoo – December 26th in Providenciales. The locals of Turks and Caicos have a special relationship with Junkanoo festivals – in essence, a carnival celebration where they dress up, wear masks, and party. The event features parades, street parties, and live music performances by local artists and international reggae stars. Maskanoo also includes beach parties and competitions in various categories such as costume design, hair braiding, and dancing.
Valentine’s Day Cup – Mid-February. This competition is held on the remote island of Middle Caicos and brings crowds from all over the world. It’s a sailing competition for model sailboats. Yes, you heard that right, model sailboats! Organized in classes by length, some are very small, measuring just a few inches, while some are quite large reaching a few feet. Music, games, and fun for the entire family.
Kite Flying Competition – Mid-April, held all around the islands. The event brings together some of the top kite flyers from around the world to compete for awards in categories such as speed, duration, and design.
South Caicos Regatta – Mid-May. The Big South Regatta is a sailing event that takes place annually. It was first held in 1967, making it one of the world’s longest-running regattas. It attracts over 500 boats each year from all over the Caribbean region and beyond. The regatta was designed to promote ocean-going sailing among young people, with races held across six days for dinghies and yachts under 40 ft (12 m). It also hosts a trade fair promoting marine equipment and tourism opportunities on the islands
Conch Festival – Mid-November. It is an annual festival that celebrates the Conch, which is a type of shellfish that can be found on the islands and is one of their biggest export. It’s basically a huge snail and tastes delicious. The festival includes many events and activities, including cooking competitions and sporting events. There are also parades and parties all over the islands.
If you are planning a trip to Turks and Caicos, be prepared by reading my article on the ultimate Turks and Caicos Packing List.
What is the weather like in Turks and Caicos?
The weather in Turks and Caicos is typically warm, dry, and sunny. The island nation is located just south of the Tropics, and the average temperatures hover around 80°F (27° C).
In terms of climate, Turks and Caicos have a sub-tropical climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. In the winter dry season, temperatures range from 68° to 82° degrees Fahrenheit (20° to 28° Celsius). Summer months are more wet and rainy and bring hot weather with highs in the 80s F (27° C) and 90s F(32°C). Rainfall is infrequent but heavy when it does occur. You can expect no more than 5-6 days of rain per month, and that is during the wet season.
Before visiting the Turks and Caicos islands, be sure to check the Best Beaches in Providenciales for an unforgettable vacation.
Hair Tools Travel Bag
When is the hurricane season in Turks and Caicos?
The hurricane season in Turks and Caicos officially starts on June 1st and lasts through November 30th. Although there is a threat of hurricanes during this time, the odds are still excellent that you’ll have a hurricane-free vacation.
As a native Floridian, I have had my fair share of hurricane encounters, and I want to put your mind at ease. When people hear about “hurricane season,” they are always concerned and would not consider visiting a place that has a risk for storms like this. In that case, you can pretty much write off all the beautiful islands around the world, from the Caribbean to SE Asia and beyond. In our day and age, we have powerful radars that track hurricanes weeks in advance so everyone can be safe and leave areas of risk. Honestly, a potential hurricane should not be on your mind when thinking about vacationing in Turks and Caicos.
Hair Tools Travel Bag
How can I avoid bad weather when traveling to Turks and Caicos?
The Turks and Caicos have few rainy days, regardless of the season compared to other tropical islands. That being said, it’s impossible to avoid bad weather altogether, but there are ways to reduce your risk of encountering it during your trip. Based on statistical data, the highest rainfall occurs during May, October, and November, so it’s probably best to avoid those months. When it does rain, it usually happens 1-3 PM, leaving your mornings open for fun activities and clearing up after for a beautiful sunset.
FAQs
What are the different seasons in Turks and Caicos?
The different seasons in Turks and Caicos include the peak season: December to March (expect great weather, but bigger crowds and higher prices), Shoulder season: April-May (a few more rainy days, but fewer people), and Low Season: June-November (a few rainy days, but great discounts and not that many people).
What is the weather like in Turks and Caicos?
The weather is tropical year-round with temperatures ranging from 72 degrees Fahrenheit in winter (22°C) to 90 degrees (32°C) during the summer months. The average daily high temperature in Providenciales during December is 77 degrees (25°C), while the average low temperature is 73 degrees (23°C). In July, these numbers rise to 89 degrees (32°C) with average lows of 84 degrees (29°C).
What are the hurricane risks in Turks and Caicos?
The islands are at risk of being hit by a hurricane or tropical storm, but it doesn’t happen very often. The most likely time of year for a hurricane to strike is in August and September. Hurricanes can cause serious damage, but with modern weather radars, we know the hurricane’s past weeks and advance and have time to prepare or evacuate.
What is the average temperature in Turks and Caicos?
The average temperature in Turks and Caicos ranges from a pleasant daily high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27°C) to a mild daily low of 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23°C). August and September are the warmest months of the year, with an average temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31°C).
What is the ocean temperature in Turks and Caicos?
The ocean temperature in Turks and Caicos is always warm, and the sea is calm too. The ocean temperature ranges from 79-81 degrees Fahrenheit (26-27°C) all year round.
What is the rainfall in Turks and Caicos?
The average rainfall in Turks and Caicos is around 21 -40 inches and usually is fast and heavy. Rain should not be of major concern for your vacation, the islands get on average 350 days of sunshine a year.
What is the humidity in Turks and Caicos?
The average humidity in Turks and Caicos is 78%, and there is a constant eastern trade wind keeping things nice and comfortable.
What are the mosquito risks in Turks and Caicos?
The mosquito situation on different islands and regions of the Turks and Caicos changes depending on the amount of rainfall. Mosquitoes are a problem primarily after unusual flooding.
Grand Turk and Salt Cay are mosquito-free because they don’t have dense vegetation or natural sites that collect rainwater. South Caicos is less rainy than the other Caicos Islands and doesn’t have mosquitoes.
Either way, not a bad idea to bring some repellant.
What are the crowds like in Turks and Caicos?
The majority of tourists come to this island during the winter months, especially in December for the holidays. The crowds can get quite thick during these times, but they thin out little by little after New Year.
What are the best things to do in Turks and Caicos?
There are many activities for tourists while visiting Turks and Caicos: snorkeling and scuba diving trips, water sports such as windsurfing and kiteboarding, and hiking tours through nature reserves. In addition to these activities, you can also visit historical sites and enjoy the amazing local cuisine.
For more details, check out my article on Free and Cheap Things to Do in Turks and Caicos.
What is the best food in Turks and Caicos?
The food in Turks and Caicos is some of the best in the Caribbean. It’s not just that there are so many different cuisines represented on the islands; it’s also because they’re prepared using local ingredients whenever possible. Caribbean food is available everywhere, but there are also some excellent options for other types of cuisine.
Turks and Caicos also have a large population of expats from around the world, so there’s no shortage of restaurants serving cuisines from all over Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
If you are looking for local fish and seafood, you can find local lobster from August to March, Conch from October to July, and the local favorite: the Nassau Grouper (3), from February to December.
How is the nightlife in Turks and Caicos?
Turks and Caicos are usually pretty laid-back, but there is quite a vibrant nightlife scene. You can find casinos, nightclubs, and beach bars, especially around Providenciales.
When is the rainy season in Turks and Caicos?
The rainy season in Turks and Caicos typically is usually between late August to November. November is the rainiest month, with an average precipitation of 3.7 inches.
What is the best month to visit Turks & Caicos?
The best month to visit Turks and Caicos is December. The weather is warm, the sea is calm, and everything is open. I especially enjoy late December around the holidays.
What is the cheapest month to travel to Turks and Caicos?
The cheapest month to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands is February. You can find great deals on flights and accommodations, and the weather is great.
Made by travelers, for travelers, check out the Barefoot Caribou Products below!
The Best Time to Visit Turks and Caicos
I hope you will enjoy your vacation to Turks and Caicos as much as we did and that this article has helped you plan your dream trip. Turks and Caicos is a wonderful place, and you will have a blast any time.
When are you planning to visit Turks and Caicos?
Let me know in the comments below!
