The 7 Best Beaches in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

Looking for the best beaches in Providenciales (1), Turks and Caicos (2)? This guide has everything you need to know about the area, including all-inclusive resorts, dining options, and safety information.

So you're planning a vacation to Turks and Caicos, you may have heard stories about these islands, about its beautiful turquoise waters. The best and most developed place to visit is Providenciales. This island has some of the most amazing beaches you can find in the Caribbean. In this article, I will show you the best beaches in Providenciales. Book your plane ticket and come find out why this place is so popular.

Let's dive right in, shall we?

Reasons to visit Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

The island of Providenciales, commonly known as Provo, has some of the best white sand beaches in the Caribbean. The crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. Does anyone need a better reason to visit than that? Well, you can also find world-class resorts, amazing food, fun activities, and great hospitality.

What are the most popular beaches in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos?

Grace Bay is the most popular beach in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. It is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. Other popular beaches in Providenciales include Taylor Bay Beach, Sapodilla Bay Beach, Hidden Beach, Turtle Tail Beach, Long Bay Beach, Leeward Beach, and Bight Beach.

A lot of these beaches are very popular due to their natural beauty, and for a good reason, I have never seen a pure, clean white powder beach like Grace Bay Beach. It's quite extraordinary, even compared to the beaches in South Florida or other Islands in the Caribbean. Another reason for the popularity is the shallow and very calm water, they are protected by a natural reef located about one-mile off-shore.

Now we know the most popular beaches, let's explore what we think are the best beaches in Providenciales. Follow along to the end for a special hidden gem.

1. Grace Bay Beach

And we have to start with the most famous and popular one: Grace Bay beach. Located on the northern part of the island, just 10 minutes from the airport, this beach consistently tops worldwide polls as the best beach in the world, and it's easy to see why. Grace Bay is a long stretch of pure white sand that's divided into three sections by blue sand strips running along the water. This provides plenty of room for everyone to enjoy, especially the little ones since the water is very shallow. There are many resorts on the beach, as well as restaurants and bars.

2. The Bight Beach

Just next door to Grace Bay, you can find the Bight Beach. It is an excellent spot for swimming, snorkeling, tanning and a perfect spot for families with children. The beach is long and sandy, with clam, iridescent blue water. There's a kids' play park and excellent reefs for snorkeling close by. If you want to get away from the crowds of Grace Bay, the Bight beach is wide and has plenty of room to relax. If you're looking for a fantastic place to see Caribbean Sea life, Bight Reef is the place to go!

3. Leeward Beach

Located on the east side of Grace Beach, Leeward Beach is less crowded and more peaceful. There are plenty of activities to do on Leeward Beach: kayaking, paddleboarding, tubing, and wakeboarding. You can find great places to stay, restaurants, and bars in the area. If you love beach walks, there is a 7-mile uninterrupted pristine stretch from Leeward beach across Grace Bay and Bight Beach, amazing exercise to burn some vacation calories.

4. Long Bay Beach

Located on the southeast side of Provo, Long Bay Beach is a beautiful and long beach with consistently strong winds. It is perfect for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and other water sports. Long Bay Beach is also a great place for swimming, as it's protected from large ocean waves. You can find beautiful vacation villas in the southern part of Long Bay Beach, great for families or couples traveling together. It stretches for over three miles, so beach walks are also recommended here.

5. Five Cays Beach

Located in the southern part of Provo, Five Cays Beach is a mile-long stretch of white sand and clear water perfection. Protected in a shallow cove, you don't get big ocean waves here, but you do feel the trade winds blowing all day, making the water a bit choppy at times. Some of the local favorite restaurants in the area include Boogaloo's (3) and Omar's Beach Hut (4). You can find great food, live music, and some amazing jet ski adventures on Five Cays Beach.

6. Sapodilla Bay Beach

Sapodilla Bay Beach is a beautiful and peaceful beach, perfect for swimming, kayaking, and boating. There are many holiday rental homes in the area, making it great for families or groups traveling together. Although one of the smaller beaches on the island, it has calm, pristine shallow waters, excellent for swimming.

Even though it's not as popular as Grace Bay, Sapodilla Beach can get a bit crowded sometimes, primarily because of its limited space, the beach is only about 1000 feet long. You can find sun loungers and beverages near the beginning of the beach. For accommodations, you can find luxury villas right on the beach but not a lot of food options, there are only two restaurants within walking distance. But Grace Bay is only a 10-minute drive away and offers all the restaurants and bars you could want.

7. Taylor Bay Beach

Located in the southern part of Providenciales, Taylor Bay Beach is a calm and clear beach with shallow water. The sand is white, and the water is clear and turquoise. It's a great place to relax, as well as to take a quick dip in the waves. The beach also has several beach chairs for visitors, and there's also a small swimming area for children.

More than twice as long as its neighbor Sapodilla Bay Beach, you will find Taylor Beach to be less crowded and just as beautiful. The water is always calm and safe for everyone to enjoy. Not a lot of snorkeling going on here because there is not much to see, just the occasional conch and a few fish.

If you're looking for something more adventurous to do while on vacation, consider trying out stand-up paddleboarding at Taylor Bay Beach. This relatively new sport provides an exciting way to experience the ocean, test your balance, and enjoy some healthy exercise at the same time.

Bonus Hidden Gem: Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a great place for nature lovers to get away and relax. Half Moon Bay is part of Little Water Cay, so it's not exactly on Provo, and you will have to take a boat there. I highly recommend doing this as a day trip. Little Water Cay is uninhabited (by humans), but it's known as Iguana Island. Between the pristine blue water, pure-white sand, and the magnificent reptiles inhabiting the area, this was one of our favorite places to go in Turks and Caicos. Please don't feed the iguanas, and keep your distance when taking photos. There are no modern facilities or restaurants, so it's still a hidden gem.

If you are traveling to the islands, make sure to check my Packing List, so you don't miss a thing on your vacation.

FAQ's

How to get to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos?

The easiest way to get to Providenciales is to fly into Providenciales International Airport (PLS). You can find direct flights from most major cities around the US, especially the east coast. America Airlines has direct flights from Miami, Dallas, and Charlotte, while United will fly direct from DC and New York. Delta has direct flights from Atlanta into PLS.

It’s recommended you get a rental car if you are planning on visiting several beaches around the island.

Is Providenciales, Turks and Caicos safe?

The Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the safest countries in the Caribbean, but it doesn’t mean a lot if you’re looking for crime-free beaches. Crime is comparable to large North American cities, but it mainly occurs on the main populated island of Providenciales.

Practice common sense when going to the beach and don’t leave your valuable belongings unattended. The same goes for leaving stuff in your car when traveling around the island, you will get your window smashed.

How long does it take from the Airport to Grace Bay?

It takes only 10 minutes from the airport to Grace Bay by car. You can get a rental or a cab if you don’t plan on leaving your area.

Where are the best resorts in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos?

The best resorts in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos can be found around Grace Bay.

Most places are private rental resorts, where you rent directly from the owner, but don’t let that discourage you, they have great facilities and staff that can help you with getting a cab or finding restaurants.

If you are looking for a large resort, you can find the Ritz-Carlton, Ocean Club Resort, and the Palms Turks and Caicos.

Can I find all-inclusive resorts in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos?

Yes, there are several all-inclusive resorts in Provo: Club Med Turkoise and Beaches Turks & Caicos are great places. These resorts offer everything from food and drinks to activities and entertainment during your vacation.

What is the currency of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos?

The currency of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is the US Dollar (USD). Even though The Turks and Caicos islands are a British Overseas Territory, they are self-governing.

With its proximity to the United States and the fact that most tourists come from America, they decided to keep the USD as their official currency, which makes it super convenient for everyone.

What are the best dining options in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos?

If you are anything like us, and food is high on your list when traveling, you are in luck when visiting Provo. There are more than 150 restaurants and bars. The island has a variety of cuisines and atmospheres, from fine dining to casual fare.

Here are some of our favorites:

Hole in the Wall Restaurant: This quaint little restaurant located in the downtown area serves up traditional local cuisine at very reasonable prices. There’s something for everyone on their menu, and they have a great selection of local beers on tap.

Da Conch Shack: A favorite among locals, Da Conch Shack is a popular spot for seafood lovers. They offer fresh catch conch from the sea daily, along with delicious island-inspired sauces and seasoning combinations.

Simone’s Bar and Grill: A casual beach bar that attracts locals and tourists alike, Simone’s has an extensive drink menu as well as some of the best seafood around. They also serve up some amazing jerk chicken sandwiches!

Opus Wine Bar and Grill: If you are looking for a more fine-dining experience, this is a good place. They offer a great selection of steak, seafood, pasta, and of course, lots of wine.

You will also enjoy my article on Free Things to Do in Turks and Caicos.

The Best Beaches in Providenciales

And that concludes my list of the 7 best beaches in Providenciales. I hope you found it insightful and it will make your next trip to Turks and Caicos even more amazing.

Before traveling to the island, be sure to check out my post on when to visit T&C, so you don't have any surprises with the weather.

When are you planning a trip to the islands?

Let me know in the comments below!