Turks and Caicos Islands flights and travel guide

The Turks and Caicos are a British Crown Colony made up of a chain of more than 40 different islands – though only eight of them are inhabited – located on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. Although each of the islands is unique, they share several noteworthy characteristics: bountiful beaches, numerous atolls and proximity to the third-biggest coral reef in the world.

Whether you’re a diver, sunbather or just looking for a relaxing getaway, the Turks and Caicos have the feel of a sun-soaked paradise. Depending on the length of your stay, you may choose to do a little island hopping to get a true T&C experience. Providenciales, or Provo for short, serves as the tourist hub though the capital is on Grand Turk. In all, the islands boast more than 350km of shoreline and also have access to more than 500km of coral reef.

As their majestic setting deserves, cheap flights to the Turks and Caicos are growing in popularity, but the islands remain uncrowded and many of the local beaches and facilities retain a secluded feel.

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Turks and Caicos Islands climate

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a comfortably warm temperature all year long. The weather changes little between winter and summer. Temperatures range from 29 to 32 C from June to October. The winter is only slightly cooler, and the water is as pleasantly warm as the air. It rains more in the western islands, but it’s sunny almost every day. Hurricane season lasts from June to October.

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When to fly to Turks and Caicos Islands

Peak Season: Winter, or what passes for it here, is hardly off-putting so the busiest times fall during school holidays when families arrive on cheap flights to the Turks and Caicos for their getaways. The period between December and April is prime whale watching time as the Atlantic herd of Humpbacks passes by on their annual migration.

Off Season: Although it is not much of a rainy season in terms of total precipitation, the fall does bring out mosquitoes that can be a pain. Also, the four-month period between June and November is hurricane season and although modern weather forecasts give plenty of warning, some travellers choose not to take any chances.

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Getting around Turks and Caicos Islands

By sea: The Turks and Caicos islands’ proximity to the mainland encourages many visitors to arrive by boat. Modern mooring facilities are available throughout but private boaters will need to secure customs and immigration clearance upon arrival. Nevertheless the most popular sea route here is provided by one of the numerous cruise ships that stop at the Grand Turk terminal.

By land: Once you have arrived, getting around your island is limited to a shuttle service connecting the major hotels on Grand Turk and either taxis or rental cars – though both Provo and Grand Turk also feature scooter rental facilities for those preferring to get around on two wheels. Most major rental car companies are represented on the islands but remember that the roads throughout the Turks and Caicos follow the British model meaning that you will need to drive on the left side of the road.

By air: Each of the islands making up the Turks and Caicos is unique so depending on the length of your stay, island hopping is a worthwhile activity. Though this popular activity can also be accomplished by boat, taking to the air is considerably faster. Several local airlines feature services between the major islands.

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Turks and Caicos Islands airports

Providenciales International Airport (PLS) (website: http://www.provoairport.com/) The airport is located about 2km west of Providenciales town.

JAGS McCartney International Airport, also known as Grand Turk International Airport, (GDT) is located about 2km south of Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island.

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Passport/Visa

Visitors must have a valid passport and proof of a return ticket. Visas are required from some countries, and visitors are only allowed to stay 30 days.

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