Friendly bottle-nosed dolphins greet visitors in the
unbelievably clear and warm waters off Grace Bay on the beautiful
island of Providenciales, where miles of sugary-white beaches are
protected by a healthy coral barrier reef. It is hardly surprising
that this tropical wonderland has become the most developed of the
Turks and Caicos Islands, alluring to thousands of diving
enthusiasts and holidaymakers intent on getting away from it
all.
Although well equipped with tourist facilities, including an
international airport, superb hotels, a casino, a golf club and
several small shopping malls, Providenciales remains largely
unspoilt. The beaches stretch for miles and on some of the little
offshore cays it is still possible to imagine you are Robinson
Crusoe. Unlike the famous literary castaway, however, visitors to
Providenciales (known usually as 'Provo') have purely pleasurable
pursuits with which to occupy themselves. Most find it difficult to
tear themselves away from the beach, but with so many watersports
on offer it is hardly necessary to do so: scuba diving,
snorkelling, sea kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, fishing and
sailing are all popular diversions.
Not everything is water-based, however. It is great to hop on a
bike and go exploring to see the sights. Among the attractions on
the island is 'The Hole', billed as 'a beautiful bottomless pit',
near Long Bay Beach. One can also wander up the hillside above
Sapodilla Bay to read the graffiti on the scattered rocks left by
shipwrecked sailors in days of yore. At the Caicos Conch Farm
visitors can see how Conch is grown, before settling down to sample
this delicious mollusc along with some fiery rum punch at one of
the many superb local restaurants. Just offshore, more interesting
creatures await on Little Water Cay, a haven for rare Rock Iguanas
that can be viewed from raised boardwalks.