February 4, 2023
Time for Turks & Caicos
TURKS & CAICOS: All of the Blues
It’s as if the entire spectrum of blues in the crayon box sparkle to life in the waters surrounding the Turks and Caicos Islands. As sunlight bounces off the white sand below, the color blue illuminates the sea in striking shades of turquois, teal, and aqua. Consistently awarded as having the best beaches in the world, the sand here is sugar white, soft, smooth and cool to the touch under your toes.
Part of the Lucayan Archipelago, the Turks and Caicos Islands are perched on the northeastern edge of the Caribbean region situated on a marine shelf leading to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s that sheer drop in depth from 40 feet of water to thousands that draws game fish enthusiasts who don’t have to travel far from shore to find deep sea fishing adventures.
Clearly Beautiful
Viewing the crystalline blue waters through a kayak or paddleboard constructed of completely clear polycarbonate is the ultimate above water experience.
Looking Glass Watersports guided tours are the perfect way to spot sea turtles swimming beneath you and a conch shell hiding in the mangrove sea grass.
Venturing further private boat charters take snorkelers to prime locations to swim with rainbows of tropical fish on the coral reefs and to tiny out islands to join lazy iguanas sunning on the beach.
A British Island
The Turks and Caicos Islands are an easy flight from the US and located near the Bahamas. But prepare to drive as they do in the United Kingdom, on the left side of the road, because you’re now in a British Overseas Territory.
The airport is in Providenciales, nicknamed “Provo”.
This is where you’ll find gorgeous Grace Bay Beach and many fine hotels including the elegant Wymara Resort and Villas. Wymara’s dedication to sustainable hospitality while maintaining a luxury level experience is commendable.
Whether you’re reclining poolside at a spacious private villa overlooking the sea or socializing at the hotel’s Pink Bar beachside, you’ll find alternatives to single use plastics, organic skincare products in the spa, and landscapes irrigated with recovered water.
Caribbean Cuisine
The hotel’s restaurant Indigo sets the scene each evening with a casually chic crowd enjoying Caribbean conch chowder, freshly caught grouper and mahi mahi.
The star of the dinner show is the expertise of Wymara’s Culinary Director chef Andrew Mirosch who hales from Queensland, Australia and is a licensed fisherman as well.
This is the place to discover the deliciousness of seasonal large lobster tails from local waters grilled perfectly on ‘the barbie’ or poached in butter and rum with lime, garlic and chili. Vegetarian and vegan dishes get the chef’s special attention too with creations such as compressed watermelon carpaccio with pickled beets and grilled cauliflower steak with toasted almonds and chimichuri.
On Saturdays, there’s a beachfront Texas BBQ dinner with 24-hour smoked brisket and all the trimmings including live music and moonlight under the palms.