While Turks and Caicos may seem like an ideal spot for honeymoons and romantic getaways, it’s also a fantastic destination for family travel. From sailing to dining, the island offers several top-notch experiences that families will love. Here’s what to do for kid-approved family vacations to Turks and Caicos.
Related post: Top Turks and Caicos Luxury Resorts
On the water
Not surprisingly, many of the exciting things to do with your family in Turks and Caicos involve water. Grace Bay, which is home to most of the island’s luxury resorts, has a calm bay that is protected by a barrier reef and consistently ranks as one of the world’s top beaches.
Aside from Grace Bay, there are numerous other islets, cays, and beaches, including Bight Beach, which is one of the island’s best snorkeling spots. Kids will love getting up close and personal with colorful fish in the calm, clear waters of Bight Beach, which houses Bight Reef and Smith Reef and is also a popular spot for SNUBA. Other family-friendly activities to try on the water are sunset cruises, glass-bottom boat tours, and horseback riding on the beach. Provo Ponies takes riders on exciting and beautiful rides in the Caribbean Sea.
Great beaches are synonymous with vacations to Turks and Caicos, so spend the day in a remote island setting, such as Leeward Beach, Sapodilla Bay, Mudjin Harbour, Chalk Sound National Park, or Pine Cay Island. You could also stay in the equally beautiful South Caicos Island, which houses two luxury resorts, East Bay Resort and Sailrock Resort.
Natural attractions in Turks and Caicos
Kayaking through mangroves is one of the most exciting things you can do in Turks and Caicos. Just east of Grace Bay lies Little Water Cay and Mangrove Cay, two popular kayaking destinations. Mangrove Cay is home to red mangrove estuaries and abundant wildlife, including turtles, sharks, stingrays, and starfish. Take a clear kayak and iguana tour with companies, such as My Time Tours.
Located in Middle Caicos, Conch Bar Caves is the largest above-ground cave system in the Bahamas-Turks and Caicos archipelago. Since the caves don’t have the developed paths that other cave systems have, the cave experience is more rugged and adventurous, and visitors must use a flashlight and be accompanied by a tour guide, such as Big Blue Collective.
Tours and activities
Travel all around the island in a Love Buggy and enjoy a delicious lunch on a half-day island tour. Another wonderful tour to try is an island food tour offered by Taste of TCI Food Tours.
Visit Pirates Island Water Park, a 45,000-square foot water park located at Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean. One of several themed venues at Beaches properties throughout the Caribbean, the Turks and Caicos location has large waterslides, a swim-up soda bar, kid-friendly pools, a lazy river, and a surf simulator.
The island’s only golf course, Provo Golf Club, offers summer golf camps for kids, while the Turks and Caicos Islands Pro Tennis Academy and Surfside Ocean Academy offer tennis and swimming summer camps, which are great options for practicing sports on the go. Provo Golf Club also has a “Kids Play Free” program that allows kids under 16 to play golf with their parents for free.
Where to eat in Turks and Caicos
Bight Park Fish Fry is one of the most popular island-wide weekly activities. Occurring on Thursdays, the live-music event brings together local food vendors for a mini-taste of Turks and Caicos.
The island offers several amazing places to eat, most of which have outdoor dining, which we love. Though most spots require reservations days in advance, Bugaloos Conch Crawl is perhaps one of the easiest places to dine. It has a huge outdoor dining area where you can likely be accommodated for dinner if you didn’t make a reservation.
Hemingway’s at The Sands is a casual beach restaurant with wonderful beachfront deck with ocean views. The restaurant is known for delicious breakfasts, fish tacos, and surf-n-turf with local lobster.
Though not directly on the beach, Terrace on Grace Bay is a beach bar that is perfect for watching sporting events. The restaurant is an excellent place to go for snacks, sandwiches, flatbreads, and seafood. Their shrimp and grits dish is amazing!
Island Scoop is definitely a place kids will want to visit for treats every day. This local ice cream shop makes its own flavors, such as strawberry cheesecake and red velvet, and also serves breakfast and coffee.
Offering one of the only authentic wood-fired pizzas in Turks and Caicos, Bella Luna Ristorante and Pizzeria serves a variety of pizzas, pastas, and salads for every dietary preference.
Located at the Grace Bay Club, Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar is one of the most sought-after places to dine due to its sleek ambience and delicious food that includes fresh fish and vegan and vegetarian options. The restaurant is also a frequent winner of the Wine Spectator Restaurant awards. Book early to ensure a spot.
Are family vacations to Turks and Caicos on your trip wish list?
