Little Water Cay (Iguana Island)
This rock iguana sanctuary is just a few minutes from Providenciales by boat, and has a sheltered beach that's great for swimming.
Turks and Caicos Tours & Excursions
On Land or At Sea
Choose Your Adventure
Explore the island by ATV, see wild rock iguanas on a boat cruise, or paddle alongside turtles on a private mangrove kayaking tour—the choice is yours. Providenciales is home to the vast majority of the country's tours and excursions, many of which allow you to see several attractions in a single trip. The average tour group size tends to be smaller here than what's common at similar destinations, and most excursions can be done year-round.
Snorkel, Swim & Explore
Full-Day or Half-Day Cruise
One of the best value tours on Providenciales is a full-day or half-day boat tour of the island's nearby uninhabited cays. These tours combine cruising time at sea with snorkeling, island hopping, and close encounters with endangered Turks and Caicos rock iguanas.
Half-day tours are offered daily, and usually include complimentary drinks, snorkel gear, and a light lunch, while full-day tours often add on a beach BBQ.
Discover Coral Reefs
Snorkeling Excursions
A full-day or half-day snorkel tour is the perfect opportunity to explore the Turks and Caicos barrier reef, a haven for sea turtles, stingrays, parrotfish, and an abundance of other marine life.
Snorkel tours usually include gear, snacks, and refreshments. Public cruises tend to visit Leeward Reef near Providenciales, whereas private tours can travel further distances to less explored sites, such as West Caicos and French Cay.
Kick Back and Relax
Sunset Cruises
If you simply want to relax and enjoy the view, consider a champagne sunset sail. These 2–3 hour evening cruises tour the Grace Bay coastline, and typically include snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Some offer pickup from Grace Bay Beach.
For a few days each month after the full moon, some sunset cruise companies offer glowworm cruises that visit the shallows near Providenciales, where bioluminescent marine worms light up the water like stars.
Stay Dry Underwater
Semi-Submarine Tour
A private or shared semi-submarine tour is a fun way to see the country's reefs without having to snorkel. Reef tours visit the small bay reefs on the north coast, where you can see sharks, turtles, stingrays, and swaying fan corals from an air-conditioned cabin.
Several days a week, the semi-submarine offers a mermaid tour, where a freediving mermaid weaves between coral heads and waves to passengers.
Boat Tour Destinations
Most boat cruises make several stops per trip. Half Moon Bay, Little Water Cay, and Water Cay are the most popular destinations for group tours on the north coast, as they offer exceptional beaches just a short distance from Providenciales. Private tours have the time and flexibility to travel slightly further to amazing locations like Sand Dollar Cove, Fort George Cay, and Pine Cay.
Half Moon Bay
Located between Little Water Cay and Water Cay is Half Moon Bay, one of the country's best beaches and the perfect spot for a beach BBQ.
Sand Dollar Cove
This cove near Pine Cay and Fort George Cay is home to natural and temporary beaches that form in the water off the coast.
Leeward Reef
Leeward Reef, part of the larger Turks and Caicos barrier reef, is the main snorkeling site for Providenciales boat cruises.
Fort George Cay
Submerged 1700s-era cannons can be found in the shallow waters off Fort George Cay, a quiet cay located near Pine Cay.
La Famille Express
This shipwreck has become one of the country's more recognizable landmarks, and is a popular stop with jet skis and boat charters.
Water Cay
Amazing low limestone cliffs are found at Water Cay, one of the country's top beaches with soft white sand and uber-turquoise water.
Floating Bars
Several floating bars offer visitors the chance to socialize, relax, and swim in the middle of the country's signature turquoise waters.
The floating bars are a popular stop on jet ski, jet car, and boat charter tours, and are less than a 10-minute ride from Providenciales. If you simply want to spend the afternoon at one of the floating bars, a private charter or water taxi can get you there.
Water Sports Tours
Providenciales is the undeniable center for water sports in Turks and Caicos, and world-class natural features surround the island. The Caicos Banks off southern Providenciales offer miles of shallow water, hidden beaches, and the popular La Famille Express shipwreck. Just a short paddle from the island's eastern coast is Mangrove Cay, where a sprawling network of shallow mangrove channels camouflages young sea turtles, baby reef sharks, and even birdlife.
Jet ski, paddleboarding, and kayak tours are the main water sports tours (and tours usually run several times per day).
More Ocean Activities
Jet Ski Tours
Most Providenciales jet ski tours visit either the Caicos Cays or the southern Caicos Banks, and rates are usually per hour.
Clear Kayak Tours
Clear kayak tours are great for all ages and typically visit Mangrove Cay, one of the best places to spot sea turtles.
Paddleboarding Tours
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) tours are a fun alternative to kayaking that visit similar locations and sights.
Coast to Coast Adventures
ATV and Land Tours
ATV adventure tours, buggy excursions, and taxi tours are the primary land-based excursions to choose from on Providenciales. These tours range from 1–4 hours in duration, and tend to visit central sites such as The Hole, Chalk Sound, and Juba Sound. Many ATV tours and island bus tours stop at a local restaurant (lunch may or may not be included in the price).
ATV and island tours are offered as private or public excursions. With private tours, it's often possible to customize your itinerary.
ATV Tours Island ExcursionsLand Sights
Providenciales is only 38 square miles (98 km²), so driving distances are quite short.
Group ATV tours and shared taxi tours tend to follow a fixed schedule and itinerary. A private tour gives you more flexibility and time at the top attractions. Alternatively, renting a car or Jeep is a great way to visit these sites on your own, and often at lower cost.
Chalk Sound National Park
This inland natural lagoon harbors some of the country's bluest water, and hundreds of tiny islands pepper its interior.
The Hole
While there isn't much to see at this naturally formed limestone sinkhole in Long Bay, it's a quick and easy stop on an island drive.
Junkanoo Museum
You can explore the history of Junkanoo music in Turks and Caicos at this little museum, run by the leader of local band We Funk.
Cheshire Hall Plantation
Cheshire Hall Plantation is the top historical site on Providenciales. Guided tours are offered of this late 1700s Loyalist plantation.
Bird Rock Trail
The Bird Rock Trail is the island's only established hiking route. Hikes usually take under an hour, and cross a few picturesque areas.
National Museum at Providenciales
This branch of the larger National Museum on Grand Turk is the best place on Providenciales to learn about the country's history.
The Turk's Head Brewery
The Turk's Head Brewery is the only large-scale brewery in the country, and is a popular stop on island bus tours.
Tours of the brewery are offered most days of the week, and include a guided tour on the catwalk overlooking its fermenters and samples of their most popular beers at their taproom. The minimum drinking age in Turks and Caicos is 18.
Island Day Trips
A day trip to one of the other inhabited islands, such as North Caicos, Middle Caicos, or Grand Turk, is a tranquil and fascinating experience. Domestic flights and ferries connect the main islands, and travel time is usually 30 minutes or less.
Some Providenciales tour companies offer specialty wilderness tours, such as kayaking or paddleboarding eco-tours, on other islands. These tours involve more planning than the typical Providenciales tour, but allow you to truly get off the beaten track and see historical and natural sights witnessed by few.
Day Trip to North & Middle
North and Middle Caicos are the top day trip destination from Providenciales, and offer stunning beaches and fascinating caves.
Day Trip to Grand Turk
Herds of friendly donkeys, the country's national museum, and the only lighthouse in Turks and Caicos await on quiet Grand Turk.
Day Trip to South Caicos
Wild coasts and an amazing marine environment are the draws of South Caicos, just a 20-minute flight from Providenciales.
Things to Know
It's a good idea to book tours before arriving. Tour availability may be limited during the peak tourism season from December to April, and the few seasonal tours (such as whale watching) book up quickly.
Some tours include pickup and drop-off, while others don't. Not all fees are included in the initial price, such as site entry fees or meal costs. Most tours are required to charge a 12% Government Tourism Tax on top of the base tour price. Verify what's included before you book.
Etiquette and Tipping
When to Visit
