The Atabeyra—Sun Charters
Providenciales
Sun Charters is one of the oldest sailing experiences in the Turks and Caicos. Over the course of more than 22 years of operation, Sun Charters and the Atabeyra have become private sailing charter specialists in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sail with us and discover why we’re one of the top-rated things to do in the Turks and Caicos.
The Atabeyra is a unique and elegant 77-foot schooner that began life as a rum runner. Today, she caters to private and public charters to the incredible cays, beaches, and reefs of the Turks and Caicos, and offers a silent, comfortable, and unforgettable experience.
Both private and public charters aboard the Atabeyra are offered, and up to 50 guests can be accommodated. Excursions launch from the beautiful Leeward area of Providenciales, so every trip is scenic from the start. The many possible destinations include Grace Bay, Leeward Reef, Half Moon Bay, the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay, the white sand beaches of Water Cay and Pine Cay, and the famous sandbars and cannons of Fort George Cay.
Private excursions are custom-tailored to exactly what guests want to do. Want to simply relax on a secluded and amazing beach? We have a great collection of perfect spots. Rather explore and see wildlife in our breathtaking environment? Our barrier reef and inshore snorkeling sites offer amazing opportunities to watch a spectrum of colorful fish, turtles, stingrays, dolphins, and many interesting sea creatures.
Our uninhabited cay iguana habitats are also fun to visit, and provide the chance to see the critically endangered Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguana in a low-impact way, in their own environment.
Public beach cruising and sunset trips are also offered several days per week, and are one of the best charters values on Provo. Due to the Atabeyra’s spacious size, there’s plenty of room to spread out. Discover exquisite cays and beaches, and snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear ocean.
All trips include complimentary rum punch, beer, soft drinks, water, snacks, and on applicable trips, snorkel gear.
Private Charters
Explore the incredible marine environment of the Turks and Caicos at your own pace. Private sailing charters are catered exactly to what you’d like to do.
Some of the best attractions in our archipelago are our small uninhabited cays, which are home to incredible beaches, snorkeling reefs, sand bars, friendly iguanas, and of course palm trees. Some of our better-loved islands include Little Water Cay, which is a protected sanctuary for our Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguana, Half Moon Bay Beach, which offer both an amazing beach and sheltered and shallow lagoon, and the unbelievable white sand beaches of Water Cay and Pine Cay.
Fort George Cay, found in the middle of the chain of cays between Providenciales and North Caicos, is another favorite location. The western side of this island features a network of scenic and shallow sand bars, and the north-eastern side hides 1700s cannons in shallow water where a fort once stood, which are fun to snorkel.
Another sailing option is to cruise Grace Bay Beach and see the resorts and bustle from the deck of the elegant Atabeyra. There are miles of turquoise water, activity to watch, and if you’re lucky, you may spot Jojo the Dolphin!
Snorkeling on the pristine barrier reef of the Princess Alexandra National Park is also a must-do. The reef off of Grace Bay, Leeward, and the Caicos Cays supports an amazing array of fish, coral, and wildlife. There’s queen angelfish, French angelfish, grey angelfish, stoplight parrotfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, jacks, snappers, black durgons, blue tangs, wrasse, and much more. Possible larger sightings include green turtles and hawksbill turtles, stingrays, spotted eagle rays, sharks, and maybe even a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins!
Private charters include rum punch, beer, soft drinks, water, and snacks. Snorkel equipment is provided for guest use.
Public Charters
Discover the best beaches, cays, and snorkeling reefs of the Turks and Caicos on one of our popular public beach cruise excursions. Visit the spectacular Turks and Caicos rock iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay, the amazing beach and lagoon of Half Moon Bay, beautiful Water Cay and Pine Cay, and the sand bars and cannons of Fort George Cay. Great snorkeling sites include the barrier reef off of Leeward and Pine Cay.
Half Moon Bay is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Turks and Caicos, and there’s little wonder why. This exquisite location features an incredible beach and a shallow lagoon. In the dunes are numbers of inquisitive iguanas, and groves of small thatch palms overlook the bluffs surrounding the coast.
Another amazing place is Fort George Cay. The complex sand bars and shallows off the western side of the cay offer an incredible playground, with clear turquoise water, little sand bars, and gently breaking waves.
Water Cay is another favorite. The entire northern side of this cay is a long and spectacular beach that is lined by low cliffs. There’s even a shipwreck off the beach to snorkel! Snorkeling the barrier reef and bay coral heads is also a highlight of our public charters. There’s a wonderful array of vibrant corals and colorful reef fish to see, as well as larger creatures, including turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, dolphins, small sharks, and more!
Public cruises include bottomless rum punch, soft drinks, local beer, water, and snacks, and snorkel gear. A perfect adventure for families.
Sunset and Evening Charters
A long-time favorite with visitors and locals alike is the Atabeyra’s sunset downwind sail. There’s something special about gliding on the ocean without the distraction of engines, and it’s an experience that everyone needs to discover at least once. Enjoy the sunset off Grace Bay with bottomless rum punch.
Both private charters and scheduled public evening sails are offered.
Another great excursion are our star gazing Night With the Stars trip, which visits the calm and sheltered channels in the Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve near Mangrove Cay and Donna Cay. The Turks and Caicos has very little light pollution, and on clear nights the stars really come out. Lounge with a drink while we point out the stars, constellations, planets, and satellites with a powerful laser pointer.
Glowworms are another evening cruise option. Every third, forth, and fifth night after the full moon, the Atabeyra offers glowworm cruises in the Leeward and Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve area. 50 minutes after sunset, these fascinating marine creatures light up the water like stars as the male and female worms perform a phosphorescent tango. Enjoy music and drinks while you watch the show. On a good night, the display is breathtaking!
Weddings
Sun Charters offers a unique and memorable wedding experience, aboard the picturesque Atabeyra. Let us plan your entire Turks and Caicos wedding. Our crew has a long track record in providing exemplary wedding services, for both visitors and locals alike.
Our wedding packages offer an excellent value, at one of the most breathtaking settings in the world. Captain Dave and Jenny, owners of the Atabeyra, were married on the boat over 20 years ago and the tradition continues.
Exchange your Turks and Caicos marriage vows while sailing downwind into the setting sun, or let us drop you on a secluded sandy beach in the pristine Caicos Cays for the nuptials. Top off your special day aboard with your guests, glasses raised, gently sailing into the sunset.
Sun Charters offers a 2 hour all-inclusive wedding package that includes all marriage licenses and permits, a minister or justice of the peace, flowers for the bride and groom, a cake, refreshments, and canapés.
Drinks and refreshments include champagne, canapés, wine, beer, rum punch, soft drinks, and water.
Photography and videography from one of the boutique professional local studios can be arranged.
Before getting married in the Turks and Caicos it is best to become familiar with Turks and Caicos Islands marriage regulations.
Snorkeling Charters
The incredible turquoise and blue waters of the Turks and Caicos hide amazing and vibrant reefs, and snorkeling is a perfect way to explore them. Depending on weather conditions, day charters on the Atabeyra typically either visit the exquisite barrier reef of the Princess Alexandra National Park off of Grace Bay, Leeward, and Water Cay, or more sheltered reefs in the bay.
Underwater sightings always vary, yet commonly-seen sea creatures include many types of colorful reef fish, stingrays spotted eagle rays, turtles, small sharks, and sometimes even dolphins!
The use of snorkeling equipment is complimentary for guests.
About Sun Charters
Captain David Douglas
David is the owner and skipper of the Good Ship Atabeyra, and originally built the boat as a freighter in 1990, and refit her as a charter yacht in 1997. Atabeyra kept the island stocked with rum during the Haitian embargo of the early 90s and traded fruits and vegetables from Hispaniola through a farmers market that once operated in central Providenciales. Atabeyra is now a classic sailing yacht offering all comers first-class access to the Caicos Cays and secluded beaches of the Turks and Caicos.
The good ship Atabeyra (also spelled as Attabeira or Atabey) is named after supreme mother goddess of the Taino people, who were the first known inhabitants of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and other regional islands. Not much is known about these pre-Columbian peoples, and not much evidence has been left behind, yet it’s thought that they arrived to the archipelago 700-1000 years ago.
First Mate Junior
Junior has been first mate for almost seven years. Junior clearly loves showing folks the magic of Atabeyra and the Caicos Cays.
Ship’s Steward
Williana is the most fashionable and best dancer of our crewmembers. Willi runs a mean galley and as keeper of the punch will top off your rum punch with a smile. She can even tie a few knots.
Guest Meeting Location
Sun Charters and the Atabeyra operates out of Leeward on the eastern side of Providenciales.