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The Good: Fabulous Beaches, No Waves on Grace Bay Beach, Relaxed Atmosphere
All inclusive: food and activities, great place for kids
short flight from east coast

The Bad: Little to do, island feels very run down
Musty room, cancelled dives

Provided by the WisDoc(www.flickr.com/ photos/wisdoc/ 523187607/)

The Turks and where? That’s the reaction most people have when you mention these tropical isles. Like all great Shangri-Las, this one is hidden just under the radar. Be glad that it is, as this tropical dream is the deserted Caribbean destination you’ve been looking for. And the best part – it’s only 90 minutes by plane from Miami; this slice of paradise is just around the corner.

So why would you want to go there? How about white-sand beaches, clear blue water and a climate that defines divine. Secluded bays and islands where you’ll see more wild donkeys than other travelers. Historic towns and villages that look like something out of a pirate movie, where life creeps along at a sedate pace. While development is on the rise, all one has to do is dig a bit deeper, catch a boat to the next island over and the solace of solitude returns: islands like Grand Turk (part of the Turks Islands) are set in a time long since past, with dilapidated buildings, salt ponds and narrow lanes, and contrast with the ever-expanding Providenciales, tourist gateway to the Caicos Islands.

Divers and beach aficionados will rejoice at the quality of the sea here. Clear warm waters teem with sea life, yet are devoid of crashing

Provided by the philip.beaudoin(www.flickr.com/ photos/ philipbeaudoin/ 2820217764/)

It wasn’t too long ago that Providenciales, or Provo as it’s known locally, was a sleepy little corner of the Caribbean. But unlike the rest of the islands in the T&C, the secret is out. Everywhere you look there is a new hotel sprouting from the ground and the promise of more to come.

The upside to all this development is that finding a room beachside isn’t a mission – there are stacks to choose from. But that’s one of the few positives – hotels are getting taller and the rate of development is staggering. One must wonder where all the tourists are going to come from? For the moment, rooms are easy to come by, deals are simple to find and the beach is still quiet.

Sailing
The Turks and Caicos lie in the Caribbean Sea, one of the world's most popular sailing and yachting destinations. Whether visiting for annual races or simply the sailing season, you'll find there are plenty of reasons to sail these waters. Travelers stop into the Turks and Caicos Islands for a break between Florida and the Virgin Islands, and sometimes just to visit.