After being ranked the #1 beach in the world by TripAdvisor users in 2016, gorgeous Grace Bay has gained fame among savvy travelers the world over for its stunning white sand beach and turquoise waters.
Everyone wants to visit Grace Bay Beach, but how to plan your trip? We have prepared this brief introduction to Grace Bay and the Island of Providenciales. We want to make planning your visit to Turks and Caicos as easy as possible.
Providence? Provo? It is the center of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Providenciales Island was voted "Best Island in the World". There is a pleasant climate and even better beaches.
Providenciales is also the base for your visit to Turks and Caicos. This island is home to a modern international airport and is the commercial and transportation center of the Turks and Caicos Islands. There are world-class resorts, an incredible culinary scene, and tour operators to explore the islands.
Providenciales: Unique, relaxed and intimate
Not only has Providenciales been named the best island in the world with the best beach in the world (Grace Bay), but it also has a unique, relaxed and intimate vibe.
Most international flights land on Providenciales Island (airport code PLS). The airport is located on the west end of the island, in the center of the city.
About a 20-minute drive from the airport is award-winning Grace Bay Beach. There are 12 miles of white sand beach and turquoise water.
The beach is surrounded by beautiful luxury resorts. Many of these resorts are luxury resorts, but there are casual options as well (ask us for advice). There are also many world-class restaurants open to the public on Grace Bay Beach.
As Grace Bay Beach is long, we've divided it into 3 main areas:
Grace Bay East, Mid and West
Central Grace Bay
Grace Bay Center BeachHere are the main shopping streets in Providenciales.
ports of call,RegentendorfeSalt Mill Squareare all central shopping areas with shops, restaurants and bars.
Also, Graceway Gourmet, a fantastic upscale grocery store, is located in Central Grace Bay. Graceway Gourmet is not only stocked with an array of cheeses, fresh produce and other delicacies, it also offers one of the best wine selections on the island.
This well-stocked supermarket is a 20-minute walk from most Grace Bay Beach resorts.
Looking for more information on shopping in Providenciales? We made a video especially for you!
East Grace Bay e Leeward
As you drive east along Grace Bay Beach, you'll find wide, almost deserted stretches of beach.
East Grace Bayoffers privacy and seclusion. There are fewer resorts and fewer visitors here. Although East Grace Bay is some distance from the commercial establishments of downtown Grace Bay, there are some outstanding restaurants in this area.
And it's only a 10-minute drive to downtown Grace Bay for shopping and other restaurants. 🇧🇷 You may want to consider a car, or some resorts offer free bicycles, or a taxi can be arranged.
Pelican Beach e Leeward
As you walk east along Grace Bay Beach you will pass an area called Pelican Beach. Some locals refer to him as"Barlavento Beach", but it's still Grace Bay. They end up in uptown Leeward.
There are long stretches of beach here that can be almost deserted on some days! Just at the east end of Leeward, there are mangroves across the channel.
This is a great spot for kayaking and paddleboarding! Float through the canals and walk and experience the calm serenity of pure nature as you see juvenile fish, turtles, stingrays and even lemon sharks in crystal clear shallow waters.
Can you say this is one of my favorite things to do?
Western Grace Bay beach
Driving west from Central Grace Bay, the beach narrows a bit after passing the all-inclusive Beaches Resort, and then you come to Coral Gardens. That isWest Grace Bay.
Coral Gardens is also known as "Bight Reef" and there are spectacular snorkeling opportunities just off the beach.
See colorful coral heads, sea fans, lots of fish, turtles, lobsters and other marine life.
It all starts in waist-deep water, making it perfect for young divers too.
A little further on is turtle grass - it's worth looking for a turtle. Nothing clears the mind like following a turtle through the beautiful turquoise sea.
If you're not an experienced diver, you can always try SNUBA right here on the west end of Grace Bay. No previous diving experience or even snorkeling experience is required. All you need are basic swimming skills and a desire to explore the underwater world.
Here, on the west end of Grace Bay Beach, you can enjoy all the marine life, but still enjoy lots of white sand and clear turquoise water, as Turtle Grass is about 50 feet offshore.
If you start on this side of the beach, there are some good restaurants to try. The west end of Grace Bay Beach is just an eight-minute drive from Central Grace Bay with other restaurants and shops.
Other areas on the island of Providenciales
turtle bay
Turtle Cove fica a oeste de Grace Bay Beach.
There is a large marina at Turtle Cove which offers great views and a wonderful setting for all the restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops in this area.
Long Bay Strand
Driving to the southeast end of the island, we arrive at stunning, remote and untouched places.Long Bay Strand.
Long Bay offers an incredibly long beach of white sand and shallow turquoise waters that seem to stretch to the horizon. Long Bay also offers seclusion and solitude. There is only one resort in Long Bay, located at the northeast end of the beach.
The rest of Long Bay is free to explore.
It can be a bit windy on this side, so it's become a great spot for water sports like kitesurfing.
If you're not a kitesurfer, Long Bay Beach is still a great place to come and watch. It's nice to see the boards with the kites above gliding in the water!
Shopping at the IGA flagship grocery store on Leeward Highway
As we head west on the highway, you will eventually pass theIGA🇧🇷 This is one of the main grocery stores on the island and is very well stocked.
Fruits, vegetables, meat, deli counter, cooked food like fried chicken and many more items can be purchased here - even many staples you'll know from home!
five islets
Five Cays is home to the world famous Bugaloo restaurant. Savor exceptional local cuisine at this beachfront restaurant.
Just pass Bugaloo's, the local fisherman's market on the beach. They usually work "Caribbean hours" so call ahead to make sure they are open and fish.
as they giz
Traveling further west along the coast you will come to the amazing Chalk Sound.
Chalk Sound is a shallow lake that is almost a bright neon turquoise color! It is breathtaking!
stop byBrisas-Restaurantfor lunch or dinner, or just a drink from the bar. You can also hop on a pontoon boat tour to explore the area on the water, or just rent some kayaks and paddle out.
Also in this western part of Providenciales are Sapodilla Beach and Taylor Bay Beach.
Both beaches are very popular with younger children and their parents. You can walk to the lagoon for twenty minutes and still be in knee-deep water.
These beaches are ideal for younger "pre-swimmers" who can swim safely in the beautiful turquoise waters of Turks and Caicos.
Blue Hills
The last stop on our Providenciales mini tour is Blue Hills.
Blue Hills is a local community that is a great example of Caribbean life. Here at Blue Hills, you can experience island charm as it used to be.
Blue Hills restaurants offer local cuisine and true Caribbean flair. There are several island-style restaurants where the drinks flow, the scenery is magnificent, the island food is amazing and you can immerse yourself in the island spirit with soulful reggae music.
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