I have frequently daydreamed about living on a tropical island— a place where the weather is warm, the waters are loaded with colorful fish and the people are friendly. On a recent visit to the island of Providenciales or Provo as it is sometimes known, I discovered what I had been dreaming about and what others have dubbed, “beautiful by nature.”
Providenciales is one of about 40 islands that make up the Turks and Caicos Islands (Eight are inhabited). Located about 80 minutes south of Miami in the British West Indies and covering an area of 38 miles, Provo is the most developed island of the chain and is a paradise for those in search of upscale accommodations, dining and outdoor activities.
I arrived at my resort Ocean Club West, a luxury property located on an unspoiled 12-mile stretch of Grace Bay Beach, late at night. I was tired and barely took note of my enormous suite that had a kitchen, living room and two balconies. The next morning I was eager to actually see what the area looked like and quickly made my way past the pool to see my first glimpse of the beach.
Like Dorothy, emerging from her black and white world to a land of living color in The Wizard of Oz, the morning light had revealed the sheer beauty of Provo. I gazed out across the pristine white shore to view what seemed to be four shades of water that progressed in bands from aqua marine to turquoise to azure and cerulean blue.
After having a sumptuous breakfast at the resort’s Seaside Café, I boarded the Atabyera for a sailing and snorkeling trip. Like a gigantic aquarium, the clarity of the water was amazing and I could easily see coral reef formations, tropical fish, turtles, and stingrays gliding gracefully below the surface. After finding a suitable location, I jumped off the boat and explored this undersea fantasy world. The light reflected off the sides of the fish to reveal fluorescent colors of green, blue, violet, yellow, and pink. It was easy to see why the Turks and Caicos have continually been ranked among the best tropical beaches and dive/snorkeling locations by many travel magazines.
Water activities are one of the reasons that visitors are drawn to the Turks and Caicos, and on Provo you can windsurf, sail, snorkel, and dive with water visibility reaching 150 feet. With year round temperatures averaging 83 degrees, low humidity and cooling trade winds, this inviting tropical paradise is the perfect place for a family vacation or sun-filled romantic getaway.
Of course, there are other activities beyond the lure of the Atlantic. Cycling, bird watching (200 varieties have been recorded), eco-touring, spa treatments, and shopping for hand crafted treasures are all available on the islands. For golf enthusiasts, the Provo Golf Club is home to one of the finest golf courses in the Caribbean. Lush green landscaping and fairways wind around 12 lakes and 3,500 palm trees, making this a favorite among golfers. The Provo Golf Club serves as host for the Turks and Caicos Amateur Open and the President’s Open held every July.
Restaurant options abound on Provo from simple and unpretentious to upscale fine dining. For dinner one evening I tried the Gecko Grill, located at Ocean Club Resort (twin property of Ocean Club West). I had the sautéed local grouper crusted with plantain crumbs and served with Creole sauce. The fish (caught fresh) was flaky and tender and the combination of the condiments and plantains gave the dish a sweet taste. This was one of the best seafood entrees I have ever had and I highly recommend it.
One of the islands’ delicacies is the conch, which is served in everything from fritters to chowder. This mollusk feeds in the shallow waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its colorful pink and brown shell is prized as an ornament or gift. To ensure the continuation of this endangered species, the Conch Farm is located on the leeward end of the island and is available for touring. Their gift shop has a nice assortment of items related to this sea dweller.
A short boat ride away, Little Water Cay Nature Reserve is home to one of the islands’ indigenous residents—the rock iguana. These herbivorous lizards inhabit many of the Caribbean Islands with many species on the endangered list. This is a popular side trip that everyone will enjoy, and you will want to bring your camera to capture these creatures in their natural surroundings.
Provo is easy to visit with connections from Miami International Airport. US Airways and American both offer regular flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands. To make things even simpler for the traveler, US currency is used and most credit cards are widely accepted. Casual is the order of the day and most people get by with cool clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
As my trip neared an end, I vowed I would return one day and let others know about this little bit of heaven. If your daydreams go beyond looking at travel posters of tropical locales or watching the Travel Channel, consider visiting a place where dreams become reality. Balmy breezes, warm sun and sparkling clear multi-hued water all beckon and are just a plane ride away.