Attractions

Most of the country's celebrated sports and activities revolve around, unsurprisingly, its ubiquitous resource: all that crystal-clear water with the mesmerizing emerald hue. Try scuba diving the spectacular underwater walls just offshore, fishing the coral reef or deepwater drop-offs, or leisurely exploring the little uninhabited cays and coves that dot the watery landscape.

Of course, there are plenty of nonwatersports-related things to do here, including golf, tennis, horseback riding, exploring historical attractions, caving, shopping, and enjoying state-of-the-art spa treatments. This section tells you how to explore the best the islands have to offer.

Pamela Ewing's Favorite TCI Experiences

Pamela Ewing is a Belonger (a native-born Turks islander) who knows just about anyone and everyone on the islands -- which makes her job, as Marketing Manager for the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board, a perfect fit. Like most Turks & Caicos Islanders, Pamela puts great stock in hanging out with family and friends over food in a laid-back atmosphere. Here are Pamela's favorite TCI experiences:

• Going to the Children's Park on Lower Bight Road on Grace Bay with the kids and enjoying the beach and a good picnic or a cookout, with local foods such as conch fritters, fish with rice and vegetables, or souse (chicken).
• Going to the caves on Middle Caicos and doing a cave safari on a day trip. This involves an all-day boat trip to Middle Caicos. On the way you can swim and snorkel and then you visit the caves and have lunch.
• Fishing off the docks.
• Visiting North Caicos, to places like Wades Green. It's best to take a boat, rather than a plane.

Providenciales

Provo has little in the way of historic or cultural attractions; for a real feel for the rich heritage of the TCI, you'll need to head to North or Middle Caicos and, of course, to Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

North Caicos

A number of charter-boat operators offer island tours, eco-tours, bird-watching tours, or private charters to North Caicos, including J&B Tours (tel. 649/946-5047; www.jbtours.com) and Big Blue Unlimited (tel. 649/946-5034; www.bigblueunlimited.com). Big Blue combines boat rides with bike trips, kayaking, bird-watching, and lunches in native homes to get deep into the North Caicos experience. You many even get to Flamingo Pond, tidal flats on the island's south side and home to the largest protected nature sanctuary of West Indian flamingos in the islands.

Middle Caicos

Catch the Wave (tel. 649/941-3047; www.tcimall.tc/catchthewave/default.htm) offers island safaris to Middle Caicos, including cave and bird-watching safaris. J&B Tours (tel. 649/946-5047; www.jbtours.com) offers cave safaris and beach picnics on Middle Caicos. Middle Caicos native and guide Cardinal Arthur (tel. 649/946-6107; cellphone 649/241-0730) offers cave, bird-watching, fishing, and eco-tours and general sightseeing trips of the island. Also offering cave tours (and good general sightseeing tours) is local guide Ernest Forbes, Sr. (tel. 649/946-6140).