Swimming in the Ocean in Turks and Caicos: A Guide for Visitors

The

Turks and Caicos Islands

, and

Grace Bay Beach

in particular, offer some of the best conditions in the world for swimming in open water. Our clear and generally calm waters allow swimmers to see fascinating marine life, such as stingrays, barracudas and sometimes dolphins. Open to the public and covering much of the island of Turks and Caicos, Grace Bay Beach has been repeatedly voted one of the best beaches in the world. Grace Bay Beach is located on the northeast coast of Providenciales, starting in the island community of Leeward and extending 12 miles (19 km) to the town of Thompson Cove.Known for its crystal clear waters and white sand, and for literally no pebbles or other strange objects, it's no exaggeration to say that Grace Bay is the definition of paradise.

If there was a perfect 10 for beaches, this is it. Located on the north coast of North Caicos, the white, sugary sand and turquoise waters of Whitby Beach offer spectacular opportunities for swimming and sunbathing, as well as snorkeling. Whitby Beach is 14 miles long, and while most North Caicos resorts and vacation rental accommodations are located on this beach, the area is usually uncrowded.Whitby Beach is surrounded by a coral reef that remains calm and free from strong waves, making it ideal for divers and young swimmers. Grace Bay is popular for many things, and exploring nature is one of them.

Here you can relax and unwind while enjoying the warm Caribbean sun. While at Grace Bay Beach, you can spend the day trying out various water sports such as rowing, windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing, and more.Described as the “hallmark of the Turks and Caicos Islands”, Grace Bay Beach is a bucket list destination. Ads related to the Turks and Caicos Islands usually focus on the incredible Grace Bay beach, and for good reason. And if you want to take it easy, just take a quick swim and return to comfort in the shade of your beach umbrella and lounger.

A 10-minute boat ride from Leeward Marina in Providenciales, Little Water Cay is home to the endangered rock iguana population of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is affectionately nicknamed “Iguana Island”.The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) would like to urge vendors, visitors and residents to take appropriate safety precautions when enjoying the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands.