Located in the British West Indies, the Turks and Caicos Islands lie east of the Bahamas, north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and 575 miles southeast of Miami. A total of forty islands and cays including the chain, but only eight are inhabited. The twenty-two-mile-wide Turks Passage separates the Turks from the Caicos Islands.

Most of the islands are flat with sand dunes and lush green vegetation. Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, West Caicos, and Providenciales are the largest of the archipelago chain, which resides in the Atlantic Ocean. However, its islands offer the best of the Caribbean: the third largest coral reef in the world, after the eastern coasts of Australia and Belize, 230 miles of white sand beaches and clear, warm turquoise waters.

Hurricane season from July to October can bring severe weather, but Turks and Caicos is a year-round destination. Visitors should anticipate an average temperature of 83F. During September and October, the hottest months, temperatures reach 95 F (33 to 35 C), but steady trade winds from the east help keep life comfortable. Just 35″ of annual rainfall ensures that your days will be spent soaking up the sun on the beach, not stranded indoors.

If you are looking for tranquility, not crowds, then the Turks and Caicos Islands are your destination in the Caribbean. The islands follow Eastern Standard Time and the US dollar is their official currency. The locals, or “locals” as they call themselves, speak English and are known for their friendliness.

Although Grand Turk is the capital, Providenciales, or “Provo,” features all twelve miles of Grace Bay Beach and is the most popular tourist destination in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It has an area of ​​38 square miles, or 98 square kilometers, and a population of 31,000.

Flights from Miami to Providenciales leave twice a day and take less than 90 minutes. Other major cities, such as New York, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, and Atlanta, also offer daily service to Provo. Other direct flights from London, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, Montego Bay and Nassau arrive daily, weekly or bi-weekly. Flight schedules are subject to change, so be sure to check directly with the airlines. The Providenciales International Airport code is PLS.

As of October 1, 2007, an expired passport, an original or notarized copy of a birth certificate, and a government-issued photo ID will no longer suffice. US and Canadian citizens must carry a valid passport to enter and exit Turks and Caicos. As of January 23, 2007, all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas requires a valid passport. Citizens of Commonwealth countries require a passport, and citizens of non-Commonwealth countries require a passport and visa. A valid return ticket is also required.