Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos Islands possess what many consider the finest beach water in the entire Caribbean — Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales consistently wins best beach awards not just in the Caribbean but globally, and the water's color, clarity and temperature justify every superlative. The archipelago sits at the northern edge of the Caribbean, between the Bahamas and Hispaniola, with a barrier reef that is the third largest in the world.

Providenciales, known as Provo, is the main island and the center of tourism development — a beautiful island of luxury resorts, excellent restaurants and the extraordinary Grace Bay. But the true magic of Turks & Caicos is found in the outer islands: Grand Turk, the historic capital with its salt industry heritage and whale-watching season; Salt Cay, a tiny island of extraordinary tranquility; and the uninhabited cays of the Caicos Bank where the water achieves colors that seem digitally enhanced.

Humpback whales pass through the Turks Island Passage January through April on their migration — the whale-watching season on Grand Turk and Salt Cay is one of the Caribbean's most remarkable wildlife experiences, with whales visible from shore.