Where is Turks and Caicos?

Where is Turks and Caicos? Turks and where? That’s the reaction most people have when you mention these tropical Islands.

Like all great treasures, this one is hidden just under the radar. Be glad that it is, as this undiscovered natural wonder and tropical paradise is the solitary Caribbean destination you’ve been looking for.

So where is Turks and Caicos? The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are located in the northern area of the Caribbean Sea. They are considered part of the Greater Antilles group of islands.

This group of islands lies 39 miles southeast of Mayaguana a district of the Bahamas, just to the east of Cuba and 90 miles (145km) north of the Hispaniola Island, home to the nations of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The capital, Cockburn Town, is positioned about 1,042 kilometers (647 miles) east-southeast of Miami, Florida.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a whole surface area of 430 square kilometers (170 sq miles) and cover 193 square miles of the North Atlantic Ocean. These islands lie virtually adjacent to the Bahamas, but are politically a separate unit.

The Turks & Caicos Islands still fall under the rule of the British Empire and consist of two groups of tropical islands. These two distinct island groups are divided by the 22 mile wide Turks Island Passage.

There are eight major islands: The larger Caicos Islands lie in the shape of an arc and are made up of the islands of South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle (or Grand) Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales, West Caicos, and the smaller Turks Islands, which consists of Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

Each island offers a different experience and a unique character, but all offer year round great climate, beaches and underwater activities.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are completely surrounded and protected by the Caribbean’s largest and healthiest coral reef system, making it a premier diving location because of the diverse species of fishes and other marine life that use the waters around the islands as an itinerant transit.

Some of the species you will get a glimpse of are manta rays, turtles, humpback whales, dolphins and tons of other fish.

Providenciales is the metropolitan centre of the Turks & Caicos Islands and is the main tourist hub. Informally known as "Provo," the island offers all the current amenities one could desire while remaining a top-quality holiday destination for anyone who wants a retreat from the stress of city life.

Provo brilliantly balances nature, it has beautiful beaches scattered on all sides of this hideaway, with urban conveniences such as a variety of shopping centres, an excellent golf course, a casino, three marinas, a number of bars and first-rate restaurants.

The U.S. dollar is the unit of currency and the larger hotels and shops accept credit cards.

So where is Turks and Caicos? In the picturesque Caribbean and once you have visited these superb islands, you will never want to go anywhere else.