For all visiting or local American Idol hopefuls,

join Candy at the Mini Golf every Friday, starting March 23, 2012, 6 to 9 pm,

to strut your stuff at Kids Karaoke night!

Taking your family on a Caribbean vacation? Children are normally content to stay on a beach and play in the sand all day, however when the afternoon sun hits its always a good idea to get under some shade or enjoy what the rest of the island has to offer. Here are out Top 5 family friendly things to do around the Turks and Caicos Islands.

#1 Little Water Cay – Iguana Nature Reserve
Visit this uninhabited national park on its own tiny island just a short boat ride from the main island of Provo. Its boardwalk around the iguana sanctuary gives you a glimpse into these dinosaur-like reptiles. Children of all ages will enjoy seeing these creatures that can grow to 80cm long. $5 entry fee per person or fee is included in certain tours in the area

#2 Fish Viewing / Snorkeling
Reef Peepers offers some great tours combined with snorkeling for all ages. The younger children can enjoy viewing exotic fish from the boats glass bottom while others can swim among them.

#3 Horseback Riding
Fulfill both yours and your child’s dream to ride horseback on a beautiful beach. Provo ponies have some of the tamest horses that get matched to each individuals riding ability. The horses ride right into the shallow waters of the Caicos Bank off Long Bay along the white sandy beaches. Prices start from $75pp for a 60-minute ride.

#4 Fun World
Located near Leeward Marina only a few miles from Grace Bay area, you will find a world of fun for children and adults alike: 18-hole Mini-Gold course, Go-cart racing, a 32-foot climbing wall and a huge video arcade. End your day with some lively karaoke at the bar and grill.

#5 Watersports
There are two well-known free snorkeling sites just off Grace Bay Beach (Coral Gardens and Smith’s Reef) for anyone with snorkel gear (complimentary from most resorts). Snuba is an island favorite for children over the age of 8yrs allowing shallow water diving. And then for the more active try waterskiing, wakeboarding or tubing with Nautique Sports.

You may be planning on spending your vacation lying on the sultry beaches of Provo, but your kids have a different plan. They want to explore and take advantage of all the activities available on land and sea. We’ve got you covered with a list of fun Turks and Caicos activities that both you and your children will adore.

Glass Bottom Semi Submarine:
Take an hour-long underwater tour around Provo in a semi-submarine. The glass bottom provides an insider’s view of brilliant tropical fish and the coral formations surrounding the island. Caicos Tours offers three tours a day in the air-conditioned semi-submarine.

The National Environment Centre is a fun and educational way to spend a couple of hours out of the sun. There are exhibits on the coral reefs and ecosystems of the islands, as well as information about the research projects being done around TCI. Located in Provo, the environmental center is an attraction for any kids who love science and nature.

Horseback Riding: Live the island dream with a horseback ride along the beaches of Provo. Kids over six will love interacting with the more than 20 horses and ponies and learning how to ride. Riding a horse along the beach, into the water and through the trails is a great way to explore the exotic island.

SNUBA: Another great way to experience TCI marine life is to SNUBA, a cross between snorkeling and SCUBA diving that has the best of both worlds. It allows the diver to go a little deeper than snorkeling without deep sea diving. Older kids (over can dive to about 20 feet while their breathing device is attached to a raft floating on the water’s surface. Swim alongside schools of tropical fish and explore the coral reefs of Provo. Take snorkeling to the next level with this family-friendly adventure.

Water sports: Zip through the turquoise waters off Grace Bay Beach on a tube, wake board or skis. Nautique Sports allows you to rent a boat for specific time periods and try out a world of adventurous activities. Everyone in the family will love learning new water sports and spending the day racing across the top of the waves!

TCI National Museum: Travel to Grand Turk for a little bit of island history. The Turks and Caicos National Museum has got it all, from information about past shipwrecks and slavery to a botanical garden aimed at brightening the present. Peruse coin and stamp collections, and don’t forget to stop in the museum shop!

Look for wildlife: TCI is notorious for exotic marine life and unique creatures that your kids can only see in the Caribbean. An island favorite is JoJo the Bottlenose Dolphin, who loves interacting with people. In the cooler months, Humpback whales can be spotted, especially from Salt Cay. And only in TCI can you see Rock Iguanas, which dwell on some of the uninhabited islands. Keep an eye out for these rarities among the tropical fish, turtles, sharks, and other TCI wildlife.

Fun World: The ultimate Turks and Caicos place for kids is Fun World in Provo. Race through the day on the park’s Go-Cart track or challenge your children in the video arcade. Get athletic on the 32-foot rock wall or play a couple of rounds of mini-golf. Unwind or sing karaoke at the bar and grill.

Enjoy the beach and shopping! After all the excitement and fun activities, your kids may appreciate a day of playing in the white sand and swimming in the ocean. Make a family activity out of building a sandcastle or throwing around a Frisbee. The island is also home to numerous shopping centers and island craftspeople, so take a day to collect souvenirs.

Contact Tranquility for the Perfect Turks and Caicos Family Vacation!

Tranquility Vacations can help you plan these excursions for your family and we have the experience and resources to do it. Contact us at (649) 431-1474 about great things to do with kids in Turks and Caicos form and make your Turks and Caicos Villa Reservation today!

Silver Deep operates a fleet of twelve boats that offer plenty of shade,
comfortable seating,
with easy access on the beach and to the water.  
They come fully equipped with
VHF radios, cell phones for constant communication with the base and
all the required safety equipment.
You will find more details about our vessels linking to
“OUR BOATS“ page.

On all our trips we offer complimentary use of snorkeling equipment flotation vests free soft drinks, rum punch and snacks.

Silver Deep is recognized as one of the leading Companies in the Turks and Caicos Water-sport Community thanks to Arthur Dean and his friendly native captains that have been catering
the Tourist to our Islands for over twelve years.
They will offer you a life time of experience in choosing their secret spots and providing you with interesting information on our Islands.
Link to our ”Guest Book“ page to exchange opinions with our customers and come to know better some of our Captains.

Silver Deep is committed to showing you the best time of your vacation! 

Indoor Activities

	Gambling	Slot Machines only – Banana Boat, Dora’s, Sharkbite, Dolphin’s Sports Bar, Casino – BET Sound Stage
	Indoor Gyms and Fitness Centers	THE STUDIO – LIFESTYLE CENTER – Formally Island Network ,at Ports of Call. The Center for Yoga, Pilate, Dance and Lifestyle Management. SQUASH, Providenciales PULSE GYM- Saltmills Shopping Center, Grace Bay, BODIES IN MOTION GYM- Miramar Resort, Providenciales, NO LIMITS FITNESS GYM – Grand Turk
	Table Games	Danny Buoys Pub – pool table, Sharkbite~Foos-ball, Dora’s~Video Games, Hey-Jose Pool Table, Bamboos Pool Table Darts~Sharkbite, Dominos – 3 Queens-Provo, Salt Cay, Grand Turk
	Turks and Caicos Islands Shopping	Local Products for Sale on Providenciales Don’t forget to go to the Post Office and see the wonderful assortment of Turks & Caicos Postage Stamps
	Spa and Beauty Services	Serenity Spa, Spa Tropique, Point Grace Spa New Waves, Captain Hooks Beauty Salon, Beaches Resort, Tropical Massage Therapy, Teeth Whitening

Outdoor Activities

	Horse Riding	Provo Ponies – Horses on Providenciales – 649-946-5252 Horseback riding on Grand Turk – Gail 649-946-2277 Caicos Corral – Providenciale – 649-331-3939
	Turks and Caicos Islands Golf Courses	Provo Golf and Country Club,Waterloo Golf Club , Grand Turk , Miniature Golf
	Field Sports	Turks and Caicos Islands Football Rugby & Cricket , Basketball, Track
	Tennis	The Turks & Cacios Tennis Federation, Ocean Club, Provo Golf Club, Grace Bay Club, Treasure Beach Villas, Aquamarine Beach Villas
	Petanque Ball	The Miramar Resort
	Volleyball	Club Med, The Sands, Turtle Cove
	Sand Sculpting	Build a Sand Castle – choose your beach
	Bicycling in Turks and Caicos Islands	Rental at Ports of Call and Turtle Cove, Provo, North Caicos, Middle Caicos
	Picnicking and Beachcombing Beach Access & Beach Etiquette Brochure for Providenciales	Malcolm Beach, Provo and elsewhere.Picnic provisions on Providenciales can be found at any supermarket. IGA has a deli with fresh roasted chickens and made to order submarine sandwiches, Ice cold drinks as well as cold beer and wine, suntan products, ice chests, ice, beach towels, sunglasses, portable chairs. Leeward Highway, Providenciales
		Relaxing in Turks and Caicos Islands
	Get Stranded on a Remote Island	Catch the Wave, Ocean Vibes
		Go Fly a Kite. The cooling tradewind breezes and the wide spacious beaches in Turks and Caicos Islands make a perfect location for kite flying. Power Kite Flying Lessons on Grace Bay Beach – Kite Provo — Provo Kite Movie
	Model Sailboats	Something new to you and fun to do only in Turks and Caicos – Model sailboats – come down to the Middle Caicos Co-op in Blue Hills each Saturday to play with these beautifully handcrafted toys in the shallows.
	Smoke a Cuban Cigar	Smoke a Cuban Cigar or Dominican Cigar Purchased at one of many locations on Island such as IGA, Tiki Hut,Grace’s Cottage, Baci Ristorante, BET Sound Stage
	Fun World TCI Ltd.	FUN WORLD TCI, where it’s always “a world of fun” for kids and the young at heart. We proudly boast a one and a half acre beautifully landscaped and challenging 18 hole Mini Golf Course, Grand Prix “Go Cart” Race Track and Video Game Arcade. The bar and grill offers a wide selection of food and beverages and Karaoke entertainment complementedby the friendliest service in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

Site Seeing in Turks and Caicos – Courtesy of TCIMall.tc

	Day Excursions	Island tours around Providenciales to places like the Conch Farm and Cheshire Hall. Or Hire a private driver to take you all over the place in air conditioned luxury.
	Take a sunset cruise	Sail Provo, Sun Charters, Beach Cruiser
	GREEN FLASH	Take a moment at sundown each evening and look for the infamous Green Flash. To find out more about chasing it down read this article on the Green Flash
	GLOW WORMS	Observe the mating GLOW WORMS – Sail Provo Sun Charters, Catch the Wave, Green Flash Whale Tours
	Glass Bottom Boat Tours in Turks Caicos	Boss Tours, South Caicos Caicos Tours, Providenciales
	“The Hole”	Visit “The Hole” on Providenciales
	Rock Carvings	Rock Carvings on South Rock, Sapodilla Bay, West Caicos
	Bird Watching	North Caicos, Middle Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos, Chalk Sound on Provo
	Middle Caicos Crossing Place Trail	A historic island tour – hiking or biking along a scenic trail following along the bluffs and beaches of Middle Caicos
	National Parks	Turks and Caicos Islands National Parks
	Eco Tours	Providenciales, North, South, Middle, Salt Cay and Grand Turk
	Museum	Visit the National Museum on Grand Turk
	Historical Sites	Turks and Caicos Island National Historical Sites on Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Salt Cay and Grand Turk National Parks & Protected Areas
	Turks and Caicos Whale Watching	Salt Cay, South Caicos, Grand Turk and sometimes West Caicos. January – April – take a cruise in search of the glorious migrating humpback whales.The whales migrate through TCI on their way to their breeding grounds at the Silver Banks just south of Salt Cay. Green Flash Whale Tours , Salt Cay Divers, The Buchaneer or any one of the Charter Boat Operators., Diving Charters operated by Big Blue unlimited. Its time to book your space for next years whale season!

	Scuba in Turks and Caicos	Learn to dive, take a one-day resort course, a three-day open water course or do your bookwork before you come and take your open water test here by referral. Many qualified instructors are found here.
	Paddleboarding, SUP rentals	STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING ­ the ultimate exercise and an exciting way to experience our waters.
	Boating , Private charters in Turks and Caicos	Boat rental, cruises, excursions, live-aboards, secluded island drop-offs (see operators) Go in search of Jojo the Dolphin
	Turks & Caicos Fishing	Bone fishing, deep-sea fishing, bottom fishing
	Turks and Caicos Sailing	Hobie Cat, Day Cruising, Live-aboards Abuv-it-All, Sail Provo, Sun Charters
	Windsurfing – Sailing – Kitesurfing – Kiteboarding	Take a lesson from Mike on the beach in front of Ocean Club, Providenciales
	Waterskiing – Wakeboarding Tubing	Nautique Sports, Catch the Wave
	Sea-doo – Wave Runner Excursions, Sport Boat Rental
	Carolina skiff rentals	Grace Bay Providenciales
	Kayak Rentals in Turks & Caicos	Abuv-it-All, Kayaking with Big Blue, Bottle Creek Lodge, Boss Tours, Amphibious Adventures
	Snorkeling in Turks & Caicos	Smith’s Reef, White House Reef, Special Tours
	Para-sailing	Capt Marvin’s Parasail, Eagle Parasail, Grace Bay area
	Swinging	For swingers only – there are some swings sets at Rotary Park and the Children’s Park at the Bight in Grace Bay, Providenciales

 

 

Courtesy of TCIMall.tc

Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust launches photo, film, poster competition

CARIBBEAN WHALE WATCHING TURKS & CAICOS

Caribbean whale watching expeditions from Salt Cay and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. Watch the Caribbean humpback whales as they migrate through the Turks Head passage, past Salt Cay toward the Silver Banks of the Dominican Republic and back to Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands British West Indies – every year from February through April.

SALT CAY WHALE CHARTERS, TOURS, FERRY RATES:

THE  MAGNIFICENT HUMPBACK WHALE

Energetic, vigorous, bubbly and inquisitive these majestic rorquals of the sea pass by the shores off Salt Cay British West Indies on their way to the breeding grounds. It is during the mating season that divers and snorkelers delight in the long and complex songs of the males as they presumably whale and sing mating songs to their better halves. Very social they regularly travel in groups of  two or more and you often see the whales with their calves.

Anyway at close range they are easily distinguished by their exceptionally long flippers, knobbly head and the white and black coloration on the underside of the fluke(tail). They have a much more rounded and dare I say it, voluptuous body then other whales with an area of white on its back or belly. And if you want to count the baleen plates found on each side of the upper jaw they total between 270 and 400. Caribbean whale watching — just another way to spend the day on Salt Cay!

Yes indeed what majestic creatures. They can grow in size up to 15m….I know, I know, someone has to find a converter for us less mathematically inclined. That’s somewhere around  50 feet and probably why scientists and other brainy individuals without a speech impediment  refer to them as MEGAAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE. Now, I want you to say that 10 times backwards!

They grow to 50 feet of course and live to 70 plus if they first  survive human disturbances, prey depletion, pollution, hunting, entanglement in nets and collisions with vessels. Thousands upon thousands were wiped out by commercial whalers but luckily since 1966 they are now under the protection of the Whaling Commission .

Declared an endangered species we must all do our best to respect our “brothers” of the sea. Salt Cay whale watchers are fascinated by their antics. The humpback whale loves to flipper slap, breach, lobtail and generally frolic sometimes close to a boat which they approach out of natural curiosity.

When we go on a Turks and Caicos whale watching expedition it is important to remember that these grand and noble mammals deserve respect and are not a  sideshow but a rare opportunity and unique experience to observe them in their natural environment. On this we must stand united and as we all well know “United We Stand” is a catch phrase that covers a lot of ground these days!

TURKS & CAICOS WHALE WATCHING CHARTERS

Many Turks and Caicos whale watching enthusiasts come and stay with us for a week on Salt Cay. Pirates Hideaway offers vacations that include whale watching and accommodation.

DAY TOURS

Visitors to Turks and Caicos Islands are invited to fly from Providenciales and Grand Turk to participate in this fabulous show from mother nature. Day tours and overnighters will be arranged for you, from interisland flights to meals and accommodation. Just contact us and we’ll do it all for you!

Email info@pirateshideaway.com

Turks & Caicos Whale Watching – Caribbean Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale – Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere are proving to be different from those north of the equator (the northern species is known as M. n. angliae). The Humpback Whale is unlike any other Rorqual. The body is robust and narrows rapidly in front of the huge tail flukes. The head is broad and rounded, but the median ridge is indistinct and has been replaced by a string of fleshy knobs. Two further lines are arranged along the jaws.

The fin is small and varies in shape from triangular to shark-like. It is set two-thirds of the way back and mounted on a fleshy platform unlike that of any other Baleen whale. The most characteristic feature of the humpback is its enormous flippers. They are almost a third of total body length, about 5 metres (16 feet) long and heavily scalloped.

Length: 12-15 metres (40-60 feet) Lifespan 70-80 years.

The whale’s colour is generally blackish with a white area covering the throat grooves. It has broad flukes with highly scalloped edges, moderately notched. The underside of the flukes are marked with a variable pattern of white, making each whale recognisable at the surface as it throws its tail into the air. The flippers are mottled black and white with white underneath.

The blow is distinctive, seldom more than 3 metres high (10 feet) and is a single, straight column that spreads at the top, like the spout of a fountain. Breathing sequence usually involves 2 or 3 minutes at the surface, blowing once every 20-30 seconds, followed by a deep ‘humpbacked’ dive for 3-28 minutes. The fin is seldom seen until the high, rolling dive brings the hump into view before sounding. In warmer water, the number of breaths taken between dives is reduced from an average of 6 to 3.

Humpbacks often leap clear of the water, usually in an arching backflip, which brings the pale pleats of the throat into view. These whales can often be found lying motionless on the surface with one flipper hoisted like a sail. This raised flipper can slap the water hard, producing a noise like a gun shot. An even louder sound can be made by bringing the tail down sharply upon the water surface. This is called a lobtail.

Whales in Danger Information Service - http://whales.magna.com.au/home.html
Turks & Caicos Policy for the Protection of Humpback Whales & Other Cetaceans
Whale Watching in Turks and Caicos Islands 
Whale Watching Extravaganza in Turks and Caicos Islands

BEAUTIFUL BY NATURE is the National slogan  of the Turks and Caicos Islands which is  rumored were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and now some 500 years later is being “rediscovered” as one of the fasted growing travel destinations in the Caribbean.

Famous for her secluded beaches, crystal clear turquoise blue waters, un spoilt reefs and dramatic walls this archipelago has some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world.

GEOGRAPHICAL  LOCATION  

The Turks and Caicos Islands are one of the last remaining British Colonies and located some 575 miles southeast of Miami Florida with the Bahamas about 30 miles to the Northwest and the Dominican Republic some 100 miles to the Southeast.

The country consists of two groups of islands, the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands which are separated by a 22-mile passage called the Columbus Passage. To the west are the Caicos group: West Caicos , Providenciales , North Caicos, East Caicos and South Caicos. To the east are the Turks group: Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

Email info ‘at’ turksandcaicoswhalewatching.com

Visit Salt Cay Tours and see all Salt Cay has to offer

www.saltcay.tc | www.saltcaytours.com | www.pirateshideaway.com
turksandcaicosbirdwatching.com | turksandcaicoswedding.com
turksandcaicoshoneymoon.com | turksandcaicoswhalewatching.com
turksandcaicosdiving.com | salt cay directory | salt cay information 
historic preservation of salt cay | turks and caicos handcrafts | middle caicos realty 
ecotourism in turks and caicos | pine cay private island | turksandcaicosbonefishing.com
jeep rental on provo | turks and caicos directory | turks and caicos spca 

The first historic MASKANOO celebration took place last  year on the 27th of December to resounding success and enthusiasm.  This event, aimed at showcasing the islands’ cultural heritage with the incorporation of activities indigenous to the TCI including “Masses”, Junkanoo, food, drink, arts, crafts and local entertainment (including ripsaw, drums etc), comes again this year, on December 26th!

The celebration will take place along Grace Bay Road between Seven Stars Resort and Salt Mills Plaza, creating a close‐knit environment in the”Tourist capital”of Providenciales.

MASKANOO will run until midnight, with vendors selling local food and beverage, arts and crafts along the route. A variety of entertainment will be scheduled every hour on a main stage to be located opposite the Regent Village Entrance.

A grand finale with fireworks will take place on the beach at mid‐night.

Don’t miss this historic cultural event!

For more information contact:

Caesar Campbell – manager@turksandcaicoshta.com

Shernelle Blackman – Shernelle@bornewellmarketing.com