Turks and Caicos IslanderTurks & Caicos Property Management and Vacation Villa Rentals

Living in paradise, one would imagine that we wake up every morning, thrilling to eternal sunshine, glorious sugar-fine white sand and azure blue waters lapping at our shores.  Alas no.  Just like folks who live next to a train station (not that this is a great comparison!), we eventually become inured to our environment.  Too often, we forget to ‘smell the roses’.  When surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature on a daily basis, one can start taking ‘Her’ for granted.

Yesterday, my best friend of some 40 years, arrived on Provo for the first time.  And Amber, being a flamingo enthusiast (well, that’s somewhat of an understand because she loves flamingos in any shape or size, whether real, stuffed or plastic sitting on your lawn) wanted to know about the famed flamingos of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  Sadly, I had to advise her that this was not the season to see them. (And just so you’ll know, I live on Flamingo Lake, where flamingos flock in the winter season, right in front of my home, to partake of their favorite repast…those teeny tiny shrimp that provide them with their outstanding and outlandish pink/orange hues!)

This morning, however, barely awake, I received a text from a wonderful island friend, Caren, advising me that the flamingos were in front of my house.  What?  Flamingos?  I rushed outside, camera in hand, determined to get pictures for my BFF Amber and her beautiful partner Lisette.

So, now that my morning flurry of photographic activity has ceased and I have settled in to my chair to blog, I am captivated by this series of coincidences.  Amber, who asks for flamingos.  Caren, who texts me about them unknowingly, today of all days.  And our incredibly flamboyant flamingos – some 50 of them this time – who have returned ‘home’  to the lake at this rather odd time.  And now that they’re here, hopefully, they’ll stay awhile.  So Amber, a NY film producer and director, will be able to memorialise her beloved flamingos. Oh, how the fates have conspired!

But did the fates indeed conspire? Perhaps it was Amber, throwing together some magic to make events coalesce, while mentally nudging Caren to let me know the famed Turks & Caicos flamingos were back. Or was it simply that they have been here regularly and I have  become inured to their sight?  Be that as it may, whether magic or the fates aligning, I am reminded that I do indeed live in paradise, surrounded by beauty.  But more importantly, time must be taken to not only enjoy, but honor its magnificence!

And so, Turks & Caicos, I salute you; my home, my beloved, beautiful, home, sweet home…

Bike Rentals

Mountain $30-$50/day (styles vary)

Road and Cross Bike $80/day

Carbon Fiber Road bike $100/day

Beach Cruiser $25/day

Tubes, Clear Bottom Kayac, Stand up Paddleboards

Tubes $20/day includes rope

Clear bottom Kayac $75/day includes Paddles

Stand up Paddleboard $75/day includes Paddle

Inline Skates

K2 inline Skates $25/day all sizes available

Kites

7 meter – 17 meter Kites $75/day

Harness $25/day

Kite board $50/day

Total package with all 3 items $125/day

Wakeboards/waterskis/Snorkel Gear

Wake boards $25/day

Waterskis $25/day

Rope $5/day

Snorkel Set (mask, snorkel, fins) $20/day or $18/day on 3 days or more

PFD $5/day

Beach Cruiser

Boats “Captain Yourself” (proof of Boat Worthiness required)

Edgewater 188 cc with Yamaha 150 hp 4 stroke, includes PFDs, GPS, Tube and rope.

Boat Charters for waterski, wakeboard, tubing and snorkeling

Mastercraft X Star

Max 10

$350/hr, $900/1/2 day, $1500/full day

Mastercraft BF 200

$300/hr, $750/1/2 day, $1250/Full Day

(Instruction included)

*50% deposit required on all activities and rentals

*refund on deposit outside 48 hours

*24-48 hours cancellation, surrender of deposit

*0-24 hrs cancellation. 100% billed

Web: www.nautiquesports.com

Mail:nautiquesports@tciway.tc

Mail for bike rentals only: caicoscyclery@tciway.tc

Contacts:

Bike Rentals-Sales-Service -Tyler Dutton 649 431 7544

Watersports bookings/rentals -Doug Camozzi 649 431 6890

Shop phone 649 941 7544

Turks and Caicos is known for having the world’s best beaches. You have to see them to believe it! But not everyone wants to spend their whole vacation enjoying fine white sand and sun. For the active traveler, particularly one who likes water and trying out new sports and activities, there’s plenty to do in our azure blue waters just off our famous beaches! So remember, when planning your trip or if you’re already here, there’s lots to do here besides ‘beaching’. Try kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing with Nautique Sports or Big Blue, or go diving with Caicos Adventures,
or snorkeling and fishing with Silver Deep.

For all those clients who ask me to make recommendations for boat charters for deep sea fishing, bone fishing, day excursions and snorkeling adventures, having now compiled information from hundreds of guests over the past four years,the popular favorite is  Silver Deep with Captain Arthur Dean and his son AJ.

Captain Arthur Dean, aka Shadow, comes from a long line of men of the sea, with a rich history, coupled with a mystical knowledge, of the waters of the Turks & Caicos Islands.  And this family also has a deep historical tradition of building their own sloops. The following pictures are of Captain Dean, his son AJ (with a monster bone fish), and the latest sloop they have built, called “Tradition”.

But as the following pictures will show, Shadow and AJ don’t just have the sea in their blood, they provide guests with lots of yum, fun, incredible ocean experiences and adventure too.

Whether you’re looking for an island exploring adventure, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, or catching yourself a fightin’ bonefish, Arthur and the crew of Silver Deep will ensure the experience of a lifetime.

And when you get hungry, as these pictures attest, you’ll get lots of good eats too, as he cooks the catch on one of our many secluded and incredibly beautiful beaches!!

So, whether short or tall, big or small, it’s never too early – or too late for that matter – to experience a Turks & Caicos Islands water experience of a lifetime on one of Captain Arthur’s multiple boats.

And as per our usual concierge service, when you book one of Tranquility’s fabulous vacation rentals, we will be thrilled to organize your dream boating water adventure, whatever that might be, with Silver Deep!

I am so often queried about the extremely popular and exciting sport of bonefishing here in TCI, that I decided to put “pen to paper” in my blog.

For those of you not in ‘the know’, Captain Barr Gardiner describes bonefish this way:

“The elusive bonefish is wily, nervous, skeptical, extremely “spookable”, with a reputation as saltwater’s most “fighting fish,” pound for pound.” And he goes on to add:  “A 4 pound bonefish can tear away 200 yards of line on the first run. Eight-pounders can take an hour to land. All will run 5 to 10 times before you finally win.”

So, if this is an experience that you’re looking to enjoy while vacationing in the Turks & Caicos Islands, or you’re coming back to do it again, here are some links you’ll probably enjoy:

http://www.turksandcaicosbonefishing.com

http://www.silverdeep.com/fishing/bonefishing.htm

Whomever you chose to book with, get ready for a fishin’ fight!!

(Captain Darin with a bonefish)

ECOTOURISM IN TCI
By Sara J. Kaufmann

Eco-tourism is participating in ecologically sustainable activities, which ideally bring benefit to the local ecosystem. Turks and Caicos Islands has set aside over 33% of its entire land and sea regions for preservation purposes: National Parks, Natures Reserves, Sanctuaries and Protected Areas. The world’s largest biodiversity saltwater wetland reserve – the Ramsar Site – accounts for of 1/3 of East Caicos, ½ of Middle Caicos and ¼ of North Caicos and provides a breeding ground for myriad birds. By preserving these areas, the Turks and Caicos Islands have taken a stand to ensure future generations may still enjoy the natural wonders of this tiny island country.

Although it may seem odd to pair ecotourism and convenience in a sentence, the simple access to unspoiled nature in Turks & Caicos Islands is indeed convenient – both getting to the country and getting to pristine sites once here. This is a tiny country, of forty individual islands – of which only a dozen are inhabited. The archipelago formed by the islands creates a circle, nestled within which we find a wide variety of lifestyles, culture and natural habitats.

The reef is the major feature here in Turks & Caicos, with spectacular walls of coral disappearing into the ocean depths – and TCI is noted as one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations. The protection of the reef is paramount, with dive boat anchor buoys set up, dive etiquette taught to all and knowledgeable dive operators strictly licensed. The health and vibrancy of the TCI reefs is glorious and the experience of drifting gently as an underwater visitor quite awesome. Best yet, for those not inclined to the complexity of scuba diving, the experience of the reef is available by pattering along the surface with a mask and snorkels, lazily watching the myriad small darts of colour, as fish dart in and out of the coral heads.

Kayaking is another special venture here. Sitting on the water, moving through the waves and exploring the mangroves that provide habitat for thousands of birds and nurture the early sea life…. Channels of sand open into quiet bays, tide shifts and dry land becomes covered again – a constant flow that is mesmerizing and fascinating. Kayaking trips are offered on all islands and allow you to commune at your own pace with the sparkling world where the seas meets the shore.

The inner banks are miles of shallow sand set apart from the deep ocean beyond the reef by the circle of islands, and it here that the bonefish cluster. One of the fisherman’s most respected challenges, bone fishing in TCI is a catch and release sport, full of excitement as the bonefish expertly dive and defy the skills of the cast lines. Their bright silver bodies twist and sparkle in the tussle and if caught, they are returned to the sea. A glorious day on the banks leaves you tired and exhilarated, yet pleased to have had your fun in an ecologically viable way.
Hiking is another way to enjoy the beauty of Turks & Caicos Islands, stretching your legs while the fantastic scenery fills your eyes. Miles of pristine beach, pathways to old colonial ruins and trails along the cliffs all await for you to explore. The tough indigenous vegetation colours the land with green, and while surprising yellow or orange leaps up from cactus and flowering shrubs. Take a local guide and listen to the tales of bush medicine made form a wide variety of the plants, good for most ailments. Mountain bikes offer another route through the landscape, and stops at local houses where a warm welcome awaits add to your day.

Most visitors to TCI stay on Providenciales, the main developed island but eco -tourist excursions to the other islands provide a welcome contrast, and take you into the island culture in a fascinating way.

The local residents on the ‘family islands” live a life far removed from the bustle of international tourism on Providenciales, maintaining a dignity and traditional lifestyle that is well worth a visit. The handcrafts produced on many islands by the resident’s use raw materials gathered form the land, grasses and palmtops cleaned, dried, cut and sewn into baskets, hats, brushes, brooms and bags for all uses. A stop to the Middle Caicos Co-op outlet in Blue Hills on Providenciales will introduce you to this traditional art, and your purchases directly support the local residents. This is sustainable ecotourism at its best.

A quick outline of the many islands and excursion alternatives is offered below:

Little Water Cay: A short boat trip from Providenciales you can explore the Turks and Caicos rock iguana preserve, and visit with these fascinating prehistoric wee beasties.
North Caicos: Spend the day exploring a world gone by…strolling through the pastures of former plantation Wade’s Green whose ruins depict island life long ago. Find the natural splendors at Cottage Pond, a bottomless center in the limestone rock, and see the protected pink flamingos in their natural habitat. Kayak in Bottle Creek to the east bay islands reserve…sand islands lost offshore, or ride a bicycle through the winding roadways of Kew. Meet the residents and stop for a taste of local food in a variety of local establishments along the way.

Middle Caicos: A day trip to the most undeveloped island of all…with 300 residents, three villages and five churches. Hike an historic trail along the cliffs, a trail used by natives of long ago to cross between North and Middle Caicos. From the village of Conch Bar, up over the spectacular cliffs at Mudjin Harbour, following the shore to Blowing Hole and all the way to the Crossing Place. The trail is marked with beautiful ceramic cameos and is an inspiration to hike.

A picnic and swim at Mudjin Harbour is truly spectacular, and walk to the Dragon Cay set just offshore at the end of a sands pit. A challenging mountain bike trip along the King’s Road, a handcraft demonstration and a lunch in local home is another great day activity on Middle Caicos. The Conch Bar Caves National Park is famous throughout the Caribbean and guided tours easily arranged.

South Caicos : This island is well known as the fishing capital of TCI. Its placement near the deep Columbus Passage, dividing the Turks and the Caicos island banks, allowed for easy deep water access, but the plethora of small cays nearby allowed for safe plentiful fishing grounds nearby.

Cockburn Town was the original seat of government in colonial times. It is an island of huge variety as the salt pans are circled by high ridges, which offer truly astounding. In some ways, it is the only real town in the country, as the settlement has stayed relatively focused on the harbour – whereas most villages and towns in TCI are rather indistinct and spread out. The international School for Field Studies has been on South Caicos for decades, doing important marine research and working closely with the TCI government to enable best practices to keep the fishing industry viable.

Salt Cay: A day trip via airplane or an overnight exploration, Salt Cay is a very tiny island with a very active history. Walking tours through Balfour Town, echoing the days of the salt merchants and salt rakers who made this island thrive in the 1800′s, are informative and fun. Whale watching from January to March is awe-inspiring, as each year the pregnant whales pass by and frolic on their way. Simply flying over to Salt Cay is a fabulous chance to observe this island country from a new perspective.

Grand Turk: A day trip via airplane or an overnight exploration to the capital of country takes you to a world of colonial architecture and pallet of pastels that make up this island. Take time to visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum which features Taino treasures, messages found at sea in bottles, as well as some momentos recovered from old ship wrecks. Grand Turk has charm if its own, and its history is tangible in the buildings, saltpans, and narrow streets. Although now boasting a modern cruise ship terminal and destination, this island still retains its own identity to explore.

If you enjoy waterskiing, wakeboarding, or wake surfing and wondered if there is any way to do this in the Provinciales area, there sure is!  Although Grace Bay doesn’t allow any of the above, one outlet (Nautique Sports) has a great selection of top of the line Mastercraft boats and excellent instructors to facilitate your urge to ski, board or surf!

There are always spots on the island where there is excellent conditions for skiing etc, so don’t worry if you see waves off your hotel as the island is pretty small and your guides can easily find a place with the water conditions perfect for towable water sports in the Turks and Caicos.

From TripAdvisor.com

So while on Provo…take advantage of the opportunity to get out on the water and have some fun.

For marine enthusiasts, visit The JoJo Dolphin, Whale and Wildlife Project.  You can also view this wonderful video of JoJo and Dean or the see Dean swimming with the whales!

Diving enthusiasts, enjoy this under sea voyage of discovery in TCI.

Please click on this video link to see an overview of the TCI!!