Grace Bay Beach embodies the platonic ideal of a Caribbean beach with white, powder-soft sand and luminous turquoise waters. Add spectacular sunsets every day of the week, and you might call the place paradise. Once you’ve admired the view, there’s lots to do here: You can go parasailing or snorkeling, learning to sail a Hobie Cat or take a cruise on a catamaran, or just enjoy a beautiful sunset cruise.
There are a number of restaurants and beach bars at the resorts that line the beach. For the classic Turks and Caicos experience, make sure to try conch, which is usually served in deep-fried fritters or marinated in a ceviche-style salad.
There’s very little shade at the beach, so consider renting an umbrella, and make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat.
The beach has very calm waters that are ideal for swimming.
The beach is 3 miles long, so if you want to visit a specific restaurant or resort, check the location before setting out.
Grace Bay Beach is located on the northeast coast of the island of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. The closest airport is Providenciales International, which is about a 15-minute drive from the beach. There is no public transportation on the island, so visitors must rent a car or take advantage of the numerous local taxis.
Grace Bay Beach is open to the public all year round. High season in the Turks and Caicos Islands is from December to March; this is when Providenciales is at its busiest but also when the most tours and activities are available. Hurricane season runs from June until the end of November, and rain is frequent during this season, even if there isn’t a hurricane-class storm.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are an excellent snorkeling destination, offering extremely clear water. To snorkel right from the beach, without having to book a ride on a boat, head to Bight Reef (also known as Coral Gardens); the spot even offers a snorkel “trail” to make your experience as easy as possible. The waters are home to parrotfish, rays, and sometimes even a sea turtle or two.