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Go on a snorkeling adventure right from our Turks & Caicos hotel

February 16, 2012 – 4:30 pm

A popular Turks & Caicos hotel day trip that our guests really seem to enjoy is the half-day “Snorkeling Adventure Excursion” offered by Reef Peepers – that can be easily booked directly from our hotel.

On this tour you will embark on a power catamaran boat ride through the uninhabited cays and secluded beaches of Providenciales, with the opportunity to snorkel the barrier reef and experience firsthand the beauty of Provo’s underwater world. Our resort guests are first picked up by boat beachside, before embarking on this three and a half hour tour that includes use of top-quality snorkeling equipment and expert snorkel instruction, signature rum punch, bottled water and snacks as well as the opportunity to dive for conch and watch the crew prepare a fresh conch salad that will be enjoyed by all! Tour participants will also take a trip to Iguana Island for an up-close encounter with the island’s native rock iguanas.

Reef Peepers Offers A Snorkeling Adventure Tour

Situated alongside the world-famous Grace Bay Beach, our pristine Turks & Caicos hotel location offers guests the opportunity to experience a snorkeler’s paradise that is just a few fin-strokes away.  The beautiful coral reefs located just offshore are brimming with a multitude of vibrant coral, turtles, exotic sting rays and hundreds of dazzling fish including Peacock Flounders, Parrot Fish and Porcupine Fish to name a few. Grace Bay Beach is one of the few remaining unspoiled coral reef ecosystems in the world and the surrounding popular snorkel sites include the barrier reefs as well as two magnificent underwater snorkeling trails located at Smith Reef and Coral Gardens Reef.

This snorkeling adventure is guaranteed fun for the whole family! Even if you’d rather not get wet, there’s more than enough fun aboard the 40-foot catamaran that provides a protective canopy shade for getting out of the sun, plays Caribbean music to get you in the vacation spirit and provides a very comfortable ride so you can sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery and views of Providenciales from the ocean. The price of the tour is $90 for adults and $60 for children (ages 3-12). An additional fee of $5 per person is required to access Iguana Island – to help protect this endangered species site. Here’s a full list of snorkel, dive and outdoor adventure excursions offered by The Sands at Grace Bay.

The Sands at Grace Bay is a Turks & Caicos hotel.

 

 

 

 

By njctravelpr | Posted in Blog | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Planning a beach wedding, Turks & Caicos

February 9, 2012 – 2:19 am

When planning a beach wedding on Turks & Caicos, it’s important to remember that anyone can get married on this British Protectorate, but is some red tape that must be negotiated; it’s probably better to leave it up to a your hotel to help you manage everything.

First, you will need to stay on this islands for at least 72 hours before getting married. You’ll also be required to purchase a wedding license, and you’ll have to find a certified officiant to marry you. Combined with the planning required to create a truly memorable destination wedding, it’s probably best to let the hotel do everything for you.

A Turks and Caicos resort is well equipped to help out in any situation. For example, divorce papers or death certificates, if originally in a different language, must be translated into English, as should passports.
There are other things you can leave for the hotel to take care of:- Choosing the best venue, as well as decorations
- Choosing the menu
- Selecting entertainment
- Providing activities for guests to do
- Makeup and dress fitting
- Coordinating pickup of guests from the airport (and getting them back there again as well)
- planning the ceremony itself, and conducting a dress rehearsal
- finding and arranging for an officiant who will conduct the wedding.

The hotel will do most of the work for you, and will do it in style. This means you have more time to think about what to do during your honeymoon!

And there’s lots to do here.

Provo, the hub of the Turks and Caicos, a British Protectorate floating in the Caribbean Sea, has grown over the past 15 years, but in a good way. Thanks to an international airport that offers quick and easy access to the American mainland, there are enough tourists to support a rich and vibrant hotel cluster with enough choices for every taste. While there are many reasons to visit the islands, Turks and Caicos weddings are gaining a reputation as the world’s best.

Most people head to Grace Bay, but others opt for a sunset cruise on Chalk Sound or Sapodilla Bay, or Turtle Tail and Long Bay.
Whatever you choose to do here, planning a beach wedding, Turks & Caicos means you will end up having a very romantic time!

 

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Tips For Planning Romantic Island Activities in Turks & Caicos

February 2, 2012 – 4:54 pm

With Valentine’s day soon approaching, we wanted to take some time to provide you with tips for planning some romantic excursions on your next vacation at our Turks & Caicos

resort. From our breathtaking oceanfront location alongside Grace Bay Beach coupled with our spacious suites and luxurious amenities, The Sands at Grace Bay is a simply a blissful setting for a romantic Turks & Caicos vacation. What kind of romantic escape are you looking for?…exotic, luxurious, adventurous, relaxing…your ultimate vacation is here for the taking.

Not only does the resort offer several affordable and customizable Romance packages that feature alluring inclusions like a chilled bottle of champagne in your room, a Swedish massage for two , and a Couples Sunset Beach Cruise, but there are also many lesser known ways that couples can enhance their romantic stay at The Sands at Grace Bay. Here are just a few tips for making your next couple’s vacation in
Providenciales more memorable, based on previous guest experiences and our insight into some of the most romantic island activities:

  1.   Go Horseback Riding Along A Secluded Beach – Provo Ponies on the southeast end of Providenciales offers a charming horseback riding experience along a four-mile secluded stretch of Long Bay Beach.  Provo Ponies offers small group guided horseback riding tours as well as private rides that are ideal for beginners to advanced riders, where you’ll have the chance to leisurely ride a horse along quiet paths and on the pristine white sands of Long Bay Beach. Riders can even take the horses into the crystal clear turquoise ocean waters for a truly unique experience.
  2. Take a self-guided Tour of Providenciales & the Island Beaches by Bike – Come explore the idyllic splendors around The Sands with your loved one at your own pace.  You can take advantage of our free bicycle rentals for a fun day trip. On this bicycle ride you’ll experience some of the most captivating beaches in the world. If you’re craving privacy, seek out Malcolm Beach,   situated away from the mainstream resort beach stretches.
  3. Arrange A Glow Worm Cruise For A Magnificent Evening Ocean Encounter – for three to six nights each month after a full moon, there is a natural display of underwater bioluminescence produced by Turks & Caicos “glow worms” that can be seen about an hour after sunset in the ebbing tides of the Caicos banks.  There are several local charter boat companies that offer tours and cruises to enjoy this amazing bioluminescent experience where you will set sail and take-in a beautiful, island sunset at sea. Once the sun is down,  a magnificent underwater display of glowing dances make the waters aglow as part of  the monthly mating ritual for the Turks & Caicos glow worms. The sparkling stars that you will see both in the sky and underwater on this fascinating sailing excursion make it a once-in-a-lifetime, romantic and memorable night.

For more information on planning a romantic Turks & Caicos vacation or for details on our Romance and Wedding Packages, visit http://www.thesandstc.com/rates-and-reservations/packages/.

By njctravelpr | Posted in Blog | Comments (0)

Announcing Our Spring Travel Package “Deal To Dive For”

January 23, 2012 – 6:02 pm

The Sands at Grace Bay Unveils A 20% Discounted 4-Night Travel Package Featuring Luxurious Resort Accommodations Plus Two Full Days of Two-Tank Diving For Travel Through April 6, 2012! Travel Package Deal Features $350+ in savings!

The Sands at Grace Bay has partnered with Ocean Vibes LTD – a leading PADI dive and snorkel facility in Providenciales – to offer an incredible “Deal To Dive For” travel package for new bookings made at this popular Oceanside resort for travel now through April 6, 2012. The 4-night package features a 20% resort rack rate discount plus 20% discounted rates for two days of Scuba Diving. This travel package deal enables dive enthusiasts to score more than $350+ in savings at a luxurious resort coupled with a top notch PADI Dive operation, offering World Class Scuba Diving that explores Turks & Caicos, rated one of the world’s top 10 dive destinations.

The complete “Deal To Dive For” package includes the following:

  • 20% OFF 4-Nights at The Sands at Grace Bay in Studio Courtyard Accommodations Including Hotel Taxes & Service Charges.
  • 20% OFF Two days of Two-tank Dives offered through Ocean Vibes, which includes free hotel pick-up and drop-off, a scenic 45-foot boat ride that will transport guests to the best dive sites around the island, state-of-the-art, SCUBAPRO dive equipment including regulators, wet suits and BCDs and a complimentary lunch and snacks/refreshments.

 

This popular small group dive excursion takes approximately six hours to complete and all Scuba Divers are required to provide valid certification from a recognized training agency in order to dive. Ideal for both beginner and advanced divers, each day’s dive will be based on the local conditions and the skill levels and interests of the participating guests. Included in the total package price, dive certified guests will receive the special 20 percent discounted rate for the two days of diving for only $272 pp, including dive equipment rentals. Without valid certification, guests must first complete a “discover scuba” course with one of the Ocean Vibes instructors before they are able to dive on this excursion. For those without a valid certification, the discounted per person price of $340 pp includes a pool training dive session plus the two days of two-tank diving.  For more information on the Ocean Vibes Dive Packages, please visit http://www.oceanvibes.comor call Toll-Free at1-866-450-DIVE (3483).

The Sands at Grace Bay’s “Deal To Dive For” travel package is valid for new bookings made for four consecutive nights or more now through April 6th, 2012. The offer includes two discounted Scuba Dive Day Trip excursions offered through Ocean Vibes, with the option of adding on additional daily dive excursions.  This offer is valid for all room categories and rates will vary based on room type, additional night add-on’s and hotel availability at the time of booking. For more information about travel package rates or to book, guests must call the resort’s toll-free reservations line from the U.S. (877) 777-2637; or from Canada (800) 567-5327 and request the “SCUBA DIVE” travel package. Travel agents can only receive commissions on resort rates for this particular travel offer (commissions will exclude the scuba daily dive package excursion rates.)

By njctravelpr | Posted in Newsroom | Comments (0)

Encounter a dolphin at our Caribbean luxury resort

January 23, 2012 – 5:24 am

So you’ve decided to come and stay at our Caribbean luxury resort. If you’re very lucky, you may get a chance to swim with a friendly dolphin.

The British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos is spread out across nearly 200 different islands and cays in the Caribbean Sea, of which only 8 are inhabited. Long expanses of deserted white sand, such as Long Bay Beach, offer the most romantic honeymoon or special vacation in a private villa.

Providenciales, also known as Provo by its residents, is the most developed of Turks and Caicos islands, and features shopping and fine dining opportunities, as well as an international airport near Grace Bay that offers easy access to Miami. The convenience and sophistication of Provo is a perfect contrast to the isolated wildness of the territory – 80 percent of the Turk and Caicos are uninhabited and is home to wildlife that can be found in few other parts of the world. For example, dolphins have long been linked Grace Bay, and one dolphin in particular has prompted the government of the Turks and Caicos to establish 27 national parks and protected areas, in an effort to safeguard the country’s pristine shores and coral reefs.

The dolphin’s name is JoJo, an Atlantic Bottlenose who has visited the crystal clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands for thirty years, one of a rare handful of dolphins around the world who voluntarily interacts with human beings in the wild. These types of dolphins are known as lone, sociable or ambassador dolphins.

Loved by the islanders and visitors alike, the government has recognized JoJo as a National Treasure, and has appointed a warden to protect him. There is even talk of providing him with a luxury Caribbean villa with a saltwater swimming pool.

The friendly dolphin has become a symbol for the natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Sparsely populated and so far unspoiled, the islands offer a special experience to all those who travel or live there.

This article was written by Charles Edwards for the Sands at Grace Bay, a Caribbean luxury resort on the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos.

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Turks and Caicos nature reserves and parks

January 16, 2012 – 3:28 am
Turks and Caicos nature reserves and parks

Courtesy Panoramio

Everyone thinks sun, sand, and, possibly, scuba when traveling to the Turks and Caicos, but there’s an entire natural world of wonder awaiting visitors.

TCI’s geologic past
Geographically, the Turks & Caicos Islands are part of the Bahamian island chain. The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of two banks of land which rise to a height of 9842 feet (3000 meters), with only the last 140 feet or so above water level. The Turks and Caicos Banks, like the Bahamas, are built on pieces of the continental crust that broke away when North America separated from West Africa. These remnants of continental debris are buried under thousands of feet of limestone rock which has been formed by the decomposition of skeletal remains from marine organisms and precipitation of calcium carbonate material.

Natural places to visit on Provo

The result is a unique ecosystem that has remained largely intact, even after millenia of human habitation and more recent settlement and development.

Chalk Sound National Park
Quite close to downtown Provo, Chalk Sound National Park features beautiful views of turquoise waters and brilliantly white islets topped with emerald foliage. Interesting carvings from shipwrecked sailors can also be found on the beach.

Sapodilla Hill Area of Historical Interest
Sapodilla Hill is at the southernmost tip of Providenciales, next to the anchorage at Sapodilla Bay. Since at least 1760, visiting mariners have been making inscriptions on the rocky face of the hill to mark their visits. In 1999 the National Museum sponsored the making of plaster casts of the site to ensure preservation of the inscriptions which are on display at the airport.

North West Point Marine National Park
Northwest Point Marine National Park includes nearby reefs and several saline lakes that attract breeding and migrant birds, and offers easy access to diving and other water sports.

Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park
Princess Alexandra Land and Sea National Park features seagrass beds, barrier and patch coral reefs, sand banks, fringing mangroves, beach and low dunes, and seaside vegetation, and is a must-see for visitors and locals in Providenciales. The park offers easy access to some of the better beaches and near shore coral reefs in the island. Most of the hotels are located along the beach providing good ocean views, and convenient access to watersports and beach activities.



Pigeon Pond and Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve

The Pigeon Pond and Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve is a time capsule of TCI’s natural history, and features hundreds of acres of pristine tropical woodlands represented by hardwoods, orchids, perching birds and reptiles some of which are found nowhere else on earth.


Charles Edwards has a special interest in Turks and Caicos nature reserves and parks


								

				

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Grace Bay things to do: watersports

				
January 9, 2012 – 1:56 pm

				


So you’ve made it to Grace Bay and your Caribbean vacation. For most, it’s enough to sit on the white sugary sand of Grace Bay Beach and gaze out at the beautiful azure tones of the Caribbean, or perhaps relax at the pool, in the private seclusion of gardens of tropical plants.


Others, however, get itchy feet, and need to relax by actually doing something. If you’re looking for things to do in Grace Bay, we recommend these 2 watersports.


SNUBA

Want to witness an amazing 7,000 foot drop off and stunning coral reefs, but don’t have a scuba license? SNUBA may be for you. For all intents and purposes scuba diving, SNUBA is a system that provides you with air underwater, but does not require special technical training. You’ll be able to spend more time underwater discovering superb sites and underwater marine life. In the last decade on Turks and Caicos, divers have begun to discover some of the finest coral reefs and walls in the world. From the legendary walls of Grand Turk, West Caicos and Provo’s Northwest Point to the historic wrecks south of Salt Cay, a dozen world-class walls have become Mecca for the serious diver.


Kayaking eco safari

Experience the beauty and tranquility of the Turks and Caicos as you paddle a glass bottom kayak through gentle, shallow waters surrounded by seaweed meadows. See various plants, birds and an impressive Osprey nest. The clean bottom kayak will allow you to see the marine life that lives in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Great for bird watching, this is a true eco safari.


Always a source of Grace Bay things to do, Charles Edwards frequently blogs on Caribbean topics


 


								

				

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Things to do in the Caribbean: Splashdown Grand Turk

				
January 4, 2012 – 12:58 pm

				


things to do in the caribbeanIf you’re looking for an unusual something to do in the Caribbean (in this case the Turks and Caicos), why not check out Splashdown  Grand Turk? As its name implies, this attraction is located on the island of Grand Turk, about 20 minutes by plane from Provo, the Sands at Grace Bay’s home island.


Splashdown Grand Turk is a free exhibit located at the Grand Turk Cruise Center that features exhibits, replicas and memorabilia from the Mercury Space Program, specifically the Friendship 7 mission, which ended when John Glenn splashed down in his capsule in the Atlantic, just a short distance from the Turks and Caicos Islands.


Splashdown Grand Turk also features a lot of cool stuff, such as a 20-foot-tall replica of the Atlas rocket that carried John Glenn into space, plus a reproduction of John Glenn in his space suit, and a life-sized model of the Friendship 7 space capsule itself.


There’s also a lot of other cool stuff to see, including more space memorabilia, lots of detailed models, and displays that talk about the past, present and future of space flight.


The attraction is perfect for families with young children, and can be reached by air, cruise, charter, or even your own sailboat.


Charles frequently posts about things to do in the Caribbean


								

				

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Turks & Caicos information: top 3 things to do

				
December 27, 2011 – 2:49 am

				


We’re proud to say that the Turks & Caicos are natural paradise that appeals to lovestruck newlyweds, serious explorers, and families with children – there’s something to do here for everyone in this natural playground. However, not everyone is familiar with our islands, so we’re preparing a serious of blog posts that detail Turks & Caicos information.


Today’s topic: things to do on the Turks & Caicos


While the Sands at Grace Bay offers the perfect relaxing retreat, either by the side of the pool, or on a sandy beach with views of beautiful turquoise ocean and even bluer sky, there are plenty of other things to do around the islands if you’re in the mood to explore.


Here are the top 3 things to do here:


1. Scuba Diving


The Turks and Caicos island chain features the third-longest barrier reefs in the world – it’s over 125 miles long, and shelters the north shore of the island of Providenciales.and the reef is perfect for scuba diving.


With spectacular underwater visibility providing excellent opportunities to explore spot the coral reefs, sea mounts and sea walls, as well as encounters with schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, eagle rays, sharks and even migrating humpback whales, the Turks and Caicos barrier reef is a must-see destination for anyone interested in underwater activities.


The Turks Bank is also another popular scuba destination, and is made up of two expansive underwater limestone plateaus. If you’re hoping to encounter turtles, dolphins and Blue Marlin, head to the Turks Bank.


2. Explore Provo’s natural beauty


On terra firm, the island of Providenciales (where Sands at Grace Bay is located) features many salt marshes that act as a watery landing strip for migratory birds including egrets, terns and frigates. Bird watchers can track more than 150 species of birds, such as pelicans, flamingos, osprey and Cuban crows. There’s even a Flamingo Pond that’s home to hundreds of these graceful pink creatures.


If you feel like chartering a tour, there is also habitat on isolated cays for rare iguanas.


The Turks and Caicos are also famous for limestone caves, among the most expansive in the entire Caribbean. Middle Caicos, to the east of Provo, has the most limestone caves. Once on Middle Caicos, visitors are greated by the towering cliffs that climb above Mudjidin Beach. The caves themselves are reached after a short walk across the Cay.


3. Relax on the beach


Providenciales and the Turks and Caicos are known all over the world for superb beaches, romantic sunsets, and an premium mix of privacy and tasteful oppulence. Sit beneath the shade of a beach umbrella and enjoy a magnificent panorama of soft white sand, azure ocean and cloudless skies the color of sapphire by day, and blazing sunsets and sensual moonlight bynight.


Not everyone is familiar with our islands, so we’re preparing a serious of blog posts that detail Turks & Caicos information.


								

				

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Turks and Caicos things to do for Christmas and New Years

				
December 19, 2011 – 6:11 am

				


things to do turks and caicos christmas
Courtesy TCI Tourism


There are many things to do on Turks and Caicos during the Christmas holiday season. Here are a few activities:


2nd Annual Maskanoo Celebrations

Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and the Cultural & Arts Commission (CAC) are pleased to announce the 2nd annual Maskanoo Celebrations. Maskanoo will be held in the tourist capital of Providenciales, following a route along Grace Bay Road between the Regent Village and Salt Mills Plaza. Persons attending the event will enjoy the street parade, local music, island food, arts, & entertainment.


Post-Christmas Beach Party

On December 28, come out to enjoy local band, native foods, model sailboat racing, kayak racing, handcrafts and more. Ferry/bus combo tickets from Provo and local bus for North & Middle Caicos available. Church groups cook & raise funds for their projects-call 231-4884 for details.


Old Year’s Night

Old tradition for bringing good luck in the new year. All night service in churches, everyone rings out old year and rings in New Year with bells, church gatherings and community greeting.


New Years Eve Parties

Ports of Call, Providenciales – Live Music – No Cover

Check with the local restaurants for special events


Jump Up Junkanoo

Junkanoo street music takes place from midnight to sunrise, New Year’s morning on most islands.


If you have any ideas for more things to do on the Turks and Caicos during Christmas, please let us know!


								

				

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