When you daydream about jewel-blue waves rolling up onto white sandy shores, you’re daydreaming about Turks and Caicos. This small Caribbean archipelago is indeed a vision of paradise, with a colorful local culture, bespoke luxury experiences and a wealth of natural splendors (including no shortage of deserted beaches). Here’s how to spend a perfect day in this lush tropical wonderland.
A pink sunrise ushers in another warm Caribbean day. From your private villa at The Shore Club - an exclusive resort on the most sought-after stretch of Providenciales' Long Bay Beach - you wake up with a private yoga session on the patio before heading off for your morning meal.
Breakfast is in the garden-like setting of The Shore Club's Almond Tree Restaurant. With dishes like coconut barley porridge with fresh plum jam and rice n' peas with poached eggs and jerk hollandaise, it's easy to dive right into local flavors. After finishing off with fresh fruit smoothies, it's time to prepare for the day's sun-filled exploits.
First up is horseback riding with Provo Ponies, a business that started out as a rescue organization. You'll be introduced to its dozens of beloved horses, several of which will take you for a private ride along the powdery shores of Long Bay Beach - you'll even get to take these water-loving horses into the ocean! For those more akin to pitches than ponies, a game awaits at the nearby Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club. This 18-hole championship course is frequently voted one of the best in the Caribbean, and was recently re-turfed with Platinum Paspalum grass, the industry's gold standard.
It's time to refuel at Da Conch Shack, a local favorite with a "dining room" that sits right on the beach. Beneath swaying palms, tuck into island delicacies like refreshing conch salad, fish tacos, grilled lobster, fried plantains and tangy key lime pie.
Bathing suits on and sunscreen packed, you're ready to step aboard your private yacht. With an experienced captain at the helm, the rest of the afternoon is spent plunging into crystal clear waters; snorkeling among some of the world's most vibrant coral reefs; exploring the beaches of tiny, uninhabited islands; and lounging on the deck with a cocktail in hand.
Once everyone is out of the water and toweled off, it's time for a gourmet dinner served aboard the yacht, with freshly-caught fish as the star of the meal. As you savor your show, watch as the sun dips below the horizon and floods the surrounding waters with vivid shades of purple, pink, red and orange; it's an enchanting end to an unforgettable day.
