# The beaches of Turks & Caicos

Guides to the islands' best shores: when to go, what to do, and where to stay nearby.

## Providenciales

The main island for visitors, home to the airport, most resorts and the best-known beaches.

- [Grace Bay Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/grace-bay): Just over three miles of soft white sand on the north shore of Providenciales, with calm, clear water protected by a barrier reef.
- [Smith's Reef](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/smiths-reef): A string of reefs just off the beach near Turtle Cove, and the best easy-to-reach snorkeling on Providenciales. You swim straight out from the sand.
- [Long Bay Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/long-bay-beach): A three-mile beach on the southeast side of Providenciales with shallow water that runs a long way out. It's the island's most popular kiteboarding spot.
- [Leeward Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/leeward-beach): The quiet eastern continuation of Grace Bay, with soft white sand, few people and views across the channel to Little Water Cay.
- [Chalk Sound](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/chalk-sound): A national park lagoon on the southwest side of Providenciales, famous for its vivid turquoise water and hundreds of tiny rocky cays.
- [Sapodilla Bay](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/sapodilla-bay): A small, sheltered bay on the south coast of Providenciales with calm, shallow, warm water that's ideal for young children.
- [Taylor Bay](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/taylor-bay): A quiet cove on the south coast of Providenciales, just west of Sapodilla Bay, with very shallow, calm water and few people.

## North Caicos

The greenest of the islands, with long, quiet beaches. A 30-minute passenger ferry ride from Providenciales.

- [Whitby Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/whitby-beach): A quiet 1.2-mile beach on the north coast of North Caicos, with shallow turquoise water, casuarina shade and the barrier reef offshore.

## Middle Caicos

The largest and least developed island, reached by ferry to North Caicos and a drive over the causeway.

- [Mudjin Harbour](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/mudjin-harbour): Three miles of limestone cliffs, caves and small beaches on the north coast of Middle Caicos, with the rocky outline of Dragon Cay just offshore.
- [Conch Bar Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/conch-bar-beach): A rugged, uncrowded stretch of the north coast of Middle Caicos, with dunes, limestone cliffs and excellent snorkeling on calm days.
- [Bambarra Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/bambarra-beach): A long, calm bay on the north coast of Middle Caicos with shallow, clear water and views out to Pelican Cay.

## Grand Turk

The capital island, with historic Cockburn Town and the cruise center. A short domestic flight from Providenciales.

- [Governor Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/governor-beach): A wide, sheltered beach on the west coast of Grand Turk, between Cockburn Town and the cruise center, with clear, shallow water.
- [Pillory Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/pillory-beach): A quiet, sheltered beach just north of Cockburn Town on Grand Turk's west coast, with soft white sand and shallow, clear water.

## Salt Cay

A tiny, quiet island south of Grand Turk, known for its salt-raking history and winter humpback whales.

- [North Beach](https://www.sastci.com/beaches/salt-cay-north-beach): The longest and best beach on tiny Salt Cay, with white sand, turquoise water that's usually sheltered, and small reefs close to shore.