Conch Farm

Long Bay Highway, Providenciales  •  Ph: (649) 949-5330  •  Fax: (649) 946-5849

Providenciales is home to the only Conch Farm in the World. The Queen Conch (pronounced “konk”) is a large marine snail that lives in the waters of the northern Caribbean, Bermuda and off the shores of Florida. Conch “meat” is a staple in Caribbean diets and is now enjoyed in many forms around the world (e.g. conch fritters, conch chowder, conch salad). Many people enjoy the decorative qualities of the shell, and the rare conch pearl. The Conch Farm was established in 1984 to help re-populate the Caribbean with conch, as its population had dropped dramatically over the last 10 years, and to increase the production of conch “meat”. Explore the fascinating process of farming conch, from collection and hatching, to watching the metamorphosis to maturity (i.e. 4 years old). Guided tours are available Monday to Friday, open 9 am to 4 pm. Afterwards, shop at The Conch Boutique for T-shirts, gifts and shells. Cost of tour is $6 per adult.

Glow Worms

Glow worms are observed in the evening, during the mating of marine worms, in the shallow waters of the Caicos Banks. The mating of the glow worm is timed by the moon, and occurs each month, five nights after the full moon. The luminescent mating display of the glow worm can be observed approximately fifty-five minutes after sunset and lasts roughly fifteen minutes. The female releases an egg mass which emits a pulsating green as it spirals to the surface. When the male encounters an egg mass, he darts and zig-zags into it and the system “turns on” with a brighter glow which subsides to darkness a few seconds later. This spawning cycle is controlled by the lunar and solar patterns and, as such, varies from month to month. If you are interested in observing the glow worms, you should contact a boat or tour operator for more details.

JoJo The Dolphin

JoJo is a 9' male bottlenose dolphin that has cruised the waters surrounding the Turks and Caicos Islands, primarily Provo, for over 25 years.  Over the years his shy demeanour has diminished and he has become active with humans in the water, often following boats and greeting people. Although he is a friend of the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands, visitors are asked to remember that JoJo is a wild dolphin and not a pet. One needs to exercise caution when with him. It is not a good idea to feed or touch JoJo, or “chase” him. If at any time you do not feel comfortable with JoJo you are advised to leave the water.

“The Hole”

“The Hole” at Long Bay, off of Seasage Hill Road, is a naturally existing limestone chimney. It is over forty feet across and eighty feet deep, with a salt water bottom. Be careful as it is not fenced off and is dangerous for children and those who are unsteady on their feet. You are advised not to attempt to enter the hole.

National Parks & Reserves

The Turks and Caicos Islands offer a wealth of history and untouched nature reserves for tropical wildlife, birds and flora. The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has set aside thirty-three specific protected areas, areas, totalling over 325 square miles of National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries and Historical Sites. About 210 square miles of these protected areas consist of sensitive and ecologically essential wetlands ratified under the International Ramsar Bureau, an international treaty, protecting intertidal and shallow water flora, water birds, conch, lobster and fish nurseries. The National Parks were designated to protect the environment and wildlife habitats. Every island and many of our cays offer interesting natural and historical sites to visit and explore. For more information on the National Parks and Nature Reserves contact the Department of Environment & Coastal Resource/ Ministry of Natural Resources, Grand Turk:  Ph: (649) 946-2855  •  Fax: (649) 946-2970  •  E-mail:  .

Protected Buildings

In addition to the various National Parks, Nature Reserves and Historical Sites, the government has also designated a number of Protected Buildings that cannot be torn down, as a measure of keeping the country’s cultural heritage intact. The following buildings have been deemed protected:

• Grand Turk: Guinep Tree Lodge, the Police Station, Turk’s Head Inn, Miss Wood‘s Home, Government House, Governor’s Mansion and the Prison.

• South Caicos: the District Commissioner’s House, the Salt Sheds, and the Salt Works.

• East Caicos: Jacksonville Plantation

• North Caicos: “Wade’s Green” Plantation and Bellevilledere Plantation.

• West Caicos: Yankee Town.

Sunsets, Sunrises & Star-Gazing

The pollution-free, clear skies of the Turks and Caicos Islands allow for wonderful stargazing. The sunrises and sunsets are often breathtaking. An early morning or evening stroll along the beach can be healthy, beautiful and romantic. During the summer months the sun rises at approximately 6 am and sets at about 7 pm. In the winter, sunrise is at approximately 6:30 am and sunset is at about 5 pm. During an evening, when the horizon is clear, free of haze and clouds, you may see a “green flash”. In order to see this phenomena, wait until the sun touches the horizon and watch for the the last rays to disappear.

Turks & Caicos National Museum

Guinep House, Front Street, Grand Turk  •  Ph: (649) 946-2160  •  Fax: (649) 946-1059

A wealth of information about the culture and the history of the Turks & Caicos Islands is stored in the National Museum. Come and see artifacts from the Molasses Reef Wreck, the earliest known shipwreck in the Western Hemisphere (pre 1509 AD.) It was also the first shipwreck site to be excavated and exhibited. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. Cost of the museum tour is $5.00 per person.