With an emphasis on high-end, low-impact tourism, rapid development has been held at bay and helped to maintain the delicate balance between commercial interests and environmental ones. Height limits along Grace Bay have slowly increased, but most resorts are still under five stories (the new Ritz-Carlton, at 12 stories, may challenge the status quo). Most resorts have implemented their own eco-initiatives. The West Bay Club has its own waste-treatment system and recycles gray water (wastewater from dish, shower, and sink, and laundry water) for landscaping purposes. Each room in the Wymara Resort is equipped with an Energy Management System (electricity is turned on with your room key), and a high-efficiency central air-conditioning system reduces consumption by 30%. On Parrot Cay, the construction of a large coconut plantation is part of the resort’s drive toward self-sustainability.
The entire Grace Bay Area has been awarded national marine park status. No commercial or sport fishing is allowed in the protected 6,500-acre Princess Alexandra National Park. National marine parks have been established on and around just about every island on the Turks & Caicos Islands. TCI dive operators are educated in reef preservation and resource conservation.
East Bay Resort, South Caicos
All the rooms in East Bay Resort feature views of the 1.5 mile private beach in South Caicos, part of the Admiral Cockburn National Park. Admiral Cockburn National Park is a 480-acre stretch of marine and terrestrial protected area in South Caicos, in which East Bay Beach is included. Protected because of its stunning natural features, including island bluffs, azure water, and fantastic dive sites.
East Bay Resort offers an abundance of services and conveniences: a beachfront pool, swim-up bar, open-air restaurant, spa, fitness center, tour desk, PADI-certified dive shop, tennis court, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, free airport transfers and more. On East Bay Beach guests have access to free kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. The resort has 3 beachfront restaurants along with full kitchens in each resort room.
East Bay Resort is located less than a mile from three famous diving sites: the ‘Arch’, the ‘East Bay Spur’ and the stunning ‘South Caicos Wall’. A bucket list dive destination, the South Caicos Wall plunges from 35 to more the 7,000 feet and offers endless undersea rock formations, coral gardens, and an astonishing biodiversity of marine sea life.
The wild Red Cushion sea stars that make up famous Starfish Alley are a highlight of any trip to South Caicos. Witness the sea stars in their natural habitat, and marvel at their beautiful colours against brilliant white sandbars. The water is crystal clear and makes for stunning photographs.
South Caicos has many small, private beaches to enjoy. Guests can use the complimentary bicycles or kayaks to explore the beaches just off the resort. Renting a car is another option to explore the beaches of Bell Sound and the Northern Tip. East Bay Resort also offers boat tours to the secluded beaches of Long and Fish Cays.
Wymara Resort & Villas, Grace Bay
Grace Bay Beach, which was recognized as the “Best Beach in the World” by the 2018 Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards, is right in Wymara Turks + Caicos’ backyard. The resort is positioned on the more secluded western edge of the beach, offering a private area for sun and beach lovers. Hobie Cats, kayaks and paddle boards are included in your stay
Wymara resort includes 91 guest rooms and 7 villas. Glide into wellness with BE WELL at Wymara, an expertly curated program designed to heal the mind, body and spirit using the abundant healing properties of the surrounding ocean blues, a state-of-the-art Villa Sports Club, The Wymara Spa, and an exclusive open-air Game Room, offering games such as billiards, ping pong and arcade games.
Wymara offers oceanfront activities such as kayaking eco tours, snorkeling excursions and wilderness tours. Several marinas located within minutes of Wymara Villas put more adventurous ocean expeditions at your fingertips.
COMO Hotel & Resort
Residing on Parrot Cay, adjacent to the island of North Caicos, COMO Resorts are committed to reducing the use of precious natural resources and minimizing the impact on the environment. Water and energy consumption are managed by installing efficient equipment and fixtures. COMO sources locally whenever possible, supporting local producers, entrepreneurs, social enterprises and non-profit organisations.
North Caicos is commonly known as the ‘green island’ due to its abundance of plants and very little development, reflecting the old tropical way of life. Here you can explore the historical Wade’s Green Plantation, experience the local animal and fruit farms and learn about the Caicos Pine Tree project. You can also head down to the coast to explore the remote beaches, bird ponds and bountiful nature preserves in the area.
COMO Parrot Cay is an award-winning Turks and Caicos luxury resort set on its own private island. With 1,000 unspoilt acres and over four miles of beach, they deliver foot-in-the-sand luxury. All rooms, suites and beach villas have soothing interiors along with COMO’s service ethic, holistic therapies, yoga, diving and worldclass cuisine. The island’s two restaurants serve gourmet and easy dining as well as healthy COMO Shambhala Cuisine. Watersports, diving and island adventures complete the Parrot Cay experience.
Harbour Club Villas & Marina
Harbour Club’s unique position between Flamingo Lake and the Caribbean Sea creates an all-natural playground: kayaking, hiking, diving, horseback riding, bird watching, kite boarding, SUP’s, catch-and-release bonefishing, or simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon on one of numerous beaches in the area.
Paddle around in complimentary kayaks and explore the coastline outside the marina channel within the little coves and tidal beaches or seek out flamingos and other birds in the mangroves and shallow lake waters. Natural beauty surrounds Harbour Club Villas and Marina: native plants and flowers, exotic wild orchids, turk’s head cactus, old man cactus, sweet scented joewood, sapodilla, tamarind, pomegranates, coconut trees and papayas and so much more.
Harbour Club’s green commitment includes use of photocells and CFL’s where appropriate, timers on all pumps to reduce utilization of electricity, use of wastewater treatment plant and processing of all waste on property, use of natural ventilation and ceiling fan use is encouraged, reduced use of paper napkins, straws, and coasters to eliminate unnecessary waste, & use of environmentally friendly gardening without using harsh pesticides.
Harbour Club consists of six, one-bedroom vacation cottages, four times larger than a hotel room. The kitchen is fully equipped with stove, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, cutlery, dishes, glasses. Guests are provided with beach chairs, coolers and beach towels.
Amanyara, Providenciales
Sitting on the secluded shores of an 18,000-acre nature reserve, Amanyara’s lush tropical pavilions overlook half a mile of white sand beaches and the turquoise waters of Providenciales’ North West Point Marine National Park. A retreat for all ages, the resort offers restorative wellness retreats and endless possibilities for discovery above and below the waves.
The Nature Discovery Center’s environmental program focuses on the discovery and conservation of indigenous wildlife. Children over 12 can look forward to sailing and Seabob tours, GoPro underwater photography expeditions, mountain biking, mangrove safaris and more. Younger children can take part in the centre’s Learn to Sail Academy, Swim Camp, and kitesurf lessons. Specialist guides lead expeditions along the rocky shore as well as hosting critter safaris, scavenger hunts and bird-watching walks.
Spend time at the Nature Discovery Centre for an insight into the beauty and balance of the undersea ecosystem. Embark on an eye-opening adventure in the world below the waves, and get a crash course in marine biology, learning how corals are the cornerstones of ocean life. In partnerships with Sustainable Oceans International, Amanyara’s Adopt-a-Coral project invites guests to help preserve and rejuvenate the island’s reef by sponsoring a piece in the resort’s coral nursery.
Contemporary & stylish in layout, each of our pavilions has been designed to maximize privacy & ambiance. With floor to ceiling windows on 3 walls, enjoy stunning views of the ocean, tranquil ponds, or surrounding gardens. All have private entrances, wooden sundecks & king-size beds.
