TURKS AND CAICOS

TURKS AND CAICOS OFFER FAMILIES THE VACATION ADVENTURE OF A
LIFETIME
Caribbean Islands Are Home to the Most Exciting and Kid-friendly
Activities and Resorts for Spring Break 2006

Families looking for the ultimate spring vacation packed with adventure,
world class water sports, educational eco-activities, and kid-friendly
resorts needn’t look any further than the beautiful
Turks and Caicos
Islands
in the Caribbean.

“For families who want the vacation adventure of a lifetime this spring, the
Turks and Caicos Islands are a sure bet with a multitude of activities and
resorts that both parents and kids will love,” said Director of Tourism
Lindsey Musgrove. “With our miles of white sandy beaches, rich
underwater sea life and private islands ready for exploration, families will
experience an exotic, fun and educational vacation in paradise.”  

While the Islands are indeed an ideal place to relax, take in the warm
Caribbean breezes, and lounge on pristine beaches, there are many
other activities that just
can’t be missed. With all the Islands have to offer, families can choose
just how adventurous they want to be! Here are some of the best
activities* for families who want to make their vacation an adventure they
won’t forget:

•        
Conch Farm: Turks and Caicos is home to the world’s only conch
(pronounced "konk") farm, where Caribbean Queen conchs are raised
from veliger to adult (conch is a large type of ocean mollusk and the
second best known edible snail. Conch has been a popular food source
throughout the Caribbean since the time of Christopher Columbus.). Here
at the farm you can watch how the farming process is done, enjoy a show
with two trained and very friendly conchs, see beautiful and rare conch
pearls, and even purchase fresh conch for a fabulous conch salad, a true
authentic specialty dish of the Islands.

•       
 Cave Excursions: A visit to the limestone caves on the island of
Middle Caicos is a truly unforgettable experience. The cathedral-like
limestone in the caves reaches down to underwater lakes that the whole
family will love to explore. These caves (the largest in the Caribbean)
were home to the Islands’ original settlers, the Lucayans, and guided
tours are available daily. Guided tours are also offered on the uninhabited
island of East Caicos, where people have discovered ancient Lucayan
petroglyphs on the cave walls. Tours are offered by Silver Deep, J&B
Tours, and Turkoise Excursions.

•        
Ocean Glow Worms: Two to three nights of each month there is an
event like nothing you have ever seen before: the waters surrounding
Providenciales light up with glow worms! This phenomenon, which only
takes place in
Turks and Caicos, happens around the full moon when
these sea creatures mate and radiate a luminescent glow in the waters.
Sunset cruises and boat tours of this exquisite event (accompanied by
fantastic star gazing) are offered by Silver Deep and J&B Tours.

•        
JoJo the Dolphin: JoJo is a unique Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin that
has been living and playing in the shallow waters of the
Turks and
Caicos Islands
since 1980. He is one of the few dolphins around the
world that voluntarily interacts with human beings in his own natural
habitat. Very much loved by the islanders, the government has proclaimed
JoJo a national treasure, with a warden who is specially appointed to
protect him; the friendly dolphin has also become a powerful symbol for
nature conservation in the
Turks and Caicos Islands. While swimming off
the Islands’ shores in the warm waters, your family might just be lucky
enough to see JoJo, or even get the chance to swim with him, as he is
seen almost daily playing near the beaches and alongside boats! For
more information about JoJo and marine conservation in Turks and
Caicos, please visit http://www.marinewildlife.org.

•        
Little Water Cay or “Iguana Island”: The Turks & Caicos Rock
Iguana (Cyclura carinata), the largest native animal in the Islands, is
found nowhere else in the world. These shy and harmless reptiles were
once found on nearly all of the islands in the Turks & Caicos archipelago;
unfortunately, they no longer reside on islands where livestock and
domesticated animals have been introduced. Little Water Cay, a small
island inhabited by some 2,000 Rock Iguanas, is now the docile iguanas’
most famous refuge. The island has a boardwalk that allows visitors to
easily view these amazing creatures. A trip to “Iguana Island” is sure to
amaze, so make sure to plan a trip if someone in your family is a reptile or
nature lover!

•        
Diving/Snorkeling: If your family loves a true adventure, nothing can
beat exploring a mystical underwater world, abundant with tropical flora
and fauna, fish, and other exotic marine life, when diving or snorkeling in
the Turks and Caicos. The Islands are surrounded by one of the most
extensive coral reef systems in the world and boast excellent visibility (up
to 200 ft.), making the Islands an award-winning diving destination. With a
22 mile-wide channel (the Columbus Passage) separating the Turks
Islands from the Caicos Islands, diving experts believe the Turks and
Caicos has the best diving in all of the Caribbean. When venturing into the
8,000 ft. deep Columbus passage, your family may come across
Humpback Whales (during migration season), Spotted Eagle Rays,
Manta Rays, turtles, and dolphins, since the passage serves as a major
transit line for these amazing marine creatures.

You do not have to be a diver to enjoy the amazing underwater sights in
Turks and Caicos. For those with smaller children or no diving
experience, the shallow reefs close to shore and the warm, clear waters
make for a wonderful snorkeling experience for the entire family. Many
boat trips also include snorkeling, and equipment can be purchased or
rented throughout the Islands. The destination is such a hit with water
enthusiasts, it has been named by Scuba Diving magazine: “Best Fish
Life,” “Best Overall Destination,” “Best Wall Diving,” “Best Beginner
Diving,” and was most recently ranked No. 1 “Healthiest Marine
Environment.”  

•        
Humpback Whale Migration: There is nothing in the world like
seeing a magnificent giant whale (or pod) up close during your spring
break vacation in the
Turks and Caicos. The majestic North Atlantic
Humpback Whales can be seen around the islands of
Grand Turk and
Salt Cay from late January through early April as part of their annual
migration for mating and birth. While on a whale watching boat trip you
will have the opportunity to encounter these amazing creatures while you
learn interesting and educational facts about the mystical creatures from
experienced guides. Be sure not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime
experience!

•        
Windsurfing/Kiteboarding: For the ultimate water sport junkie,
windsurfing or kiteboarding in the Islands is a must-do activity! The calm,
reef-protected turquoise seas, combined with constant easterly trade
winds make for excellent sailing and surfing conditions. In fact, the clear
and warm waters offer perfect opportunities for beginning windsurfers
and kiteboarders who are looking to master the sport, and advanced
athletes who are looking to perfect their technique in paradise!  
Windsurfing Provo offers windsurfing and kiteboarding equipment and
lessons (group and private) for beginner to advanced sailors on beautiful
Grace Bay Beach. They also rent kayaks, Hobie sailboats and Carolina
Skiff motor boats for adventures the entire family can enjoy! For more
information, please visit http://www.windsurfingprovo.tc.

In addition to the number of amazing outdoor adventures you and your
family can enjoy in the Islands, many of the leading resorts offer services
that cater specifically to families to ensure that both parents and kids have
a vacation of a lifetime. These resorts include:

BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS
•        Beaches Turks & Caicos resort and spa has been voted the world’s
best family all-inclusive resort year after year. This amazing tropical
hideaway has more to offer than you could ever imagine in your wildest
dreams. And when the adults are at play—so are the kids! With Beaches’
highly trained supervisory staff, you can be rest assured that the young
ones will always be well taken care of. At Beaches Turks & Caicos, kids of
all sizes, from the Littlest tots to strapping teens, have the ultimate place
where they can play until the sun goes down. The property boasts five
swimming pools, 10 specialty restaurants, 12 bars (for mom and dad), an
“ultra nanny” service, an XBOX game oasis, and a supervised kids camp
for children of all ages. The famous Pirates Island water park gives kids a
fantasyland to call their very own. Complete with a giant waterslide, a kids-
only pool with swim-up soda bar, a jungle-themed game room with all the
latest video games, a ’50s diner guaranteed to delight youthful appetites,
a teen disco, a movie theater and so much more – this truly is a world of
wonders for the young and the young at heart. In addition, as a proud
sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches is delighted to welcome some very
fun and furry friends to its family resort.  Beaches has partnered with the
celebrated children's program to offer exclusive activities and fun from
dining with favorite Sesame Street friends Elmo, Zoe, Cookie Monster and
Grover, to parenting seminars and special themed weeks featuring live
performances by members of the Sesame Street cast.  Now, Bert and
Ernie have also joined the party to bring exclusive live shows by Sesame
Street characters to guests each week.  For more information and
reservations please phone toll free (800) BEACHES or visit http://www.
beaches.com.

THE PALMS
•        The Palms, a luxury resort nestled on world-famous Grace Bay, is
home to the Conch Kritters Club, specifically designed to entertain
younger guests. This new kids club is available throughout the spring
season as well as during school holidays.  Young participants can
engage in one of many exciting adventure tours or enjoy facilities at the
club house while their parents relax by the pool or at the spa.  The
program is available daily, offering half-day, full-day or evening scheduled
activities with a ratio of one to five kids per counselor for children ages
four to 12-years-old.  The children are engaged daily in a varied program
of both indoor and outdoor age-appropriate activities including sand
sculpting, kite flying, beach Olympics, art projects, and exercises enabling
them to experience a stimulating and fun-filled day.  For children
participating in the full-day or evening programs, a healthy lunch or dinner
from a set menu, plus a snack, are included in the price. The Club also
has a program designated for active teens ages 13-16, where the group
ventures off together for fun activities such as kayaking, horseback riding
or a visit to the conch farm. Babysitters are also available to all guests at
the Palms. There is a small fee associated with the programs; for more
information and reservations, please phone toll free (866) 877-PALM or
visit http://www.thepalmstc.com.

OCEAN CLUB AND OCEAN CLUB WEST
•        Ocean Club and Ocean Club West, located on exquisite Grace Bay
Beach
, is an ideal family-friendly resort where land and sea and
relaxation and recreation meet in perfect harmony. With access to two all-
suite properties located an easy mile from each other, active families
have an array of activities to choose from, such as tennis, snorkeling, golf
and sailing. The resort also provides access to an outside nanny agency
for parents who wish to have some time alone for romance or unwinding.
Ocean Club and Ocean Club West, a five-minute shuttle or 20-minute
stroll apart, provide comfortable, family size suites complete with kitchens
and spacious living rooms. The kitchens provide all the comforts of home
with microwaves, dishwashers, ovens/stoves, full-size refrigerators and
coffee makers (studios have kitchenettes). Plus, with washers and dryers
in every suite, families can travel lighter and not worry about kids who
have the tendency to get a little (or a lot) dirty. For more information or
reservations, please phone toll free (800) 457-8787 or visit http://www.
oceanclubresorts.com.


About Turks & Caicos
The 40 islands of the Turks & Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are
renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving and array of world-
class resorts. Additional activities include tennis, golf and horseback
riding. The islands feature a variety of spa and body treatment services
and is home to the world’s only conch farm. There are three daily 75-
minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte,
and weekly flights from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and
Toronto. For more information on travel, visit the Turks & Caicos Islands
Tourist Board Web site at www.turksandcaicostourism.com or call (800)
241-0824.