Turks and Caicos beaches offer idyllic conditions for a variety of watersport activities, and if you prefer relaxing to staying active, they are perfect for that as well. These are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and so many photos of Turks and Caicos center on them, which only adds to the overall allure, and there are plenty to choose from across the archipelago. The eight main islands certainly boast many gems, and you can always consider escaping to one of the many cays to kick back on their sandy shores. Whichever beach you end up on in this Caribbean island chain, the sand is likely to be soft and white and the water a stunning turquoise color. It is also likely that the sun will be shining, as the Turks and Caicos Islands weather averages around 350 sunny days on an annual basis.

Thanks to the reefs that surround the various islands in the Turks and Caicos, the territory's beaches are relatively well-protected. Big waves are rare, as the reefs break them up, and this lends to excellent swimming conditions for people of all ages. Families with small kids will especially find the Providenciales beaches of Sapodilla Bay Beach and Taylor Bay Beach to be ideal, as the water is both calm and shallow. You can actually wade out a hundred yards or more at these beaches and still have your head well above water.

The Providenciales beaches are among the most beautiful and most popular beaches in the Turks and Caicos, and they're essentially iconic, as far as the typical images of Caribbean beaches go. The popularity has a lot to do with the fact that this island is the most highly visited island in the chain. The king of the Providenciales beaches, and all the beaches in the Turks and Caicos when it comes down to it, is Grace Bay Beach. Twelve miles of sumptuously soft sand is among this beach's attributes, and while many of the best Turks and Caicos hotels can be found along this twelve-mile stretch, there are plenty of areas where you can essentially have the beach to yourself. All of the Turks and Caicos beaches, it should be noted, are relatively uncrowded and free from over development, thus making them ideal for relaxing beach vacations.

Turks and Caicos Map

Grace Bay Beach pretty much has it all, which is why so many Turks and Caicos visitors choose to base themselves in the immediate area. That's not to say that the other Providenciales beaches should be overlooked. Not far from Grace Bay Beach, you will find the sheltered beach that is Long Bay Beach. As is true of Sapodilla Bay Beach and Taylor Bay Beach, Long Bay Beach features especially calm waters, thus making it ideal for young children, and should you be interested, it is possible to enjoy horseback riding excursions on the sand.

The Grand Turk beaches are also some of the most beautiful and most popular beaches in the Turks and Caicos. Governor's Beach is the most popular of all, and this has a lot to do with the fact that it can be found near the Turks and Caicos cruise port. Soft white sand once again awaits you at Governor's Beach, and the snorkeling is utterly divine. Should you have the time, you might also visit Pillory Beach during your Grand Turk escape. This beach also offers scenic beauty and is known for its wonderful scuba diving opportunities. You can actually find a resort with its own PADI dive shop on Pillory Beach.

It's not hard to find the perfect beach in the Turks and Caicos. Salt Cay has some divine beaches of its own, for example, and the islands of North Caicos, South Caicos, and East Caicos can satisfy beach lovers with ease. The island of North Caicos has one of the livelier Turks and Caicos beaches. Known as Horse Stable Beach, it hosts a variety of events throughout the year, the likes of which include beach parties. All in all, however, the beaches on these islands are akin to most of the other beaches in the chain. This means that they are beautiful, serene, and prime for water activities such as snorkeling and diving.