Tour Options in Turks and Caicos Islands

Whether by taxi, boat, or plane, you should try to venture beyond your resort's grounds and beach. The natural environment is one of the main attractions of the Turks and Caicos, yet few people explore beyond the natural wonder of the beach. Big Blue Unlimited has taken ecotouring to a whole new level with educational ecotours, including three-hour kayak trips and more-land-based guided journeys around the family islands. Their Coastal Ecology and Wildlife tour is a kayak adventure through red mangroves to bird habitats, rock iguana hideaways, and natural fish nurseries. The North Caicos Mountain Bike Eco Tour gets you on a bike to explore the island, the plantation ruins, the inland lakes, and a flamingo pond with a stop-off at Susan Butterfield's home for lunch. Package costs range from $85 to $225 per person.

Nell's Taxi offers taxi tours of Provo, priced between $25 and $30 for the first hour and $25 for each additional hour.

Special day excursions are available from local airline Air Turks & Caicos. Trips include whale-watching in Salt Cay, and trips to Middle Caicos or North Caicos that include, in addition to the flight, a map, water, lunch voucher, and a mountain bike for the day for exploring. Trips start from $99, which includes round-trip air. Day trips to Grand Turk are available with Air Turks & Caicos; for around $179, you get a round-trip flight to the capital island, a short tour, admission to the Turks & Caicos National Museum, lunch, and time to explore on your own.

Information

Air Turks & Caicos (649/946-5481 or 649/946-4181. www.airturksandcaicos.com). Big Blue Unlimited (Leeward Marina, Leeward, Providenciales. 649/946-5034. www.bigblue.tc). Nell's Taxi (649/231-0051).