If I had to choose between a vacation in Grand Cayman or Provo in Turks and Caicos, what would you choose. We have no kids and we like snorkelling and exploring but generally low-key vacations.

Definitely Turks and Caicos. It's less touristy and many people in the U.S. have never heard of it and that makes it all the better!

T&C - VERY quiet magnificent beach, good right-from-the-beach snorkeling<BR>GC - more developed, good beach, good snorkeling<BR>So if quiet is important I would pick T&C

Of all the places we've been, these two are my favorite.<BR>I would have to say the snorkeling is better in GC - lots more fish, you feel like you are in an aquarium & also the water is warm.<BR>However, in T&C the water is "bottled water clear" & the beach is gorgeous. More restaurants & night life in GC, but T&C is "quaint" caribbean. Both are very safe.

Have been to Grand Cayman once and Provo in the Turks and Caicos 12 times. GC is very touristy with cruise ships etc. Expensive as you lose 25 cents on the dollar with the exchange rate. Better restaurants on Provo. Fantastic beach. Last 7 times we have stayed at Coral Gardens a condo development. Reef for snorkeling right off the beach. If yu go to www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com and Click on Turks and Caicos and reviews I have a review of Coral Gardens with restaurant recommendations. Super place for a low key vacation. If you E-mail me I can send you a great aerial picture of CG

Howard, to give some perspective on your opinion about GC....where did you stay, and which restaurants and snorkeling spots did you try on GC? There are tons of great places to snorkle right off the beach in GC, can the same be said of Provo?

Maureen--We stayed at Treasure Island Beach resort. Ate twice there at Blackbeards. Also ate at the Warf, Almond Tree, Cracked Conch, and a place on the way to Rum Point. Rum Point was a very nice area. One of the best places we ate was above a liquor store next to Treasure Island Don't remember the name. Took a snorkeling trip to three reefs which was good. Ended up at Stingray reef with about 500 other people. Was a zoo. Were there for the first two days of Pirates Week which was fun but thousands of people. I didn't mean to infer that Grand Cayman wasn't a nice place to go. It just isn't my cup of tea. Too touristy. I can go to McD's BurgerKing, Pizza Hut and Hard Rock Cafe in the states. The original poster wanted a low key vacation and I felt Provo would be the better choice. The beach at Grace Bay beats 7 Mile Beach hands down

Howard, there is no McD's in Cayman, and GC has some of the best restaurants you will find in the Caribbean,(Ottmar's, Brasserie etc)there is great snorkling right from the beach and diving is amazing. Only certain parts of Cayman are touristy and the sister islands are very secluded. I'm impressed by some pictures I've seen of Provo and the similarities to GC like water clarity, so I'm researching it to see if I would be disappointed after GC. Coral Gardens looked to be the only place to stay where the snorkeling is really close by. Are there any other great snorkeling locations? I noticed that Grand Turk and Salt Cay made it onto Rodale's list at http://www.scubadiving.com/feature/s...inations.shtml but I don't see Provo on any of their lists (I'm a diver).

Howard,<BR><BR>You mentioned that the restaurants are better on Provo than on GC, but unfortunately, the restaurants you mentioned on GC are hardly the best choices. In fact, most of what you mentioned are average at best. I am not doubting that the restaurants are excellent on Provo, but should you ever make it back to GC, you can do a LOT better on restaurant choices. <BR><BR>As far as comparing the two islands, you are right on the money, GC is very touristy, where Provo is quiet.

Okay I'm not going to get into a p---ing contest about Restaurants. We were there as a part of a trip sponsored by a local radio station and the price was right for 6days and 5 nights which really turned out to be 4 days and 5 nights because of arrival and departure times. If I was going to pick a place to stay it probably wouldn't have been Treasure Island. Only had a car for 2 days so saw almost all of the island including Hell. If I went back I would go to Cayman Brac or Little Cayman which are more laid back. Maureen-- There are two reefs that come right up to the beach in Provo the one at Coral Gardens and the one at Bight Reef. For diving there are lots of dive operators who go to walls etc in Grand Turk, North, Middle and West caicos and Grand Turk. Also a lot of good half day snorkel tours. The beach at Grace Bay has been consistently been rated the best in the Caribbean by Conde Nast and Caribbean Travel and Life. If you e-mail me with your address I will send you a great aerial photo of Coral Gardens The most frequent comment I hear from visitors to Provo is that in a few years it will be another Grand Cayman. For more Provo info check out www.wherewhenhow.com the on line magazine of the Turks and Caicos

I hear that the best time to go to Provo is in the summer months, because the water temp can be quite chilly up there in Bahamas territory in the winter months. True?

Howard, Provo could NEVER become another GC, i.e., as NICE as, no matter how built up it became because the infrastructure, "beauty" of the island, etc., just CAN'T measure up to Grand Cayman, in MY opinion!! Anguilla and Turks could be "sister" properties as far as I'm concerned and I'm NOT impressed by either one of them!!

Howard, <BR>Relax, I'm not trying to get into a pissing contest at all, just simply pointing out that there are better choices than what you are comparing to Provo. I think GC has some of the better restaurants I've ever dined at. I agree with everything you posted otherwise.<BR><BR>And Len,<BR>You really need to chill a bit. If you prefer GC then fine, you are more than entitled to your opinion. But you come off as attacking Howard who was merely stating his opinions. Your point will be well taken without all the exclamations & capitolized words....we get the point. Again, this isn't a war on which place is better, it's a discussion about what island offers what. They are very different, and we all like either one for our own reasons, so no need to gett upset over others not liking or agreeing with your choice. <BR>

I don't think Provo will ever get as built up as GC for cruise ships can't come in the harbor along with the all you can eaters. Thank Goodness!

Cruiseshipa are in the works for Turks and Caicos!!!<BR>West caicos is being developed in that area.....a deed water harbour will soon be under construction....West Caicos development already begin.<BR><BR>Lots of investors are now moving for the Cayman Islands to Providenciales and The rest of the Turks and Caicos....so all in all that Speak a whole lot