Will we like Provo?
 

I'm looking at a pkg from Chicago to Ocean Club in Providenciales for late March. My kids are afraid it will be too "commercialized" for us after loving quiet Virgin Gorda. What are your opinions? Is it like going to Florida?

We honeymooned on Anguilla, BTW, and loved it. Some people think these 2 islands are similar. Yes or no?

Thank you all!

Provo is similar in topography to Anguilla - it's flat, arid, and scrubby. Where it differs is that most of the hotels, resorts and condos are located on the main beach of the island known as Grace Bay. Ocean Club is located toward one end of the beach and it's sister resort Ocean Club West is located about 2 miles closer to the center of "hotel row". The beach stretches for about 11 or 12 miles so even though the resorts are somewhat clustered you can easily find a stretch of uncrowded beach. There are a few other beaches around the island but not near as many as the 35 you found on Anguilla.

The island is significantly different from Virgin Gorda and there's really no way to compare the two.

It's hard to say whether you and your family will like Provo after visiting Anguilla and Virgin Gorda. There are a lot of Provo supporters on this forum (most posters on the forum who rave about the T&C's are talking about their experience on Provo and not the other islands in the chain).

I've been to all 3 (and many other Caribbean islands) and Virgin Gorda, after multiple visits is still one of my favorite islands. I've also visited Anguilla multiple time and always enjoy it. I've been to Provo once (stayed at Ocen Club West) and quite frankly didn't care for for the resort or the island at all. As far as I'm concerned I've been there, done that and don't have to go therre again.

<font color="maroon">I defintely wouldn't call Turks to &quot;commercialized&quot; not yet at least... maybe in another 5 years or so. I'd say go visit while it's still in its discovery phase. You won't be sorry!</font>

Been to Providenciales this summer and we stayed at Coral Gardens. The whole island is way too overpopulated and too much land development and commercialisation. I'd say go to other islands in the T&amp;C for a more relaxed atmosphere. The roads are in good condition but crowded. Underwater was the only thing I liked about it; the reefs off Coral Gardens were super. Robert59

We've been to VG, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos. I found Turks to be a more commercialized than Anguilla though not like Florida. The main difference between the two is that many of the hotels on Anguilla are spread out on different beaches around the island. On Turks all the hotels are lined on Grace Bay Beach. The hotels are spaced out nicely though. I prefer the Anguilla set up but I did not feel that Turks was too crowded. It is not quiet or quaint like Virgin Gorda. There are other beaches that we explored such as Sapodilla where we were the only ones on the entire beach.

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I wonder, mnag, where you stayed on Provo that it didn't feel crowded to you. Would love Sopadilla Bay, but can't find accomodation yet.

no resorts on sapodilla. but there are some rental villas

Really only &quot;Beaches&quot; in Provo is crowded.

For quiet, relaxing, check out Turks and Caicos Club. It's a small boutique hotel (similar to what you would find on Virgin Gorda.) and walking distance to excellent reefs for snorkeling for your kids.

Definately not like FLA, there are no chains for restaurants or hotels. (There is a Comfort Suites a couple of blocks from the beach, but that's it.)

Anguilla is similar in description, but different in that the main beach, Grace Bay, is one long (12 miles) beach. Most of the resorts are lined on this beach, but even with the resorts you can always find sections all to yourself. The beaches are similar to Anguilla, as bright white sand with blinding turqiouse water. There are more water activities, and is a much kid friendlier type place.

You need to sign up for water activities, going out on water excursions to secluded beaches are awesome for spending the day. I would suggest a family &quot;beach getaway&quot; with www.JBTours.com. They drop you off at Half Moon Bay, which is stunning, with drinks, food, coolers, chairs, umbrellas-you tell them when to come get you-it doesn't get better than that! 8-)

rookie626, we stayed at the Sand since we were there with our toddler and the Sands has a kiddie pool and an outdoor informal restaurant. The beach area even at the Sands (which is popular with families with young ones) was not crowded with 2-3 families hanging out in the Sands section of the beach. The pool area was a bit more crowded with 7-8 people around. We went in May which is not peak time. There are many other resorts that would be more quiet including Royal West Indies, Turks Caicos Club. The resorts are in varying price ranges. If you want quiet I would not select Ocean Club resorts or Sands since they are both kid friendly. There are no resorts on Sapodilla Bay or Taylor Bay but many villas to choose from if you'd rather be at a villa. The water at both these beaches is very shallow (knee deep) for many yards out.