The red tops on these cactus reminded people of the fetz hats the Turkish people use to wear.
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The Turks & Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory. Geographically they are very similar to the Bahamas and extend 37 miles 
south of the Bahamas. Of the 40 islands and cays spread around two large shallow sand banks, only 12 are inhabited. The 31,000 residents host over a million visitors a year.
The name Turks comes from the indigenous Turk’s head cactus, which is a small, green, cylinder shape cactus with a bright red
Helpful Info
Population – 46,400
Money – uses the US dollar
Language – English
Religion – 72.8% Christian
When to go – Dec-June is most popular. Summer is nice also, but a little hotter and more humid. Hurricanes most active Aug-Oct.
World Heritage Sites – 0 – None
Country formed – Settled by the United Kingdom in 1680 and remains a colony today
top that grows up. It is said to resemble the fez hats the Turks use to wear during the Ottoman Empire. The name Caicos is from the native Lucayan term “caya hico”.
My Visit
I spent over two weeks sailing around Turks & Caicos in December 2011, after arriving from the Bahamas. I spent several days anchored in Sapodilla Bay as I explored Providenciales (Provo) waiting for my best friend to arrive. We spent time in South Caicos before heading to the Turks Island group and working our way up the chain. After a week and a half, we jumped offshore and sailed to the US Virgin Islands.
Likes, Dislikes, and Recommendations
Flamingos at South Caicos
Turks & Caicos has two parts. First is the Caicos Island group where there are some interesting historical sites and the beach at Grace Bay, where the resorts are, is world class. I think the way to have the most fun in the Caicos Islands is to rent a small boat and explore the sand flats and between the islands on your own.
The Turks Island group on the other hand, I cannot say enough about. Grand Turk has a great wall dive and a museum for the oldest shipwreck in the New World, while Big Sandy Cay is a desert paradise. But the crown jewel is Salt Cay, which use to be one of the biggest salt producers in the world. When you are there make sure to visit Porters Island Thyme bar and he will give you the skinny on anything happening around the island (do me a favor and tell him I said hi). Also, if you can get a tour of the “White House” you will not be disappointed.
Below you can get even more helpful hints by watching the two travel videos I made for Turks & Caicos. Also, you can read what all I did there in my blog posts located below the videos.
All Blogs From Turks & Caicos
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