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PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (December, 2008)

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos - The Sands at Grace Bay offers guests the opportunity to experience a snorkeler's paradise that is just a few fin-strokes away from the white-powder sands of world-famous Grace Bay Beach. Beautiful reefs are located yards offshore with a multitude of fish, beautiful coral, and even exotic medium turtles and sting rays. For the more adventuresome, guests may take a short boat ride to the surrounding barrier reefs, swim to Smith Reef or walk or drive to the spectacular Coral Gardens Reef.

In 1997, underwater snorkeling trails were installed on Smith and Coral Gardens Reefs with the purpose of educating snorkelers on the rules of reef etiquette and steering them along the path that has the least potential of damaging the reefs. The environmental department has installed reef balls along the stretch of water between the beach and the reefs, making it easy for guests to spot them.

"These snorkel sites have just about everything one could hope to see," explained Carol Potter, a local water sports expert. "You'll see turtles, Horse Eyed Jacks, Nassau Grouper, Tiger Grouper, Sting Rays, and Eagle Rays. Snorkelers will be dazzled by hundreds of fish, including Blue Striped Grunt, Squirrel Fish, Damsel Fish, Parrot Fish, Yellow Tail Snapper, Peacock Flounders, Goat Fish, Rock Hinds, Rock Beauty, Chub and Porcupine Fish, as well as Sea Cucumbers, Sea Fans, Elkhorn Coral, Brain Coral, Cactus Coral and of course Caribbean Spiny Lobsters and Conch. We get a lot of Arrow Crabs in this area too."

Grace Bay Beach is one of the few remaining unspoiled coral reef ecosystems in the world and is home to nearby mangrove forests - which are considered the nursery for all marine life. As one of the largest coral reef systems on the planet, it acts as a breakwater protecting the beach against ocean surges and keeping the coastal waters calm and clear, making it perfect for children and novices to snorkel nearby sites, and for the more adventurous to swim further offshore to out of the ordinary snorkeling paradises.

About the Sands at Grace Bay

The Sands at Grace Bay is a 112-room resort located on six oceanfront acres on Grace Bay Beach. This gracious, family-friendly property offers accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet, all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. Each is decorated in Caribbean classic style, with muted blues and greens and wicker furnishings. Most suites also come with fully equipped kitchens appointed with stainless appliances, granite countertops, coffee makers and more. (Studios are equipped with kitchenettes.) Accommodations are distributed throughout six three-story buildings situated amid a lush garden courtyard caressed by three free-form swimming pools.

According to Recommend Magazine, "Perhaps one of the best things about The Sands at Grace Bay is its location - or rather, the juxtaposition of its homey, laid-back vibe with its location on the otherwise ultra-lux Grace Bay. Guests staying here can enjoy the same designer shopping, the same high-end spa services and the same gorgeous white sand beaches - all while staying comfortably with their families at The Sands."

The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway's Restaurant and Bar - a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite - where guests can enjoy gourmet selections and island specialties seven days a week. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are available by appointment. Guests are also welcome to enjoy the resort's indoor fitness center, non-motorized water sports, tennis court, and bicycles as well as complimentary WiFi in the rooms, restaurant and lobby. Conveniently located just ten minutes away, the Provo Golf Club offers guests one of the best and most challenging courses in the Caribbean.

For reservations, call toll-free from the U.S. (877) 777-2637; from Canada (800) 567-5327; online at www.thesandstc.com or contact your travel agent.

Media Contact:

Sabina Covo
O: (305) 445-4944 x 205
M: (305) 781-6399
thesands@pprcommunications.com