Month: February 2019

Grace Bay beach is the crown jewel of not only Providenciales, but all of Turks and Caicos. Named after Grace Hutchings, the wife of former Turks and Caicos Administrator Houston Hutchins, Grace Bay beach has been award the title the world’s best beach by Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards, most recently in 2018, and the #5 beach in the world in February 2019.

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Between its sublime turquoise waters, vibrant marine life and powdery white sands, it’s easy to see why Grace Bay beach deserves all the accolades.

Grace Bay beach offers a little something for everyone. Whether you are looking to enjoy quiet time with loved ones or get into lively adventures, there is a place at Grace Bay beach that will appeal to you!

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Undersea Adventures in the Bight and Coral Gardens

The Coral Gardens is a fifteen-minute walk west of Grace Bay beach. It is a popular place for snorkeling. Also, the water is shallow, making it easy to experience the island’s vibrant marine life firsthand.

Further west is the Bight reef, another excellent snorkelling spot. The Bight is a very busy area due to its close proximity to Providenciales’ city center as well as its popularity with tourists.

While it is possible to reach Coral Gardens and Bight Reef by foot, families are encouraged to take a shuttle or hire a taxi.
Already an expert at snorkeling? Looking to live a little under the sea? The Sands offers its popular four-hour Snorkel-and-Conch Cruise twice daily. Contact our Tours and Excursions Desk for more information.

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Your Own Private Beach in Leeward

Crowds not your thing? Fancy a quiet walk across a deserted island? Leeward, located on the eastern side of Providenciales, is the spot for you. A beautiful beach in its own right, Leeward Beach offers the same white sands and crystal clear waters as Grace Bay beach. However, due to its remote location, Leeward is less busy and may be a good place for a private swim.

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Leeward also hosts a mangrove ecosystem that protects the island’s vibrant marine life. Activities such as SUP (Stand-up Paddling) and kayaking are sure to attract the adventurous types.

Guides are recommended for activities on Leeward Beach. The Tour Excursion Desk will be happy to connect you to the perfect tour or excursion.

Rest and Relaxation at the Sands Resort

The Sands Resort offers the best of both worlds. On one hand, our 114-suite hotel offers tranquility and privacy with amazing views of Grace Bay beach. On the other hand, the resort is located near restaurants, shops, and other local amenities.

Mr. Grouper’s Restaurant offers tasty local fare, including grilled snapper, lobster and blackened grouper. It’s about a ten minute car ride from the resort.
Looking for a family-friendly restaurant? Da Conch Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurant on the island, named one of the world’s best beach restaurants by BBC and CNN. The restaurant offers local seafood dishes, jerk chicken, and vegetarian options.

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Grace Bay Beach is Waiting for You!

Ready to drop everything and get to the beach? The Sands Resort would be happy to help you plan your Grace Bay beach getaway. If would like to get started right away, contact us or leave a comment down below!

Going on the vacation of your dreams is an unforgettable experience. Planning the vacation of your dreams, on the other hand, can be daunting. Fortunately, going on a vacation is good for you, offering a boost in confidence, decreased stress levels and overall happiness.

To help you plan your trip, here are five tips you can use when planning you dream vacation.

Tip #1: Visualize Where You’d Like to Go

Before planning your ideal vacation, it’s a good idea to visualize where you’d like to go. Is dream vacation somewhere hot and sunny, or cold and snowy?

Visualizing your ideal vacation can help you answer these questions.

For example, if you’d like to visit a beach locale, search online for images of beautiful beaches, including the world-renowned Grace Bay beach in Providenciales.

Once you select a destination, you can begin the planning process.

Tip #2: Travel When It’s Ideal for You and Your Destination

Popular travel destinations typically have various peak tourism periods throughout the year. Airfares and hotel rates then to be much higher during peak periods than any other time of year, and these travel hotspots also tend to be very crowded during these times.

Weather is another factor when choosing your destination, as popular activities and excursions are only available during certain times of the year.

Turks and Caicos enjoys excellent weather throughout the year, although there can be rain in the summer months. The most popular time to travel to Turks and Caicos is from November until the end of March.

July through September can be quieter, and there are often good travel deals then, too.

Tip #3: Use Travel Planning Apps

Smartphone apps are used to help plan out every aspect of our day, so why not use apps to help you plan your trip!

Travel apps such as Hopper, KAYAK Flights and Skyscanner can help you find cheap flights. The moment when airfares to your dream beach locale drop, an alert will be sent to you. Once you’ve booked your vacation, use the TripIt app to streamline every aspect of your trip. The app allows you to access trip itineraries, confirmations, and various bookings all in one app.

Tip #4: Look Where You’re Going

As you plan for your trip, it’s natural to be curious about where you are travelling to. Visit sites such as Instagram and Pinterest to find photos of your travel destination.

You may end up discovering activities, excursions, and locations you wish to visit during your stay. For example, when searching for Grace Bay beach photos, you may discover a restaurant or an area of the island you would like to visit.

Tip #5: Ask the Locals

Travel-booking websites such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz offer ease and convenience but may still lack the “insider” knowledge.

By connecting with a local, you’ll discover places and activities not found on the usual travel websites. Hotel blogs, such as the Sands Resort blog, provide a wealth of information related to your future stay. The Sands’ Tour Excursion Desk can connect you to range of excursions that will make you dream vacation even better.

All you have to do is ask!

Turks and Caicos is Waiting for You

The Turks and Caicos is the perfect getaway for couples and families. Located on Grace Bay beach, recognized as the world’s best beach, the Sands Resort has been in the business of providing guests with a blissful experience for twenty years. If you still need help planning your perfect Turks and Caicos vacation, we would happy to help you.