I’ve been traveling so much lately that I almost forgot to share photos from one of my favorite tropical spots: Turks and Caicos.
Jeff and I spent a day on Grand Turk as a stop on our cruise, and I’m already eager to go back. The beaches there are stunning — crystal-clear water and vibrant turquoise hues everywhere. There’s a small beach right at the port, but we suspected there was more to explore, so after a quick search we learned Governor’s Beach was only a short taxi ride away.
The first thing we noticed when we arrived was a large abandoned ship resting on the shore and one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen. It felt even more impressive than Catalina Island, which I also loved.
Before hopping into an old 1980s-style mini bus with our driver, Rami, we explored the port area. The port beach was lively, with several beach bars, a restaurant, a giant pool, and a handful of shops — plenty of fun photo opportunities — but we wanted somewhere a little less crowded. Governor’s Beach fit the bill.
One of the most striking features there is the very large rusted ship that washed ashore during Hurricane Sandy. Parts of the hull have corroded, and adventurous visitors can climb aboard. I didn’t go up there myself, but others did and seemed to enjoy the experience.
After about an hour the area near the ship began to fill up slightly — still only a few dozen people — so Jeff and I kept walking down the shoreline. We followed the sand past the visible curve of the beach and discovered a rocky stretch just beyond the ship’s view. The walk was worth it: we had a long stretch of beach almost entirely to ourselves. We didn’t encounter anyone else until we returned toward the busier section, which made the quiet, private feeling especially memorable.
The photo of me with the yellow towel shows the secluded area we found. That towel is from MAYDE and it travels with me on every tropical trip because it’s large, bright yellow, and easy to spot. I also love my black-and-white crescent towel and the orange-and-white striped reef towel — clearly I’m a little obsessed with them.
It was an unforgettable day for Jeff and me — one we’ll remember for a long time. Have you ever visited Turks and Caicos? I hope to return within the next year, so if you have recommendations for places to check out beyond Grand Turk, I’d love to hear them.
Update: Looking to explore another part of Turks and Caicos outside of Grand Turk? I also spent a week on Providenciales and shared details about where I stayed, what I did, and recommendations for visiting. If you’re planning a longer trip, consider including Providenciales for a broader experience of the islands.