Sandy beaches and warm water echoing your name? Then the ‘Beautiful by Nature’ Turks and Caicos Island is an excellent option! Turks & Caicos can be said to be arid, compared with other Caribbean destinations, as the island receives less than 50 inches of rainfall annually and generally lacks the lush landscape found across other Caribbean nations. Still, the islands are consistently favoured by sunshine and cooling breezes, and lovely beaches.

It has one of the world’s longest coral reefs, making it a premier dive destination. The main islands; Providenciales and Grand Turk are recognised globally as key attractions for holidaymakers, due to their immense natural beauty coupled with their grand luxury resorts, health spas, stylish restaurants, impressive scuba diving and snorkelling spots as well as other numerous fun activities to explore. Turks and Caicos is a year-round destination for visitors, with the best time to visit being around April and May – as this lovely spot offers the ideal combination of avoiding huge crowd sizes, keeping travel costs down, enjoying a variety of water sports, and staying away from the rainy season. However, the busiest time of year for tourists in Turks and Caicos is between December and April. Traditionally, rates during these months can climb as high as 30% to 50% higher than you would find during low season. The lowest season for travellers is between July and October. Coincidentally, this period is also hurricane season in the Turks and Caicos hence people want to avoid the possibility of having their trip cancelled due to a hurricane, the end of summer and early fall tends to be the cheapest time of year to plan a trip. Nonetheless, anyone willing to be flexible, can save a lot of money by visiting this period. In terms of temperature, there’s never a bad time to visit.

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The inns and guesthouses in Grand Turk and Salt Cay are generally more budget friendly than the boutique resorts on Providenciales, Pine or Parrot cays. This our simple handy month-by-month guide will help you plan the perfect tropical getaway, enjoy! Januaryc

January is a great time to visit Turks and Caicos if you want to escape the post-Christmas blues but be aware it is a peak season so prices are likely to be higher and the islands will be busier. Weather: Air temperatures are great, not too hot and definitely not too cold. Average wind speeds and ocean swells are a bit higher in the winter months. The surface conditions of the ocean are also generally are a bit choppier and cooler than during the spring, summer, and autumn months. Mosquitoes: Typically, not an issue except if there’s heavy rain, but they are been kept away by the breeze. Activities: Due to the marginally higher average wind speeds, kiteboarding, windsurfing, and sailing is excellent. The initial humpback whale sightings kicks-off Salt Cay, Grand Turk, and Providenciales. The ocean can be a little choppy. Events: The all-inclusive Beaches Turks & Caicos will be hosting international pop band, 98 Degrees, for a reunion concert on January 24, 2022. Junkanoo This carnival-like celebration starts in the early hours of New Year’s Day and  offers music, costumed bands, and street dancing. New Year’s Eve: Grace Bay Beach is an amazing place to watch the fireworks. Sport Fishing: Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, and Sailfish are most common around this time. Cost implication: December and January are the busiest months of the year. Rates reach their peaks. February

February is a great time to visit Turks and Caicos, offering plenty of warm sunshine with low rainfall. It’s still the peak season, therefore expect few tourists and still high prices than in low season. Weather: Ambient temperatures continue to be quite pleasant. Day to day ocean conditions will be a little choppier during the winter months, and wind speeds and ocean swells are usually a bit higher. Definitely not cold enough to be considered chilly, the ocean water is coolest this month. Mosquitoes: Unless there’s flooding, mosquitoes shouldn’t be a problem still. Activities: Wind speeds averages are still a bit higher, so kiteboarding and sailing conditions continue to be excellent. Whale sightings typically reach their peak. Events: The Valentine’s Day Cup, a model sailboat race, food, races and music, takes place on Bambarra Beach on Middle Caicos. Many local businesses also have Valentine’s Day specials. It’s now a national event! Sport Fishing: Wahoo, Sailfish, and Mahi-Mahi. Cost and Availability: There is a noticeable change from the previous two months, yet February continues to be busy.

March Through March, the high season comes to an end and the summer season is fast approaching. Be aware that the UV index is very high, so be sure to pack plenty of high-factor sun cream. Weather: Air temperatures remain excellent. The ocean water begins to get warm and a bit windier and choppier during the winter season. Mosquitoes: The breezes usually keep them down. Activities: Wind speeds remain breezy, so kiteboarding conditions are still excellent. The final humpback whale sightings are mid-way through March. Events: Local bars, pubs and restaurants typically have St. Patrick’s Day specials. Commonwealth Day 2022, 2023 and 2024 -Save the date Turks and Caicos will be celebrating Commonwealth Day on the second Monday of every March with other British Commonwealth member states. Sport Fishing: Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, and Sailfish. Cost and Availability: Spring Break attracts more arrivals. April

April will be quieter than the preceding months. Many travellers consider late April the best time to visit Turks and Caicos. It’s known as the shoulder season between the cool and hot months, with around 8 hours of sunshine a day. Weather: Temperatures are great, not too hot nor too cold. Average wind speeds and ocean swells a bit higher in the winter months. Mosquitoes: The breezes usually keep them down. Activities: Wind speeds tend to remain consistent, so kiteboarding conditions remain excellent. Events: The Annual Kite Flying Competition takes place on The Bight Beach on Providenciales. Salt Cay Festival Much of Salt Cay’s history has to do with harvesting salt, and this festival held to celebrate this in late April annually. Located near the island of Grand Turk, Salt Cay has a small population, and this is one of the more exciting events of the year. Sport Fishing: Sport fishing is good. All of the main sport fish can be found at this time. Cost and Availability: Things are typically still busy. May

May is another great time to visit Turks and Caicos with low-season prices and great weather. Each day sees an average of around 8–9 hours of sunshine, and sun-seekers will love the hotter daily highs. Temperatures can soar high, but even during hot spells is tempered by the trade winds. Weather: Temperatures begin their noticeable increase to the summer highs. Wind and weather are calm and perfect for the beach, snorkelling and diving. Mosquitoes: Not a problem unless there’s rain. Activities: Any water sport but not wind sports. Events: Big South Regatta The Big South Regatta held on South Caicos last weekend of May is among the most popular. Sport Fishing: May is a good time for deep sea game fishing. Cost and Availability: May doesn’t reach the lows of September, yet quiet! June

One of the highlights of visiting Turks and Caicos in June is that it’s likely to be relatively quiet, plus there’s the perk of low season prices. Weather: Although storms have historically been uncommon this month, June is the start of the hurricane season. The average weather is tranquil and hot. Mosquitoes: Not typically a problem. Activities: All of the water sports and activities can be great. Events: Not much going on but some local businesses have Father’s Day promotions. Sport Fishing: All of the main pelagic game fish are out there. Cost and Availability: Activity picks back up a bit. July

There’s higher humidity and rainfall in July, but it’s still a good time to visit Turks and Caicos, especially for a beach-based vacation. Weather: July is part of the hurricane season, yet statistically, storms remain unlikely. Although temperatures continue to be quite hot, yet the weather is often calm. Mosquitoes: Heavy rain will mean more mosquitos, so ensure you pack up plenty of repellent spray. Activities: It can be a little too hot to explore ruined plantations and caves, but the conditions for ocean activities tend to be great. Events: Lots of Water sport events: The amateur kiteboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, and beach game competition in Windvibes is in July, as well as the Race for the Conch swim event. Fools Regatta Ocean-lovers will find themselves right at home at this regatta, held between mid-June and mid-July yearly. Sailing and beach parties are the main highlights. Caicos Classic Billfish Release Tournament This 20-year-old event is loved by local and international anglers. The tournament, taking place in July, also serves as a qualifier for the IGFA World Billfish Championship. Sport Fishing: Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, and Marlin are the main game fish this month. Cost and Availability: July tends to see a bit of an increase in activity. August

This summer period is a hot season in Turks and Caicos making it great for a beach vacation, although some may find it too hot for other activities like hiking, cycling and exploring. Weather: Temperatures reach their heights during this month and September. If you’re not in or on the water, it can be a little unpleasant. Unless a storm is nearby, the ocean is usually calm and delightful. The Turks and Caicos actually does not see many hurricanes, but mid-August to September is the likeliest time for them to hit. Mosquitoes: As August is part of the hurricane season, any flooding brought on by passing storms can result in mosquitoes. North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Parrot Cay can be heavily affected. Activities: Diving, snorkelling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding are usually great due to the flat conditions. Events: Things tend to be quiet. Sport Fishing: Tuna, Marlin, and Sailfish are out there! Cost and Availability: Although not the low season, the situation tends to be quiet. September

Beware, September is the height of the hurricane season. Though Statistically, the chance is relatively low. The weather in September is often fantastic, but it’s still considered to be low season with fewer vacation crowds once the school term begins. Weather: Air temperatures continue to soar, yet the beach and ocean conditions are usually calm and beautiful (unless a tropical storm or hurricane is nearby!). Again, this month historically has the greatest possibility of hurricane. With the past as a reference, there’s about a one in seven chance of occurrence. Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can be bad if there has been flooding. Due to the larger quantity of natural water, collecting ponds, caves and sinkholes, the conditions on North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Parrot Cay can be exceptionally nasty. Activities: The ocean is usually calm, so any of the non-wind water sports should be spectacular. Events: National Youth Day Sport Fishing: All of the main game fish can be found. Cost Implication: September is the low season and the least busy time throughout the year and as such least expensive. So, the rates will be lowest as some businesses even temporarily close down. October

October is categorized as an off-peak travel month. It falls in the hurricane season making it one of the cheapest times to visit Turks and Caicos. This month sees around 10 hours of sunshine a day with daily highs of around 90F. Weather: It begins to cool down from the summer highs. This is the last month of the hurricane season. Mosquitoes: There have probably been heavy rains by this time, so mosquitoes can be bad at certain locations. Activities: Any ocean/water sports. This is probably not a good time for the plantations and sights of North Caicos and Middle Caicos due to mosquitoes. Events: TCI Amateur Open The Provo Golf & Country Club frequently hosts the annual TCI Amateur Open in October, which has been a premier event for the past 50 years. It’s a three-day tournament that attracts a mix of local and international golfers and spectators, with both men and women trophies awarded in various age brackets. Columbus Day: Some historians believed the explorer first came to ashore at Grand Turk. Sport Fishing: Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, and Sailfish. Cost and Availability: The low season continues, rates at lowest levels. November

November is the transition month between off-peak and peak travel time in the Caribbean Weather: Turks and Caicos weather in November takes a turning point as the islands transition from the “hot” months to the “cool” months The consistent breezes and ocean swells of the winter season begin to return. Temperatures become excellent and the ocean remains nice and warm with average between 25°C and 28°C (or 84°F and 76°F respectively). The likelihood of hurricanes is reduced Mosquitoes: Any mosquitoes still lingering from the storm flooding tend to be disrupted by the breeze. So usually Providenciales, Grand Turk and Salt Cay see far fewer mosquitoes as these areas are well maintained, have good drainage systems, lacks dense vegetation and there aren’t many natural sites that collect rainwater or form pools. Nevertheless, North and Middle Caicos, Parrot Cay, and Pine Cay, can have mosquito spawning sites after heavy rain. Activities: All of the water sports can be great – Stand Up Paddle boarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling and Diving Events: Turks and Caicos Conch Festival Every November, the island of Providenciales hosts the Turks and Caicos Conch Festival—a culinary celebration of the islands’ national symbol and greatest export: the conch, a marine snail that for years has played an integral role in local cuisine. Museum Day event (Grand Turk Island) Sport Fishing: Sailfish, Wahoo, and Mahi-Mahi. Cost and Availability: The low season has ended. Prices skyrocket and availability is down. So early bookings are recommended. December

December is peak travelling time. This means the Turks and Caicos will be at its busiest with tourism prices being at their highest. So is important to book flights, accommodation and activities early to avoid disappointment. Weather:  December is well into the “dry” season, and it is the time when the Turks and Caicos truly claims its top spot of being one of the world’s best tropical paradises. While localized weather patterns can’t be predicted long term with accuracy, the Turks and Caicos temperatures in December tends to average between 24°C and 28°C (or 82°F and 75°F respectively). Officially, 30th November marks the end of hurricane season (which began in June 1) so December has historically been a hurricane-free month. In fact, much rainfall is unlikely Mosquitoes: Mosquitos will be less of a nuisance in December than in most months. While the Turks and Caicos are in the natural habitable range of mosquitos, they only become a nuisance when there is flooding, which is unlikely in December. Also, trade winds tend to pick up during December, which can greatly reduce a mosquito’s ability to fly. High tourist destination like Providenciales will be mosquito free Activities: The wind sports are typically great at this time. Humpback whales make their initial appearance late in this month. Paddle-boarding: Even if the ocean gets a bit choppy from the higher winds, the natural reefs form a shelter that protects the beaches from high surf. This makes stand up paddle-boarding a great activity for families, kids, or people who want a more relaxed activity. Snorkelling and diving are great activities to do when you’re in the Turks and Caicos during December. The waters are mostly calm and visibility should be crystal clear. Kayaking is great to explore beaches, shallow channels, tidal creeks, and around the cays Events: Quite a few events and parties take place in December. Christmas day is usually a quiet time, as many locals spend the day with their families. Maskanoo Parade Winter celebrations kick off with the Maskanoo parade on December 26 in the Bight Settlement, close to Grace Bay. Maskanoo is based on the rituals, Africans brought to the Turks and Caicos Islands two hundred years ago. Today, the post-Christmas Maskanoo masquerade is a reminder of the country’s rich history, unique culture and friendly, lively locals. New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve starts off with an island tradition called Old Year’s Night. Residents of Turks and Caicos attend church services until late on New Year’s Eve. After church service ends, bells ring out into the night to bring good luck into the New Year. Expect to see fireworks show on Grace Bay Beach to help usher in the new year. Sport Fishing: Sailfish, Wahoo, and Mahi-Mahi. Cost Implication: High season with high tourism prices General Travel Advice The Turks and Caicos introduced new measures to manage the risks associated with the COVID 19 pandemic. From July 22nd 2020, all travellers to the Turks and Caicos Islands will be required to visit the TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal in order to obtain a travel authorization for arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Once granted entry, no further tests are required while on the island and visitors are permitted to stay for 90 days (extendable for an additional 90 days) As of 1st September 2021, all visitors who are 16 years and over will require proof of being vaccinated to be granted entry to destination.