Turks and Caicos with Kids or a Group: How to Plan It

Turks and Caicos is one of the easiest places in the Caribbean to travel with children or a big group. Flights are short from much of North America, the beaches are calm and shallow, the water is warm all year, and English is the official language. The trick is planning a trip that works for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents. Here is how.

Stay together, under one roof

For families and groups, where you stay matters more than anywhere you go. Several hotel rooms on different floors split the group; a private villa keeps everyone together, with separate bedrooms for privacy and a living room, kitchen and pool for time together. Kids nap while adults read by the pool, and dinner happens at one big table. We explain the trade-offs in villa vs resort.

Below Deck sleeps up to ten guests in five bedrooms (one king and four queens) with four bathrooms, so two or three families can share comfortably.

The best beaches for kids

• Taylor Bay and Sapodilla Bay: warm, shallow, sheltered water that stays knee-deep far out. Ideal for little ones.
• Grace Bay: calm most of the year, with restaurants and restrooms nearby.
• The Bight Reef: the easiest first snorkel, close to shore in shallow water.

More in our beach guide.

Activities the whole group will enjoy

• A private boat day: sandbars, Iguana Island and Half Moon Bay, at your own pace. Our largest charter boat takes up to ten guests. See boat charters.
• Kayaks and paddleboards: at Below Deck they are included, and turtles and rays often swim past the dock.
• Horseback riding along the shore, and buggy tours for older kids and adults.
• Kiteboarding lessons at Long Bay for teens and adventurous adults.
• The Thursday Fish Fry in the Bight for music, food and local crafts.

Feeding everyone

Restaurant meals for a big group add up fast, and finding a table for ten in high season takes planning. Mix it up: a few meals out, breakfasts at home, and a private chef for the big dinners. Having the fridge stocked before you land makes the first day easy.

Getting around with a group

Providenciales is spread out and taxis add up quickly for big groups. One 8-seater vehicle, or a couple of cars, gives you freedom to explore. Remember that Turks and Caicos drives on the left. We can arrange cars, an 8-seater, a golf cart or airport transfers.

Celebrations

Birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and proposals are a big reason groups come to the islands. With a villa you can decorate, bring in a photographer and have a chef cook the celebration dinner. See celebrations and extras.

Practical tips for families

• Book early for school holidays: spring break, summer and Christmas fill up months ahead.
• Sun: the sun is strong year-round. Pack hats, rash guards and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Water safety: watch children closely around boat traffic, and book boats only with licensed operators.
• Childcare: a trusted nanny can be arranged so the adults get an evening out.
• Pace: plan one big outing a day and leave room for the pool.