The Turks & Caicos Islands lie just east of the Bahamas and north of Haiti & the Dominican Republic. Most of the land area and population is in the Caicos group. Ever the contrarian, I decided to skip the crowds and the development on Providenciales and continue to the far eastern part of the colony to Grand Turk Island in a quest for solitude. I got what I wanted. Very much off the beaten path, Grand Turk is home to only 4,000 people and a number of wild donkeys & horses that roam the island freely. A 7,000 foot deep trench separates the Turks from the Caicos, and the islands have become a world-class scuba diving destination.
A shot of the Turks & Caicos Islands from space, courtesy of NASA.
The red arrow
on the right shows Grand Turk Island.
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Arriving on a Skyking interisland flight, I get my first glimpse of Grand Turk from the air.
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Horses graze near the salt flats.
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Shot of the beach along Front Street, the "main street" of the island.
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From shore the seascapes are breathtaking, offering a hint of the wonders that lie just beneath the surface.
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The first thought that entered my mind after plunging into the ocean was that I'd entered an aquarium.
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Beautiful coral of all shapes and sizes decorate the ocean floor.
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This inquisitive grouper was not shy about approaching us and followed us through the entire dive.
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Barracuda are plentiful in the waters here but seem more curious than threatening.
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The closest I was able to get to a barracuda.
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Two stingrays play in the shallow waters off uninhabited Gibbs Cay.
