Grace Bay Beach has been voted the best beach in the world over and over again…here’s why.
From our friends at Visit TCI:
Found off the northeast coast of Providenciales, this pristine beach is the hallmark of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The recipient of many designations, Grace Bay currently holds the position of World Travel Awards’ World’s Leading Beach Destination, and Trip Advisor’s 2nd best beach in the world.
The entire beach is consistently excellent, with clean water, white sand and no rocks, seaweed or pollution. The barrier reef found a mile (1.6km) out protects Grace Bay from the ocean swells of the Atlantic.
Nearly all of the main resorts on Providenciales are found on this coast, and much of the water sport activity occurs in the area.
Many sources cite Grace Bay as being seven or twelve miles long, but in reality it’s only a little over three miles long (4.8km).
On the east side, Grace Bay Beach continues as Leeward Beach, and on the west end as The Bight Beach. It’s possible to walk the entire seven miles from Leeward Going Through Point to Turtle Cove Marina. The canals of Turtle Cove and Thompson Cove, and sea cliffs near Blue Mountain separate this section of coast line from the seven and a half mile (12km) continuous beach that stretches from Blue Hills to Northwest Point.
Grace Bay Beach is part of the Princess Alexandra National Park.
Parasailing is one of the top ways to see Grace Bay, and flights can be either booked in advance, or arranged directly on the beach.
The Origin of the Name Grace Bay
Grace Bay Beach was named after Grace Jane Hutchings, wife of Hugh Houston Hutchings, Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos from 1933-1934.
Grace Bay Snorkeling
Unfortunately, the consistent sandy bottom of Grace Bay does not lend itself well to snorkeling. There are no reefs or snorkeling sites within easy shore access of the beach.
Too far to swim to from the coast, the barrier reef off of Grace Bay does offer excellent snorkel and dive sites when the conditions are right. However, it’s necessary to take a boat cruise out to these locations.
Found adjacent to the west of Grace Bay, the Bight Reef is the closet beach snorkeling site. For those staying in central Grace Bay, most will find the walk to this reef too far for convenience.