Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2019 | Page 674

TURKS & CAICOS Grand Turk Grand Turk is home to Corkburn Town, the country’s capital. Grand Turk is the second most populated of the Virgin Islands - 3,720 people, with many colonial style buildings gracing its streets. Providenciales Of all the islands, this is the most developed and populatated with 23,769 people. Most international flights land at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Many of the top beaches are here and as such, diving, snorkeling, kiteboarding, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are some of the activities to be enjoyed. Middle Caicos A causeway links North Caicos to Middle Caicos which is a favourite for heritage and eco-tourism. It is the largest of the Virgin Islands but has a population of only 200. Here you will find remnants of an 18th century cotton plantation. Conch Bar Caves, once a haven for the Lucayan Indians, contains corridors and caverns filled with bats, stalactites and stalagmites. TURKS & CAICOS South Caicos or “The Big South” is the territory’s fishing capital. Fishing, snorkeling and scuba diving are the main attraction on this island of less than 2,000 people. East Caicos is uninhabited with a 17 mile beach on its north coast used only by sea turtle to lay their eggs. Most of the island is covered by swamp and mangroves. West Caicos Currently uninhabited, this is a great location for fishing and snorkeling. It is considered to be an underwater photography mecca. West Caicos is currently being developed by Ritz Carlton. It is expected to be the most exclusive Ritz Carlton in the world. Salt Cay is the ultimate escape from civilization. Only 2.5 square miles and under 100 people, it is the smallest of the Turks and Caicos islands. Quaint and idyllic, time does not exist here so you can relax at your leisure. North Caicos is the lushest of all the islands with a population of less than 2,000. Known as “garden island”, its wildlife and protected wetlands, five national parks and nature reserves makes this an ideal eco-tourism destination.