My Photography & Travel Guide to the Turks & Caicos
We just returned from a fabulous vacation in the Turks & Caicos Islands. It was pure bliss!! One of the most relaxing trips we have taken in years.
One of the biggest advantages of traveling to the Turks & Caicos, besides incredible beaches, is the direct flights from the East Coast of the US. In only 3 hours, we flew from Washington Dulles to Providenciales International Airport (PLS). So, by lunchtime, we were already on the beach. Many other locations in the Caribbean require stopping in Atlanta or Miami, meaning you lose an entire day getting there.
We loved our hotel, the Como Hotel at Parrot Cay. It is so private you can take a 1 mile-long walk on the beach and see only 1-2 other people. It was just incredible!!
When To Go
For most first-time travelers, the best time to visit the Turks and Caicos is February, March, and April. The weather during this time of year is about as perfect as you can get. It was about 70-75 degrees with a light wind that made you want to sit outside all day long.
The Empty Beaches on Parrot Cay
Where to Stay
There are so many great hotels in the Turks & Caicos that it is hard to choose. I do not think you can make a wrong decision. We wanted something more private, so we stayed at the Como Parrot Cay, which is on a private island. It is a true luxury escape. The property sits on 1,000 acres and is surrounded by four miles of white sand beaches. It is truly a place to relax!
If you have not stayed at a Como Hotel, they are known for their superb wellness facilities and programs, and COMO Parrot Cay is an excellent option..
To get to the COMO Parrot Cay, you will need to take a speedboat, which is a fantastic way to arrive at your hotel. After clearing customs and immigration, a COMO Parrot Cay representative met us and directed us to our car for the short drive to the resort’s private marina. From here, resort guests board one of COMO Parrot Cay’s motorboats for a scenic, 30-minute ride to the island. Once guests arrive at Parrot Cay’s pier, they are escorted to their guestrooms or villas in a golf cart.
The whole process is seamless. Because COMO Parrot Cay is on a private island, the atmosphere is calm and secluded. There are no cars or people trying to sell you things on the beach. Guests and staff get around on foot, by bicycle, or on a golf cart.
The Island became famous after Donna Karen, Bruce Willis and Christy Brinkley purchased homes on the island. We saw Christy Brinkley having lunch twice during our stay.
Words cannot describe how peaceful and relaxing this resort is--just pure bliss!!
They have also won awards for having the “most tranquil spa” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. The spa is known for the quality of its therapists, most of them from Bali. The resort also offers yoga, pilates, and meditation classes.
Dining is another forte of COMO Parrot Cay. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served poolsideor one of the two restaurants offering a blend of Caribbean, Mediterranean, (my favorite), and Southeast Asian dishes. At all the restaurants, guests also have the option to order dishes from the COMO Shambhala wellness cuisine, featuring organic ingredients that are wholesome and healthy. I loved the smoothies in the morning, grilled dishes at lunch, and seafood specialties at dinner — all standouts. Whatever you do, don’t miss the homemade coconut sorbet, my absolute favorite dessert on the property.
Photography Ideas
As I said above, the Turks & Caicos is a place to relax. But as you walk down the empty beaches, staring at the impossibly beautiful sunsets, you might want to take a few photos.
I would bring 1 Body with a 24-105mm lens. If you want to take some more gear, you could bring a Polarizer Filter and some NDs. But honestly, the latest iPhones will also do a superior job. I especially enjoyed using the Cinematic Mode that acts like a stabilizer as you walk down the beach. If you have never used Cinematic Mode, here is a video tutorial.
Of course, the sunrise and sunset are worth photographing, but I would focus on details as well, such as the incredible sea shells you will find on your walks. You always want to take a photograph of a sunset with a sense of place. So, adding shells or people in the photo will provide an incredible foreground element.
I hope you have found this Photography Guide on the Turks & Caicos helpful. You can find my other Photography & Travel Guides by Clicking on this Link