Turks Islands Trip Planner

Welcome to Turks Islands, Turks & Caicos Islands

Named in reference to the island’s indigenous Turk’s Head cactus, the Turks are a chain of tropical islands in the Atlantic Ocean east of Cuba and southeast of the Bahamas. Boasting almost 350 days of sunshine per year, miles of white sand and sparkling turquoise waters, the islands are a largely undiscovered jewel in the Caribbean.

Together with the Caicos Islands just across the Columbus Passage, the Turks are an overseas territory of the United Kingdom and consist primarily of two main islands–Grand Turk and Salt Cay.  While the Caicos group is larger and claims most of the country’s population and tourism, Grand Turk has the distinction of being home to the territory’s capital and seat of government, Cockburn Town.  Founded in the late 1600s when the islands were an important source of salt, the town is one of the country’s oldest settlements and is known for its long, narrow streets and fine examples of Bermudian colonial architecture.  An historic l9th century lighthouse still stands and guards the northern tip of Grand Turk but these days salt raking has been replaced by tourism and offshore financial services, both of which play prominently on the Turks.  Grand Turk is considered the financial and business centre of the country and is also home to its chief cruise port, the Grand Turk Cruise Centre.