Far from the beaten track, yet only 75 minutes from Miami, lies the stunning Turks & Caicos, an island chain endowed with remarkable natural beauty and a gentle, laid-back soul. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa embodies the very best of this exotic idyll offering you a prime spot on 12 miles of pristine, sugar-white sand beach and an endless vista of glorious turquoise water. To visit the Turks & Caicos is to enter a place time has forgotten.

The islands are part of the Bahamian archipelago, and once in their history, they were governed by The Bahamas. Lying to the east of the southernmost islands of The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos are self-governing today, although under the protection of Great Britain.

Directly north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the islands lie at the crossroads of the Caribbean and the Americas. Technically, this obscure outpost is not in Caribbean waters, but on the fringe of the Atlantic.

Grand Turk and Salt Cay (which constitute the Turks Islands) and Cockburn Harbour (South Caicos) are ports of entry, while the major island to visit is Provo.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are a coral-reef paradise, largely shut off from the world, free of pollution and crowds. Even with the advent of real tourist development and the bustle of construction, particularly in Provo, the beauty and tranquility of this little island chain remain intact. They're still off the beaten track, and they're not right for travelers who want lots of glitzy facilities or nightlife. You won't find the highly refined tourist infrastructure that exists in the Bahamas, but that's the appeal for some travelers.

What's beginning to put Turks and Caicos on the map is an incredible array of beaches -- 362km (224 miles) worth, to be precise. Some stretches of soft white sand run for miles; others are small, hidden in secluded coves. The islands are also home to some of the world's most magnificent underwater life. For years, divers and snorkelers have enjoyed the countless varieties of brilliant coral and colorful fish that thrive within Turks and Caicos' nearly 805km (499-mile) pristine reef system.

The average temperature ranges between 85 and 90 degrees (29-32 degrees Celsius) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90's (35 degrees Celsius), especially in the late summer months. From November to May the average temperature is 80 to 84 degrees (27-29 degrees Celsius). Water temperature in the summer is 82 to 84 degrees (28-29 degrees Celsius) and in winter about 74 to 78 degrees (23-26 degrees Celsius). A constant trade wind keeps the climate at a very comfortable level.

There is an annual rainfall of 21 inches on Grand Turk and South Caicos, but as you go further west the average rainfall could increase to 40 inches. In an average year the Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine.   Hurricane season can vary but usually runs from August to November.

(Travel entry requirements)

Please contact your vacation specialist  at 1-888-898-3628 for assist with planning your Turks and Caicos getaway.