Providenciales, or more commonly known as "Provo", covers an area of 38 miles and is the most developed island in Turks and Caicos. Surounded by beautiful white sand beaches we have ranked "Best Beach" by Conde' Nast magazine. Found on the west side of the islands Provo offers all modern conveniences, including superb hotels, a casino and a Golf Club, and full sevice grocery store. Although Provo is the most mature of the islands, it is still a destination for those who want to escape their busy schedules and relax. There is a population of over 6,000, and Provo has the largest non-native population made up of Haitians, Dominicans, French, Canadians, Germans and Americans. The growing population is mainly due to the completion of the airport in 1984, which is capable of dealing with large planes. To the north of the island, near Grace Bay, you will find the most beautiful beaches, as well as a long coral reef, which is rich in aquatic life. The Jan/Feb issue of Islands Magazine described Grace Bay as perhaps the most exceptional sugar-sand beach in the Colony." Towards the south of the island you will find Chalk Sound, a large lake with striking turquoise water and an array of small cays. In Jan/Feb issue of Islands Magazine Chalk Sound was described as "Beneath the radar: Untouched and off the beaten path, the pristine islets in Provo's Chalk Sound provide an ideal backdrop for expansive thoughts." The island's commercial port, South Dock, is found east of Sapodilla Bay and has the capability to deal with containerized goods. The two main and oldest settlements on the island are Bight and Blue Hills, and are built around fresh water supplies. Both locations give a real feeling of Caribbean villages. If you wish to do some shopping, Provo can offer a good range of boutiques at Turtle Cove. Down Town you will find the likes of retail shops, business offices and banks. Provo has attracted many hotel and resort developers, you will find most accommodations and recreational facilities here. What to do in Provo… Grace Bay which features the famous 12 mile Grace Bay beach is the location for most of the tourism infrastructure, the Princess Alexandra Marine Park, and the playground of " Jo Jo " the famous bottlenose dolphin. Visitors to the Islands Sea Center discover how to grow Conch from tiny veligers to four-year-old adults. This is where most of the water sport activities take place from diving to deep sea fishing and everything in between. The island is also home to the Bamboo Gallery, the art center of the Turks and Caicos Islands and Ports of Call the main shopping area. Stones engraved by shipwrecked sailors (or waiting ship wreckers) can be found on the hilltop overlooking the Marina Inn near Chalk Sound and Sapodilla Bay. If you like old ruins that are not to difficult to get to, visit 2 sites of plantation houses built by Loyalists, Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill. "The Hole" at Long Bay is a deep and wide Limestone chimney with a mysterious depth of salt water at the bottom.