Eco Tourism In TCI

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JUNE

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Issue 17

EDITORIAL

Ramblings, thoughts and occasional sense from the Eastern Caribbean >>

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SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Sharing resources and best practices >>

TOURISM TREATS

Lesser known corners of the Caribbean, where to go>>

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SPECIAL FEATURES

Corporate Relocation : Medical Device Industry
Nicaragua : Unearthing a Jewel
Turks & Caicos : Eco Tourism
Cuba : Operation Miracle
Haiti : A Desperate Journey

COUNTRY FOCUS: SABA

The Unspoiled Queen

Hosting Mrs. Kennedy

Reflections Of The Rock

World Heritage Status Report

The Road: An Engineering Marvel

PICK OF THE MONTH

Honduras, Utila : Beautiful Beachfront Home
Sapphire Beach : Affordable Casitas in Belize
Mexican Riviera : Invest in Acanto Hotel Condos

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E S

ECOTOURISM IN TCI
By Sara J. Kaufmann

Eco-tourism is participating in ecologically sustainable activities, which ideally bring benefit to the local ecosystem. Turks and Caicos Islands has set aside over 33% of its entire land and sea regions for preservation purposes: National Parks, Natures Reserves, Sanctuaries and Protected Areas. The world’s largest biodiversity saltwater wetland reserve – the Ramsar Site – accounts for of 1/3 of East Caicos, ½ of Middle Caicos and ¼ of North Caicos and provides a breeding ground for myriad birds. By preserving these areas, the Turks and Caicos Islands have taken a stand to ensure future generations may still enjoy the natural wonders of this tiny island country.

Although it may seem odd to pair ecotourism and convenience in a sentence, the simple access to unspoiled nature in Turks & Caicos Islands is indeed convenient – both getting to the country and getting to pristine sites once here. This is a tiny country, of forty individual islands – of which only a dozen are inhabited. The archipelago formed by the islands creates a circle, nestled within which we find a wide variety of lifestyles, culture and natural habitats.

The reef is the major feature here in Turks & Caicos, with spectacular walls of coral disappearing into the ocean depths – and TCI is noted as one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations. The protection of the reef is paramount, with dive boat anchor buoys set up, dive etiquette taught to all and knowledgeable dive operators strictly licensed. The health and vibrancy of the TCI reefs is glorious and the experience of drifting gently as an underwater visitor quite awesome. Best yet, for those not inclined to the complexity of scuba diving, the experience of the reef is available by pattering along the surface with a mask and snorkels, lazily watching the myriad small darts of colour, as fish dart in and out of the coral heads.

Kayaking is another special venture here. Sitting on the water, moving through the waves and exploring the mangroves that provide habitat for thousands of birds and nurture the early sea life…. Channels of sand open into quiet bays, tide shifts and dry land becomes covered again – a constant flow that is mesmerizing and fascinating. Kayaking trips are offered on all islands and allow you to commune at your own pace with the sparkling world where the seas meets the shore.
Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos

The inner banks are miles of shallow sand set apart from the deep ocean beyond the reef by the circle of islands, and it here that the bonefish cluster. One of the fisherman’s most respected challenges, bone fishing in TCI is a catch and release sport, full of excitement as the bonefish expertly dive and defy the skills of the cast lines. Their bright silver bodies twist and sparkle in the tussle and if caught, they are returned to the sea. A glorious day on the banks leaves you tired and exhilarated, yet pleased to have had your fun in an ecologically viable way.
Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos

Hiking is another way to enjoy the beauty of Turks & Caicos Islands, stretching your legs while the fantastic scenery fills your eyes. Miles of pristine beach, pathways to old colonial ruins and trails along the cliffs all await for you to explore. The tough indigenous vegetation colours the land with green, and while surprising yellow or orange leaps up from cactus and flowering shrubs. Take a local guide and listen to the tales of bush medicine made form a wide variety of the plants, good for most ailments. Mountain bikes offer another route through the landscape, and stops at local houses where a warm welcome awaits add to your day.
Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos

Most visitors to TCI stay on Providenciales, the main developed island but eco -tourist excursions to the other islands provide a welcome contrast, and take you into the island culture in a fascinating way.

The local residents on the ‘family islands” live a life far removed from the bustle of international tourism on Providenciales, maintaining a dignity and traditional lifestyle that is well worth a visit. The handcrafts produced on many islands by the resident’s use raw materials gathered form the land, grasses and palmtops cleaned, dried, cut and sewn into baskets, hats, brushes, brooms and bags for all uses. A stop to the Middle Caicos Co-op outlet in Blue Hills on Providenciales will introduce you to this traditional art, and your purchases directly support the local residents. This is sustainable ecotourism at its best.

A quick outline of the many islands and excursion alternatives is offered below:

Little Water Cay: A short boat trip from Providenciales you can explore the Turks and Caicos rock iguana preserve, and visit with these fascinating prehistoric wee beasties.

North Caicos: Spend the day exploring a world gone by...strolling through the pastures of former plantation Wade’s Green whose ruins depict island life long ago. Find the natural splendors at Cottage Pond, a bottomless center in the limestone rock, and see the protected pink flamingos in their natural habitat. Kayak in Bottle Creek to the east bay islands reserve...sand islands lost offshore, or ride a bicycle through the winding roadways of Kew. Meet the residents and stop for a taste of local food in a variety of local establishments along the way.

Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos Middle Caicos: A day trip to the most undeveloped island of all...with 300 residents, three villages and five churches. Hike an historic trail along the cliffs, a trail used by natives of long ago to cross between North and Middle Caicos. From the village of Conch Bar, up over the spectacular cliffs at Mudjin Harbour, following the shore to Blowing Hole and all the way to the Crossing Place. The trail is marked with beautiful ceramic cameos and is an inspiration to hike.

A picnic and swim at Mudjin Harbour is truly spectacular, and walk to the Dragon Cay set just offshore at the end of a sands pit. A challenging mountain bike trip along the King's Road, a handcraft demonstration and a lunch in local home is another great day activity on Middle Caicos. The Conch Bar Caves National Park is famous throughout the Caribbean and guided tours easily arranged.
Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos

South Caicos : This island is well known as the fishing capital of TCI. Its placement near the deep Columbus Passage, dividing the Turks and the Caicos island banks, allowed for easy deep water access, but the plethora of small cays nearby allowed for safe plentiful fishing grounds nearby.

Cockburn Town was the original seat of government in colonial times. It is an island of huge variety as the salt pans are circled by high ridges, which offer truly astounding. In some ways, it is the only real town in the country, as the settlement has stayed relatively focused on the harbour – whereas most villages and towns in TCI are rather indistinct and spread out. The international School for Field Studies has been on South Caicos for decades, doing important marine research and working closely with the TCI government to enable best practices to keep the fishing industry viable.

Salt Cay: A day trip via airplane or an overnight exploration, Salt Cay is a very tiny island with a very active history. Walking tours through Balfour Town, echoing the days of the salt merchants and salt rakers who made this island thrive in the 1800's, are informative and fun. Whale watching from January to March is awe-inspiring, as each year the pregnant whales pass by and frolic on their way. Simply flying over to Salt Cay is a fabulous chance to observe this island country from a new perspective.

Grand Turk: A day trip via airplane or an overnight exploration to the capital of country takes you to a world of colonial architecture and pallet of pastels that make up this island. Take time to visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum which features Taino treasures, messages found at sea in bottles, as well as some momentos recovered from old ship wrecks. Grand Turk has charm if its own, and its history is tangible in the buildings, saltpans, and narrow streets. Although now boasting a modern cruise ship terminal and destination, this island still retains its own identity to explore.
Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos

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Should you choose to focus your whole trip to Turks & Caicos Islands as an ecotourism adventure, there is no better place to stay than on Pine Cay. This island, since the early 1970’s, has been protected as a private oasis…800 acres of pristine nature, 37 homes and a 12 room hotel. The quiet tranquility of Pine Cay is a real joy, and you can feel the clean unspoiled environment easing and relaxing you as each day drifts by…..

Pine Cay offers in a microcosm, all the variety of habitats in TCI – gorgeous white sand beach, endless mangroves, inlets and coves of ironshore, offshore islets on the banks, pine forest, and inland fresh water ponds. Because of the commitment to preservation, the indigenous vegetation of the island is intact, the trees full of birds and the ecosystem at peace.

The north shore of the island is one long curve of glistening sand, with very few footsteps and rolling waves beckoning you to swim. The eastern shoreline is a protected channel, with mangroves holding the island edges and the marina sheltered from the open sea. The southern shoreline is ironshore, that peculiar rock formed by millennium of coral dying and rising from the sea, with small bays and coves to explore. On the western end of Pine Cay, the Aquarium sits, intriguing and special, formed by Hurricane Donna in the 1960’s when the passage between Pine Cay and next door Water Cay was closed.

The island of Pine Cay offers a tremendous base from which you may embark on ecotourism activities to fill each day. Young or old, there is a spectrum of activities at hand and readily available for your pleasure…without ever leaving the island! Eco Tourism in Turks and Caicos

* Snorkeling on coral heads and the Aquarium
* Kayak through the mangroves and to the offshore islets
* Birdwatch in the pine forests and inland ponds
* Sail inside the barrier reef or in the Caicos flats
* Bicycling the quiet trails of the island
* Hike the beach or inland nature trails

Add a day excursion to your visit on Pine Cay for a treat – whether to the bustle and glamour of Providenciales, or the history and traditions of Middle Caicos – the choice is yours.

On Pine Cay, you can stay at the exquisite and exclusive Meridian Club hotel or rent one of the Pine Cay cottages. All guests visiting the island are invited to join scheduled activities through the hotel and can utilize the kayaks, hobby cat sailboats, tennis court and pool. More detailed information on activities will be provided at arrival.

The Meridian Club hotel offers an atmosphere of casual elegance, warm welcome and dedication to your comfort and enjoyment. The indoor and outdoor dining areas are at your service for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and the full evening gourmet dinner – all included for those staying at the hotel. For those renting a cottage or home on the island, reservation are required to all meals and costs extra.

The hotel pool is a great meeting spot for all members and guests – as it is the only pool on the island! One of the preservation measures taken to ensure the underground water lens of the island stays secure was to allow no private pools at member cottages and homes. The Meridian Club is essentially a beloved clubhouse for the members, with visitors staying at the hotel very welcome guests – conversations are lively and the mood always cheerful!

For those who wish to visit a number of islands during their time in Turks & Caicos, it is possible to organize a custom holiday where you stay a few nights on different islands, and really get a chance to explore the variety available in this tiny country.

For the truly adventurous, alternatives include day sailing from island to island, or kayaking from island to island and camping out for several nights on deserted cays. For those seeking a bit more creature comfort, locally run inns and small hotels are used each night and travel along the route can include any of sailing, kayaking, biking, or hiking at your choice. Logistical support to get bags sent forward, meals, supplies etc are all in place on each island. One popular ecotour is outlined below:

Day One – arrive to TCI, overnight on Pine Cay, orientation

Day Two – kayak around the island, snorkel the Aquarium, hotel gourmet dinner, Overnight on Pine Cay.

Day Three – sail to North Caicos, overnight on Horse Stable beach at local hotel, dinner at local restaurant, dance/live local band.

Day Four - drive to Middle Caicos, hike to Mudjin Harbour on Crossing Place Trail,
picnic/swim, visit Conch Bar Caves National Park, overnight local inn

Day Five - mountain bike King’s Road, picnic Bambarra beach and sail model hand carved sailboats, camp out option on Middle Caicos

Day Six – mountain bike trip to Kew, tour Wades Green plantation ruins, visit
Cottage Pond, Flamingo Pond, overnight North Caicos same as Day Three, or return to Providenciales for party night

Day Seven - Departure / Providenciales activities if time permits: artisan studio visit, plantation ruins, sailing on Chalk Sound.

As you have noted, this visit to Turks & Caicos Islands is a terrific adventure across four islands, and a chance to really explore the lifestyle and culture of this country while its natural wonders are on parade for you each day. Combinations which involve trips to the other islands are also available – and any customized itinerary you wish can be supported.

Private or custom ecotours, and excursions throughout the islands are available from Amphibious Adventures, and the Middle Caicos Co-op at These operators are well known for their commitment to ecotourism, collaborate effectively to make your ecotour a success, and are eager for you to fully enjoy the land, sea and people of TCI.

Author: Sara J. Kaufman Sara, a ten year resident and citizen of TCI, is a real estate consultant and co-founder of Forbes, Forbes & Forbes, Ltd., a specialty RE firm that works with all the private island communities throughout TCI. Sara holds a M.SC. in Business Studies and also has extensive experience in the international finance and management services industries, working as a consultant in Europe for fifteen years. Sara personally handles all Pine Cay Realty Services for the company. Contact her anytime for more information about this island retreat home.

Sara is associated with Forbes, Forbes & Forbes Ltd., a dedicated Pine Cay Realty Service for those interested in buying or selling on Pine Cay. Forbes, Forbes & Forbes Ltd., are consultants for any type of land research, comparative projector investment analysis, introduction to development opportunities and property sales/purchases throughout the Turks and Caicos.

For More Information About Pine Cay

A rare opportunity now to own property on this very exclusive private island, where community approval is a requirement prior to purchase property.

Both beachfront property and interior lots are on the market, giving the buyer the opportunity to design and build your dream cottage, second home or retirement home.

If building is not to your taste, check out the wide variety of existing homes that are also on the market. All lots, homes and location offer a wide range of prices.

For more information:

CLICK HERE

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