Ocean Club Reviews by travelers who visited the Turks & Caicos Islands TCI

Call toll free for Reservations 1-877-774-5486 or click here to view more information or book Ocean Club Reservations

Travel vacation review by Bob and Tracy Hicks, USA, Aug, 2007

“…We had a wonderful time at Ocean Club in 5202. Some of the not so great trip advisor reports were simply unrealistic. We came in a little worried but left without complaint number one. Could the room have been more luxurious? Maybe. Did it matter? No. We were in the room about 9 hours per day, mostly asleep. Was it clean? Yes. Were the accommodations appropriate to other condos and what not we’ve rented on the beach? Yes.  The room was appropriately appointed as a beach rental. Was the entire staff kind and helpful? Yes. Would we come back? TOMORROW, and we hope we will someday.  My thee kids loved the beach, pool, hobie cats, skiffs, all of it. We did too. The food was good and the grounds were really nice. The view cannot be discounted, nor the wonderful beach access. The water is incredible.  Feel free to post these photos if you like. I am recommending a trip to all of my friends and coworkers…”

Brought to you by DiscoverTCI - Complete Vacation Planning for the Turks & Caicos Islands www.discovertci.tc  Toll Free Reservations 1-877-774-5486

Visit the rock iguanas
Resident only to the Turks and Caicos, these friendly critters can be found on “Iguana Island,” also known as Little Water Cay. $5 donation to the TCI National Trust requested upon arrival.
Contact: Silver Deep. www.silverdeep.com or 649 946 5612.

Take an ATV tour
Froggie Williams will guide you through the backroads of his home neighborhood in the northwest corner of the island – Northwest Point, Malcom Roads Beach and Blue Hills – on an all terrain vehicle. A fun way to see the beaches and a remote part of the island of Providenciales.
Contact: Froggie’s Ultimate Tours. 649 232 FROG

Visit the National Environmental Center
A fun and informative way to learn about the indigenous wildlife and environment of the Turks and Caicos. Located in the Lower Bight area, just across from the children’s park, the NEC has some interesting exhibits and events, as well as helpful staff who can answer your questions about just about anything related to the environment or the national park system in TCI.  Admission is free and it’s open from 8AM to 4:30PM daily.
Contact: DECR. www.enviroment.tc

Tee it up at Provo Golf Club
A challenging but fun 18-hole track that is host to the Caribbean Championship in 2009. Always in great shape and a superb club house to enjoy the 19th hole. Full pro shop and rentals available.
Contact: Provo Golf Club. www.provogolfclub.com or 649 946 5991.

Take a day trip to North Caicos
Just a short ferry ride from Provo, “North’ offers a very different island experience. Lush green scenery, deserted beaches and the famous pink flamingo pond make for an enjoyable day trip Friendly folks will show you around their homes and you’ll experience a side of the Caribbean very rarely seen anymore by tourists.
Contact: TCI Ferry Service. 649 946 5406

Bring the kids to Provo Fun Center
Min golf and a grand prix style go-kart track are the highlights at David’s family-friendly outpost on the east end of Leeward Highway. Video game arcadeand a full service restaurant and bar, too. Join the adult fun at Saturday nights, too, when karaoke breaks out and the next Turks and Caicos Idol is crowned.
Contact: Provo Fun Center

Break a sweat at the gym
Several gyms are located throughout Provo, including at the larger resorts.  The Athletic Club in Salt Mills Plaza features a full range of equipment and aerobic machines, as well as scheduled classes for Pilates, yoga, spin and aerobics.
Contact. The Athletic Club. 649 941-8686

Get Married
What better place to tie the knot than our island paradise? We can accommodate just about any size or style of wedding you want, from wedding on the beach or on the ocean, to traditional church affairs. And you’ll already be on your honeymoon by the time you say “I Do.”

Shop til you drop
Visit The Salt Mills Plaza and Regent Village, located across the street from other in the middle of the Grace Bay Area for a wide range of boutique shoppes, galleries, restaurants and other places to strain your credit limit. A couple of our favorites are Fashion Cay for the latest fashions, Anna’s Art Gallery for handmade sea glass jewelry and original artwork, and Jai’s (www.jais.tc) for fine jewelry, watches and accessories.

Get a spa treatment on the beach
Try the mobile massage from Spa Tropique for a full service treatment anywhere you like, including go on the beach or in your hotel room. They come to you!
Contact: Spa Tropique: www.spatropique.com or 649 941 5720

Learn a little island history at the TCI National Museum
Located on Grand Turk, the museum offers a surprisingly large and interesting collection of artifacts and insights into the history of the islands.. Look at the remains of one Columbus’ original ships, wrecked on Molasses Reef off West Caicos. Exhibits from the ancient Lucayan Indian inhabitants, the Bermudian Salt faming era, through to John Glenn’s splashdown in 1962.
Contact: The National Museum: www.tcmueseum.org or 649 946 2160

Get up close and personal with a conch
Visit the one and only conch farm, or take a tour of some of the richest conch fishing grounds in the world with a charter operator. Either way, it’s sure to be delicious.
Contact: The Conch Farm. www.caicosconchfarm.com or Silver Deep www.silverdeep.com or 649 946 5612

Pay for your vacation by hitting it big at The Player’s Club
A full gaming parlor featuring black jack, roulette, craps, slots and even poker tournaments, The Player’s Club is a fun  — and sometimes profitable– place to hang out. Free shuttle from most hotels. Coming soon – sports book and horse race wagering.
Contact: The Player’s Club. www.theplayersclub.tc or 649 941 4623

Brought to you by DiscoverTCI - Complete Vacation Planning for the Turks & Caicos Islands www.discovertci.tc  Toll Free Reservations 1-877-774-5486

Sip a Bambarra Rum
Turks & Caicos’ only blended rum. Try the 8-year old reserve on the rocks. A smooth sipper, with a link to a part of the islands’ history. Available at most bars and restaurants.

Enjoy some cool tunes by the beach at Hemingway’s
Provo’s most popular seaside bar and restaurant offers live entertainment three times a week (Tuesday Thursday and Friday), including the engaging Quinton Dean on Tuesday and Thursday and jazz saxophonist on Friday
Contact: Hemingway’s. 649 941 8408.

Catch a flick at our new movie theatre
First run movies are now showing on the big screen at LRaye Cinema on Leeward Highway, near the IGA supermarket. Air conditioned with a fully equipped snack bar, it’s just like being at your local Cineplex.
Contact: LRaye Cinema 649 941 3541 or www.lrayecinema.com

Have a professional photo shoot on the beach
Your vacation will only last a week or so, but the pictures will last forever. Have a professionally photographed family portrait done on the beach. Or do that swimsuit modeling you’ve always dreamed of. Tropical Imaging can even arrange for a day long private charter to remote locations for a once in a lifetime experience.
Contact: Tropical Imaging. 649 946 4059 or www.tropicalimaging.com

Buy some local art or crafts
Locally made arts and crafts make a great souvenir to bring home. Try the Middle Caicos Artisan Studio in Blue Hills for a wide variety of TCI handcrafts. For local art, browse the collection at the Bamboo Gallery in the Caicos Café Plaza (near Ports of Call).

Book a private beach excursion to remote cay
Ever dream of a romantic getaway on your own private island? Live the dream,

at least for a day, and charter a boat – power or sail – to whisk you to one of TCI’s remote cays for an undisturbed day of relaxation and solitude. Most operators will include everything you need, including a picnic lunch.

Explore the Middle Caicos Caves
Take a guided tour of spectacular cave formation in the picturesque and peaceful island of Middle Caicos. Big Blue can arrange for a full day adventure, compete with transportation, lunch, tours and mountain bike rentals.
Contact: Big Blue. www.bigblue.tc or 649 946 5034

Catch the big game at Danny Buoy’s
Regardless of your team, Danny Buoy’s can probably get the big game on one of its big screen TVs. With satellite feeds from North America and Europe, DB’s is the fan favorite for sports enthusiasts from both sides of the pond, regardless of whether you enjoy football or football. The authentic Irish pub serves a mean bangers & mash and Guinness, too.
Contact: Danny Buoy’s. www.dannybuoys.com. 649 946 5921

Have a beach BBQ and bonfire
Why not throw an authentic beach party for you and your friends? Local caterers and event planners can take care of all the details, right down to building a blazing bonfire and arranging for a live band. The full moon parties put on by Kissing Fish Catering are legendary!
Contact: Caicos Catering www.caicoscateringcom or 649 231 6890
Kissing Fish Catering at www.turksandcaicoscatering.com or 649 941 8916

Experience a Pirate adventure
The buccaneers at Outback Adventures have been touring the hidden caves and looking for pirate’s treasure for 20 years. Join the fun on a 40-foot glass bottom boat that tours the secluded south side of Provo. Full day adventure includes BBQ lunch, snorkeling and unlimited drinks. Great for the whole family.
Contact: Outback Adventures. 649 941 5810

Go celebrity spotting
Turks & Caicos is certainly a hot spot for the jet set crowd of Hollywood celebrities, rock stars and professional athletes. “A listers” like Bruce Willis, Keith Richards, Michael Douglas and others routinely visit their homes here, enjoying the anonymity and solitude of our islands. Big name jocks spotted recently include Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Roger Federer. Ben Affleck and Kelly Garner got hitched here, and Eva Longoria and Tony Parker honeymooned on our islands. Best places to spot them – Amanyara and Parrot Cay, but good luck getting close!

Chicken & Rib Night at Tiki Hut
An island tradition on Wednesday nights, the Tiki Hut at Turtle Cove Marina serves up tasty chicken and ribs, with all the fixin’s for just $12.95 Beer specials and friendly service round out the family friendly atmosphere.
Contact: Tiki Hut. www.tikihuttci.com or 649 941 5341

Dance on the bar at Nikki Beach
Provo’s newest hot spot really gets hot when the sun goes down. An ultra cool beachfront setting with swim-up bar and techno music pumping throughout the night. Free flowing champagne at their famous Sunday brunches are killer, too, and the Sunday afternoon parties are where the beautiful people go.
Contact: Nikki Beach. www.nikkibeachhotels.com/turks  649 941 3747.

Buy a day pass for Beaches Resort & Spa
Beaches is our largest resort and a great place for family fun. It’s an all-inclusive resort, meaning one price includes room, food, drinks and activities.  Even if you aren’t staying here you can buy a day pass and enjoy the amenities and attractions – including Sesame Street characters on parade, a giant water park, kids activities and shows, and several restaurants and bars – all for a single entry price.
Contact: Beaches. 649 946 8000

Look for the submerged cannons by Fort George Cay
The tiny island of Fort George cay, between Pine Cay and Parrot Cay, once had a small British fort in the1800s. Because of the high rate of piracy in the area, it was protected by cannons, the remains of which can be found in shallow water just off the north side of the island.

Enjoy the island’s best Mojito at Amanyara
First of all, Amanyara Resorts is like no the place you’ve been to. An exclusive resort located in the isolated northwest part of the island, its peaceful Zen-like atmosphere attracts the rich and famous. And the serviceand food reflects that – including the winner of the 2008 Best Mojito contest at the annual TCI Conch Festival. This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, but man, could a person relax here. Call in advance for reservations, even if you’re just going for a drink.
Contact. Amanyara. 649 941 8133

Adopt a potcake
What’s a potcake, you ask? They are the friendly dogs who call TCI home. But many of those loveable island dogs are homeless orphans and need safe homes. Complete adoption services are available through the Potcake Foundation. Or volunteer to be a courier to bring one back for someone else. Take one back to the mainland!
Contact: Potcake Place. www.potcakeplace.com or 649 231 1010 or the Potcake Foundation  www.potcakefoundation.com or 649 941 3765

Explore Blue Hills
The oldest settlement in Providenciales is quant seaside area that meanders for a few miles on the northwest side of the islands. Visit local restaurants like Da Conch Shack, Horse Eyed Jacks and Sailing in Paradise. Watch the local sloops skip across the waves and end up at Three Queen’s, Provo’s oldest bar. Ask for Dick.
Contact: Three Queen’s: 649 243 5343

Catch dinner and a show at Club Med
Club Med is famous for its exotic shows and performers, thrilling its guests with circus-like acts. And it’s always a great party there. Even if you aren’t staying there, buy a night pass and enjoy their scrumptious European-inspired dinner buffet, and stick around for the show.
Contact: Club Med. 649 946 5500

Have a drink at the Infiniti Bar
Grace Bay Club has an amazing setting to begin with, but add in the new Infiniti bar that seems to stretch forever, and you’ll never want to leave.

Enjoy the fire pits and friendly bartenders, too
Contact: Grace Bay Club. www.gracebayclub.com or 649 946 5050.

Read about the shipwreck Trouvadore
The slave trader Trouvadore hit the reef by East Caicos in 1841 and all of its survivors – slaves being delivered to Cuba – made their way to the island of Middle Caicos where they settled in the village they called Bambarra. They were granted freedom as soon as the touched land since slavery had been abolished years earlier in the UK colony. Many present day Turks Islanders trace their roots back to the survivors of this shipwreck. For more information, go to http://www.slaveshiptrouvadore.com

Brought to you by DiscoverTCI - Complete Vacation Planning for the Turks & Caicos Islands www.discovertci.tc  Toll Free Reservations 1-877-774-5486

Horseback ride on the beach
Provo Ponies is the operator to call when you want a romantic horseback ride on an isolated beach, or just to take a friendly gallop across our pristine white sands and through the waves. Guided tours and instruction available.
Contact: Provo Ponies. www.provoponies.com or 649 241 5360.
See the glow worms right after a full moon
You won’t believe this natural display of underwater bioluminescence each month. It’s a great addition to an already outstanding sunset cruise on a fun and relaxing sailing charter.
Contact Atabeyra: www.suncharters.com 649 231 0624.

Dive the walls of West Caicos
Here’s where the big stuff hangs out- sharks, manta and eagle rays, and dramatic drop-offs into the deep blue.
Contact Big Blue www.bigblue.tc or 649 946 5034 or
Caicos Adventures www.caicoadventures.com 649 941 3346

Catch the elusive bonefish
The mighty bonefish – pound for pound the strongest in the seas and a ball of fun to test your fly fishing skills. Explore the miles of shallow flats on the south side of our island chains.
Contact: Silver Deep. www.silverdeep.com or 649 946 5612.

Learn to kite sail
Certified instructor Mike Rosati will teach you all the tips and trick for mastering this fun sport. There’s nothing like skimming across the waves of Grace Bay. Full rental equipment available for kite sailing and windsurfing. Power boat and kayak rentals available, too
Contact: Abuv it All. www.windsurfingprovo.tc or 649 241 1687

Keep an eye out for Jo Jo the Dolphin
Our famous resident bottlenose dolphin regularly patrols the waters of Grace Bay. He’s friendly, but quick! He even has his own web site: www.jojodolphin.org

Witness the beauty of the humpback whales
Migrating through each winter season these mammoth beasts of the sea are amazing to behold. They migrate through the Columbus Passage from December to March each year.
Contact: Bohio Dive Lodge

Dive down in a real submarine
The Underseas Explorer is a semi-submarine that lets you see the reefs without getting wet. One hour tours leave from Turtle Cove Marina.
Contact: Undersea Explorer. www.caicotours.com or 649 231 0006.

Kayak through the mangroves
Enjoy a relaxing and interesting paddle through the mangroves in Leeward Channel. A perfect eco tour where you can appreciate the subtler side of the nature of Turks & Caicos.
Contact: Big Blue. www.bigblue.tc. 649 946 5034

Learn to scuba dive with Wayne at Ocean Vibes
Ocean Vibes is an experienced instructor perfect for beginners looking to experience the beauty of scuba diving in our aquamarine waters. Wayne will show you how to enjoy the vibrant reefs and colorful fish in a relaxed, no-rush approach. Ask him about a parasailing ride, too.
Contact: Ocean Vibes. www.ocenavibes.com or 649 331 1104.

Take a cruise with Kenard
Treat yourself to a day of luxury on the open seas aboard the 42-foot Aqua Cat power catamaran Dream Aweigh. Full and half day cruises feature the hospitality of Captain Kenard and his crew, including special rum drinks and delicious fresh seafood. Let Kenard help you explore undiscovered islands and beaches while you relax in ultimate comfort.
Contact: Kenard Cruise. www.kenardcruises.com or 649 332 3866

Snorkel the reef at Coral Gardens
Turks & Caicos is famous for its coral reef system, but you don’t have to be a scuba diver to enjoy it. You don’t even have to go out in a boat. Coral Gardens is the most accessible snorkeling point, located just a few yards off Grace Bay Beach. It’s right in front of Coral Garden condos in the Lower Bight area of Provo. There is a marked zone with species of coral identified by underwater signs. Best of all, it’s free!

Sail above the sea with Captain Marvin
Get high legally with an exhilarating parasail ride far above our crystal blue waters. Captain Marvin will take you and your friends on the ultimate tour of the islands, from 450 feet up. Ask him about a banana boat ride, too.
Contact: Captain Marvin. www.captainmarvinparasail.com. 649 231 0643

Take a Snuba adventure
That’s right – snuba, not scuba. A kid-friendly way to explore the underseas without having to get certified to scuba dive. Ages 8 and up. Great for adults, too, who want to see the world beneath our pristine waters.
Contact: Snuba Turks & Caicos. www.snubaturksandcaicos.com or 649 241 7010.

Water ski and wake board with the best
Nautique Sports is a full service operator supplier of water sports equipment. Doug has the coolest ski boats and the latest gear to get you on the water in no time. Full certified instruction for beginners to experts available. Tube rides and towables, too!
Contact: Nautique Sports. www.nautiquesports.com 649 941 7544.

Relax on a sunset sail
Several operators offer sunset cruises on which you can sip rum punch, listen to Caribbean tunes and watch for the famous Green Flash as the sun sets. Charter a boat for your whole group, or join a scheduled cruise and make some new friends.
Contact: Atabeyra. www.suncahrters.com or 649 231 0624

Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay, the 1,100 acre private, residential island in

Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay launches “In Conversation with…” Event Series

the Turks & Caicos Islands, is proud to announce an inspiring monthly series of intimate weekend discussions in partnership with luminaries from every field. Take part in this rare opportunity to visit the exclusive island of Ambergris Cay and partake in a variety of world-class amenities and outdoor pursuits, only available to members of the private Turks & Caicos Sporting Club!

The series kicks off January 22-25, 2009 with Eastern Medicine Specialist Dr. Shane Hoffman, Cabaret Singer, Kristin Reitter and Green Architect, Tommy Zung. Bring your family and friends as we learn to define opportunities to create healing in each of our environments: body. Learn how to facilitate healing and wellness by implementing simple techniques for balance with fun, joy, laughter and singing, and let our LEED-certified architect show you techniques for spatial simplicity and comforting color.

Join us February 13-16, 2009 to discover Our World of Sport Strength Training and Nutrition with Lee Zohlman, President of the Premier Sports training facility, and Matty Reed, World Champion tri-athlete and 2008 Beijing Olympian. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by keeping your heart healthy through exercise and eating well! Learn how to run and swim better, eat to optimize performance and train for outdoor pursuits at any level.  From bonefishing to a full length triathlon, our experts will guide you in optimizing your abilities. The weekend will culminate in a family oriented Turks & Caicos Style Sprint Triathlon combining skills learned over the weekend with Quintessential Ambergris Cay activities including swimming, running, kayaking and fishing!

Join In Conversation With pirate historians and rum gurus the weekend of March 20-22, 2009, to discover The History of Caribbean as seen through the Eyes of Pirates and Rum bottles: two defining Caribbean Cultural aspects. Share words with Charlie Ewen, PhD, Professor of Anthropology at East Caroline University and author of “X Marks the Spot, the Archeology of Piracy;” Colin Woodard, author of “The Republic of Pirates;” Fred Smith, Professor of Anthropology at William & Mary and author of “Caribbean Rum, A Social and Economic History;” and Patrick Costigan, a noted rum expert working at New York City’s acclaimed restaurant, CRU. End the long-weekend with an all species fishing tournament with categories in fly, reef and deepwater fishing!

The exclusive Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay looks forward to being In Conversation with….You! To learn more about this evocative monthly series, please visit www.cayconversations.com.
Space is limited and spots are filling up fast.

For more information on package rates and reservations, please contact:

Sandy McAllister
Sandy.McAllister@AmbergrisCay.com
Office (649) 941-4392
Cell (649) 232-3387

For Press Information please contact:
Mimi Crume
mcrume@dpsdevelopment.com
Phone:   (646) 291-8765

Vacation Reviews for Ocean Club Resort Turks and Caicos, Grace Bay, Provo

Toll Free Reservations 1-877-774-5486 or click here to get more information, see pictures or book online

Travel review for Ocean Club by Judith Ritter

“…Are the words “lovely little hotel, lovely little island” even still a phrase possible to use when speaking of the Caribbean with its mega-resorts, casinos, duty-frees and cruise ports? Well, TCI has escaped this and so has The Ocean Club Resort. If the word “resort” conjures up hoards of tourists, fake waterfalls in crowded swimming pools and overly cheery activities directors pushing “fun and games” and drinks, forget it. Ocean Club, despite its moniker is none of that. Instead, discreet low rise buildings surrounded by asparagus ferns, hibiscus and palms sit just steps from along stretch of, Grace Beach, one of the gentlest beaches I have ever visited, and the beach with the most turquoise waters I’d ever seen…”

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 – The Turks and Caicos Islands was the host of the 15th Annual World Travel Awards for a third year. This year’s awards ceremony was a gallant affair, held at the Beaches Resort and Spa on Providenciales.

Numerous destinations and resorts were nominated for titles that cover the entire tourism sector in the Caribbean region. The ultimate goal of the World Travel Awards is to separate the good from the outstanding within the tourism industry and to identify companies that consistently excel beyond expectation and thereby encourage world-class competition, stimulate innovation and creativity as well as ensure that travelers receive exceptional value.

The Turks and Caicos Islands were on the receiving end of a few Caribbean awards. Grace Bay Beach received the title of the Caribbean’s Leading Beach for the fourth consecutive year, while the title of Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel was awarded to the Point Grace Resort. The Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Village and Spa received the award for Caribbean’s Leading Family All-Inclusive. The Caribbean’s Leading Spa Resort was awarded to the Parrot Cay Resort.

Locally there were numerous awards to be won. The Amanyara Resort won the title of Turks and Caicos’ Leading Boutique Hotel, while Parrot Cay won the Turks and Caicos Leading Spa Resort. The Islands’ Leading Hotel and Resort Awards went to The Regent Palms and Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Village and Spa respectively. Turks and Caicos Leading Suite was awarded to the Presidential Suite at The Somerset Resort.

The World Travel Awards highlights the excellent service providers in the tourism industry worldwide, and encourages growth towards excellence. It should be the aspiration of all involved in the tourism industry to be among the nominations and winners of next year’s awards.

Caesar Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association commenting on the island’s success stated: “We are excited about the Awards which the destination won, because it highlights the hard work and commitment of those involved in our tourism industry, and authenticates our goal of becoming the ultra luxurious Caribbean destination”.

For Reservations at the leading resorts in the Turks and Caicos Islands - call toll free 1-877-774-5486 or visit www.discovertci.tc

New Year’s is always a time of year in the Turks & Caicos with celebration and parties throughout the week between Christmas and New Years. New Year Eve features fireworks display at many resorts, such as Beaches, Club Med and The Sands, as well as gala dinner parties and rocking events with live music at places like Ports of Call and Danny Buoy’s.

For their inaugural New Years on Providenciales, Nikki Beach will be throwing Massive New Year’s Bash.  More 1,200 people are expected to bring in the New Year at Nikki Beach watching the official Ball Drop of the Caribbean.  Nikki has constructed a huge Ball Drop on their beach that will count down the final seconds of 2008 with the best of Provo.  Entertainment will include a Columbian Female Dance Troupe and Cirque performers from around the world.  Tickets can be booked at www.mynikkibeach.net.

New Year’s caps off with a traditional junk-a-noo rush in downtown Providenciales at dawn. For those revelers still awake, it’s quite a display of music, dancing and energy as two of the leading junk-a-noo bands collide.

Vacations in the Turks and Caicos Islands Reservations 1-877-774-5486 or visit www.discovertci.tc

This winter season will see a number of new restaurants on the already world class Turks & Caicos dining scene.

Here are a few to whet your appetite:

Local restaurateur Tony Arata takes his magic to Ocean Club, where he has transformed that property’s restaurant into Opus, Wine Bar and Grille. Featuring a fabulous mahogany bar, an extensive wine list, and a creative menu from Chefs Rollie and Abby, Opus is sure to be a hit. The friendly atmosphere is great for any occasion and the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining in a lush garden setting. Opus is open late night til midnight every night, perfect for when that late flight into the island is running late.

Meanwhile, the award-winning Regent Palms Turks and Caicos signature restaurant Parellel23, A Tropical Grille, has re-launched with a new focus on Caribbean-inspired specialties, perfect prime meats and fresh-caught seafood under the helm of acclaimed Executive Chef Torsten Rumprecht. The new menu features flawlessly grilled, 28-day dry-aged and corn-fed Nebraska beef, tender and tangy buffalo cuts, vanilla-infused fresh Caicos lobster tail and Chateaubriand pour deux. Each dish is prepared from organic and locally sourced provisions in the restaurant’s state-of-the-art display kitchen with a vintage-style brick oven to seal in authentic flavors and textures.

Further down the road, The Atlantic Bar & Grill has opened at the West Bay Club. The restaurant is set in our outdoor living area that is exquisitely and attractively landscaped with lush tropical foliage. The culinary expertise of Executive Chef Liz Tracey will tantalize your taste buds with a Caribbean cuisine experience like no other.

Gourmet Safari – a delectable tour of fine dining
The second annual TCI Gourmet Safari will be held December 19-21 and showcases some of the finest restaurants in the islands. The dine-around concept features two nights of whirlwind dining stops where diners sample a course from one of five establishments. The event also features a gourmet brunch on Sunday December 21, to be hosted by Nikki Beach, and featuring dishes form all the participating restaurants.

Participating restaurants include: Anacaona (Grace Bay Club); Coyaba, Parallel 23 (Regent Palms), O’Soleil (The Somerset); Amanyara, and Nikki Beach. Go the event web site for more information.

A research team, which included the folks from the Turks & Caicos National Museum, has discovered the wreck of the slave ship Trouvadore, which slammed into a reef off the coast of the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1841, freeing the 193 Africans who were being brought to the U.S. South for a life of servitude.

“The people of the Turks and Caicos have a direct line to this dramatic, historic event and it’s how so many of them ended up being there. We hope this discovery will encourage the people of the Turks and Caicos to protect and research their local history, especially the history that remains underwater,” head researcher Don Keith said.

The ship sank near a local landmark called Black Rock on the coast of East Caicos. Eventually, the research team found the remains of the ship in 9 feet of water about two miles west of Black Rock, where the vessel had apparently been pushed by wind and current.

Many of the ship’s survivors were forced to work in the country’s salt ponds for a year to pay for their rescue, but they were then freed. Like their neighbors in the Bahamas and many Caribbean islands, most of the 30,000 modern residents of the Turks and Caicos are thought to be descended from African slaves. But the research suggests many could be descended from the Trouvadore passengers, who were spared enslavement by the shipwreck.

Hotel Vacations to the Turks & Caicos Reservations 1-877-774-5486 or visit www.discovertci.tc