In the Turks & Caicos, it doesn’t matter if you’re 8 months or 80 years old — there’s something here for you. And perhaps that’s what really makes our islands so special. Just ask Candyce H. Stapen, who recently returned from a family vacation to the Turks & Caicos with three generations:
My 8-month-old granddaughter Charlotte giggled as I held her and we bobbed in the turquoise waters of Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. James, my 2 1/2-year-old grandson, busily shaped sand into castles and critters under the watchful eyes of his parents. My husband, David, read on the chaise longue, intermittently looking up as our grandkids pierced the morning quiet with their laughter.
As Candyce mentions in her article, multigenerational families crave plenty of space.
Multigenerational families, we learned years ago when we added our mothers-in-law to our vacations, thrive on space, privacy and — for our clan — creature comforts.
And lucky for them, there’s no shortage of spacious and comfortable accommodations in the Turks & Caicos. From private villas such as the 4 bedroom beachfront villa at Beach Enclave Grace Bay, to hotel suites with three or four bedrooms, families can have as much space as they need. Candyce and her family stayed at the charming West Bay Club, but she goes on to mention other family-friendly properties like Seven Stars Resort, Grace Bay Club and the ultimate All Inclusive family style Beaches Resort – complete with 24 restaurants, water theme parks and everything else under the sun (literally).
Family-friendly activities
While family members may not want to do everything together (some want to lounge on the beach with a book, others will prefer crafts and games at their hotel’s on-site kids’ club such as ‘Play by COMO‘ at the amazing COMO Parrot Cay Resort), there are some activities that will appeal to nearly everyone. And a boat trip to see the best of the islands and spend time together on the water is hard to turn down.
My son-in-law Chris, James and I boarded the boat. James, with the wind in his hair and a bag of potato chips in his hands, smiled for the entire 30-minute ride to the Leeward Cut. We brought our own plastic-bottomed, see-through raft for James since he was too young for the standard mask and fins. Although he refused to lie belly-down to peer into the water, he liked the vistas of blue ocean and sky as Chris pulled around his kiddie craft.
A day out on the water also gives you a chance to introduce kids to local wildlife, from the playful dolphins that call our waters home to the iguanas that roam free on Little Water Cay.
Kids’ Clubs
We’ve talked about the kids’ clubs offered at various resorts, but it’s a perk that bears repeating. These on-site, supervised programs offer a range of activities for kids, from indoor games and crafts, to outdoor playgrounds and treasure hunts. It’s not only a chance to keep your children stimulated and entertained (all in a stunning environment we might add), but it also gives you a chance to enjoy some relaxing and well-deserved adult time. If you want to know more, we dedicated an entire blog post to traveling to the Turks & Caicos with young kids.
Let’s start planning
Thinking of planning a multigenerational vacation in the Turks & Caicos and not sure where to start? That’s where we come in. Our local travel designers can put together an itinerary for you that suits all your family’s needs. Get in touch to to start planning, and let us handle all the details so all that’s left for you to do upon arrival is sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
