Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
has some historic buildings and the national museum, a must-
see for history buffs.
Other inhabited islands include
North Caicos,
the most ver-
dant island in the chain;
South Caicos,
a fishing center;
Mid-
dle Caicos,
home of several sea caves; and
Salt Cay,
a tiny
island of only 300 residents that was once the world's largest
producer of salt.
The Turks and Caicos are home to an extensive national park
and nature reserve system. Over 31 national parks dot the is-
lands, including Provo's
Princess Alexandra National
Park,
with 13 miles of protected beaches; the
NW Point Ma-
rine,
with spectacular wall diving; and
Chalk Sound,
with
small boat sailing on the west end of the island. National park
rules make it illegal to hunt or fish, remove any animal or coral,
moor vessels over 60 feet except on fixed buoys, or drive boats
within 100 yards of shore.
If you take a boat trip to one of the cays, you might be lucky
enough to see the unofficial mascot of the islands:
JoJo.
This
wild dolphin has been sighted for over a dozen years along
Provo's north shore, the only case ever documented of prolonged
interaction between an individual wild dolphin and humans.
Often seen swimming near boats, JoJo is protected by his gov-
ernmental status as an official national treasure.
Although it is rare to spot JoJo, vacationers are certain to view
wildlife on daytrips to nearby
Water Cay,
located northeast of
Provo. Here numerous iguanas greet boat passengers and hope
for handouts of a tasty grape or mango.
Festivals
The Turks and Caicos are home to several festivals, although
most take place on one island only. In late May, South Caicos
holds a sailing regatta (call the tourist board for entry details,
800-241-0824 or 305-891-4117), with plenty of local food.
In early June, Grand Turk celebrates the
Queen's Official
Birthday,
with a uniformed parade (and we mean uniforms -
everyone from the police force to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts
takes to the streets) and medals from Her Majesty the Queen
are presented by the governor.
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