TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS


From my seafront sunbathing spot atop the soft sands on H2O’s doorstep, I observe the hub of activity taking place in the shallows: an e-foiler tentatively starts climbing to their feet; a foamy ripple ricochets across the surface as a jetski begins racing towards the horizon, its driver and passenger squealing in delight; and a cluster of paddleboarders cheerfully bob through the waves.


Out at sea


I’m quite content on the beach, but at a resort so well-equipped for aquatic adventures, it would be rude not to venture beyond the shoreline, so I haul a paddleboard into the shallows and join the fun. The water beneath my board is an otherworldly shade of turquoise, glinting and glistening like a blanket of thousands of tiny diamonds. I feel completely at peace as I navigate the calm waves, the buzz of activity blurring into a happy thrum in the background as I soak in the idyllic beauty of my surroundings. As I gaze towards the horizon, something else demands my attention: a stationary cargo ship obscured by a blanket of rust, which has become somewhat of a must-see for visitors to Provo. I’ve never been one to pass up the opportunity to visit a landmark, no matter how tarnished, so I paddle back to shore and swap my board for a larger vessel: H2O’s speedboat, which whisks us to the shipwreck in minutes. Our captain kills the in}ini >n` Üi yo>Ì >lon}Ãi`i Ìhi Ãhi« >à hi Ìillà the story of how La Famille Express was dragged from its anchor for more than 12 miles by the winds of hurricane Frances in 2004.


We plunge into the cool waters from `


As the sun gently dips below the horizon, we’re


treated to free-flowing rum punches and fizzing flutes of champagne


our boat’s stern for a quick swim stop in the shadow of the ship, then climb back on board and head towards the shore. But before we’re back on dry land, there’s one more landmark we need to tick off: Captain Oak’s Tiki Bar. 7i Vl>mLiÀ vÀom Ìhi Lo>Ì onÌo Ìhi yo>Ìin} wooden shack and are greeted by a small host of merrymakers perched at the bar and Captain Oak himself, who quickly rustles up rum-laced drinks to a lively soundtrack of reggae tunes. Admiring Provo from the water is a must for ÛiÃiÌoÀÃ] iiÌhiÀ `ÕÀin} > ÌÀi« Ìo > yo>Ìin} L>À oÀ] if clients are keen to venture a little farther beyond the shoreline, from the comfort of a catamaran. We board Lady Grace – the luxury vessel that was christened alongside The Ritz-Carlton in Grace Bay – while the sun is still bathing us in its warmth, but we’re not sailing for long before the blue of the sky is


replaced with balmy shades of pink and orange.


As the sun gently dips below the


hoÀiâon] Üi½Ài ÌÀi>Ìi` Ìo vÀii-yoÜin} ÀÕm «ÕnVhià >n` wââin} yÕÌià ov Vh>m«>}ni] which we enjoy alongside the beautiful passing scenery of Grace Bay. With a cocktail in hand, I contemplate another divine concoction: the outstanding natural beauty, high-octane activities and joyous spirit that combine to make Turks and Caicos special – a mixture I can’t seem to get enough of. ●


BOOK IT: Caribtours offers seven nights’ B&B in a Garden View Junior Suite at The Shore Club from £3,675 per person.


The price includes flights, transfers and UK lounge access. CARIBTOURS.CO.UK


Continues over page i


OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: H2O speedboat; La Famille Express shipwreck SECOND ROW: H2O Life Style Resort; writer Isobel Turner with birthday cake; jetskiing THIRD ROW: Aerial view of the H2O beach FOURTH ROW: A villa at The Shore Club; catamaran Lady Grace FIRST PAGE: Grace Bay Beach Credits: Shutterstock/Jay Noschese; Sarah Lucy Brown


88 ASPIRE MARCH 2025 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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