Are you planning a trip to this Caribbean island group with amazingly beautiful turquoise waters? I’ll tell you what’s the best time to travel to Turks and Caicos based on my own experience, and the months I’ve stayed there. I’ll also tell you when it’s best not to go there.
When you’re making vacation plans to go to Turks and Caicos, it isn’t only about choosing the right destination. Timing is just as important. To make your trip unforgettable, you’ll probably want to know when to avoid tropical storms and rainy season too.
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Before I made my travel plans to visit this British Overseas Territory, I did some research. One of the things I wanted to know is: what’s the best time of year to visit Turks and Caicos?
Since I live in the Netherlands, Europe, I’m not used to a tropical climate. As you can imagine, I didn’t want to arrive in the hottest month or during a tropical cyclone.
So, when’s the best time to visit The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)? Is March or even October, the ideal time to visit this popular destination?
Or is any other month the best month to have a great time? Let’s have a look at some answers and how it can influence your island getaway.
For those who are looking for a quick answer:
- the hottest months are from July to September. Hurricane season runs from July to October.
- Slow season starts late August and lasts until October. This means hotel rooms for lower prices. Yet, some businesses are closed.
- Keep in mind it can rain a lot from September to December.
- High season is from November to April. With December and January considered as peak tourist season = higher prices.
Make sure you read the rest of my blog, because I will go into more detail and tell you about my experience also.
Great places to stay in Turks and Caicos are:
- The Rock House (has the best restaurant on Island)
- The Shore Club (most Instagram proof hotel on the Island)
- Sibonné Beach Hotel (affordable)
- Amanyara (most exclusive resort)
- Other hotel options
If you’re not familiar with The Turks and Caicos Islands, here’s a short introduction about this great place first.
@taliseelisha Island life 🏝️ #turksandcaicos #providenciales #tci #noahsark #conchshack #fyp #foryoupage #omarsbeachhut #gracebayclub #rockhouse #forallthedogs #cielo #traveltiktok #travel #capcut #CapCut #turksandcaicosislands #providencialesturksandcaicos ♬ Holy Ghost – Omah Lay
Table of Contents
What is Turks & Caicos?
When I told People I was planning to visit Turks & Caicos, most of them (in Europe) didn’t know anything about the island group.
It seemed, only those who watched The Kardashians or The Real Housewives of New York City knew about its existence.
So if you’re also wondering: “what is Turks & Caicos?” Here’s a brief explanation.
According to the Caicos tourism website:
“The Turks and Caicos is a tropical Atlantic archipelago that’s located 575 miles (925 kilometers) southeast of Miami, Florida, and 75 miles (120 km) north of the Dominican Republic […] with a population of 44,543 (2020 estimate) spread over 9 inhabited islands. There are about 100 named islands and cays in the Turks and Caicos.”
visittci.com
Although Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory, a large number of visitors are from North America. Mainly the United States and Canada.
You can expect beautiful beaches (white sand beaches) and inclusive resorts aimed at luxury tourism.
The 5 most popular islands are:
- Providenciales (airport, best beaches, most accommodation and best places to visit)
- Grand Turk (Capital Cockburn Town, center of Government and where cruise ships dock)
- North Caicos
- Middle caicos
- South Caicos
I visited Providenciales in March 2022. This island is also known als Provo and one of the popular destinations of the archipelago.
Provo is where you find different top beaches like Grace Bay beach or Leeward beach. It’s also the most populated, vibrant and developed island in the Turks and Caicos.
Is It A Good Idea to Visit Turks and Caicos in March?
As nice as a bright sunny Caribbean day can be, when it’s too hot you can get too tired to partake in any activity. So I decided to travel in March, because it’s near the end of peak season and the weather conditions are relatively great.
During March, Turks and Caicos experiences minimal levels of rainfall. Yet, that does not mean there’s no rain. You still can experience some rainfall, but don’t expect any kind of downpour.
Despite the hot weather, I did experience some rain. I stayed there for a whole month and during that period there were about 7 rainy days. Mostly short bursts of rain on otherwise sunny days.
However, on some days I just stayed inside and didn’t do any outdoor activities, because it was cloudy and somewhat chilly.
Obviously, the rain also attracts some mosquitos and they’ll find you when you sit in the shade. Luckily, you can fight them off by using a good mosquito repellent. Also you won’t find them at the beach.
How’s the weather in March?
As far as the temperature goes during daytime, I experienced an average temperature of 82.4° F (28° C). Since The Turks and Caicos Islands are near the equator it means you have a great chance of getting sunburned within 15 minutes!
So use plenty of high-factor sun cream during the day. At least SPF30 or 50, even when you sit under an umbrella.
The ocean stays around 79° F (26° C) during the day and at night it stays close to 68° F (20° C).
From my experience, the water temperature is fine when there’s no rain or heavy wind, but when it’s cloudy the water may feel too cold to stay in for long.
Is it windy?
Although it’s warm during daytime, in the evening you’ll surprisingly see a drop in temperature to 68° F (20° C). At times I felt the evenings were a bit chilly due to trade winds.
March seems to be ‘winter season’ in the Caribbean, so if you’re planning to go in March, make sure you also pack 1 or 2 pants, especially if you want to visit restaurants or local bars during night time.
Next time I’ll bring some pants or jeans, which I didn’t pack at that time because I thought the evenings would be as hot as in the Cayman Islands.
Even though March tends be a bit windy, it can be very pleasant during daytime, since it gives a somewhat cooling effect.
If you’re into water sports, such as kiteboarding, this month is great option to do an activity like this. However, if you’re planning to go on a boat trip, be aware of choppy waters on some days.
So, would I visit Turks and Caicos again in March? Yes, I would but late april or early november could be a good choice too. In the next paragraphs I’ll explain why.
Other best times of the year to visit the islands
If you want to avoid peak tourism season, but still want to enjoy warm weather and many days of sunshine, it’s good to know the average daytime temperatures throughout the year are 75 to 95° F (24-35° C).
Weather
- Hottest months are from July to September (‘summer’ months).
- Cooler months are from November to March (‘winter’ months).
- Less rainfall: February to July.
- Hurricane season runs from June to November.
The difference between the hottest and coldest month is approximately 10° F (12° C). If you are not a fan of warmer temperatures, avoid July to September. This is mostly slow season and also hurricane season.
If you want to avoid the chances of facing a hurricane avoid visiting between August 31 and September 15, according to the official Tourist website.
In spite of the fact that the last hurricane was in reported in 2017, it doesn’t mean there’s no threat.
Nonetheless, the chances are higher you’ll experience some heavy rain and as a result some mosquitos and flooding of roads for a few days.
The good news is: you can enjoy lower accommodation rates and avoid the hustle and bustle of the busiest months.
Weather in Turks and Caicos in August
In August, the weather in Turks and Caicos is typically hot and humid with temperatures ranging from around 80°F (27°C) to 90°F (32°C). The sea temperature is warm, usually between 82°F (28°C) and 84°F (29°C).
Now, it’s worth mentioning that August falls within the hurricane season in the Caribbean, so there is a possibility of tropical storms or hurricanes. However, Turks and Caicos generally experiences less hurricane activity compared to other Caribbean islands.
While August can be a great time to visit due to warm temperatures and lower tourist crowds, it’s important to keep an eye on weather forecasts and any potential storm warnings if planning outdoor activities or travel during this time.
Turks & Caicos hurricane update 2022
I also had the pleasure of visiting Turks and Caicos from August to September 30, 2022. While there, I unfortunately experienced Hurricane Fiona.
When it reached Turks and Caicos in the evening on September 19 it became a category 3 hurricane. Making it he first major hurricane of the 2022 season.
Fiona hit Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, East Caicos and Middle Caicos the hardest and they experienced life-threatening flooding. Furthermore, their telecommunications were severely affected since they were in the eye of the storm.
We were so lucky that Provo, the island were most tourist stay, wasn’t affected as badly as the other islands. We did experience heavy rainfall, winds and local flooding due to the rain, but nothing major compared to what others went through.
The TCI government did a great job of keeping us informed through Social Media and the DDME Alert app. And although some parts of Provo also experienced power outages, most of the island was up and running again from the afternoon of 21 September.
Slow season
- Low season starts late August and lasts until October.
- on average the warmest time to visit.
- Lower prices and good deals.
- Humid and possible threat of hurricanes (August – September).
- Most rainfall: September to November.
- Some businesses are even closed (so less activities on the islands)
High season
- High season is from November to April.
- With December and January considered as peak tourist season. Keep in mind this is the busiest time to visit.
- Cooler months.
- Less rainfall.
- Whale spotting from late January to beginning of March.
Take-away
Which season works for you and which one doesn’t depends on your personal preference. While there is no bad time specifically to visit the Caribbean islands, you may try to avoid the height of hurricane season. Mostly August and September.
If you are a first-time visitor, visiting the Caribbean islands in March or April are a good time to start with. It gives you a good combination when it comes to:
- weather,
- activities
- and availability of accommodation.
Yet, the rest of the year can also be a good option depending on the experience you want to have:
Best months to visit when you want to avoid large crowds and don’t mind closed businesses: visit in May, August and September.
These are the most quiet months and you’re most likely to experience fewer crowds and lowest prices (lower rates for accommodation).
Best combination of weather, fun and fewer people compared to peak tourist season: March, April October. You can still enjoy live music and loads of water activities.
If you don’t mind peak season and want to spot whales, you should visit the the archipelago from late January to beginning of March.
If you’re concerned about encountering Spring Break visitors visiting in March and April, you don’t have to worry. As far as I’ve heard the Turks & Caicos islands aren’t well known for their Spring Break Party Vibes.
During my visit I didn’t run into any Spring Break visitors – mind you I was traveling during Covid season. Although I experienced long queues upon arrival at Providenciales International Airport (PLS) on March 2nd, I didn’t come across crowded beaches.
Similarly, I had a smooth exit from the airport on March 30th, with no long waiting lines. I arrived on Wednesday afternoon on a left on a Wednesday afternoon.
Turks and Caicos weather by month
Turks and Caicos is blessed with a wonderful tropical climate all year round. This means you can expect warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine to soak up during your visit.
However, the weather is known to have some variations throughout the year. But don’t worry, I’m here to help by providing you with a helpful and a general overview of the weather by month:
January to March: expect highs of around 80-84°F (27-29°C) and lows of 68-72°F (20-22°C). Mostly dry weather with low humidity.
April to June: look forward to highs of 84-88°F (29-31°C) and lows of 72-77°F (22-25°C). Humidity increases slightly, but you can still expect mostly dry and sunny days with occasional showers.
July to August: prepare for highs of 88-90°F (31-32°C) and lows of 77-82°F (25-28°C). It gets hot and humid during these months, with occasional rain showers. Please note that hurricane season begins in August.
September to October: expect increased rain and highs of 88-90°F (31-32°C) and lows of 77-82°F (25-28°C). This is the peak of the hurricane season, so be aware of an increased risk of tropical storms and hurricanes. Stay informed and prepared during your visit.
November to December: anticipate highs of 82-84°F (28-29°C) and lows of 72-77°F (22-25°C). Humidity decreases, and rainfall becomes less frequent.
Do You Need a Passport to Go to Turks and Caicos?
When traveling anywhere in the world it’s always a good idea to know the legal requirements. It’ll save you a lot of hassle.
So, do you need a passport? The short answer is yes, you do. A valid passport is required. Other specifics you need to know as well:
- You need a passport with at least 3 months of validity.
- Two pages are required for the entry stamp.
- A tourist visa is required in the case of visits for over 90 days.
No matter when you visit, you will not be disappointed. You’ll most certainly experience warm weather during any time of the year.
For any further info I would highly advise you to check out the official tourist website. This will help you prepare your trip well so you’ll have a nice time for sure, even during pandemic visits (make sure you have a travel insurance).
Have you ever been to any Caribbean island? What island would you advise me to visit next?
About the author
Angela is a curly girl and has been a beauty blogger since 2012. Because of her passion for beauty and hair, she has been a certified makeup artist since 2016 and has done multiple hair styling trainings. As a cosmetics lover, she writes reviews on cosmetics and provides different solutions that facilitate your daily beauty and curls routine.