When to Visit Turks & Caicos

In the Turks and Caicos islands, you’ll find a wealth of tempting activities to enjoy, from spotting humpback whales at Salt Cay to diving the world’s third-largest coral reef. Or, if you want something a little more relaxing, you can check out the gorgeous coastline of Grace Bay Beach, consistently rated one of the best beaches in the world.

Escaping the over-development of so many Caribbean islands, the tropical archipelago of Turks and Caicos has retained a laid-back appeal that balances plenty of ‘doing’ with a healthy dose of simply ‘being’ - a combination that keeps visitors coming back year after year.

But you may be wondering when to visit Turks and Caicos to enjoy its many attractions to the fullest. In this article, we’ll share the most popular time of year as well as the cheapest. And, if you want to increase your chances of having those beaches to yourself, we’ll also reveal when they’ll be the least crowded. If you’re interested in getting a taste of local culture and food, don’t miss the down-low on the islands’ best festivals too.

When Is the Most Popular Time to Visit Turks & Caicos?

Like many parts of the Caribbean, the high season in Turks and Caicos is generally during the winter months, when visitors head south from colder climates to enjoy the delights of mid-winter sunshine. Find out more about the weather in Turks & Caicos here.

The fantastic dry and sunny winter weather combined with the Christmas and Easter holidays and the ever-popular Caribbean cruise season means the months of December to April are generally the most popular to visit the islands of Turks and Caicos.

Of course, this popularity brings a sharp increase in vacation prices, which can put a strain on your wallet. If your budget doesn’t stretch to the financial demands of peak season, fear not, as there are cheaper times to visit when you can still appreciate the islands’ gorgeous beaches to the max. May is the shoulder season, and while this month is still super popular with visitors, prices begin to drop back to more affordable territory.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Turks & Caicos for Cheap Prices?

You may feel that, if you’re working to a budget, Turks and Caicos is out of reach - but you’ll be pleased to hear this isn’t the case.

Prices tend to nosedive during the off-season, which in Turks and Caicos covers a relatively long period. So, if you look for deals anywhere from June to November, you should be able to grab yourself a bargain, with August, September, and October usually the cheapest months overall.

This is great news if you want to experience the exclusive atmosphere of Turks and Caicos without the eye-watering price tag that usually accompanies it.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Turks & Caicos to Beat the Crowds?

There are plenty of benefits to visiting Turks and Caicos during the quieter months. Sharing those white-sand and turquoise-ocean beaches with fewer people means there’s a relaxed vibe, with plenty of loungers to choose from on the beach - and there’s always a seat to be had at the swim-up bar. You can also take your pick of the varied restaurants on Providenciales Island (or Provo as it’s often called) without the weeks-in-advance booking that’s required during peak season.

So when’s the best time to visit Turks and Caicos to beat the crowds? The fall months of September and October are the quietest, mainly because they see the highest chances of hurricane activity. But as long as that’s not a deal-breaker, fall can be a great time to experience a more sedate vacation - perfect if you’re considering Turks and Caicos as a romantic getaway destination.

Festivals, Weather and Other Factors to Consider

There’s so much to consider when choosing the best time to visit Turks and Caicos - here are some of the most important factors to bear in mind.

Hurricane Season in Turks & Caicos

Although the islands of Turks and Caicos are warm all year round, from June to November it’s hurricane season. While a hurricane making landfall is relatively unlikely, it’s useful to at least be aware of the risk.

In practical terms, the later part of hurricane season coincides with the rainy season, so you’ll almost certainly see some rain and possibly storms, especially during September and October. But rain showers are usually confined to a few hours in the afternoon or evening, rather than the days of incessant rain we’re used to further north.

If you’re going to visit Turks and Caicos during hurricane season, you can keep an eye on notable storm activity via the National Hurricane Center.

Major Festivals in Turks & Caicos

Although the islands of Turks and Caicos are pretty small, their main festivals bring in an international crowd ready to experience the charms of island life. Some of the best festivals are:

Caribbean Food and Wine Festival

If gastronomy floats your boat, the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival could be the event for you. Each year in November, international chefs arrive in Turks and Caicos ready to create a weekend filled with tastings, cooking demonstrations, and an opportunity to taste the best food and wine in the Caribbean.

Junkanoo

Junkanoo actually takes place across the year, but the biggest celebrations are held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Celebrating the emancipation of former slaves, Junkanoo is a spectacle of dance, costumes, and music that’s a joy to experience. So important is this festival in Turks and Caicos that there is now a Junkanoo Museum in Providenciales that’s well worth a visit.

Diving and Snorkeling in Turks and Caicos

Not only are the Turks and Caicos islands famous for their proximity to the world’s third largest coral reef, but they are also known for the astonishing walls and drop-offs, some of which are over 2 km in depth.

There’s no bad time to scuba dive in Turks and Caicos, as the waters are warm all year round - between 78 and 84 degrees - and winds are generally calm, which keeps visibility levels up to an impressive 30 meters.

The water is filled with scores of sea creatures, with dolphins, turtles, and rays commonly seen close to the surface and all kinds of tropical fish and huge coral structures waiting to be discovered in deeper water.

Humpback whale sightings are a big incentive for many people visiting Turks and Caicos, and if they’re on your must-see list, you should visit in January or February, when they pass by the islands on their way to breed further south.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Visiting Turks & Caicos in Each Season

We know it’s not easy to decide when to visit Turks and Caicos, as each season has good - and not so good - qualities. Here are the main pluses and minuses to help you decide when to plan your visit.

Visiting Turks & Caicos in Winter: December - February

Winter sees clear skies and warm days, which is one of the many reasons why it’s the peak tourist season on the eight inhabited islands of Turks and Caicos. You’ll be able to enjoy a lively atmosphere, with resorts and attractions full of visitors. And you’re unlikely to see much in the way of rain, which is perfect for a beach break. This is also the season when humpback whales make an appearance, which may just be enough to seal the deal.

Winter also sees one of the best festivals in Turks and Caicos, with significant parts of the Junkanoo Festival taking place at this time.

However, because winter is such an enticing time to visit, this is when prices are at their highest - which is fine if money is endless, but it does make planning a budget vacation challenging.

Visiting Turks & Caicos in Spring: March - May

Spring, although not quite as busy as winter, is still a popular time for visitors. Waves of tourists arrive for the Easter break, knowing the weather will be ideal whether they want to relax or explore the underwater world.

Temperatures in spring range from 68-82 degrees in March to 72-86 degrees in May. And although rainfall increases throughout spring - from 35 mm in March to 45 mm in May - this is still low compared to other parts of the Caribbean.

There’s no getting around it, early spring is an expensive time to visit. But, from April onwards, prices begin to drop. And, by the time May arrives, there’s a pleasing balance between weather and price, making it a great month for a vacation.

Visiting Turks & Caicos in Summer: June - August

Temperatures continue to rise in Turks and Caicos in summer, and later into the season, so do the number of rain showers and the humidity levels. However, if you compare the amount of rainfall here to other Caribbean islands, you’ll notice the numbers are much lower - and they don’t creep up significantly until later into August, when the rainy season really kicks in.

What you’ll also spot in the summer season is that prices drop back, which is helpful for vacation bargain hunters. Early summer can be a lovely time to visit Providenciales or Grand Turk, when crowds have thinned from the peak winter and busy spring months.

If you’re a scuba diver or snorkeler, summer is certainly worth considering, as the island winds tend to be at their calmest, making for near-perfect diving conditions with crystal-clear visibility.

Visiting Turks & Caicos in Fall: September - November

Fall draws the short straw when it comes to Turks and Caicos weather conditions, with the rainy and hurricane seasons both in full swing. But, around the grayer skies and higher chance of showers, the sun continues to shine on the islands, with an average of 7 hours each day through September and October.

One of the main advantages of a fall vacation in Turks and Caicos is the cost of luxury resorts, which tend to hit their lowest point in September and October. You won’t need to fight through the crowds to experience the island’s main attractions. And, if it does rain, there are plenty of attractions, like the Turks and Caicos National Museum on Grand Turk, where you can learn all about the islands’ fascinating history while you wait for the sun to return.