Visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands can be a dream come true, especially if you are well prepared to enjoy your outings on the water. These easy preparations for Turks and Caicos boating excursions will help you feel confident and comfortable as you embark on your next snorkeling trip around Providenciales.
Sun Safety for Turks and Caicos Boating Excursions
The white sand on Grace Bay beach and neighboring islands can give off quite a glare. So clear are the beaches and unblemished the sand, that you can see winding ribbons of dazzlingly bright shoreline everywhere you turn on your boating excursion.
The gleaming sand, coupled with plenty of sunshine in the Turks and Caicos and an average high of 83° F (28° C) means that the bright sunshine reflects off the clear blue water and can actually cause a sunburn to your eyes if you are exposed to ultraviolet rays and glare for an extended period.
Keep your eyes safe on Turks and Caicos boating excursions by bringing along a good pair of sunglasses and wearing a hat with a brim. If you want to reduce or elimate glare consider a pair of polarized lenses. Not only do they block horizontal rays, they allow you to have better vision when looking into the water. And when you are out and about on a boating excursion around Providenciales, you may see creatures such as rays, turtle and dolphins. Polarized lenses can help you see these marine animals without glare.
Here’s some sunglass trivia… Do you know how many sunglasses form the largest collection in the world?
A whopping 1,506 pairs are owned by Betty Webster of Kamuela, Hawaii who has been collecting novelty sunglasses since 1999. Wonder which ones she would choose for her Turks and Caicos boating excursion?
Once you book your Turks and Caicos boating excursion, be sure to pick out the perfect sunglasses for your vacation – www.webmd.com/eye-health/features/how-to-pick-good-sunglasses#1
In addition to keeping your eyes safe while on the water, keep your skin well protected from the sun’s rays by liberally applying a water-resistant broad spectrum sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and wearing a hat. If snorkeling or swimming, a swim shirt or rashguard will help provide further sun protection and prevent irritation to sensitive skin. These shirts are usually made from lightweight, comfortable and breathable fabric which dries rapidly after use and packs conveniently.
And to keep sun stroke and dehyrdation at bay, be sure to drink plenty of refreshing water all day, especially if you are consuming alcoholic beverages such as Turks and Caicos Bambarra Rum punch or Turk’s Head Brewery products.
Best Apparel Choices for Boating Excursions
It’s a no brainer. Lightweight, easy care fabrics just make sense when planning your wardrobe for your adventures on the water.
Whether it’s a beach or boating excursion, for comfortable clothing, the t-shirt is always a popular choice.
Travelers are wise to opt for breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, rayon and silk. While linen is breathable and looks chic in warm climates, it may not be the ideal choice for Turks and Caicos boating excursions as the fabric will likely wrinkle during the day’s activities. Breathable cotton is versatile as t-shirts, shorts, dresses and skirts.
For boating excursions where swimming, snorkeling and beachcombing are all part of the day’s activities, then a modesty piece such a sarong or light cover up are ideal choices.
Practical footwear choices include flip flops or water shoes which can provide protection from cuts or bruises from rough ground, shells and coral. Travelers who opt for running shoes should pack a plastic bag so the shoes can be stowed away aboard the excursion boat.
Forget something? You will have plenty of shopping options for beach clothing, water wear, cover up, toys, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Expect to pay a premium as most items on Providenciales are more expensive…but you will have plenty of great choices.
A Carry-All Bag
Prepare for Turks and Caicos boating excursions by bringing along a beach bag or knapsack to carry your items.
A bag that has extra pockets and is water resistant will be a perfect choise to carry a towel, sunscreen, camera, anti-nausea medication, bottle of water and a light snack. Pack a plastic container with bandaids, alcohol wipes and an antibiotic cream as a safetly measure.
Whether it’s what to wear, what to pack or how to avoid sunburn, being well prepared for Turks and Caicos boating excursions can make the difference between an average excursion and a truly amazing one.