Not only can an environmentally friendly vacation to Turks and Caicos provide some wonderful opportunities for rest and rejuvenation in the sunny Caribbean outdoors, but it means you’ll positively contribute to the overall sustainability of our planet.
Environmentally Friendly Vacation to Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are known by the phrase “beautiful by nature”.
Is the origin based on (a) a book (b) a song (c) a poem or (d) a government official’s speech?
(b) a song!
Recorded in 1994 and written by Joe Zahm and Leo Jones, “Beautiful by Nature” became the island’s national logo and aptly celebrates the essence of the islands: spectacular natural beauty.
There are abundant ways to experience an environmentally friendly vacation to Turks and Caicos; interesting locations, fascinating wildlife and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.
About half of the coast of Providenciales is under the protection of either a National Park or a nature reserve which ensures the health of wildlife, marine life and island waters and beaches. When visitors are mindful of resource consumption and the impact on long-term ecological balance, their vacation choices can help to preserve the future of the islands.
The most basic rules of enjoying an environmentally friendly vacation to Turks and Caicos include:
- Stay on indicated trails at all times. These marked areas identify safe traveling zones, allowing you to enjoy the wildlife, marine life and abundant flora without disturbing nesting sites or introducing hazards to ecologicaly sensitive parts of the islands.
- Don’t remove plants or animals. Disturbing animal nesting grounds, or taking corals, shells and other plants as keepsakes of your Turks and Caicos vacation is strictly prohibited. Future tourism, sustainable fishing areas, and protected birding zones rely on your consideration. Take photographs instead. The brilliant schools of fish, large flocks of birds, and outrageous blooms on tropical plants will provide long lasting memories of your holiday.
- Minimize waste and garbage. Remember that you are a guest of the government of the Turks & Caicos Islands. As a guest, you have a responsiblity to enjoy the beauty of the islands in a respectful manner. Remember to pick up after yourself after your time on the soft sandy beaches, not to discard items overboard into the clear blue waters, and to leave all parts of the shoreline, magrove forests, coral beds and wetlands exactly how you would like to find them on your next vacation to the Turks and Caicos.
Your environmentally friendly vacation to Turks and Caicos starts with learning about our National Parks: www.visittci.com/providenciales/about/national-parks
Keep Healthy With Environmentally Friendlier Products
What did people use to protect the skin before sunscreen?
They used (a) olive oil (b) jasmine and rice blends or (c) tsuga (hemlock)?
All of the above were used!
Getting out of the cold, rain and snow and escaping to miles of sandy shores, turquoise waters and island inspired cocktails is a dream!
But plenty of island sunshine on tap means being mindful of sun exposure. To prevent sun damage to your skin and eyes, and to avoid heatstroke, keep this tips in mind as you set about your enviromentally friendly vacation in Turks and Caicos.
- Wear a hat anytime you are out in the sun. A wide brim not only keeps your face sheltered, it also prevents harmful rays from causing discomfort and yes, even burns to your eyes.
- Apply liberal amounts of broad spectrum sunscreen to avoid burning. If you wish to avoid introducing harmful chemicals such as PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4-methyl benzylidene, camphor, and butylparaben into the ocean, select a Biodegradable Sunscreen when you are snorkeling, diving or swimming.
- Hydrate. Being in hot, humid climates surrounded by tempting – but dehydrating cocktails – may put you at a risk of heatstroke. It’s important to keep your skin and body hydrated, by enjoying as much water, fresh fruit juice, unsweetened iced tea and other cooling beverages when you are strolling the beaches, hiking to the view points, or whipping along the shoreline on an island cruise.
Implement Environmentally Friendly Practices in Your Daily Routine
What was the phrase that started around the 1970’s urging people to become more conscious of the environment?
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 brought Americans together to focus on environment protection issues. It was about this time the 3 Rs slogan “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” came into use.
What can you do?
When you are vacationing on our sandy shores, choose to do your part in protecting and preserving the beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rather than needlessly throwing away plastic water bottles each day, pack a water bottle that can be reused. A partially filled water bottle can be left in the freezer for a few hours to provide a cooling drink while you are on the the go. Choose products with less packaging and ensure you are recycling everything that can be recycled.
Environmentally responsible resorts will give you the opportunity to practice environmentally friendly initiatives during your stay. Some offer high efficiency air conditioning, a waste treatment system, and water recycling programs for dish, shower and sink water. And eco-adventure tours are not only fun but connect travelers with nature. Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are not only great forms of exercise but they also avoid adverse effects from engine output.
Island excursion companies know that their businesses rely on you returning to the Turks and Caicos for another sun drenched vacation. Most boating excursion companies design their operations to support and embrace sustainability. Tours more often than not involve smaller groups of travelers. Many like Caicos Dream Tours have trained guides who will teach you about reef etiquette as well as snorkeling and diving tips that are mindful of wildlife and marine conditions.
Whether it is personal daily habits, the choice of accommodation, or the type of excursion selected, an environmentally friendly vacation to Turks and Caicos is a welcome opportunity to learn about our diverse ecology, connect with our wetlands and marine life, and bring some conscious planning and awareness to your role in helping the islands preserve their Beautiful by Nature setting for generations to come.