Turks and Caicos Islands

Glittering turquoise waters and powdery white-sand beaches surround this island nation. A British Overseas Territory located south east of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands is a low-lying archipelago composed of around 40 islands, which are made from biodiverse corals. It’s a fantastic destination for beach lovers, scuba divers, and nature enthusiasts.

The nation’s biggest draw is its diving – the islands are home to some of the most incredible coral reefs in the world, and the view underwater is nothing short of spectacular. The 76-metre-deep, 600-metre-wide Middle Caicos Ocean Hole is a deep shaft in the ocean floor where hammerhead sharks throng. Major destinations on land include Grand Turk Island, a popular destination for cruise ship passengers, and the islets known as The Cays; you’ll need to charter a private boat, but you’re likely to have their paradise beaches all to yourself. Head to North Caicos for the 18th-century Wade’s Green Plantation, one of the most well-preserved plantations anywhere in the Caribbean, and home to lush tropical forest after its abandonment in 1814. See Turks and Caicos rock iguanas, barracudas, rays and lemon sharks in the shimmering waters of Chalk Sound National Park.