Located just south of the Bahamas and only 90 minutes time from Miami by jetliner, Turks and Caicos is a British Protectorate comprised of a necklace of eight island jewels and some 40 cays strung across 195 miles of the clearest waters imaginable. The islands have the third largest coral reef system and the best tropical beaches in the world, making the Turks and Caicos a premier beach, diving and snorkeling destination and an ideal location for romance, family vacations, ecotourism and adventure seekers. Fully 60 percent of visitors to the islands come back multiple times.

Whale watching is a thrilling aspect to life in the Turks and Caicos. The island waters are the southern terminus of the annual migration of majestic humpback whales. February through March, snorkelers have the rare opportunity to swim, not watch from a crowded tour boat, but actually enter the water and swim with the whales as they fulfill their instinctual migrating ritual.

St. Charles is located on North Caicos, 12 miles northeast of the main town of Providenciales, or “Provo” as it is more commonly called. Several major international airlines offer regularly scheduled airline service to the international airport in Provo. A world-class marina is under construction to serve the residents of St. Charles. Diving and snorkeling off North Caicos is especially fine because the uncrowded island sees far fewer divers, with a subsequent increase in marine life. Affectionately called the “Garden Island,” North Caicos is the greenest of the many islands of the Turks and Caicos and known for its population of pink flamingoes, which far outnumbers the people on the island.

The idyllic island lifestyle is complemented by a stable U.S. dollar-based currency and the use of English as the official language. The hospitable islanders are known for their gentle ways, and their friendliness is infectious, so have your smile ready; you’ll use it a lot.