Gumption’s Learning Adventures, Virgin Gorda

Never. Give. Up.
Arlington Creque, aka Gumption

Arlington “Gumption” Creque

We first learned of Arlington Creque from Virgin Gorda when we were researching locally owned tourism companies in the British Virgin Islands. Gumption’s Learning Adventures and Sea It Clear Tours appeared as highly rated excursions in the BVI, so we reached out to see if we could learn more about what they do. Little did we know, we’d become very inspired by the young entrepreneur behind the company who never gave up on pursuing his dream.

(This article is part of our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

You see, Arlington Creque was born with autism and grew up on the island of Virgin Gorda. His nickname is Gumption, and we quickly realized why. School was difficult for Gumption and he left before graduating. He began to dream of starting his own business and contacted several banks but was turned down again and again. Even his mom told him that maybe he should give up. But, he didn’t and his perseverance certainly paid off. (What does the word Gumption mean? Initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness; courage; spunk; guts.)

Sir Richard Branson with Gumption on his boat

On October 19, 2012, Gumption received a loan from Sir Richard Branson on behalf of the Branson’s Centre of Entrepreneur Caribbean. He was the first person to get a loan from this program. Gumption purchased a boat, started Sea it Clear Tours and got to work. Within 6 months, he was able to pay back the loan.

Gumption on his boat in North Sound

Watch Gumption’s Tedx Talk, “9 No’s and 1 Yes: How Not Quitting My Dreams Changed My Life.
Read about Gumption on Sir Richard Branson’s blog.

Despite occasional setbacks, which Gumption acknowledges are just part of being a business owner, he just gets back up, solves the problem and moves forward – which, I have no doubt is what he will do once tourists are allowed to travel back to the BVI.

The Reef Tour

Gumption, through his company Sea It Clear Tours provides a reef tour on his glass bottomed boat that will give you a glimpse of the underwater life at Eustacia Reef just beyond North Sound on the way to Oil Nut Bay. As Gumption says, it’s like snorkeling without getting wet! Find out about his Reef Tours here.

The Reef Tour
The Nature Tour

His Nature Tour consists of a visit to Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island to visit the lemurs, large tortoises, rock iguanas, flamingos and more. Learn about the animals and important conservation efforts taking place in the area. Gumption is currently the only tour guide allowed to bring people to Necker Island! This tour sells out quickly however, so book ahead! Find out more about the Nature Tour here.

Nature Tour at Necker Island
Lemur on the Nature Tour
Giant Tortoises on the Nature Tour

To get more information, be sure to visit his website: Sea it Clear Tours and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Due to COVID-19 he doesn’t have a BVI reopening date as yet, and says it’s best to follow their social media pages or send them an email at [email protected]. Be sure to ask about a special COVID-19 discount they are running right now which gives 19% off of tours pre-booked for late 2020 and early 2021!

We absolutely can’t wait to book a tour with Gumption as soon as we can get back to the BVI! Thanks Gumption for letting us share your motivating story!

Many locally owned businesses in the islands are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatán, Honduras

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit. 

Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan, Honduras

Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout is located on the beautiful island of Roatán in the Honduras. The Monkey and Sloth Hangout is an animal sanctuary owned and run by a local man by the name of Daniel Johnson. The sanctuary started out as a hobby due to his love of the local animals but over the years it has become a safe and loving environment for the animals he has taken in. Now the animals call the Hangout, “home”.

A sloth hanging around at the “Hangout”

(This article is part of our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

Daniel was born and raised on the island of Roatan. He always had a love for animals, and ended up getting a spider monkey named Tony in high school. From there it turned from hobby to rescue, as many people get animals on the island and have no knowledge or means to take care of them. At the animal sanctuary, they now have eight white faced capuchin monkeys, three spider monkeys (Tony included ), four scarlet macaws, one great green macaw, yellow naped parrots, and seven three toed brown sloths.

Their business is totally family run by Daniel and his immediate family and fiance’. All of the drivers and guides are family or very close friends. Daniel is also a die hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, which inevitably draws comments from other Steelers fans as well as those that are, well, not fans! When guests leave, they feel like a part of the family.

The Monkey and Sloth Hangout has chosen to stay off the excursion lists for the cruise ships, which allows them to keep their pricing low and reasonable. If cruising, you can still book an excursion through them directly. Tours and excursions include transportation from your port of arrival. They offer a number of tours and excursions from just The Hangout to Island Tours, snorkeling, zip line, iguana park and more. Find the tours and excursions here.

Daniel with guests on a snorkeling excursion
Excellent area for snorkeling

People that come to visit the Monkey and Sloth Hangout say they really love it because of the local guides, and learning about and interacting with the animals. (Highly rated on Trip Advisor!) Visitors can touch, hold and take pictures with some of the animals and many say that is the highlight of the trip! Their sloths are never caged, they roam freely in the trees. The monkeys also get free time daily and run around and play in the trees.

The Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary does have shirts and hats currently available for purchase, however they will be done taking orders at the end of the month. They will place another order after that if there is interest. The info is on their Facebook Page, Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout.

Daniel and the crew would love to welcome you to the Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary when you’re visiting Roatán, and to arrange a tour to fit your interests. To find out more about the sanctuary and tours, check out their Website: www.monkeyandslothhangout.com and Instagram. Or email them at  [email protected]

The crew

Many locally owned businesses in the islands are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit. 

National Daiquiri Day!

July 19 is National Daiquiri Day! The Daiquiri is said to have been invented at the turn of the 20th century by American engineer, Jennings Stockton Cox, in the small town of Daiquiri, in Cuba. The original Daiquiri was a simple mix of rum, limes and sugar, ingredients that Mr. Cox had readily available. The Classic Daiquiri is most like the original created by Cox, but there have been many Daiquiri variations concocted since. Here are few of our favorites! Find the recipe link under each photo.

Cheers to Daiquiris!

The Classic Daiquiri Recipe

Hemmingway Daiquiri Recipe

Strawberry Daiquiri Recipe

Banana Daiquiri Recipe

Pineapple Daiquiri Recipe

Peach Daiquiri Recipe

Watermelon Daiquiri Recipe

Mason Jar Daiquiris

Happy National Daiquiri Day!

For more delicious rum recipes, check out our recipe page!

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

Jost Van Dyke Scuba

If you’ve walked through Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, you’ve probably seen Jost Van Dyke Scuba. Located between the Methodist Church and Corsair’s you’ll find their shop – newly built since the hurricanes of ’17. The shop is air conditioned and the largest shop on JVD and offers a full array of dive and snorkel gear, 60 original T-Shirt designs- designed here on Jost, and name brand lines like Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Corkcicle, SunBum, Suncloud, Pelagic Gear, Cobian sandals, Chums, Tiki Toss, Cablz, Sun & Sand, and many fashionable women’s beachwear lines. Additionally the Jost Van Dyke Scuba Shop offers equipment rentals such as snorkeling and scuba gear, SUP boards, kayaks & fishing equipment.

(This article is part of our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

Jost Van Dyke Scuba

We’ve walked by Jost Van Dyke Scuba many times and stopped in on occasion (thank goodness that they also carry sunscreen and bug spray!) but really didn’t know the extent of the services they offered until doing some research for this article. Read on to find out what they do above and beyond scuba gear and excursions!

Scuba School. Jost Van Dyke Scuba additionally offers a scuba school. Says the owner, Capt. Colin Aldridge, “We are a PADI 5 Star Dive Center and the only dive shop on Jost. We teach all levels of diving up to Assistant Instructor and are also the only SCUBA company diving the North side on the BVI. We’ve discovered, named and charted over 40 World Class Dive Sites that no one dives but us. We have been filmed by National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Water Channel, Dive Zero, SCUBA Diving Magazine and many others because our dive sites are so off the beaten path and hold big animal life and unmolested healthy corals!”

For those that already are diving enthusiasts, you can set up a diving excursion with Jost Van Dyke Scuba to some of the ‘must see” dive sites visited only by them. Read about some of these sites here.

BVI-Eco Tours. Capt. Colin started BVI Eco-Tours 20 years ago along with Jost Van Dyke Scuba. Some of the Eco-Tours offered include JVD by Sea, Norman Island Snorkeling Safari, and a Virgin Gorda Eco-Adventure.

Private and Group Powerboat Charter and Fishing Charters. Additionally, for non-divers or families, they run Private and Group Powerboat Charters all over the BVI for snorkeling, site seeing, island hopping AND deep sea fishing charters! 

Snorkeling on a BVI Eco-Tour
Calypso Day Sail

Calypso Day Sails. And if that doesn’t keep him busy enough, Capt. Colin also added Calypso Day Sails to the services he offers about 8 years ago. Calypso is the only Day Sail Yacht on Jost Van Dyke: a 45ft Robertoson and Caine Leopard certified for groups of up to 24 people. Book a day sail on the luxurious yacht, or inquire about other sailing options such as sunset cruises, dinner cruises and overnight charters!

Upcoming Online Shop. Jost Van Dyke Scuba is currently working on an online store and hope to have it up and running in August, so check back then to see their online merchandise offerings. Their beautiful wall art can already be purchased by calling or emailing them.

Stingray Wall Art, Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Capt. Colin Aldridge

So, who is Capt. Colin? Colin Aldridge moved to the Caribbean 32 years ago, got a Captains license, and started running Sailing Yacht Charters and yacht deliveries all over the World. He’s lived on sailboats most of his life, and is an avid fisherman and Sportfishing Captain as well. Colin is a single father of two kids from Jost who are 14 and 11. He and his children are serious farmers here on Jost, owning and working the Laid-Back Farm on the East End of the island.

Be sure to stop by to talk to Capt. Colin and his crew while visiting JVD and call ahead for more info or questions about services you are interested in at 1.757.287.2731 (USA cell) or 1.284.443.2222 (BVI cell). You can also reach Jost Van Dyke Scuba by email at [email protected].

For additional information, check their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram!

Keep up to date on re-opening dates and requirements for the BVI here.

Many locally owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit. 

The View & More from Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda

Perched up high and overlooking The Baths, a well known and very popular beach in Virgin Gorda, you’ll find a restaurant/bar and shopping area called Top of the Baths. The first time we visited Top of the Baths was during our very first BVI sail in 2006. We’d spent the entire day exploring the trail through the gigantic boulders of The Baths and lounging in the crystal clear water of Devil’s Bay. Thirsty and hungry, we climbed the path to Top of the Baths.

(This article is part of our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

Top of the Baths is in a beautiful setting with panoramic views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and many of the surrounding islands. Large bushes of Bougainvillea add a beautiful pop of color to the already stunning vistas.

The restaurant/bar at Top of the Baths, which originally opened in November of 1994, offers open air dining with that magnificent view.

They serve local specials, sushi and a variety of other signature dishes. See their menu here. Top of the Baths also features a new coffee bar which serves Caribbean coffee and a variety of tea drinks including the local Bush Tea.

Thirsty for something a bit stronger? They’ve definitely got that covered. The Top of the Baths signature drinks are the Rasta Man Punch and Boulder Roller. “However,” says owner Charlene, “Our Painkillers, Mango and Pina Colada’s, Bushwhackers and lots of other creations are equally as popular. Our bartenders are always creating something new for our customers to try.”

After getting your fill of delicious food and drink, you might want to do a little shopping at the shops right there including Caribbean Flavor Gift Shop, which features Cuban Cigars, souvenir items and a large selection of beautifully designed t- shirts for the entire family. It also has a nice selection of sandals and swim wear. Or Bamboula Boutique, which offers sterling silver Caribbean Hook Bracelets, Larimar sterling silver  jewelry and Island Crystal sterling silver jewelry. Sterling necklaces and the island West Indian bracelets can also be found here. The store also has a large selection of men’s cotton and linen clothing and a complementary women’s clothing line. An interesting fact – the mother of the owner of Bamboula’s was the owner of the original Bamboula located on Main Street on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands in the 1950’s. The store on Virgin Gorda is named in her honor.

Although closed right now, they expect to re-open around October 31, 2020. Charlene says, “We all look forward to the time that they can completely reopen our borders. Our entire team at Top of The Baths will be awaiting the arrival of repeat guests that come to visit us while welcoming first time visitors to this magical place.”

For more information, check out their website, Facebook page and Instagram.

If you’d like to stay on Virgin Gorda, we’d highly recommend Mon Repos which is also owned by the owner of Top of the Baths. It’s a beautiful villa, just a short walk from Top of the Baths. We loved our stay at this stunning and unique accommodation and you can read more about it here.

Keep up to date on opening dates for the BVI here:  https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment/

Many locally owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit. 

Ocean Spa BVI, Jost Van Dyke

Anchored off the coast of Jost Van Dyke in White Bay, the floating Ocean Spa BVI is the first of its kind in the British Virgin Islands. “It’s the only spa that I know of where brightly colored tropical fish swim under your massage table,” says Dale Mapp, the spa’s owner and creator.

(This is the 2nd article in our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

Ocean Spa BVI in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Ocean Spa BVI opened for business in the fall of 2018 but it wasn’t without a few bumps in the road. After 25 years in hospitality industry, Dale initially came up with the idea of a floating spa about 10 years ago. He began to research how to make the idea a reality and began building a version of the floating spa in 2009 on a different island. Unfortunately that one never quite got off the ground.

His dream of building a floating spa remained on his mind and after relocating to the British Virgin Islands, he began building a new structure. Then, in 2017 came Hurricane Irma. Dale had to start his structure from scratch – again, but this time he used salvaged wood, metal and other material left in the wake of the devastating hurricane.

Ocean Spa BVI now rocks gently in the beautiful blue water of White Bay and offers massages in the easy ocean breezes and the gentle waves. Enjoy a Champagne Moonlight Couples Massage , a Private Spa Party or one of the other relaxing offerings.

Although the road to get here was not easy, Dale reflects on the trying times with calmness saying, “Beauty comes in many forms, and out of the most dire circumstances. Storms don’t always come to disrupt our lives – they come to clear a path for us also.”

Gift Certificates are available for purchase! Contact Ocean Spa BVI at (284)340-0772 or email them at [email protected] . Check out their website here: Ocean Spa BVI as well as their Facebook page and Instagram too!

Many locally island owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
The View and More from Top Of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan

photos courtesy of Ocean Spa BVI

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda

Have you ever heard of SNUBA? Well, SNUBA, or Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus, allows you to explore more of the underwater world than you can experience while snorkeling. If you already like to snorkel, but have yet to dive in and learn how to scuba dive, SNUBA is a perfect blend. Learning to SNUBA is easy and does not require any Scuba diving certification or previous experience; if you can breathe, look and kick your legs then you too can SNUBA!

(This is the 1st article in our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

We’d like to introduce you to BVI SNUBA. It’s located in the beautiful North Sound of Virgin Gorda at Leverick Bay Marina and is run by a lovely lady named Elaine who will immediately make you feel comfortable and excited to get under that clear blue BVI water! Elaine has been living on Virgin Gorda since 2000 and loves taking guests on their first underwater adventure. Right now, BVI SNUBA is the only SNUBA operator in the BVI and strives to enhance guests underwater experience and make it an easier transition to diving.

BVI SNUBA, offers SNUBA and snorkeling trips, full and half day charters and sunset charters and has been in business since Feb 2018. BVI SNUBA can also do rendezvous SNUBA where they can come to their guests if they are staying on a yacht, or on a crewed or bareboat charter.

Are you heading to, or thinking of heading to the BVI and would like to learn more about the SNUBA experience? Give BVI SNUBA a call or WhatsApp 1 (284)341-0660 or email them at [email protected]. Check out their website at BVI SNUBA for rates and booking info and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for more photos of this fun experience! Check out their reviews on Trip Advisor!

Tour Guide, Elaine

Need some masks, snorkels, fins, underwater fish ID’s, BVI maps or rashguards? Email them for more info!

Keep up to date on opening dates for the BVI here:  https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment/

photos courtesy of BVI SNUBA

Many locally island owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

Ocean Spa, BVI
The View and More from Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit. 

Lime Out, St. John, USVI

We started hearing about a new floating bar/restaurant in St. John, USVI, in the Spring of 2019. It originally was anchored in Hansen Bay, on the East End of St. John. We were familiar with the area, having spent a bit of time at the old Angels Rest floating bar in Hansen which unfortunately was destroyed in the hurricanes of 2017.

As we planned our trip for Spring 2020, Lime Out was on the list of places we wanted to visit. Then suddenly we read that there was a problem with their location in Hansen Bay and they had to close for a while. We kept our fingers crossed that it would reopen in its new location by the time we got their, and fortunately, it did!

Lime Out now sits in Coral Bay – also on the East end of St. John. If you are visiting by boat, you can pull up and anchor close by. If visiting by car, you can no longer swim or kayak out to Lime Out. Instead, park at The Oasis in Coral Bay and take the boat shuttle out to Lime Out ( currently $13pp round-trip).

Oasis Restaurant, Coral Bay – great Southern comfort food!
Boat ride to Lime Out

The ride out takes just a few minutes and you have to swim/walk a short way (not very deep) from where the boat leaves you off to Lime Out.

Approaching Lime Out
Swimming in

We swam up and took a seat at the bar.

Beverages are served in tumblers

There are bar stools in the water next to Lime Out, or you can grab a seat on one of the vibrant rafts. Order your food and drinks and they’ll float it out to you.

Lime Out is known for its tacos and they are GOOD! We ordered the Rum Rib Tacos along with a couple of beverages and grabbed a seat on a raft.

A half eaten Rum Rib Taco. They were so good we forgot to take a pic until we were halfway done!

A family from Vancouver asked if they could join us and we had a great afternoon chatting and enjoying more drinks.

The shuttle runs every half hour or so and we reluctantly decided to head back.

We had a great day at Lime Out. Well worth a visit in our book. To find out more, check out their website, Facebook page and Instagram.

Read more about what to do on St. John, check out more posts here:
Destination St. John, USVI

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC.  All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Why You Should Plan a Trip to Turks & Caicos

Approximately 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida lies a beautiful tropical archipelago comprised of 40+ small islands. It’s called the Turks & Caicos Islands. The islands are separated into two groups – the Turks Islands to the east, which include Grand Turk and Salt Cay and the Caicos Islands to the west, including Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, Pine Cay and Parrot Cay. All in all, there are 8 islands in the chain that are inhabited.

The archipelago is a British Oversees Territory and is home to over 31,000 full time residents. Due to its stunning calm, blue water and white sand beaches, T&C has become a popular beach lovers destination and welcomes more that a million tourists annually.

Have you been to T&C? If not, here are some reasons why you should plan a trip to Turks & Caicos!

Beaches

It’s no secret that we love a beautiful white sand beaches and the islands of Turks & Caicos have some of the prettiest we’ve seen. With miles of secluded beaches to explore, these islands are truly a beach lover’s paradise. Some of our favorites?

Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales

Grace Bay, Providenciales. This stunning beach frequently makes the “Top Most Beautiful Beaches” list and for good reason. At a little over 3 miles long, this white sand beach lapped by beautiful turquoise water just begs you to come in for a swim, float, snorkel or to play. Some areas around the resorts can be busy at times, but we’ve never had a problem finding a quiet, beautiful area to enjoy. And, if you get hungry or thirsty after a day in the sun, there are several restaurants and bars (such as Somewhere Cafe’ & Lounge) to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger while enjoying the incredible views.

Sapodilla Bay, Providenciales

Sapodilla Bay, Providenciales. Although not as long as Grace Bay Beach, Sapodilla Bay compares in sheer beauty. Crystal clear water and white sand make this beach an absolute treat for the eyes. There are villas for rent just off the beach and if you get hungry, Las Brisas Restaurant is close by.

Whitby Beach from Barracuda Beach Bar

Whitby Beach, North Caicos. There are several stunning beaches on North Caicos and you will most likely have the beach entirely to yourself. We enjoyed Whitby Beach, a long stretch of soft white sand with a small restaurant/bar named Barracuda Beach Bar & Grill. The beach and shallow water were dotted with pretty conch shells during our visit and were used as decorations at the beach bar.

Mudjin Harbour Beach, Middle Caicos

Mudjin Harbour Beach, Middle Caicos. A stunning coastline of beautiful beach, a rugged rocky outcropping called “Dragon Cay”, caves and high limestone cliffs that somehow reminded us a bit of Ireland all combine into one special place on Middle Caicos called Mudjin Harbour. Accessed by boat tours or by car via the causeway between North and Middle Caicos, this area is definitely worth a visit. Read more here.

Eat & Drink

Not surprisingly, conch is a popular dish in Turks & Caicos. Whether made in a ceviche, fritters, chowder, curried or in a salad, we found it all to be fresh and delicious. Wash it down with a refreshing rum drink (Bambarra is the local rum) and what more could you need! Other seafood is also readily available, such as Grouper and Caribbean Lobster (in season). Some of our favorite restaurant/bars so far?

da Conch Shack, Providenciales & RumBar. Enjoy a delicious dinner (cracked conch and jerk chicken are excellent) with a tall glass of Jan’s Rum Punch while sitting on a picnic table with toes in the sand. Perfect. Read more here.

Mr. Grouper’s. Sometimes it truly pays to ask the locals for a dining recommendation. Unsure of where to go one evening, we asked a lady we met for a good local eatery. She said that if we like seafood, we should definitely try Blackened Grouper at Mr. Grouper’s. Man, was she spot on. We ordered a Blackened Grouper and a Coconut Crusted Grouper with Mango Chutney Sauce. Other dishes are available, but when we went back a second time that week, we ordered the exact same thing, Delicious.

Rum Drinks at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl

Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl, Providenciales. A beach side, seafood restaurant with delicious food and great drinks. Dine on the deck under the trees or grab a table in the shallow water, if there’so one available! Read more here.

Somewhere’ Cafe’ and Lounge, Providenciales. Located on the beach in West Grace Bay, this multi-level restaurant and bar serves up a beautiful view of Grace Bay Beach in addition to tasty food and drink. Excellent place to enjoy a colorful Turks & Caicos sunset. Read more here.

Other Things to do in Turks & Caicos

Besides spending time on the beach or eating and drinking, what else is there to enjoy in Turks & Caicos? Here are a few ideas:

1. Diving and snorkeling – with such amazingly clear water, it’s no wonder that diving and snorkeling in Turks & Caicos is top notch. The coral is vibrant and the reef fish are plentiful .

2. Take an excursion to a deserted cay and enjoy your own private island for the day!

3. Visit Water Cay and learn about the endangered Rock Iguanas that used to live on all islands in the Turks & Caicos but are protected here.

4. Attend the Thursday Fish Fry on Providenciales. Sample food from local restaurants and vendors, enjoy some live music and shop for local arts and crafts.

5. Play golf. Get a round in between beach days at Provo Golf Club.

6. Explore other islands. Ferry to North Caicos, rent a car and explore North Caicos and Middle Caicos (connected by a causeway) for the day.

7. Catch a sunset on Grace Bay Beach or Leeward Beach. Stunning.

What to Bring Home from Turks & Caicos.

  1. Bambarra Rum
  2. Locally made jewelry, sea shell creations, paintings and ceramics
  3. Turks Island Roasters Coffee
  4. PeppaJoy Hot Sauce
  5. Lots and lots of pictures!

Other posts you might be interested in:

Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Croix, USVI
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Thomas, USVI
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Kauai
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Tortola

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Somewhere Café & Lounge, Providenciales, T&C

Several years ago during a week vacation on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, we arrived at our accommodations close to Grace Bay Beach. Upon check-in, we asked if there were any good restaurants or beach bars close by. The lady said, “You’re in luck. Somewhere is just around the corner!” Hmmm? Somewhere? Sensing our confusion, she went on to tell us that ‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge was a popular restaurant and a beach bar and was just steps away from where we were staying.

We were grateful for her recommendation and ended up enjoying our time at ‘Somewhere’ so much that we visited three times that week!

*This post is sponsored by ‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge, but any reviews and opinions expressed in this post are ours based on our experience there.

‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge is a beachfront two-story, open-air cafe and lounge in Providenciales that offers an oasis of casual sophistication. Although they specialize in Tex Mex cuisine, they also offer an assortment of BBQ dishes, salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and tasty drinks. Somewhere is located on beautiful Grace Bay Beach at the Coral Gardens Resort. The water here is a great for snorkeling, the beach is stunning and you are sure to catch an amazing sunsets. Find a map here.

Ted Bayley, Amy Fabara and Luis Fabara

The ‘Somewhere’ team is comprised of owner Luis Fabara, executive chef and director Amy Fabara and managing director Ted Bayley. The name for their beachfront establishment originated from an article Luis came across while traveling on beach bars of the world. At the end the article it stated that “you will always find a cool beach bar Somewhere…”. ‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge opened on New Years Eve, 11 years ago.

‘Somewhere’ is perfect for drinks and apps at the bar in swimwear with a cover-up or to enjoy a lovely relaxed meal on the beach. Listen to live music on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 6:30-9:00pm, and on Sunday afternoon there is a DJ from 2:00-5:00p.m. Be sure to check the website for event updates.

So what makes ‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge a place to visit and enjoy while in Providenciales? Here are a few of our favorite reasons!

View

Whether visiting during the day or in the evening, you are sure to be treated to an absolutely amazing view of the turquoise blue water, white sand beach and vibrant sunsets.

Sunset from Somewhere
Upper level beach view
Grace Bay Beach
Food

From tacos to the fresh fish of the day, there is something delectable on the menu for everyone! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Check out the lunch/dinner menu here.

Drink

Thirsty after a day on the beach? Try one of ‘Somewhere’s’ mouthwatering margaritas, or for rum lovers – a Bambarra Rum Punch or Mickey’s Banana Rum Punch. They also offer a variety of tequila’s and wine.

Ambiance

The casual beach front location is perfect for enjoying a relaxing meal with your friends & family while enjoying the stunning beauty of Turks & Caicos.

Wouldn’t you rather be ‘Somewhere’?!

Want to find out more about ‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge? Check them out here:

Somewhere’ Café and Lounge Website and
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

All photos provided by ‘Somewhere’ Café and Lounge.