Providenciales Culture, Heritage and Attractions

Cheshire Hall Plantation Ruins

This quiet site is a window into the historical past of the Caicos Islands. Situated on a hilltop near the downtown area, Cheshire Hall is the best preserved set of authentic ruins on Providenciales.
Cheshire Hall was built by Loyalist planter Thomas Stubbs in the late 1700s as a cotton plantation and at its height was comprised of hundreds of acres. This plantation was the most important site on Providenciales up to the early 1800s, when insect attacks, soil degradation and hurricane damage spelled the end of Cheshire Hall.
Stone-lined trails wind through about fifteen points of interest, including the Great House, a cotton press base, kitchen, cistern, well and a small modern reproduction of a slave cabin. Most of the buildings are in poor condition, although they are identified by signs with explanations as to their supposed use.
Many of the local plants around Cheshire Hall are named and described, along with information on commonly encountered wildlife.

Week days, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Cheshire Hall Plantation Trust
$10  Near Downtown

Sapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings

Carved into the bedrock and several large stones are rock carvings, featuring dates and names of sailors who stopped by the island in the early 1800's. Several interesting designs can be found, including many with Masonic symbology.  This site is not tourist developed and the rocks are just there on the ground, but there have been reports that the government will be removing them and replacing them with resin copies.  Probably more interesting than the rock carvings are the views of South Dock, the only deepwater port on the island (where everything you buy is imported through), and vast panoramic views.  Most tourists will find the rock carvings a disappointment, as it's a long drive from the Grace Bay area.

Sapodilla Bay Hill Rock Carvings
free  Sapodilla Hill

Conch World

This is probably the only real tourist 'attraction' on Providenciales, as we don't have any museums on the island.  Conch World is the world's only conch farm and has been in operation since the 1980s.  Guided tours take you from the hatching of eggs to harvesting animals for consumptions.  In addition, there are performances by trained conchs Sally and Jerry.



Caicos Conch Farm
www.caicosconchfarm.com   (649) 946-5643   $10  Leeward

The Hole

This interesting natural phenemonem features in many guides of what to do on Providenciales, but it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.  This is a 50 foot diameter hole about 50 feet deep, but it is located near to the road and doesn't have any guard rails or proper footpaths.  This area is not maintained and you'll find rubbish in the area and at the bottom. There is a rope for those who want to hit the bottom.  If you decide to visit the hole, make sure you carefully supervise any children as the path from the road leads directly to the edge, and running children may fall off the edge.

The Hole
free  Long Bay

 

Northwest Point National Park

This scenic section on Providenciales is comprised of two protected areas side by side: the Northwest Point Marine Natural Park, and Northwest Point Pond Nature Reserve. The main points of interest here are the rugged rocky coastline (locally called “iron shore”), and small coves. Northwest Point is an ideal place to spend an afternoon exploring some of the natural features of the Turks and Caicos.



Northwest Point National Park
free  Northwest Point

 

West Harbour Bluff

West Harbor Bluff is the Southwest point of Providenciales. Several interesting features are found at this picturesque coastline including cliffs, a small cave, 200 year-old rock carvings and a mile of secluded beach to explore. Also, directly to the north is Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve.




West Harbour National Park
free  West Harbour

 

JoJo the Dolphin

In 1989 this Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) was declared a national treasure. JoJo is a male dolphin weighing about 880 pounds and approximately 10 feet in length, and is different in that he voluntarily interacts with humans.  It's easy to identify him beacuse of unforuneate propeller scars on his back, and you'll have a good chance of seeing him if you spend some time boating in the Grace Bay area, but remember, NEVER touch any marine animal or reef, especially JoJo as dolphins will attack if provoked. 

Marine Wildelife Foundation
www.marinewildlife.org/jojoProject.php   The Ocean