The shoreline of Chalk Sound can be very rocky. If you plan on exploring the area, we recommend using water shoes.
Airplane Wreck in Chalk Sound
For a great kayaking and snorkeling adventure there is a submerged twin engine airplane directly across the sound from Aqua View Villa that after years underwater has become a sanctuary for many kinds of fish. If you stand on the deck on the back of Aqua View and look across the sound towards the airport you will see white stone where they cut into the green hillside to make the runway for Provo airport. The wreck is off of the right hand side of the runway and not too far off shore. Canoe or kayak between the Cays to find your way over there. You cannot find this information anywhere else on the internet, trust me, I tried. I just had to go out in my kayak for hours to find it, even Pop didn't know where it was. This image is looking towards Aqua View with the airport to our back. Due to the beautiful white sand bottom of Chalk Sound, it stirs up easily. Our suggestion is kayaking over and tying the kayaks off to the island (you can see it in the background of the photo) and swimming up to the wreck. The water will remain much clearer that way. When returning to Aqua View, remember the Villa has a turquoise blue roof - makes it easier to spot. I will be posting a map soon.
Las Brisas Restaurant on Chalk Sound
Our favorite place to dine on the Island and its only a few minutes down the road and located on gorgeous Chalk Sound. Trip Advisor has it rated #14 out of 118 restaurants on Provo but it is certainly #1 in our hearts. On a beautiful, calm day, you can kayak or canoe to Las Brisas for lunch. On a nice night you can sit and have a quiet dinner while the waves lap the shore and see airplanes approaching the airport in the distance, its so incredibly peaceful. To kayak or canoe to Las Brisas, launch in front of Aqua View, go to your right and follow the coastline down until you can't go any further. Just a heads up... its closed on Mondays, we've made that mistake before ;)
Restaurant details
Good for: Families with children, Romance, Doing business, Local cuisine, Special occasions, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Reservations, Delivery, Late Night
Description: Dine on our spacious deck, in our picturesque gazebo or in our open air dining room as you take in the inimitable hues of the irridescent waters of Chalk Sound. Our menu features Tapas and Mediterrean cuisine with a Caribbean splash. Poolside Bar, Terrace, Gazebo & Inside Dining Take South Dock Road, turn right at Chalk Sound Drive to Neptune Villas on your right. Private Parties Available • Sunset and Catered Pontoon Boat Cruises. Phone: 649-946-5306
Restaurant details
Good for: Families with children, Romance, Doing business, Local cuisine, Special occasions, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Reservations, Delivery, Late Night
Description: Dine on our spacious deck, in our picturesque gazebo or in our open air dining room as you take in the inimitable hues of the irridescent waters of Chalk Sound. Our menu features Tapas and Mediterrean cuisine with a Caribbean splash. Poolside Bar, Terrace, Gazebo & Inside Dining Take South Dock Road, turn right at Chalk Sound Drive to Neptune Villas on your right. Private Parties Available • Sunset and Catered Pontoon Boat Cruises. Phone: 649-946-5306
Iguana Island in Chalk Sound
We used to have an Iguana that lived in the back yard, we called him 'Pop's Iguana'. He would hang out on the back steps and on the boardwalk that heads down to the gazebo, but we haven't seen him in a while.
Iguanas can be found on most of the Cays in Chalk Sound, but there is one cay where many of them like to hang out (I think the pontoon tours throw food out on the island for them) and it is referred to as Iguana Island. Most iguanas burrow in the earth to make their homes, but the iguanas of Chalk Sound are the only ones in the world that are known to make their homes in the existing holes in the limestone rocks. We are hoping Pop's Iguana returns or another young iguana moves in... so don't be surprised if you see one lounging out by the infinity pool soaking up some rays.
Iguana Island can be found in Chalk Sound in a kayak or canoe or on the Pontoon Boat Tour offered by Neptune Villas (right next to Las Brisas Restaurant) - exact location to come, I need to search my memory and photographs!
Iguanas can be found on most of the Cays in Chalk Sound, but there is one cay where many of them like to hang out (I think the pontoon tours throw food out on the island for them) and it is referred to as Iguana Island. Most iguanas burrow in the earth to make their homes, but the iguanas of Chalk Sound are the only ones in the world that are known to make their homes in the existing holes in the limestone rocks. We are hoping Pop's Iguana returns or another young iguana moves in... so don't be surprised if you see one lounging out by the infinity pool soaking up some rays.
Iguana Island can be found in Chalk Sound in a kayak or canoe or on the Pontoon Boat Tour offered by Neptune Villas (right next to Las Brisas Restaurant) - exact location to come, I need to search my memory and photographs!
Taylor Bay Beach
Taylor Bay is considered to be part of the Chalk Sound area because of its proximity. A great beach for families because the water is about knee deep for 100 yards (roughly 90 meters). On our photographs page, you will see an image of me holding a huge red starfish, those can be found here. I've even found ones bigger than that! If it happens to get windy at Aqua View, a quick 5 minute drive will get you to Taylor Bay and you will find a perfectly calm beach sheltered from the wind. You can certainly walk here if you'd like, but if you are going for the day, it's better to pack the car up and drive. Go out of the driveway and take a left, you are on Chalk Sound Drive, the beach will be on the right hand side a few minutes up the road and take a right on Sunset Bay Dr. If you make it to the Police Station you have gone too far. Look for a set of tennis courts on your left, right next to them is a sandy foot path. Park on the side of the road and walk down the path, you will find Taylor Bay Beach.
Sapodilla Bay Beach & Shipwreck
Just around the corner from Sapodilla Bay Beach is the Sapodilla Bay shipwreck which you can snorkel to. Sapodilla Bay is right next to Taylor Bay and is also considered to be part of the Chalk Sound area. From Taylor Bay Beach, snorkel out to the point towards your left. Once you turn the corner, you can't miss the shipwreck. If it happens to get windy at Aqua View, a quick 5 minute drive will get you to Sapodilla Bay and you will find a perfectly calm beach sheltered from the wind.
Sapodilla Bay is right next to Taylor Bay, but closer towards the Police Station on the corner of Chalk Sound Drive and South Dock Road. There is a small green sign on a telephone pole on the opposite side of the street. The road may look hazardous with rocks and pot holes - take it slow and before you know it you pull right up to paradise.
Sapodilla Bay is right next to Taylor Bay, but closer towards the Police Station on the corner of Chalk Sound Drive and South Dock Road. There is a small green sign on a telephone pole on the opposite side of the street. The road may look hazardous with rocks and pot holes - take it slow and before you know it you pull right up to paradise.
Pirates Cove - West Harbour Bluff
Do not attempt the drive to Pirates Cove unless you have a Jeep, truck or SUV. Half of the drive is on an unpaved and bumpy road. Take it from someone who has attempted it before in a little toyota car, its not fun... and we didn't make it there! The best way to access Pirates Cove is from the water, there are some wonderful boating excursions that will get you there. We've heard great things about Captains Bills tour:
Phone (649) 941-5810
Website www.oceanoutback.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147399-d1394140-Reviews-Ocean_Outback-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html
Phone (649) 941-5810
Website www.oceanoutback.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147399-d1394140-Reviews-Ocean_Outback-Providenciales_Turks_and_Caicos.html
Bugaloo's Conch Crawl
Pronounced "Boogaloos", and is a great place to relax with a cocktail and conch any way you like it: cracked conch, conch salad, fried conch...and the buffalo conch is off the charts here! There is a stage area where a steel drum band plays as a light ocean breeze rustles the palms trees above you. So you will sound like a seasoned pro, this is how to properly pronounce Conch: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conch
da Conch Shack and Rum Bar
Head to Da Conch Shack and Rum Bar for some amazing ocean views, delicious conch and some rum punch. You can shoot the 'pistol' with the guys shelling the live conch - ask them about it. Rated the #4 restaurant of 118 in Provo. You can buy beautifully polished conch shells on the beach from a local or wade out into the water and have your pick of thousands of free unpolished conch shells. Most importantly, how to properly pronounce Conch: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conch
Via Veneto Ristorante
Dining at Via Veneto, a modern Italian restaurant in the heart of Provo, is a like a having a round trip ticket Rome just for lunch or dinner, without even having to leave the island. Every detail of our world-class interior and flavorful fare is imported directly from Italy or lovingly hand made in-house with imported Italian ingredients. From the sleek Carrara marble bar to the massive clay oven, the extensive wine list to the sparkling water, every surface, taste, and detail was directly sourced from our homeland. Even the extraordinary, awarded culinary staff was brought over from Italia, complete with their families, in order to serve you the most exquisite and authentic Italian food available on this side of the Atlantic. Call us today for your reservation - we look forward to serving you. - Aldo Della Casa, Owner
Danny Buoys
Danny Buoy's Sports Bar is the place to catch the game in Provo! You can find wings, burgers, pizza, fish tacos, nachos, fries, conch fritters, potato skins... this is the place for bar food. Turks Head and Turks Head Amber is on tap, 20 bottled beers to choose from and an extensive mixed drink menu. Open until 2am every night of the week except Sunday.
Grace Bay Beach
One of the top beaches in the world; Trip Advisor has it rated as the #2 beach in the world, CNN Travel has it rated as the #3 beach in the world, Daily Mail considers it the #2 beach in the world... you get the picture. It is considered the #1 attraction in the Turks and Caicos according to Trip Advisor. We would argue that's because most of the people who visit here don't have access to Chalk Sound- which is rated the #4 attraction. At Grace Bay, you will find world class snorkeling and scuba diving and day charters out to the reef to explore the third largest reef system in the world. There are many world class hotels along this pristine, white sand beach. It is definitely a MUST SEE!
Giggles Ice Cream
Ice Cream! What more do we have to say!
Glow Worms
Three to six nights after the full moon, a most unusual phenomenon occurs in the ebbing tide of the Caicos Banks in the Turks and Caicos Islands. About one hour after sunset, for 15 minutes, the marine worm, Odontosyllis enopla, performs a sparkling mating ritual. The number of mating displays may change from month to month, but the spawning cycle is dictated by lunar and solar patterns happening only a few nights of each month. Sail Provo has a wonderful glow worm tour.
Thursday Night Fish Fry at The Bight Park
An outdoor, beachside setting where about 20 local restaurants are cooking and serving freshly caught fish (lobster, conch, and more) and rum punch. Live music, many locals and tourists, and everybody is having fun. How to properly pronounce Conch: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conch
Massage
We came to know Molly Green when we were looking to book a massage, she was fantastic. She will come to Aqua View and set up her table anywhere you like. Contact us for her information, if she isn't available she will know a wonderful masseuse who is.
Grocery Stores / Liquor Stores
The Graceway IGA Grocery store is located 9 miles (14.5k) from Aqua View Villa and has everything you need. The Graceway Gourmet Grocery store is 11.5 miles (18.6k) from Aqua View Villa, located near Grace Bay Beach & hotels and close to the Downtown area of Provo. This store will offer a much wider selection of organic foods if that is what you are looking for. If you are just looking to pick up a few items, there is a Quality Grocery store on South Dock Rd (still attempting to find an actual address listed online- gotta love island life!) and I'm told by Pop there is a new Quality Grocery Store that has opened near the hospital.
A Warning about Coral Sumac
Also known locally as Poisonwood - aren't you glad you read this far down the page...? Touching this plant can cause rashes and touching the sap from this tree can cause blisters and serious skin irritation. Stay clear!
Hospital
Inter health Canada Hospital has an acute-care facility with emergency departments, maternity services, operating theaters, recovery rooms, dialysis units and family practice clinics. Core staff cover the major fields of modern medicine, but regular visiting consultants expand those capabilities. The system has received the highest available accreditation – Diamond Accreditation by Accreditation Canada International – making it “one of the very few hospitals to have reached that status within two years of opening,” said Dr. Robyn Barnes, Chief of Medical Services for Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital. Tel: 01 649 941 2800