Page 59 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2025

PHOTOS: RENISE PETERS/SHUTTERSTOCK | OCEAN CLUB RESORTS | TURKS AND CAICOS REEF FUND | ILONA KAUREMSZKY
Stony corals are slow growers and only
grow 1 to 3 centimetres per year. Surprisingly,
at this living coral bio-bank, of which there
are 11 species, a growth spurt has been found
when coral fragments are sliced and placed
close together on unglazed terracotta tiles.
With a weekly feeding of fish food and freeze-
dried marine plankton, Gracie says these
marine creatures are fusing back together.
Coral reefs are often considered the lungs
of the ocean, producing oxygen, and pro-
viding marine life living in the coral gardens
ecosystems of macro algae. Thankfully, con-
servation and cultural preservation are
priorities, with the use of reef-safe sun-
screens, and the national government
designating several national parks and
nature reserves in an effort to safeguard crit-
ical habitats. Hotels have also picked up the
environmental gauntlet, working with NGOs
like TCRF through the Reef Keeper Conserva-
tion Partnership Program. Reef Keeper hotels
value and actively work toward protecting
these islands’ environments, and strive for
sustainable commitments. In November,
Ocean Club Resorts, with its pair of beach-
front properties in the heart of Grace Bay
Beach, became the latest Reef Keeper hotel.
Guests staying at Ocean Club Resorts
know they can visit and observe 183 corals
living at the bio-bank and even opt to add a
$2 per night donation to their bill, con-
tributing to reef preservation.
While Turks and Caicos has long been a
beloved Canadian sun hub, today’s island vis-
itors are attracted to a growing niche in
ecotourism, and immersive local experi-
ences. After a four-hour direct flight on board
Air Canada, I arrived in Provo to begin the
eco-friendly, locally-rich beach break. I
arrived in style bypassing the long passport
line with a SkyPass Caribbean Roundtrip Fast
Pass, getting expedited, escorted service to
this British Overseas Territory. Although the
currency is in U.S. dollars, the time zone is
the same as in Toronto so jet lag was avoided
and beach time was rewarded.
My recent trip also coincided with
shoulder season—fewer crowds with less
strain on the local environment. Summer has
also pivoted into a low season choice, giving
island seekers heavenly white powder beach
strolls sans foules (without crowds).
I chose Ocean Club Resorts for two reasons:
sustainable achievements and personalized
service. With duo-beach properties—there’s
DID YOU KNOW?
You can Adopt-a-Coral from the Turks
and Caicos Reef Fund. For more
details see tcreef.org/adoptacoral.
Visit on Wednesday afternoon for the
2 p.m. coral feeding. Reserve a cab at
the resort’s reception and it’s recom-
mended to arrive 15 minutes early.
SPRING/SUMMER 2025 DREAMSCAPES 59