Page 60 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2025

FAST FACT
Damaging, collecting or selling coral
(live or dead) is illegal. Strict marine
conservation laws include hefty fines
and potential imprisonment.
the original Ocean Club East, which opened
in the ’90s and Ocean Club West, which has
direct beach access—guests are offered
curated stays at these affordable luxury
accommodations.
Reservations for activities are recom-
mended. There are the ever-popular pickleball
courts, complimentary bike, kayak and SUP
rentals, on-site spa treatments, and even rum
tasting for small groups. Free hotel shuttles to
the sister property for à la carte dining (no
buffet lines)—all of these can be arranged
seamlessly at reception.
Recognized as Turks and Caicos’ first
Green Globe certified hotel in 2021, the
condo-suite resorts are as high as the palm
trees, use solar energy, have lagoon-style
pools, refrain from loud party music and
have removed single-use plastics.
Staying at Ocean Club West, I relished its
prime location. Mornings began with beach
yoga, the soundtrack of waves setting a
tranquil tone for the day. A leisurely 20-
minute beach stroll led to Cabana, at the
sister property, where I savoured their spicy
breakfast burrito.
Afternoons were a blend of relaxation and
exploration. I pedalled to Princess Alexandra
National Park to watch parasailers soaring
above the turquoise waters and cycled back,
passing shops showcasing island treasures,
before retreating to Spa Tropique for a
blissful massage.
Dining at Ocean Club Resorts is a culinary
journey offering three distinct restaurants
like West’s Solana and East’s Cabana, both
alfresco but each boasting its own specialties
like seasonal conch and sushi. Opus, with its
elevated fine dining, could easily rival
MICHELIN-starred establishments. Every
meal was a treat, but the island’s culinary
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DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2025
scene really came alive at the famed Thursday
Night Fish Fry.
An all-out Junkanoo parade, the rhythmic
beats of drums set the pulse as some locals
coiffed stylish hairdos, or dressed in glorious
outfits. Everyone was following the costumed
band, dancing through the crowd. The
scent of fried snapper and conch fritters
filled the air, as hungry patrons queued by
food trucks.
On my final morning, swells of foaming
waves spilled onto the white powder sand,
taking me back to Gracie at the Turks and
Caicos Reef Fund. My journey came full
circle. I thought of this “Coral Warrior” as
friends call her, ever passionate, diving into
the tank, as her 25-year-old spirit sporting a
braid as long as an eagle-ray tail demonstrated
the beauty and fragility of these living organisms.
Watching her care for the corals reinforced
how interconnected we are to these underwater
ecosystems. As I reflected on my trip, the sus-
tainability efforts of places like Ocean Club
Resorts made it clear: Turks and Caicos isn’t
just about stunning beaches, it’s about pre-
serving paradise for generations to come.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For fast entry to the Turks and Caicos, reg-
ister in advance for SkyPass Caribbean’s
Roundtrip Fast Pass skypasscaribbean.com.
Air Canada offers direct summer service,
twice weekly from Toronto to Providenciales
International Airport and once weekly from
Montréal aircanada.ca. For hotel reserva-
tions, visit oceanclubresorts.com. For more
travel information about Turks and Caicos,
visit turksandcaicostourism.com
PHOTOS: ILONA KAUREMSZKY | TURKS AND CAICOS REEF FUND