Once a thriving salt-producing island where the British imported slaves to work at cotton plantations in the early 1900's, Provo languished until the early 1960s, when the government decided to concentrate on tourism. But what really put Provo on the map was something that, literally, happened out of this world: In 1962, on his return to earth after his space flight, astronaut John Glenn made this island his favorite getaway. To commemorate this event, a model of his space shuttle stands outside Grand Turk International Airport.

Provo's coral reef is the third largest in the world,  rich in marine life, and the  snorkeling and deep sea diving here have been called  “the best on the planet”, by Jean Michel Cousteau. The clear aquamarine waters that surround Provo are justifiably awe-inspiring, but the island also has an abundance of hiking and trekking spots for land-based exploration. Beaches here - notably Half Moon Bay and Malcolm's Beach --  offer land and water sports, as well as unique shells coveted by collectors. Sapodilla Bay and Leeward Going Through are natural harbors with in-demand yacht docking facilities. Visitors to Sapodilla Bay's beach may discover stones once carved by marooned sailors. Caicos Bank on the island's south is home to conch and lobsters, and the Caicos Conch Farm, the only one of its kind in the world, breeds these native mollusks and conducts tours. Anglers from all over the world gather here year-round, but particularly for the annual championship Caicos Classic Release fishing tournament. Voted one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, The Provo Golf & Country Club in Grace Bay provides challenging championship play.

Providenciales has one of the more glittering luxury resort collections in the Caribbean, including the exclusive Turks & Caicos Club, The Somerset, The Grace Bay Club & Villas and Amanyara.