ISLE LOVE IT
The up-and-coming exotic island with new Virgin flights and Maldives-like waters
Each villa has king-size bedrooms with sea-view balconies and private swimming pool
JETLAG has woken me up at 5am but for once I’m not mad.
It’s almost impossible to be when I’m watching an incredible purple-hued sunrise on Tripadvisor’s “best beach in the world”.
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I’ve seen my fair share of beautiful places, but little compares to Grace Bay’s powder soft sand yet to heat up for the day.
While I have the coastline to myself, with just a few cawing birds overhead, I fear this won’t be for long.
Turks and Caicos is set to be the next big thing for Brits, with Virgin Atlantic launching direct flights from the UK twice a week.
And the island takes the word paradise to a whole new level.
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Even before you land, the views of the bright turquoise, Maldives-esque waters from the plane are so blue it’s like someone dialled up the saturation on my phone.
Often compared to the other nearby islands of Barbados or Jamaica, residents insist Turks and Caicos is unique.
Mangrove kayaking
“People associate us with the rest of the Caribbean, but we have our own individual cultures,” local David Bowen told me.
And that inviting way of life is best found at Da Conch Shack on Wednesday nights.
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Also named one of the best beach bars in the world, I was served sea snail dishes, ranging from fresh ceviche to deep fried fritters.
And before I knew it, I was joined by 14-man marching band, Funk Junkanoo, playing a cacophony of upbeat music.
Kim Kardashian displays real stomach in teeny black bikini in unedited photos on Turks and Caicos family vacation
We all danced into the early hours of the morning albeit with much less rhythm than the locals.
Miraculously, thanks to the large piles of rice, beans and jerk chicken we also demolished, my Rum Punch hangover was almost non-existent.
Instead, my mornings were spent relaxing with a coffee and platter of fresh fruit, overlooking the pristine coastline from my room at the Wymara Resort and Villas.
The reception sets the tone with jaw-dropping views out to the shimmering infinity pool and turquoise sea.
It’s safe to say I took advantage of the hotel staff’s offer to take my things to my room before I threw on a bikini and jumped straight in.
The cool water was needed to refresh my already heated up skin, thanks to those 30C island temperatures even in winter.
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So after a toe-dip in the sea and a jump in the pool, you’d think that’s enough water for one day.
But the hotel is home to the Caribbean’s first ocean-water pool, which can be found near the private villas that look like they belong in Los Angeles-based Netflix series, Selling Sunset.
The 3,900 square foot-pool is 130ft long and 30ft wide and is accessible to villa guests, though resort guests can buy day passes.
Each villa has king-size bedrooms with sea-view balconies and private swimming pools, but the highlight is the curly slide straight into the ocean.
I couldn’t help having a go, or two, or three. In fact, my bikini was rarely given time to dry out.
If you want to ramp up the fun, you can explore the island by speedboat
A short drive from the hotel and still slightly damp, I am back on water for a kayaking tour of the mangroves.
Our passionate guide showed off the dense 100-year-old foliage, which we were told to avoid touching as they are so important to protect the island’s coastline.
When we reach the turtle nursery, we are encouraged to keep quiet.
I had to cover my mouth to avoid yelling in delight as one of the reptiles cheekily popped its mouth out of the water for a quick breath.
I thought I had been lucky to spot one only to hear stunned gasps from other kayakers just inches from a surfacing turtle.
The remarkably clear water meant we could even see them on the sea floor, taking a well-earned rest from the heat.
If you want to ramp up the fun, you can explore the island by speedboat.
Our captain and fellow Brit Jake was more than happy to let us blast our club classics on the speakers.
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Freshly baked treats
Sadly, high winds prevented us from exploring some of the more hidden parts of Turks and Caicos, but we moored up near the mangroves and clambered aboard a ten-man inflatable instead.
Captain Jake even paddled over more prosecco for us to enjoy.
My nose was left a Caribbean sunset pink after one too many glasses, having to take myself back to the shaded beanbags on deck when the heat was too much.
With final hugs from Captain Jake, we were back on solid ground at the resort, giggling before a quick stop at the beach front Pink Bar followed by collapsing on my huge bed moments later.
I was in one of Wymara’s beach front suites, complete with balconies overlooking Grace Bay as well as a large roll-top bath and rainfall shower.
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It was the little touches that made all the difference, from the Dyson hairdryers to the freshly baked treats by my bed every night.
And despite being sunburned, sleep deprived and a few pounds heavier, it’s hard to care when waking up in paradise.
GO: Turks and Caicos
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ B&B at Wymara Resort and Villas from £3,012pp including flights with Virgin Atlantic and private transfers. See virgin.com.
OUT & ABOUT: Kayak Eco tour from £176pp, half-day Private Boat Charter from £340pp. See bigbluecollective.com.
MORE INFO: See luxuryexperiencesturksandcaicos.com.