Family Fun in Turks and Caicos: A Mother-Son Adventure With Grace Bay Resorts

With each passing year, it grows harder and harder to have (what feels like to this mom) enough quality time with my 13-year-old son.

Between the growing amount of schoolwork, the regular roster of extracurricular activities, hangouts with his friends, and the obsession with screen time, there never seems to be enough hours in the day or the week for the family time we used to enjoy. It's a feeling I'm sure more than a few parents of teenagers can relate to.

Given the hectic nature of our lives, I often turn to travel as a way for my son and I to get away from it all and spend meaningful time together, making memories.

Finding the right backdrop for family vacations –meaning a place that's appealing to both my son and I – and a place that offers quality activities we can do together, is not always easy. These are just some of the reasons why I was especially excited to take part in a recent trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands hosted by Grace Bay Resorts.

Operator of six luxury resorts in Providenciales (an island in the northwest Caicos Islands), Grace Bay Resorts recently unveiled an impressive array of new programming designed expressly for young visitors and their families. The line-up includes everything from Wacky Beach Olympics and glow parties on the beach (more on both of those later) to kid-friendly pizza making and family-friendly snorkeling excursions. And those are just a few of the new and noteworthy options.

The rollout of all the kid-tastic offerings began at two properties in the Grace Bay portfolio: Grace Bay Club and South Bank (the newest GB resort). Eventually, the kid programming will expand across all six Providenciales properties in the developer's collection.

My son and I recently spent four days diving into all of the new family fun the two properties had to offer. And by the end of our stay, I saw something I haven't witnessed in about 11 months: Smiling, pre-teen-era joy on my son's face.

It was the kind of smile not restrained by aloof teenager coolness that values screen time over real-life activities. Read on for more about our memorable visit.

 

 

South Bank Resort 

We arrived at South Bank very late one evening after a long day of travel (hungry and tired) and were immediately charmed by the atmosphere we had stepped into.

Rather than a sprawling tropical island resort where it's easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer variety of people and options, South Bank greets you with a warm, stylish boutique vibe. The property includes a main lobby that spills into an open-air dining room area (Lua Beach House), beyond which there's a peaceful, picturesque white sand beach surrounding a placid seawater swimming lagoon. 

Lua's glowing, softly lit dining room was abuzz with people, including young children running around laughing, as they circled back and forth between the lagoon and their parents' dining tables. It was a scene that lacked pretense and made us feel right at home as family travelers.

The next morning, before our first full day of family fun, we set out to explore even more of this charming resort.

The tranquil swimming lagoon at South Bank Resort in Turks & Caicos (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

Property amenities



Lua Beach House and the lobby surrounding it, as well as the lagoon beyond, are the primary gathering spaces and the heart of the 31-acre South Bank resort. These common areas sit amid a neighborhood of luxe South Bank villas, ranging from boathouses and lagoon villas to expansive ocean estates. Most of the properties feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, along with kitchens, living rooms, laundry rooms and more. Meaning, they're ideal for families and the rapidly growing segment of multi-gen globetrotters.


The resort's five-acre lagoon (which is 4.5 feet deep at its maximum) is the primary swimming area. (Meaning there are no pools here.) 

In addition to offering a safe, protected location for kids to play in the water, there's all manner of water sports available at the lagoon. And it was here that kids gravitated each day, powering around the lagoon in one of the resort's many kayaks or paddle boards.

At the far end of South Bank, there's also access to an extensive oceanfront beach where you'll find the stunning turquoise water that Turks and Caicos is famous for. We began our morning here, walking the beach (lined with private residences) and swimming in the crystal-clear water, before embarking on the many fun activities lined up for the day ahead.

Junkanoo mask making is one of the many new activities for young visitors at South Bank Resort in Turks & Caicos (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

Junkanoo masks, pizza making
 and more

First up on our South Bank agenda was Junkanoo-inspired mask making. This particular activity was one of my favorites, as it combined education about local culture with a peaceful art experience that my son dove right into and loved.

Junkanoo is a type of music and a parade said to have originated in the Bahamas between the 18th and 19th centuries, but the tradition later spread to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The masks worn during festive Junkanoo parades typically feature bold, vivid colors, often with intricate patterns and detailed textures. Many are adorned with feathers, beads and sequins. 

For our mask-making workshop, which took place outdoors on one of the two picturesque islands in the middle of the resort's lagoon, we had cardboard masks, paint and all manner of tiny faux jewels to incorporate into our designs. 

My son, a budding artist who's always enjoyed drawing, took to this activity immediately and was right at home quietly painting and designing his mask. Once complete, we set our masks aside to dry (to be worn later that evening for an actual Junkanoo parade that would take place on property.)

Junkanoo mask making is one of the many new activities for young visitors at South Bank Resort in Turks & Caicos (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

Next up, on our agenda was pizza making at Lua's pizza bar, another activity ideally suited for my teenage son, who loves all foods that incorporate cheese, cheese, and more cheese.

At Lua's pizza bar, kids are invited to step into the kitchen, roll up their sleeves and get to work. That includes preparing their own pizza dough and adding toppings of their choice. My son joined a cluster of other boys around his age for this hands-on fun. And when his proudly-made creation came steaming hot out of the pizza oven, we were both eager to have a taste and sat down for a pizza lunch together by the lagoon.

At South Bank Resort in Turks & Caicos kids are invited into the kitchen to make pizza. (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

Our experiences at South Bank included a variety of other memorable activities as well. Both my son and I were fascinated by our visit to a nearby nonprofit organization dedicated to helping save coral reefs amid global warming. (Make sure you request this activity when visiting, it's both educational and provides a first-hand look at the coral restoration being done.)

We also enjoyed sitting under the stars for a movie night on one of South Bank's lagoon islands during our stay. But the Junkanoo parade that took place on our last night at the resort was easily the most memorable moment of our visit.

A parade to remember

Shortly before sundown on the final night of our visit to Southbank, all the children in the resort who had made Junkanoo masks earlier in the day were rounded up to don their creations. Once masks were properly in place, the gaggle of kids was shepherded into a line behind a group of local Junkanoo musicians who were already in parade formation.

At the appointed hour, a vibrant eruption of music marked the parade's kickoff. The sounds of drums of all sizes, trombones, whistles, shakers and more filled the air. The Junkanoo musicians in the parade, dressed in blue and white outfits, along with elaborate hats with feathers, marched down the resort's streets with the cluster of kids in tow, clapping and doing their best to wiggles to the beat of the Caribbean music.

Leading this whole scene is David Bowen, an island native and the former director of culture for the Turks and Caicos Islands, dressed in the most vibrant outfit of them all. His Junkanoo attire was made up of rows of long, narrow strips of orange, yellow, pink, white and blue fabric that rustled and moved as Bowen danced his down the resort streets, exuding pure joy, leading the procession and waving his conch shell in the air.

The parade came to a halt on one of the lagoon islands just as dusk settled over the property, but the party wasn't over. There was more music and dancing with the Junkanoo musicians, followed by storytelling from Bowen, who shared details about the history of conch shells as a form of communication and musical instrument. Kids of all ages gathered around Bowen in a circle, enthralled as he spoke animatedly and periodically blew his conch shell to illustrate his stories. 

Grace Bay Resort, Turks & Caicos (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

Grace Bay Club

After our fun-filled days at South Bank, we moved on to Grace Bay Club, a property just a few minutes away but very different in feel. Grace Bay Club is an ultra-luxury high-rise development sitting on one of the most famous beaches in Turks and Caicos—Grace Bay Beach. 

Often ranked among the best beaches in the world, Grace Bay Beach stretches over three miles of pristine white sand along the north coast of Providenciales. A string of luxury resorts (Grace Bay Club among them) line the beach, which is protected by a barrier reef system.

Grace Bay Club, meanwhile, offers a residential high-rise meets luxury resort approach to family vacations. Condominium-style accommodations here are expansive, stylish, multi-bedroom affairs with state-of-the-art kitchens, enormous living rooms, and many feature lengthy balconies that overlook the beach.

Guests also have access to multiple pools and jacuzzis, as well as a variety of restaurants and beach bars. And of course, there's the miles of beach to walk and explore, along with a variety of water activities and excursions ranging from kayaking to reef snorkeling.

Kids aboard the catamaran excursion with Grace Bay Resorts in Turks & Caicos await the opportunity to explore Iguana Island (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

A snorkeling breakthrough and JoJo the dolphin

Our first afternoon at Grace Bay, we dropped our suitcases in our room and made a beeline for the beach, where we boarded a 65-foot luxury catamaran for a half-day snorkeling excursion along the Turks & Caicos barrier reef.

The ride out to the reef only took a few minutes and as the catamaran made its way across the bay JoJo, a very friendly and animated dolphin (who's apparently well-known by the resort staff) came to greet us, swimming alongside our boat and occasionally leaping through the waves as we moved along - much to the giggling and gleeful delight of all the kids onboard.

Once our boat reached the reef, slides were brought out so that the kids on board could don their snorkel gear and glide right into the water.

Snorkeling is one of the many kid-friendly activities at Grace Bay Resort in Turks & Caicos (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

For years, my son has struggled to learn to snorkel at various destinations we've visited. He just never really took to it or learned how to use snorkel breathing equipment properly. But here, maybe it was the company of a gaggle of other kids, maybe it was a little Turks & Caicos magic, but he donned his snorkel gear and jumped right in, experiencing his first successful snorkel experience ever. From the boat, I watched like a nervous mother hen as he confidently snorkeled around the catamaran with all of the other kids on the excursion. (Happy mom moment, indeed.)

After about 45 minutes of snorkeling the reef, the catamaran moved on to our second stop: Iguana Island, for another highlight of our trip - exploring a remote cay lined by white sand beaches that's inhabited only by iguanas.

An iguana on Iguana Island (Little Water Cay) in Turks & Caicos

Following boardwalk trails that lead through the cay's vegetation, we spied one iguana after another sunning itself. Some were small, others looked like they were the wise elders of the island's iguana clan. After wandering to our heart's content, we took a stroll along the remote cay's long white-sand shoreline and waded into the most stunning, clear turquoise water that my son and I have ever seen.

Neon nights

That evening, back at the resort, it was time for a festive neon nights party and beach barbecue hosted by Grace Bay's Off-Shore restaurant. And it was here that I really saw the child in my son emerge again, as he donned blinking neon sunglasses, queued up for the beach limbo contest. (which sadly, he did not win) and eat one fire-roasted s'more after another.

The evening also included a DJ, face painting, musical chairs, and maypole dancing, along with a spectacular and jaw-dropping show from a local fire performer who not only dazzled us with fire breathing, but also twirled hoops of fire on her arms, much to the amazement of the many young guests who were mesmerized by the display.

Cocktails, mocktails and painting

Our final evening at Grace Bay Club, my son and I, along with many other families, took part in yet another artistic activity: painting by the beach, accompanied by kid-friendly cocktails for the young artists and adult beverages for the parents.

Long tables had been lined up for this gathering along the beach's edge. And tiny table-top easels were positioned in front of each chair, along with paint sets. 

Young guests at Grace Bay Resort spend the evening painting by the beach (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

As the sun set on our Turks and Caicos escape, we both painted away, truly relaxed for the first time in…well, I can't remember how long. And as a mom, I was thankful for the many memorable moments we had experienced over the past week courtesy of South Bank and Grace Bay.

And while he didn't say it out loud (because what teenager does?), I could tell by my son's easy smile as he happily painted his canvas, surrounded by other young guests who were also painting, that he had thoroughly enjoyed himself, too. 

Iguana Island (Little Water Cay) is one of the stops on the snorkeling excursion with Grace Bay Club (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

What we loved most...

It's hard to truly capture all of the experiences and memories associated with a journey in one travel article. But as someone who's made a career of traveling, often with my son along for the ride, there are some key takeaways from this particular trip that I reflected on as we flew home:

Effortless family time: Both South Bank Resort and Grace Bay Club made it incredibly easy for my son and I to enjoy engaging activities together, activities that he enjoyed and that I enjoyed, which is a rare find and something I truly appreciated as a mother.

Grace Bay Beach at Grace Bay Club is consistently voted one of the top beaches in the world. (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)

Access to outdoor activities and nature: Both properties also gave us front row access to nature, which is always a top priority in my book. At South Bank there's a peaceful lagoon for young travelers and beach access for older children who are better swimmers. At Grace Bay Club, the property sits on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, which my son and I enjoyed taking morning walks along to explore. There's also multiple pools at Grace Bay Club along with all manner of water activities. 

And finally, a word about the accommodations: Both resorts are ideally suited for family travelers and multi-gen travelers, featuring guest houses, suites, villas and residences with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. As a mom and longtime family travel writer, all of these features combined make Grace Bay Resorts a stand-out offering in my book, both properties I would happily return to again and again.

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