Latest news with #TurksandCaicos
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
I've visited 10 Caribbean islands since April — these are the places I'd go back to again and again
From floating beach bars to secret coves and tight-knit island communities, these Caribbean experiences are calling me back. It started in April. A string of flights, ferries, and barefoot landings. In just a few months, I've touched down on 10 Caribbean islands. Some were new to me. Others were places I thought I knew, until I saw them differently this time. But out of the many piña coladas, passport stamps, and powder-soft beaches, there are a handful of places that grabbed hold of me. This isn't a list of the best resorts of the most Instagrammed beaches. These are the places that felt different — that sparked joy, curiosity, and something a little more meaningful. If you're planning your. Next Caribbean trip and looking for something beyond the brochure, here are the places I'd go back to in a heartbeat. 1. The Floating Dock at Balaou — St. Martin Let's start with one of the coolest experiences I've had all year: Balaou, a floating bar and restaurant just offshore in Grand Case. You call the restaurant, they send a dinghy to pick you up, and suddenly you're sipping a cold beer on a floating couch, surrounded by turquoise water and the hazy silhouette of St. Martin's green hills. There's no elegant way to walk out ot your seat without wobbling, but that's part of the experience. Between the sunset views, the cheeky bartenders, and the fact that you're bobbing on a floating bar, Balaou is an experience you can't duplicate. 2. The Wild Cliffs of Middle Caicos — Turks and Caicos Everyone raves about Grace Bay, and it's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but nothing prepared me for Mudjin Harbour on Middle Caicos. The cliffs, the crashing waves, and the tiny cay that looks like a dragon sleeping in the sea. I hadn't done much research before arriving, which made stumbling onto Dragon Cay Resort and its windswept trails feel even more surprising. There's even a stone staircase that leads down to a hidden cave beach. The whole experience is raw, rugged, and so unlike the curated side of the Turks and Caicos most people know. 3. The Tight-Knit Vibes of Saba Saba doesn't have a beach. What it does have is a ton of personality. This five-square-mile volcanic peak rising out of the sea is one of the most unique islands in the Caribbean. The roads are wild — switchbacks and cliff drops that make your palms sweat. But it's the on-island experiences that will be the reasons you come back. In just a few days, I met the island's only glass jeweler, hiked the Mt. Scenery trail through cloud forest, and attended back-to-back happy hours with locals. If you're into diving, hiking, or just love the idea of an island that feels like a tiny town, Saba is for you. 4. Elvis' Beach Bar — Anguilla I spent only an afternoon at Elvis' Beach Bar in Anguilla, but it was reason enough for me to find a way back to the island. The sand between my toes, the rum punch in hand, the faint sounds of soca in the background, and the slow glow over Sandy Ground. The bar is made from a converted boat, the walls strewn with rusty license plates, knick-knacks, and other lost-and-found items that add to the bar's cobbled-together vibe. It feels like the definition of island time. Anguilla has its five-star side, but this is the side I fell in love with. 5. Cane Bay and the North Shore — St. Croix St. Croix surprised me. Maybe it was the rotisserie chicken at La Reina, or the homemade mamajuana at Spratnet Beach bar, or the drive along the North Shore, with its horses, rum shacks, and wide-open views. But it's Cane Bay that keeps calling me back. The beach here is low-key, with great snorkeling and diving just offshore. I had a local brew at The Landing, a shot of mamajuana with strangers, and conversations with everyone that gave me a different view of this lesser-visited U.S. Virgin Island. 6. Ti Kaye Resort — St. Lucia There's no shortage of luxury in St. Lucia, but Ti Kaye Resort does something special. Perched on a cliff above a private bay, this adults-only hideaway is romantic, but also grounding. The cottages are tucked into the jungle, each with an outdoor shower and hammocks on the private porches. The beach is reached via a cliffside funicular, a comprehensive wine cellar offers weekly tastings, and the resort prioritizes its commitment to its staff by providing subsidized medical care and education funding. 7. Starfish Alley — South Caicos South Caicos only has two resorts, but that's not why I went. I was there for the back roads, the empty beaches, and a quiet little stretch of water the locals call Starfish Alley. The water is clear as glass, and the sandbanks are paved with actual starfish, which you'll see just by wading out knee-deep. There's no official signage. It's just one of those places someone tells you about after you've had a couple rum punches and proven yourself curious enough to deserve the tip. The Caribbean is not one-size-fits-all, and that's exactly why I am so eager to keep visiting. Each island has its own story to tell. While I've been lucky enough to visit 10 islands since April, it's these moments that stay with me the most. Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
17-07-2025
- Fox News
American tourist confirmed dead after Turks and Caicos vacation disappearance
A body found in Turks and Caicos over a week ago has been identified as a missing American man who vanished while vacationing in the tropical paradise. Brian Tarrence, 51, of Monroe, New York, went missing on June 25 during a vacation with his wife on the Turks and Caicos Island, according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Tarrence was last seen leaving his condo around 3:30 a.m. at the Paradise Inn in Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. In a press release, the island's police force confirmed Tarrence's identity following the conclusion of a forensic dental analysis. No signs of trauma were discovered during the autopsy, and police do not suspect foul play, according to authorities. Tarrance's cause of death has not yet been determined, with police still awaiting the results of the final autopsy and toxicology reports. An earlier press release revealed Tarrence's body was found in some bushes along Miracle Close in Grace Bay. Carl DeFazio, the Tarrence family's private investigator, previously told Fox News Digital that the condo is located in a safe area. "They seemed to be having a normal couple days, and he ended up walking out of his condo, which is in a very safe place and in the middle of Grace Bay Road," DeFazio said. "And we have him on camera, and he walks into town, and then he basically disappears, and we haven't heard from him since." DeFazio added that Tarrence's belongings remained at the condo and his wife didn't realize he was missing until the following morning. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said Tarrence's body was found shortly after 9 a.m. on July 5. "The RT&CIPF extends our condolences to Mr. Tarrence's family and friends during this difficult time. We thank the public for their patience and support as we continue the investigation," Royal Turks and Caicos police said in a statement late Wednesday. The Tarrence's were set to return from their vacation on June 29. Anyone with information relating to Tarrence's case is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Grim update in search for missing NYC man who disappeared in Turks and Caicos
A decomposed body found during the search for a missing American man who vanished while vacationing in Turks and Caicos has been identified. Brian Tarrence, 52, was enjoying a romantic week-long getaway with his wife when he disappeared from their Airbnb rental in Grace Bay on June 25, just three days into the trip. He left the rental as his wife slept, after enjoying an intimate dinner and the afternoon on a boat. On July 5, authorities assisting in the search for the missing Manhattan man found a decomposed male body in Grace Bay, near the couple's accommodation. On Wednesday, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed the remains belonged to Tarrence. 'An autopsy conducted on July 11th revealed no signs of trauma, and at this time, there is no suspicion of foul play,' the police department said. Officials have not yet announced a cause of death. This will be determined by a full autopsy and toxicology report. The positive identification draws an end to a painful weeks-long process for his wife and loved ones back in the United States. 'The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,' acting Commissioner Rodney Adams said. 'We urge members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigative process to confirm the identity through official channels.' Tarrence's family had hired a private investigator to help find him. 'Everything prior to the point where he walked out of that house, he seems fine,' private investigator Carl DeFazio said during the search. 'The worst thing is not knowing,' he added. 'Every day that goes by is not good.' On June 22, the couple arrived at world-famous Grace Bay Beach on the northeast coast of Providenciales - a pristine stretch of shoreline famed for its crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand and upscale luxury resorts. After being notified of his disappearance, local police reviewed security footage near the Airbnb, which showed Tarrence - wearing a T-shirt, shorts and sneakers - walking toward the tourist-heavy downtown area around 3.30am. 'That's a little bizarre in itself,' DeFazio told News 12, referring to the mystery of why Tarrence left the rental. 'He's in the middle of town. His wife was sleeping.' The area where Tarrence disappeared is 'very safe,' according to the investigator, and the New Yorker had both his cellphone and wallet with him when he left. 'We have him on camera, and he walks into town, and then he basically disappears, and we haven't heard from him since,' he told the outlet.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- CBS News
Body found in Turks and Caicos identified as missing American Brian Tarrence
A body found in Turks and Caicos over a week ago has now been identified as Brian Tarrence, an American who went missing while on vacation there. His remains were found during a search on July 5, but the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said they were only able to confirm his identity Wednesday after receiving the results of a forensic dental analysis. The police force said no signs of trauma were discovered during the autopsy, and they do not suspect foul play. The cause of death has not yet been determined. "The RT&CIPF extends our condolences to Mr. Tarrence's family and friends during this difficult time. We thank the public for their patience and support as we continue the investigation," the police force said in a statement, in part. Tarrence, 52, was vacationing on the island with his wife, Maria, when he disappeared. He was last seen on surveillance video walking away from his hotel around 3:30 a.m. on June 25. Tarrence and his wife moved to Midtown Manhattan in 2024 and previously lived in Orange County. They had been married for one year. Tarrence worked as a vice president at Diligent Aiello contributed to this report.
Fox News
16-07-2025
- Fox News
Mystery shrouds case as American tourist still presumed missing in popular tourist paradise
An American man who vanished weeks ago in Turks and Caicos is still presumed missing, despite the fact that a decomposing male body was found in the island paradise 10 days ago. Brian Tarrence, a 51-year-old business executive from Monroe, New York, went missing in the early hours of June 25 after leaving his rental condo, according to a Facebook post from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. He was vacationing with his wife Maria at the time. On the same day, a security guard was killed by a "masked gunman" outside a supermarket about nine miles from where Tarrence went missing. No connection between the alleged homicide and Tarrence's disappearance has been made. Search and rescue forces were deployed on July 5, and three hours into the search, the body of a deceased male "in a decomposed state" was found in Grace Bay, Providenciales, the same town where Tarrence and his wife were staying. According to CBS News, the body of the decomposed male has not been identified since it was found on July 5. Fox News Digital reached out to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on Wednesday morning, but did not hear back. The family's private investigator, Carl DeFazio, told Fox News Digital that the couple went boating the day before the tech executive went missing. At around 3:30 a.m. the following morning, Tarrence was caught on security cameras leaving the property. He left the rental with his phone and wallet, but the rest of his belongings were found inside the condo. His wife, who was asleep at the time, did not notice that he had left. "They seemed to be having a normal couple days, and he ended up walking out of his condo, which is in a very safe place and in the middle of Grace Bay Road," DeFazio said. "And we have him on camera, and he walks into town, and then he basically disappears, and we haven't heard from him since."
