With so many unique ecosystems, the island of Providenciales has eight protected areas where you can explore & discover an undisturbed tropical paradise. With three national parks, three nature reserves, and two protected historical sites, the country has made extraordinary efforts to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the lovely coastal water.
With varying degrees of protection statuses, the national parks, nature reserves, and historical sites generally prohibit harming plants, animals, and historical items. This means no fishing or shell collection in these areas. This does not mean that visitors and residents cannot enjoy the beauty of the protected areas. Still, only that extra care should be taken to respect how delicate these ecosystems can be for the animal and plants therein.
Princess Alexandra National Park:
Declared a national park in 1992, the Princess Alexandra National Park includes 6,532 acres of coastal and marine waters teeming with life. This protected area includes Grace Bay Beach, The Bight Beach, The Bight Reef (Coral Gardens), Leeward Beach, Smith’s Reef, and a large portion of the northern barrier reef of Providenciales. The Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve is also located in the national park. It consists of the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay (Iguana Island), the wetlands islands of mangrove Cay and Donna Cay, and the rocks of Lizard Cay, Bird Cay, and the Sinking Cays. The barrier reef off the north coast of Provo is a popular place for scuba diving and sailing and is also part of this protected area.
The Best Ways to Enjoy Princess Alexandra National Park:
Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Boarding: Combining exercise and the stunning seas, nature lovers will enjoy exploring the national parks in a kayak or SUP. Quietly glide over the water and view sea turtles, manta rays, fish, and even dolphins! The Mangrove Cay is a beautiful spot off the Northeastern Coast of the island to do this!
Boating: Sail around the national parks or take a power boat to view as much of the coastal waters as possible. Many charters include time for snorkeling, which is a great activity on island.
Beach Walking: Explore the soft white sands by walking the beautiful beaches of Provo. Grace Bay Beach (consistently rated #1 beach in the Caribbean) is a stunning 11 miles stretch of beach on the North shore of Provo. You can walk 12 miles or break it into more leisurely, smaller walks.
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