Celebrities and Famous Visitors to the Turks and Caicos
As a very small country that relatively few have heard of, the Turks and Caicos has seen quite an impressive number of famous visitors, from both present and past eras.
Today, the unparalleled beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands attract people from across the globe, and there’s a wide range of luxury accommodation choices to stay at.
The exclusive all-inclusive resorts on Providenciales, Parrot Cay, and Pine Cay are favorites with the rich and famous, yet the expansive private rental mansions have also become popular as well.
As every beach in the Turks and Caicos is public and free-to-access up to the high tide point, regardless of whether the coast is on a private island or not, it’s possible to visit almost any location mentioned on this page.
Historic Arrivals
Along with being a possible site of Christopher Columbus’s first point of landfall in the Americas and New World, quite a few other interesting (albeit perhaps not globally significant!) historical events involving important people took place in and around the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Christopher Columbus
Date: 1492
Grand Turk is one of the three likely possible points of first landfall of Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage to the New World.
Ponce De Leon
Date: 1512
Spanish conquistador Ponce De Leon, then governor of Puerto Rico, received a royal charter from the Spanish Court which encouraged him to search for Bimini and the Fountain of Youth. Presumably on his way to discover what eventually became Florida, he anchored at an unknown location in our archipelago.
Captain John White
Date: 1587
English artist and explorer Captain John White stopped on West Caicos during the journey to Roanoke Island in Virginia. According to his accounts, he was expecting to gather the salt that would naturally occur in the shallow ponds, yet did not. Instead, his crew hunted “swanees” (probably flamingos!)
François l'Olonnais
Date: Later 1600s
French pirate François l'Olonnais was known to have operated off of French Cay and West Caicos. The origins of the Turks and Caicos name is derived from the islands being a pirate base.
Anne Bonney and Mary Reed
Date: Early 1700s
During a wilder time of Turks and Caicos history, the islands between Providenciales and North Caicos supported pirate bases due to their freshwater sources. In fact, what is now Parrot Cay used to be known as Pirate Cay because of the buccaneers. Famous female pirates Anne Bonney and Mary Reed were known to have operated from the island.
Horatio Nelson
Date: 1783
Horatio Nelson, the famed British naval commander, suffered one of his few defeats when he attempted to retake Fire Hill (near the current cruise center) from the French during the Battle of Grand Turk.
Theodoor Hendrik Nikolaas de Booy
Date: 1911
Dutch-American anthropologist and noted authority on the Caribbean peoples Theodoor de Booy spent a bit of time in the Caicos Islands searching the land and caves for evidence and artifacts from the Taino people. The result from these efforts was a book: Lucayan Remains on the Caicos Islands, possibly the first published book centered on the country.
Prince George
Date: 1928
Prince George, Duke of Kent, visited Grand Turk aboard the Royal Navy D-Class Light Cruiser HMS Durban during a relief mission after the major 1928 Hurricane (referred to as the Hurricane of the Century). He went ashore incognito.
Princess Margaret
Date: 1960
Princess Margaret Rose of the United Kingdom, Countess of Snowdon, paid an official visit to Grand Turk on the HMS Britannia. On the visit, she stopped at the two U.S. bases on the island: NAVFAC and South Base.
© NASA
John Glenn
Date: 1962
The first landfall of American astronaut John Glenn after the historic Mercury space mission was the island of Grand Turk. Today, a monument commemorating the incredible event can be seen at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
Lyndon B Johnson
Date: 1962
In 1962, then U.S. vice president Lyndon B Johnson greeted John Glenn on Grand Turk after the astronaut’s historic mission.
© Joel Rouse / Ministry of Defense
H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
Date: 1966
Queen Elizabeth II visited South Caicos in 1966 aboard the HMS Royal Britannia. To commemorate the visit, the South Caicos Regatta has been held ever since.
© Allan Warren / CC BY-SA 3.0
Duke of Edinburgh
Date: 1966
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to South Caicos.
© Arnaud Bouissou
King Charles III
Date: 1973
King Charles III (then Prince Charles) of the United Kingdom stopped over at Grand Turk on the HMS Minerva. During his stay, he took part in local cricket matches as a member of the ship’s team. The ship’s crew also conducted community service and took the island’s Series Land Rover ambulance to the local hospital to repair and paint!
© Northern Ireland Office / CC BY 2.0
Prince Andrew
Date: 2000
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, made an official visit to the Turks and Caicos and stopped on both Grand Turk and Providenciales.
Grace Bay and Providenciales
Grace Bay Beach, the hallmark of the Turks and Caicos, is world renowned for its pristine sand and turquoise water. Luxury hotels and all-inclusive resorts line this breathtaking beach, and there’s a wonderful selection of water sports and things to do.
© Oli Gill / CC BY-SA 2.0
Paul McCartney
Several visits
Paul McCartney of the Beatles visited the Turks and Caicos by yacht and anchored off of Grace Bay.
© John Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0
Christopher Walken
Date: 2002 and 2014
Actor Christopher Walken starred in two films shot in the Turks and Caicos: 2002 Life’s a Beach and the 2014 Turks and Caicos.
© University of Houston
Kenny Rogers
Date: 2007
Singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers performed in Turtle Cove on Providenciales during the now-defunct Turks and Caicos Music Festival.
© Eva Rinaldi / CC BY-SA 2.0
Alicia Keys
Date: 2007
Alicia Keys also performed at the 2007 Turks and Caicos Music Festival and went horseback riding with a local stable.
© Tatiana / CC BY-SA 2.0
Maria Sharapova
Date: 2006
Tennis star Maria Sharapova stayed at the Grace Bay Club on the unparalleled Grace Bay Beach, and modeled for Sports Illustrated.
© Football.ua / CC BY-SA 3.0
Lionel Messi
Date: 2015
The Argentine professional footballer who plays for FC Barcelona stayed at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks & Caicos.
© David Shankbone / CC BY 3.0
Katie Couric
Several visits
New anchor and author Katie Couric is known to have made quite a few trips to Providenciales and the brilliant Grace Bay Beach.
© Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 3.0
Conan O'Brien
Date: 2008
Conan O'Brien stayed on Providenciales and Grace Bay Beach.
© Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0
Robin Wright
Date: 2017
Robin Wright, famous for her roles in the Princess Bride and television series House of Cards, stayed at Babalua Beach west of Grace Bay.
© Michael W. Pendergrass
Jimmy Buffett
Several visits
Along with having one of his namesake Margaritaville restaurants at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, Jimmy Buffett has stopped over at Providenciales on the Hemisphere Dancer, his signature 1955 Grumman Albatross amphibious airplane.
© ABC Television
© Jen Keys
Beyoncé
Date: 2008
Beyonce and Jay Z visited Providenciales and stayed at the Nicki Beach Resort (now Blue Haven).
© Joella Marano-Jorgebarrios / CC BY-SA 3.0
Jay Z
Date: 2008
Beyonce and Jay Z visited Providenciales and stay at the Nicki Beach Resort (now Blue Haven).
© The Come Up Show / CC BY-SA 2.0
Drake
Several visits
Drake stayed at an expansive villa at the beautiful Leeward Beach on the eastern side of Grace Bay in 2019, and has visited several times since.
© Glenn Francis / CC BY-SA 4.0
Heidi Klum
Date: 2017
In 2017, Heidi Klum stayed at Gansevoort Resort (now Wymara Resort) at the Bight Beach on the western side of Grace Bay.
© Arthur / CC BY-SA 2.0
Sean ‘P-Diddy' Combs
Date: 2020
In 2020, Sean ‘P-Diddy' Combs celebrated his 51st birthday at Hawksbill Villa in Leeward, Providenciales.
© Meghan Roberts / CC BY 2.0
DJ Khaled
Date: 2020
In September 2020, DJ Khaled (Khaled Mohamed Khaled) stayed at a private villa in Providenciales.
© Erik Drost / CC BY-SA 2.0
Jack Harlow
2023
Jack Harlow, the American rapper and actor, visited along with Drake in 2023.
Peter Benchley
Date: 1970s
Peter Benchley, the famous author of Jaws, visited Providenciales and stayed at the historic Third Turtle Inn in Turtle Cove. He was also the author of The Island, a modern-day pirate story that actually takes place in the Turks and Caicos.
Amanyara Resort, Providenciales
The exclusive and secluded all-inclusive Amanyara Resort is located on Malcolm's Road Beach on the Northwest Point Marine National Park. This wild and scenic region of Providenciales is a perfect backdrop for a tranquil stay.
© Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 3.0
Will Smith
Several visits
Will Smith has stayed at several different spots on Providenciales, including on Grace Bay Beach and the remote Amanyara Resort.
© DoD News / CC BY-SA 2.0
Brad Pitt
Date: 2016
Brad Pitt spent Thanksgiving 2016 at the secluded Amanyara Resort at Malcolm Road’s Beach on Providenciales.
© Keith Allison / CC BY-SA 2.0
LeBron James
Date: 2014
LeBron James and his family visited Providenciales in 2014 and stayed at Amanyara.
© gdcgraphics / CC BY-SA 2.0
Bill Nighy
Date: 2014
Bill Nighy stared as Johnny Worricker in the political thriller Turks and Caicos, shot on Providenciales at Amanyara Resort, Blue Hills and Long Bay Beach.
© Piccolo Missionario / CC BY-SA 2.0
Winona Ryder
Date: 2014
Winona Ryder played a part in the 2014 film Turks and Caicos shot at Amanyara.
© Siebbi-César / CC BY 3.0
Helena Bonham Carter
Date: 2014
Helena Bonham Carter was another one of the famous actors that played a part in the 2014 Turks and Caicos movie.
© Eva Rinaldi / CC BY-SA 2.0
Kim Kardashian
Date: 2018
Kim Kardashian stayed at the remote and exclusive Amanyara Resort at the Northwest Point Marine National Park on Providenciales.
© Brian Minkoff / CC BY-SA 3.0
David Beckham
Date: 2017
David and Victoria Beckham and his family visited the Turks and Caicos in late December 2017.
© Eva Rinaldi / CC BY-SA 2.0
Zac Efron
2008
Zac Efron of the High School Musical movie series and Vanessa Hudgens stayed in the Turks and Caicos in 2008.
© MTV / CC BY-SA 3.0
Vanessa Hudgens
2008
Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron stayed at Amanyara in 2008.
© Albert Domasin / CC BY-SA 2.0
Courteney Cox
2014
Courteney Cox of the famous Friends sitcom series stayed at the exclusive resort in 2014.
Long Bay Beach, Providenciales
Found on the southeast side of Providenciales, Long Bay Beach is one of the region’s top kiteboarding spots, and attracts kiters from all over the globe. Luxury vacation villas can be seen across this 3-mile coast.
© Eva Rinaldi / CC BY 2.0
Nicki Minaj
Date: 2016
For her 34th birthday, Nicki Minaj stayed in a luxury beachfront villa on Long Bay Beach, Providenciales.
© Marc Zapanta / CC BY-SA 3.0
Kylie Jenner
Date: 2016
Kylie Jenner celebrated her 19th birthday at The Pearls of Long Bay luxury villa on Providenciales.
© U.S. Department of State
John Kerry
Date: 2014
Former U.S. Secretary of State John F Kerry visited the Turks and Caicos in 2014, and took kiteboarding lessons at Long Bay Beach, Providenciales.
© Glenn Francis / CC BY-SA 3.0
Kourtney Kardashian
Date: 2019
The Kardashian sisters stayed at a luxury villa on Long Bay Beach on Providenciales.
© Luke Ford / CC BY-SA 2.5
Khloe Kardashian
Date: 2019
Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian vacationed at a villa on Long Bay Beach in July of 2019.
Turtle Tail, Providenciales
Turtle Tail is a highly scenic residential area on the south coast of Providenciales. The beautiful hills and bluffs on this peninsula offer incredible views over the turquoise Caicos Banks and inland marine ponds.
Several beautiful yet small beaches are found interspersed along this limestone coast.
© penner / CC BY-SA 3.0
Prince
Owned Home
Prince owned one of the largest mansions in the Turks and Caicos, complete with a purple driveway!
© Eva Rinaldi / CC BY-SA 2.0
Rihanna
Date: 2016
Famous Bajan singer Rihanna stayed at an opulent and expansive villa in Turtle Tail, Providenciales.
© Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 2.0
Olivia Munn
Date: 2019
Oliva Munn visited the Turks and Caicos several times, and in July of 2019 stayed at one of the expansive villas at Turtle Tail on Providenciales.
Simone Biles
Date: 2022
Simone Biles visited the Turks and Caicos for her birthday and stayed at Prince’s former house in Turtle Tail.
© Andrew Henkelman / CC BY-SA 4.0
Naomi Osaka
Date: 2020
Naomi Osaka, who has been ranked No. 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association, visited Providenciales with her sister and stayed at a luxury villa.
Parrot Cay
The 1000-acre (405 hectare) Parrot Cay is found east of Providenciales. The island boasts spectacular beaches and luxury low-density development. Unlike the neighboring Pine Cay, Parrot Cay does not have an airstrip, so visitors are ferried to the island by boat.
The island is home to the COMO Parrot Cay Resort, luxury villas managed by the resort, and private residences. The resort also features Shambhala Retreat, the famous full-service spa and well-being center. Quite a few celebrities own homes or real estate on this tranquil cay.
© The White House
President Bill Clinton
Date: 2011
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Parrot Cay and stayed at Donna Karan’s private villa.
© U.S. Department of State
Hillary Clinton
Date: 2011
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Parrot Cay with her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea.
© Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 3.0
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Several visits
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were married on the exclusive Parrot Cay in 2005.
© DFID
Bill and Melinda Gates
Date: 2009
Tech billionaire Bill Gates and his wife visited the Turks and Caicos in 2009. During his stay, he visited the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club several times.
© Rubenstein / CC BY-SA 2.0
Christie Brinkley
Owns home
Christie Brinkley owns a luxury villa, Lucky House, on Parrot Cay.
© David Shankbone / CC BY-SA 3.0
Donna Karan
Owns home
Fashion designer Donna Karan has been a long time property owner in the Turks and Caicos.
© Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 2.0
Bruce Willis
Owns home
Actor Bruce Willis owned one of the more luxurious villas on Parrot Cay for years, in addition to real estate on Ambergris Cay.
© Dina Regine / CC BY-SA 2.0
Keith Richards
Owns home
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards owns a villa on the exclusive Parrot Cay.
© Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0
Michael Douglas
Date: 2007
Actor Michael Douglas visited the Turks and Caicos in 2007 with Catherine-Zeta Jones, and was rumored to have considered purchasing property on Dellis Cay. However, the project fell through due to the 2008 financial crisis.
© David Shankbone / CC BY-SA 2.0
Demi Moore
Date: 2011
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher stayed on Parrot Cay at Bruce Willis’s villa.
© David Shankbone / CC BY-SA 2.0
Ashton Kutcher
Date: 2011
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher stayed on Parrot Cay at Bruce Willis’s villa.
© Northern Ireland Office / CC BY-SA 2.0
Prince Edward
Date: 2001 and 2023
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, visited Parrot Cay on holiday in 2001, and in 2023 as part of a royal visit.
© FCDO / OGL 3
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Date: 2001 and 2023
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, visited Parrot Cay on holiday in 2001, and in 2023 as part of a royal visit.
© Lou Stejskal / CC BY-SA 2.0
Justin Bieber
Date: 2015
Justin Bieber stayed at Christie Brinkley’s Lucky House on Parrot Cay.
© DoD News / CC BY-SA 2.0
Brad Pitt
Date: 2012
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and family stayed at Donna Karan’s villa.
© FCO
Angelina Jolie
Date: 2012
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and family stayed at Donna Karan’s villa.
© Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 3.0
Cara Delevingne
Date: 2015
English supermodel Cara Delevingne lists Parrot Cay as her favorite island in the world.
Barbra Streisand
Date: 2000
Barbra Streisand spent Christmas at the island.
© Neil Grabowsky / Montclair Film Festival / CC BY 2.0
Richard Gere
Date:
Richard Gere stayed on Parrot Cay, and also played at the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club.
© Toglenn / CC BY-SA 3.0
Gene Simmons
Date: 2007
Gene Simmons spent some time on Parrot Cay and filmed part of a Family Jewels episode here as well.
© Bill Norton / CC BY-SA 2.0
Howard Stern
Date: 2010
Howard Stern’s stay on Parrot Cay was apparently marred by migrating swarms of termites! This rare and localized event can be seen at times throughout the country.
© David Shankbone / CC BY-SA 3.0
Jerry Seinfeld
Date: 2000
Jerry Seinfeld honeymooned on the island with wife Jessica.
© Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0
Liam Neeson
Date: 2000
Liam Neeson and his late wife Natasha Richardson stayed at Parrot Cay in 2000.
© Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0
Eva Longoria
Date: 2007
Eva Longoria stayed on Parrot Cay for her honeymoon with Tony Parker in 2007.
© Walterlan Papetti / CC BY-SA 4.0
Rio Ferdinand
Home
Professional footballer Rio Ferdinand owns a villa on Parrot Cay.
© Nicolas Genin / CC BY-SA 2.0
Matt Damon
Several visits
Matt Damon has made several trips to the Turks and Caicos with his friend Ben Affleck.
© Georges Biard / CC BY-SA 3.0
Julia Roberts
Several visits
Actress Julia Roberts has been known to visit the private island several times.
© Deon Maritz / CC BY-SA 2.0
Kate Moss
Several visits
British supermodel Kate Moss has made quite a few trips to the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands, and has done modeling work here as well.
© Rich Esteban / CC BY-SA 4.0
Janet Jackson
Date: 2001
Janet Jackson made a quick trip to Parrot Cay in 2001.
© Andrea Raffin / CC BY-SA 3.0
Gwyneth Paltrow
Several visits
Gwyneth Paltrow has visited the Turks and Caicos and Parrot Cay a few times, and owns land on Ambergris Cay.
© Glenn Francis / CC BY-SA 4.0
Taylor Swift
2017
Taylor Swift visited Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos with boyfriend Joe Alwyn in 2017.
© iDominick / CC BY-SA 2.0
Sofía Vergara
2016
Sofía Vergara, of sitcom Modern Family, stayed at Parrot Cay in September of 2016.
© Phil Fieldman / CC BY-SA 4.0
Mel B
2016
Melanie Janine Brown, aka Scary Spice of the Spice Girls, visited the Turks and Caicos in 2016.
South Caicos
South Caicos is the last of the Caicos islands east of Providenciales, and is considered to be the nation’s fishing capital. South Caicos has a generally laid-back atmosphere.
New developments, such as Sailrock Resort, are catering to a high-end of tourist wanting seclusion and privacy.
© LG / CC BY-SA 3.0
Neil Patrick Harris
Visited 2017
Neil Patrick Harris, of How I Met Your Mother and Doogie Howser, M.D. fame, stayed at Sailrock in 2017.
© Stefan Brending / CC BY-SA 3.0
Lindsey Vonn
Visited 2017
Lindsey Vonn, the first American to win the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, stayed at Sailrock in 2017.
© Mingle Media TV / CC BY-SA 3.0
Ansel Elgort
Visited 2018
Ansel Elgort, known for his role in The Divergent Series and Baby Driver vacationed at Sailrock in 2018.
Public Domain
Jacques Mayol
Lived in Bell Sound
The famous French diving legend and holder of many world records in free diving lived in Bell Sound, South Caicos.
Water Sports Champions
With an amazing and pristine marine environment, it’s no wonder that our archipelago has attracted some of the world’s top ocean athletes.
Tanya Streeter
Date: 2002
World champion freediver Tanya Streeter broke the no limit world freediving record in 2002 off of Providenciales, descending to 525 feet in depth on a single breath of air.
Brian “de’Action Man” Talma
Date: 2016
Bajan pro windsurfer and general water sports ambassador Brian Talma visited two of the local Windvibes competitions as an honorary guest.
Kevin Pritchard
Date: 2016
World champion windsurfer Kevin Pritchard visited Providenciales in 2016, and supported the Windvibes event.
© Pedro Szekely / CC BY-SA 2.0
Kelly Slater
Several visits
World-famous professional surfer Kelly Slater is known to have visited some of the surf spots of the Turks and Caicos.
© Paolo Valenti / CC BY-SA 3.0
William Trubridge
Several visits
William Trubridge, a world champion freediver from New Zealand, visited the Turks and Caicos several times, and stayed at the exclusive Amanyara resort on Malcolm’s Road Beach on the island of Providenciales.
© Rob C. Croes / Anefo / CC BY-SA 3.0 nl
Rowdy Gaines
Date: 2015
Olympic gold medalist swimmer Rowdy Gaines made a stay in the Turks and Caicos and supported the local Race for the Conch swim event.
