While weather is constantly changing, the Turks and Caicos weather in October generally begins to improve during this time as the hurricane season begins to wind down. While it’s not uncommon for some Turks and Caicos to close their shops and go on their own holidays in September while TCI tourism is low, October is when everyone gets back revitalized and ready to entertain visitors and tourists.
While localized weather patterns can’t be predicted long term with accuracy, the Turks and Caicos temperatures in October tends to average between 25°C and 28°C (or 84°F and 77°F respectively).
Officially, October is still a part of the hurricane season (from June 1 to November 30), so there’s always a level of unpredictability and the need to be flexible with your plans. Even if hurricanes don’t make landfall on the islands, nearby hurricanes can disrupt air travel and create storm surges and flooding around the coast.
On a TripAdvisor forum, one frequent TCI visitor notes:
“We have gone to TCI about 15 times in late September or early October over the past 20 years, and until last year [in 2015], always had great weather with no tropical storm problems. Last year in early October, [Hurricane Joaquin] stopped almost all beach activities for five days. All other [previous] visits, we have had excellent weather: sunny, hot, light winds, pleasant nights. There may be an occasional thunderstorm, but they don’t last long and most of them are in the evening. Based on our experience, I would definitely be glad to return in October.”
You should always pay attention to and monitor weather reports regardless of when you visit. While hurricane season is nearing its end around this time, it’s still nice to be forewarned of any rain!
The Turks and Caicos is a year round destination, but October is typically categorized as an off-peak travel month (with November through December considered peak travel). This means if you look carefully and don’t mind the chance of rain, you can find great Turks and Caicos resort deals.
Some people actually believe October is one of the best times to visit the Turks and Caicos because of fewer crowds and better prices.
Mosquitos
Be mindful that rainfall may temporarily increase mosquito nuisance. The Turks and Caicos are in the natural habitable range of mosquitos and there can be more mosquitos for a few weeks after particularly heavy rains.
Fortunately, tourist areas like Providenciales usually see far fewer mosquitoes as these areas are well maintained with minimal places for stagnant water to linger. Areas that are in the path of eastern trade winds also keep mosquito presence to a minimum.
Grand Turk and Salt Cay also have less serious mosquito problems because these islands lack dense vegetation and there aren’t many natural sites that collect rainwater or form pools. They also experience breezes that disrupt mosquito activity.
However, North and Middle Caicos, Parrot Cay, and Pine Cay, have many sites that are ideal mosquito spawning sites and tourists can experience severe mosquito exposure after heavy rains.
Activities on TCI
Turks and Caicos in October is great if you love hanging out in or on the water. The ocean is frequently described to be at a comfortable, “bathtub warm” temperature with calm conditions. This is a great time for visitors because there are such few travellers at this time. If you go to the Turks and Caicos in October, you’ll practically be first in line for any activity or restaurant.
Stand Up Paddleboarding
The waters around Turks and Caicos are warm year round and can be exceptionally calm on the shallow beaches. This makes stand up paddleboarding a great activity for families, kids, or people who want a more relaxed activity.
Some special tours using paddleboards include eco-tours you can take to see delicate ecosystems supporting nesting birds. Or, you can skim over clear waters near reefs and see vibrantly colored marine life right beneath your board.
Kayaking
Kayaking is great to explore beaches, shallow channels, tidal creeks, and around the cays. It’s a quiet and non-intrusive way to get close up pictures of wildlife like iguanas and birds.
Like paddleboarding, you can embark on kayak eco-tours that let you explore the Turks and Caicos’ natural beauty.
Stand up paddleboarding and kayaking can be interesting during this time as rain can raise the water level enough for you to explore areas that are typically unavailable during the rest of the year. The downside is that because of the unpredictable weather, you might have to hold off on water activities until a tropical storm or hurricane has subsided.
Snorkeling and Diving
If the sea is calm enough, snorkeling and diving are great activities to do when you’re in the Turks and Caicos during October. You won’t have to be crowded with other travelling divers or get kicked in the head while snorkeling at a busy location. You’ll have the sites to yourself!
Explore and enjoy the serenity of the natural reefs by yourself. There won’t be other people to kick up the sand or scare away the fish and you can truly see what these natural environments are like as they truly are.
In fact, there are snorkeling tours that will take you out to several snorkel sites. Knowledgeable guides can help you identify the hundreds of different fish and describe the important coral reef ecology.
If you’re more comfortable with deep waters, diving is an excellent October activity. You can descend and scale walls that are dozens of feet to over 100 feet that are overflowing with life.
Events
TCI Amateur Open
The Provo Golf & Country Club frequently hosts the annual TCI Amateur Open in November, which has been a mainstay event for the past 50 years. It’s a three-day tournament that attracts a mix of local and international golfers and spectators, with both men and women trophies awarded in various age brackets.
