Petty theft is on the rise in the Caribbean in general. Cruisers should take basic safety precautions and use common sense when ashore. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas, especially at night. Don’t carry large amounts of cash around or wear expensive jewelry.
The risks of petty theft, pickpocketing and assault increases during regattas and festivals. Do not leave drinks unattended.
The overall crime rate in the Turks and Caicos Islands is reported as moderate with most incidents occurring in Providenciales. Crimes typically involve opportunistic petty theft, however the past 5 years have seen an increase in burglaries, armed robberies, assaults and boat thefts. The US State Department has issued a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory.
Note: Due to the strict enforcement of firearms and ammunition laws The US Embassy in The Bahamas issued an advisory on checking baggage for stray ammunition in April 2024.
Dinghy thieves operate throughout the Caribbean basin. Be sure to lift, chain, and lock your dinghy and outboard when not in use, especially at night. When leaving your dinghy ashore, ensure that your dinghy and outboard are securely locked.
AirTags and other cell based/Bluetooth tracking devices are being used by cruisers to track their dinghys/outboards. Some thieves are aware of this practice and may detect, locate and disable them. Understand the limitations of using tracking devices. (See this May 24 Jost Van Dyke, BVI CSSN report.) The use of GPS trackers (rather than Bluetooth trackers) is recommended. See this Report by David Lyman.
Advice throughout the region is to remove items from the deck that may be tempting for thieves. When going ashore close all hatches, lock your boat, hide valuables out of sight and secure any loose items, including fuel/jerry cans and jugs. Keep the boat well-lit to deter boarders. It is also advisable to keep your cockpit/salon areas and hatches locked at night when sleeping onboard.
A new method of corruption appearing in Caribbean islands is for a “finders” fee to be demanded when a stolen dinghy is “found”. (See this Nov 23 Tyrell Bay, Carriacou CSSN report and this Apr 24 Clifton Harbour, SVG CSSN report.)
The Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN) collects and shares reliable reports of crimes against yachts in the Caribbean, helping cruisers make informed decisions.
The CSSN website offers current and past incident reports, stats, regional piracy info, and annual summaries. Here are some of the ways to use their site:
Visit the CSSN Interactive Map to keep up to date with the latest incident reports.
Users can also check related security reports for Turks and Caicos.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
As a free user of Noonsite you are restricted to viewing 3 country formalities per month. You have viewed 0 formalities this month – but can view the countries you have accessed to date as many times as you want.
Become a Noonsite Member and you can view unlimited formalities each month and enjoy additional member benefits. Membership fees help our team keep country formalities information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide.
Find out more about membership levels and Become a Noonsite Member.
Leave a comment
You must Login or Register to submit comments.
Pet clearance is handled by the Agriculture Department, not Environmental Health. Here is the information I received from them:
“The Department has moved to online permit processing as of October 2024.
https://www.gov.tc/residents
Click on the Link……Department of Agriculture……complete the Application to Import cats and dogs and attach the required supporting documents (vaccines, FAVN etc’)
Check your ENTIRE boat ,luggage for firearms & ammunition, if caught with either penalties are severe 12 years in jail
any more recent checkin comments
Hi Christopher, there doesn’t look to be any recent comments posted by cruisers visiting T&C, but our formalities info. was updated this time last year. I have just got in touch with the authorities there to check for any changes in procedures and fees and will advise when I get a reply. I’ve not heard of anything in the last 12 months, so it’s likely all is still the same – see https://www.noonsite.com/place/turks-caicos/view/clearance/.
Just a quick update on clearing in at Sapodilla Bay. The customs office at the South Dock is not accessible by boat or dinghy as it is located in a working dockyard. You can however beach your dinghy at the access path between resort properties and walk to the main road and take a right and a right again to get to the yard. You will be given hardhat and vest and directed to office. Clearance was very easy otherwise. Note that the office does not have any idea what Sailclear is at this point, nor do they take credit cards. Optionally, they suggested that it may be easier for cruisers to head to South Side Marina to check in and then find anchorage once cleared. Sapodilla Bay is not within walking distance to any amenities or services but the holding was good in 10 feet of water with protection from North and East.