The stunning 'British island' with endless white sand beaches and turquoise waters

Britain still has a number of overseas territories scattered across the globe, and some of them are breathtaking tropical islands. One such destination is the Turks and Caicos Islands, often shortened to TCI or simply the Caicos Islands, where white-sand beaches and turquoise waters stretch as far as the eye can see.

As a British Overseas Territory, the islands remain under UK sovereignty, with the King as head of state. While the territory is self-governing in most internal matters, the UK oversees defence and international relations. People born in the territory are British Overseas Territories citizens, and since 2002, they are also full British citizens.

The Caicos Islands sit in the northern Caribbean and are known for having some of the finest beaches in the world.

Grace Bay on Providenciales has been repeatedly ranked among the best, with powdery white sand and calm, clear waters that attract visitors from across the globe.

Nearby Long Bay offers shallow lagoons ideal for kitesurfing, while more remote parts of North and Middle Caicos promise peaceful coves with hardly anyone around.

Tourism site VisitTCI calls Grace Bay "one of the finest beaches on the planet", and many travellers agree.

But despite its beauty, the region is not overrun with tourists.

According to the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, the destination saw strong growth in 2023, with around 1.4 million visitors arriving by air and cruise ship.

The islands are especially popular with travellers from the United States and Canada, although more British tourists are discovering the destination thanks to its close ties to the UK.

Travellers can snorkel or dive among coral reefs, explore salt flats and historical ruins on Salt Cay, or hike through the caves and cliffs of Middle Caicos.

The region is also a hit with food lovers thanks to its fresh seafood, especially conch, which is served in fritters, salads and ceviche at beachside shacks and upscale restaurants.

The best time to visit is between December and April, when the weather is warm and dry.

Those travelling in May or June can still expect sunshine with fewer crowds, although August to November brings a higher chance of storms due to the Caribbean hurricane season.

Another thing that might put people off is the fact that Turks and Caicos Islands have one of the world's highest murder rates.

For anyone looking for a beautiful British island slightly closer to home, Alderney migt be the perfect choice.