The Turks and Caicos Islands are in the Bahamas about 575 miles southeast of Miami and they have one of the longest coral reefs in the world, making it a spectacular diving location. They have about 230 miles of pure white sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters. There are 8 major islands: Salt Cay, Grand Turk, South Caicos, East Caicos, Middle Caicos, North Caicos, Providenciales and West Caicos and many smaller islands and cays. On the islands of Grand Turk and Providenciales you will find international style hotels with each one having its own unique set up and surroundings. More casual and serene accommodations can be found on the other islands. Scuba divers and wildlife enthusiasts can see manta rays, iguanas, whales and Jojo the dolphin, a wild Atlantic bottle-nose dolphin who has adopted Turks and Caicos. Grand Turk has been the capital of Turks and Caicos for over 400 hundred years so you will find many old buildings and ruins here along with the Turks and Caicos National Museum. Historical sites still line the roads of Grand Turk to make you feel as though you've stepped back in time. Old cannons still stand guard on Front Street, skeletons remain of the old windmills that were used to dry the salt in salt ponds and Bermudan architecture still graces many of the buildings. Each building has a walled courtyard meant to keep wandering donkeys and horses from the yard and the old lighthouse still stands at the north end of the island. There are many things to do after diving to continue your vacation. You could take a leisurely stroll down historic Duke Street, relax in a shady courtyard or garden terrace pub, ride bikes, horseback ride, go deep sea fishing, go shell hunting, try to capture a perfect picture of the island flamingos, or enjoy a snack of "Rhythm Pills"[conch fritters].