Current Turks and Caicos Time: Real time Clock
As of now, the Turks and Caicos Islands follow the Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), which is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4). This places it 6 hours behind major European cities like Amsterdam. The islands also observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), which means the clocks are set forward by one hour in the spring and set back in the fall. The next DST adjustment is scheduled for November 5, 2023.
A Brief History of Time in Turks and Caicos
Historically, the islands adhered to Eastern Standard Time (EST), aligning with cities like New York. However, in an effort to make the most of daylight during the peak tourist season, the government decided to switch to Atlantic Standard Time (AST) in 2015. This change was short-lived, as they reverted to EST in November 2018. Despite the switch back, computer systems now refer to the local time as ‘Turks and Caicos Standard Time’ to account for the brief period when AST was observed.
Time Zone History of Turks and Caicos
Setting Your Devices to Turks and Caicos Time
If you’re visiting the islands and want to adjust your devices:
- iOS Devices: Search for ‘Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos’ in the cities list.
- Android Devices: Navigate to the time zone setting and choose EST.
It’s worth noting that relying on local mobile networks for time might not be accurate, as they often broadcast an incorrect time, typically being 1-hour offset.
Celebrations and Time
Time isn’t just about hours and minutes in Turks and Caicos. On New Year’s Eve, Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales becomes the epicenter of celebrations. As the clock strikes midnight, fireworks light up the sky, followed by beach bonfires, music, and the launching of sky lanterns. Many even stay on the beach to witness the first sunrise of the new year.
Public Holidays
The islands observe around 12 public holidays annually, a mix of traditional British holidays, national holidays like JAGS McCartney Day, and American-inspired holidays such as Thanksgiving.
A Historical Timepiece Connection
The islands also have an indirect connection to a significant historical invention. Before the late 1700s, calculating longitude at sea was challenging. Clockmaker John Harrison invented a chronometer accurate enough for navigation. Interestingly, his timepieces used wood from the lignum vitae tree, a hardwood found in Turks and Caicos, known for its self-lubricating properties.