Measuring just 2.6 square miles, tiny Salt Cay is a place where time seems to have stood still. A place untouched by modern tourism, there are no paved roads, few cars, and donkeys and cattle roam freely along the island’s sandy paths. With a population of little more than 100, life moves at a leisurely pace. A trip to Salt Cay is a chance to find a beach all to yourself, to snorkel in crystal clear waters, see humpback whales (in season) and to explore the remains of a once-thriving salt production industry.
Getting to Salt Cay and Getting Around
Salt Cay is about 80 miles from Provo, so no ferries operate between the two islands. The best way to get there is to fly to Grand Turk and then take the ferry ferry (45 minutes) to Salt Cay.
If you plan to go and return on the same day, we recommend booking a private all-day boat charter with Deep Blue out of Grand Turk. They will not only take you to Salt Cay, but also make snorkelling stops, provide a fantastic picnic lunch, wait while you explore the island, and then take you back to Grand Turk in time for your return flight.
If you have more time, another option is to spend the night in Grand Turk and explore both islands in one trip.
What to See and Do on Salt Cay
The island is small enough that you can explore much of it on foot or by bicycle, but a more relaxed way of getting around is to rent an off-road golf buggy. These are the main attractions and activities in Salt Cay.
SEE THE SALINAS As the name implies, for centuries salt production was the mainstay of the island economy. Between the 17th and early 20th centuries, a complex system of canals, ponds, sluices and gates was constructed to funnel sea water into the shallows where, as it evaporated and crystals formed, it would be pumped into smaller and smaller ponds, and eventually hand harvested for export.
Although the industry ultimately proved unsustainable, the remains of the production facilities are visible across the island and, along with the Bermudian colonial architecture, offer a fascinating glimpse of the island’s past.
BASK ON EMPTY BEACHES Salt Cay has several beaches and, with so few visitors and resident, they are often blissfully deserted. The best of these is North Bay, a long stretch of pristine sand and clear waters, with a few coral patches for snorkelling. For a wilder and more windswept beach, head to Long Bay. This exposed beach is not suitable for swimming but makes for great beachcombing. Balfour Town Beach is a sheltered beach of soft sand where the water tends to be calm and underwater visibility is exceptional.
WATCH THE WHALES Today, Salt Cay’s claim to fame is as the best place in the Turks and Caicos to see North Atlantic humpback whales during their annual migration south, from January to April. In season it’s often possible to see whales, especially from higher elevations, such as Little Bluff Lookout, which also offers panoramic vistas across the island.
For the best whale watching experiences, however, head out on an organised whale watching excursion, which will allow you to get much closer to these ocean giants. Most whale watching tours depart from nearby Grand Turk, but some smaller boats take visitors out from Salt Cay.
DIVE AND SNORKEL While there is some decent snorkelling to be found off Salt Cay’s beaches, it’s well worth taking a boat trip out to some of the offshore reefs to see pristine corals, stingrays, squid, turtles and more.
For divers, there is some spectacular wall diving off the west coast of Salt Cay where visibility can exceed 100 feet. The top of the wall starts in about 40 to 50 feet of water and drops away to thousands of feet ,and the coral and marine life is outstanding.
Salt Cay Divers is the only dive shop on the island and offers snorkel trips, dive trips and whale watching trips from January to March.
VISIT THE WETLANDS At the southern end of Salt Cay, South Creek is a sheltered tidal lagoon that attracts an array of birdlife. Whether you choose to explore the shallows on foot or paddle around in a kayak, you can expect to see egrets, herons, stilts and ospreys.
A trip to Salt Cay makes a great add-on to a day or two exploring Grand Turk.
Our concierge team is available to design full itineraries for you, including day trips or even overnight stays on the outer islands.
*Photographs courtesy of Paradise Photography
