The Turks and Caicos is made up 40 islands and cays and to fully experience this territory one must venture beyond the main tourist hub. Each of the islands has a distinct character, and among them, South Caicos stands apart: an island largely dependent on fishing, where salt ponds shimmer in the sun, limestone cliffs tumble into aquamarine water and beaches are absolutely deserted, this off-the-beaten-track destination offers the chance to experience an authentic, undeveloped version of the Caribbean.
There are no crowds, no traffic and no exclusive boutiques or beach clubs here. Instead, there is absolute tranquillity. Measuring only eight square miles, with a resident population of 1000 and minimal tourism, it’s a place to soak up a slower, simpler way of life.
Getting There & Getting Around
Although South Caicos remains off the radar for most visitors to the Turks and Caicos, a 20-minute inter-island flight connects Provo and ‘the Big South’ making it easy to visit for a day trip.
In 2025 twice-weekly direct flights from Miami were introduced, making this tranquil island far more accessible. This coincided with the opening of a new, luxury resort, effectively doubling the number of hotels on the island.
South Caicos is small enough that one can take in all the sights in a day but with no public transport, a rental car is the best option for getting around. Exploring by mountain bike is also an option as the island has little change in elevation. Along the coast, hiking over limestone cliffs and talcum-powder beaches is also an enjoyable way to see the island.
What to See and Do on South Caicos
Tour Cockburn Harbour
The main settlement, Cockburn Harbour, exudes old-world charm. Here you’ll find colonial warehouses, remnants of the salt trade, and traditional Bermudian architecture. Semi-wild donkeys and horses wander the streets, adding to the sense that time has slowed to a gentler pace.
Explore The Salinas
Once the backbone of the island’s economy, the salt flats remain one of South Caicos’ most striking landscapes. At certain times of day they glow pink, attracting flocks of flamingos and a variety of birdlife – perfect for photography.
Bask On The Beaches
South Caicos boasts some of the most pristine beaches in the region, which are often completely deserted. Salterra Beach, home to the refurbished and rebranded Salterra Resort, stretches for miles in a calm, protected bay, while Long Bay and Cove Beach are equally captivating with their fine white sand and gin-clear waters.
Go Fishing
As the fishing capital of the Turks and Caicos, South Caicos supplies much of the rest of the archipelago with fish, lobster and conch, but it is the calm, turquoise waters of the Caicos Banks that are putting the island on the map for keen anglers. These waters support some of the best flats fishing in the Caribbean and guided tours are available for those wishing to try to reel in a bonefish, tarpon or barracuda.
Admire The Marine Life
Take a gentle snorkel off the beaches and look for sea stars and sand dollars on the sandy bottom, or head offshore on a snorkel tour to find thriving reefs and a plethora of marine life.
The diving off South Caicos is excellent, with superb visibility and a good chance of seeing larger forms of marine life such as manta rays and sharks. Although there were no dive centres for several years on the island, but the recently re-opened Salterra Resort has made scuba diving in South Caicos available once more.
Nature And Adventure
Beyond the beaches, Bell Sound Nature Reserve offers peaceful kayaking and paddleboarding, with ospreys and herons often seen in the shallows. Hiking in the Highlands rewards with sweeping views across the Caicos Bank and neighbouring cays.
From January to April, South Caicos is one of the best places in the Turks & Caicos for whale watching. This is when humpback whales make their annual migration and the sight of these majestic creatures breaching and playing in the turquoise waters is a rare privilege.
A New Era of Luxury
For many years South Caicos had just one resort – Sailrock South Caicos – a collection of beachfront villas and ridgetop suites, with a focus on seclusion, relaxation, and immersion in nature.
This year the Salterra Resort & Spa opened, bringing a new level of refinement to the island. Set on a pristine beach and backed by a nature reserve, this elegant resort offers everything from mixology classes to birdwatching expeditions and coral restoration experiences.
Day Trip or Two-Centre Stay?
South Caicos, like Grand Turk and Salt Cay, can easily be enjoyed as a day trip from Provo – perfect if you’d like to explore the island’s history, beaches, and reefs before returning to your villa in the evening.
But with new international flights and two luxury resorts, it’s also increasingly viable to combine a stay on Provo with a few nights on South Caicos, experiencing two very different sides of the Turks and Caicos in one trip.
Book your Turks and Caicos Villa today with The Source, where our travel experts make island planning effortless from start to finish. Our concierge team is available to help design day trips or advise on two-centre vacations. For more information, contact reservations@thesource.tc
Photo Source: https://myparadisephoto.com/
