The Beautiful and Secluded Beaches of South Caicos
The Secluded and Scenic Beaches of South Caicos
Although a bit more weather beaten than the beaches of Providenciales, South Caicos is home to quite a few beautiful coastlines.
Salterra Beach, Cove Beach, and Long Beach are the finest coasts for general swimming on South Caicos, and offer crystal-clear turquoise water and white sand.
Snorkeling
South Caicos is definitely home to varied and vibrant marine life, and exquisite snorkeling sites can be found at many beaches, however, most sites are highly weather-dependent.
When ocean conditions are calm, Shark Bay (Gannaway Bay), Highlands Bay, and Long Beach offer the best snorkeling sites.
Beachcombing and Hiking
The eastern beaches and coastal cliffs of South Caicos are one of the greatest hiking and landscape photography regions in the Turks and Caicos.
White marine limestone cliffs, reaching heights of about thirty feet in places, hide small coves and beaches. Highlands Bay and Valley Bay Beach are two of the larger beaches in this area. In addition to these sites, the ruins of Highland Estate and livestock wells can be seen inland close by.
The extreme northern point of South Caicos, Plandon Cay Cut, offers truly unparalleled water hues, with breathtaking ranges of blue, turquoise, and topaz. Several different natural geological actions account for the amazing palette here.
The entire east coast of the island is perfect for flotsam beachcombing. Because of the adjacent Turks Islands Passage and an unusual upwelling that takes place in the area, there are always interesting and strange finds to be had.
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Beach Accesses
Due to the smaller tourism market on South Caicos, road signage and developed beach accesses are largely absent.
Other than Salterra Beach, all beaches on the island tend to be difficult to find, and many are only accessible by unpaved (and easily overlooked!) roads and tracks. We advise printing our South Caicos map for reference.
Key Points
- Several of the beaches on South Caicos are difficult to access. Many are down rough dirt tracks that require a 4x4 to navigate.
- All accesses to the beach are free.
- All beaches are public, including beaches in front of resorts and private residences.
- Fishing without a license or in National Parks is illegal and carries significant fines and possible jail time. This includes collecting conch and lobster.
- Secluded beaches carry an increased risk of crime. Don’t leave valuables in your car or on the beach unattended. Read our Safety & Crime section for more information.
- Some beaches are very remote and there may not be any other people around to provide assistance in an emergency. Exercise caution and be aware of currents, surf conditions, and hidden hazards.