This 8.2-square-mile Caribbean Island Is a Quiet Alternative to Turks and Caicos Hot Spots
decorator/Adobe Stock Top 5 Can’t Miss Long before Turks and Caicos was the backdrop for bikini-clad influencers, Kardashians on catamarans , and Netflix dating shows, my family purchased a condo on its main island, Providenciales. This beachside escape from my already beachy hometown of Naples, Florida , was a welcome respite from the intense crowds that flocked to the Gulf like a pack of seagulls on a stray French fry. There was only one commercial U.S. flight operating daily from Miami, and the majority of visitors were homeowners like us who felt as if they stumbled across the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. Today, the archipelago has evolved into one of the region’s premier vacation destinations, attracting recognizable hotel brands like Club Med and Ritz-Carlton to accommodate the nearly 2 million annual travelers enjoying what is arguably the most electric turquoise water in the world. It was also selected as one of the 50 best places to travel in 2025 by Travel + Leisure editors. Due to this rise in popularity, businesses and tourists alike are now venturing beyond Provo to South Caicos, an island with 8.2 square miles of desolate salt flats, fishing inlets, and hidden shorelines. “It’s a quiet island with friendly people where you can be completely surrounded by nature,” says Anna Zuke, director of conservation at Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa , one of the locale’s two luxury hotels. “There are still remote, wild places where you can be the only one on the beach or in the ocean, and I often get a sense of wonder when we slow down enough to look around and really appreciate our surroundings.” Zuke and her partner, Joey Plant, Salterra’s director of adventures, have become certified experts on the area, which is on track to mirror the trajectory of…
decorator/Adobe Stock
Top 5 Can’t Miss
Long before Turks and Caicos was the backdrop for bikini-clad influencers, Kardashians on catamarans , and Netflix dating shows, my family purchased a condo on its main island, Providenciales. This beachside escape from my already beachy hometown of Naples, Florida , was a welcome respite from the intense crowds that flocked to the Gulf like a pack of seagulls on a stray French fry. There was only one commercial U.S. flight operating daily from Miami, and the majority of visitors were homeowners like us who felt as if they stumbled across the Caribbean’s best-kept secret.
Today, the archipelago has evolved into one of the region’s premier vacation destinations, attracting recognizable hotel brands like Club Med and Ritz-Carlton to accommodate the nearly 2 million annual travelers enjoying what is arguably the most electric turquoise water in the world. It was also selected as one of the 50 best places to travel in 2025 by Travel + Leisure editors.
Due to this rise in popularity, businesses and tourists alike are now venturing beyond Provo to South Caicos, an island with 8.2 square miles of desolate salt flats, fishing inlets, and hidden shorelines.
“It’s a quiet island with friendly people where you can be completely surrounded by nature,” says Anna Zuke, director of conservation at Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa , one of the locale’s two luxury hotels. “There are still remote, wild places where you can be the only one on the beach or in the ocean, and I often get a sense of wonder when we slow down enough to look around and really appreciate our surroundings.”
Zuke and her partner, Joey Plant, Salterra’s director of adventures, have become certified experts on the area, which is on track to mirror the trajectory of its more commercialized neighbor.
Here are my top recommendations to take full advantage of South Caicos before it develops into something bigger—for better or for worse.
Best Hotels & Resorts
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Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Marriott Luxury Collection’s Salterra , named one of the best new hotels of 2025 by T+L editors, debuted in early 2025 after a nearly two-year gut renovation of its predecessor. The 100-room property, named after the Latin term for “salt of the earth,” is intentionally minimalistic in design to allow its adjacent beach, towering greenery, and swimming pool to do most of the talking. Anchored by a state-of-the-art gym, pickleball courts, a spa, an activities program, and robust dining options, the hotel has everything a couple, family, or solo traveler may need for a long weekend escape. Be sure to reserve a table at appropriately named Brine, which features a salt-pairing tasting menu worthy of a trip alone.
Sailrock
Those seeking more secluded accommodations will find solace at the luxurious Sailrock and its standalone villas that can fit up to 10 guests. Complete with private infinity pools, optional butler service, and two on-site restaurants, it’s an ideal meeting place for special gatherings that demand the privacy and opulence the quiet island is known for. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and other aquatic sports are also available, though sun-seekers will be perfectly content lounging, reading, and napping with the property’s flat-as-glass horizon as the background.
Best Things to Do
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Lend a hand at coral conservation.
Due to worldwide bleaching events, coral is in dire need of human intervention to protect sensitive reefs from destruction and eradication. The South Caicos Coral Reef Consortium , in partnership with the School for Field Studies , has made it a mission to “research, replant, and restore” the underwater habitats of South Caicos. “At Salterra, we are partnering with the school to be able to offer reef revival snorkel and dive experiences where guests can visit the coral lab and get involved in the restoration process,” says Zuke.
Go bird-watching among rows of abandoned salinas.
South Caicos’ signature salt ponds aren’t just a human-made visual spectacle; they were fully operational until the 1960s, when entrepreneurs couldn’t justify the cost of constructing and maintaining these deep-water ports. Visitors can now walk the blush-hued grids to photograph wild donkeys and an expansive array of indigenous birds. “The flamingos tend to steal the show with their bright colors, but the Cuban crows are actually one of our favorites, with their loud and unusual calls,” says Zuke. “The reddish egrets also do a beautiful dance and jump around when they hunt for fish in the shallow salt ponds.”
Bonefish in areas that have been practically undisturbed by humans.
The challenging sport in shallow flats gives guests unparalleled access to the many channels and sandbars that have essentially been unexplored by humans. Book a guided tour through Adventures by Salterra for a day of fishing the torpedo-shaped “gray ghosts” that are notoriously quick on their fins and difficult to catch.
View humpback whales from a boat, beach, or your room’s private balcony.
From January to April, there is a possibility you’ll spot humpback whales as they migrate from the cooler North Atlantic waters. “We’ve seen mothers with very young calves and even the occasional whales breaching out of the water,” says Plant. Guests are encouraged to peruse the TCI Whale Project for up-to-date spotting information and to report any of their own sightings as a way to assist the organization with its ongoing research.
Stargaze in a place void of light pollution.
Dark skies have become a global rarity, making South Caicos a prized location for direct, unobstructed views of the Milky Way. “Over the past few weeks at Salterra, we’ve had Nicole Martin, planetary explorer who has experience working with NASA on the Cassini spacecraft and the New Horizons mission, join the team and share stories and details about the stars and planets visible from the property,” says Zuke. “She took us on many night sky tours with a telescope where we were able to see the rings around Saturn, Galilean moons, cloud bands of Jupiter, and even a nebula filled with baby stars.”
Best Restaurants
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Carla’s Bar at Harbour Adventures
This family-owned car rental agency has expanded to serve up authentic bites with gregarious co-owner Carla Hall at the helm. “Stop by for a drink in the evening or conch and grits for breakfast on Saturday,” recommends Plant.
Sunset Café & Bar
Seafood shines as this family-run haunt that serves dishes like lobster and grilled red snapper, with unobstructed views of Cockburn Harbour’s bustling docks.
Best Time to Visit
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The best time to visit South Caicos is the dry season, between December and April. While visitors will enjoy sunny days and clear seas, it is also the busiest and most expensive time to make the trek. For better hotel deals and lounger spots on less-crowded beaches, consider July through October (but expect hurricane season to come with humidity and unpredictable rain).
How to Get There
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American Airlines operates nonstop flights between Miami and Norman B. Saunders Sr. International Airport, known primarily as South Caicos International Airport (XSC). Visitors also have the option to fly into Providenciales International Airport (PLS) and make a connection to South Caicos. Local airlines include InterCaribbean Airways and Caicos Express Airways, but aircraft are small and come with luggage restrictions.
You can also book a 1.5- to three-hour ferry or private charter, though seats are typically capped at 10, often require reservations, and can be more expensive than airfare.
How to Get Around
Most guests will rely on hotel vehicles for airport transport, as well as quick trips around the island. There is no public transportation, and taxi service is limited. Rental cars and Jeeps are available either at the airport or the Cockburn Harbour ferry dock. Those wishing to explore Providenciales and other Turks and Caicos islands can do so via boat or small plane, with tickets typically ranging from $80 to $160 one way. Travel via the aforementioned wild donkey is strictly prohibited.