About North and Middle Caicos
North and Middle Caicos are the two largest islands in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Traditionally, these two have been the heart of the farming and planting in the country. Old cotton, sisal and sugar cane plantation ruins can still be seen today. A causeway connects both islands, so they function as one large island.
Most of the main roads on North and Middle Caicos are paved. Due to the remote locations of many of the attractions on these islands, it is advisable to bring plenty of drinking water with you. Because North and Middle Caicos get more rain than the other islands, mosquitoes are sometimes a problem. Mosquitoes in the Turks and Caicos are not known to carry any disease, but they can be a big nuisance, so be sure to bring Off or a similar bug repellent with you when you visit.
Whether you decide to spend your entire vacation at one of North or Middle Caicos' accommodations, or simply make a day trip from Providenciales, the experience is well worth having.
Because of the unique situation of the causeway connecting both islands, they are treated more like a single island on our site. Below is some basic information on each island.
North Caicos
Located in the centre of the Caicos islands archipelago, lush North Caicos is considered to be the Turks and Caicos Island's garden. Less than three thousand people live on North Caicos, so things can be a bit slow at times. Three small villages are on North Caicos: Kew, Whitby and Bottle Creek. There are several small hotels and rental villas on the north coast of the island.
Found near Kew on North Caicos, Wades Green is the best preserved and most famous historical plantation in the Turks and Caicos. Built by Wade Stubbs in 1789 as a cotton and sisal plantation, the buildings here are in better condition and more clearly identified than any other plantation site in the country. Sisal was used in the production of rope, and during the 1700s and 1800s there was strong global demand for rope.
Cottage Pond is another fascinating site. Explored by divers in 2001, this 150 foot diameter fresh-water pond was found to have cave systems going down as deep as 250 feet. This is also an excellent site for bird watching.
From the Flamingo Pond overlook, it's common to see several hundred flamingos. The overlook is a distance from the pond, so it helps to bring binoculars. North Caicos has many great beaches and scenic coastlines. The Sandy Point and Whitby areas probably have the best beaches for swimming, but the other stretches of shores are not without their charms.
There are a few gas stations and small grocery stores on North Caicos, so it's best to stock up if moving on to Middle Caicos.
Middle Caicos
Middle Caicos is the largest island in the Turks and Caicos. Populated by only 450 people, everything tends to be quiet and laid-back. The main settlement is Conch Bar village, which has a few small places with cold drinks and food.
The main highlight of this island is the Mudjin Harbour coastline. Starting at the north-west point of Middle Caicos, Mudjin Harbour consists of two miles of spectacular limestone cliffs and white sandy beaches, ending at the frequently photographed Dragon Island. Mudjin Harbour is considered by many to have the finest vistas in the country.
The mildly-strenuous historical Crossing Place Trail leads along the cliffs and is an excellent way to experience the sights. Middle Caicos is also home to Conch Bar cave, the largest cave system in the entire Bahamas - Turks and Caicos archipelago. On the eastern side of Middle Caicos is the small settlement of Lorimers and the interesting old Haulover Plantation ruins.
History of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Read our history of the Turks and Caicos Islands, from prehistoric peoples, Columbus' landfall, to the dawn of the modern age. This article is about all the islands in the country, not just North and Middle Caicos.
Location
North Caicos and Middle Caicos are located in the centre of the Caicos island chain, which is located about 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, United States. We're just south-east of the Bahamas and north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Find out more, including an easy map and flight times from major international cities.
Practical Information
We don't have a custom Practical Information page for North and Middle Caicos, but you're find all the common stuff here, such as the currency, power sockets, phone standards, and more.
