Split Rock at West Harbour Bluff on Providenciales The famous Split Rock at West Harbour Bluff.
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West Harbour Bluff

Providenciales
Beach Information
Do Not Touch Fish or Coral
Dogs Must be on Leash
No Graffiti
No Lifeguard
No Open Fires
No Rock Balancing
Stay on Roads
No Fishing
Coral Sumac Trees
Increased Crime Risk
Risk of Falling
Hidden Dangers
Remote Location
Rough Roads
Sea Urchins
Editor's Comments
West Harbour Bluff is a very beautiful area with many interesting features. However, the isolated location, poor conditions of the access roads, and associated crime risk should be considered. High-clearance vehicles are advised.
5-star rating for West Harbour Bluff by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Aerial view of West Harbour Bluff and Split Rock
A tour boat at the cave at West Harbour Bluff.

West Harbour Bluff (also known as Split Rock or Pirate’s Cove) is a scenic area at the southwest point of Providenciales. This coastal setting offers several interesting features, including a small peninsula with sea cliffs, a small open-faced cave, and about a mile of secluded beach. The West Harbour Bluff area is one of the more remote sections of Providenciales, and about a five-mile drive from any developed part of the island.

The view from the top of the peninsula is quite impressive. To the north, the beaches and shallows of the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve can be seen, and to the southwest, West Caicos. If you’re lucky, you may spot a shark in the water below, or find one of the 200-year-old inscriptions left in the rock by past shipwrecked sailors.

The West Harbour Bluff area is part of the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve, which continues north along the coast of Providenciales for about 3 miles (4.8 km). For bird watchers, this region is frequented by Brown Pelicans, White Tailed Tropic Birds, Ospreys, and Green Herons.

Bonefish Point, a scenic sandy peninsula, is also found near West Harbour Bluff.

Above: The beach at West Harbour Bluff.   Top right:  Top left:  Osprey with ballyhoo fish off West Harbour Bluff.   Bottom right:  Top right:  Rock carving commemorating the ship St. Louis, burnt at sea in 1842. Records from the time suggest that the St. Louis was sailing from Boston to New Orleans, so it’s a bit of a mystery how this ship met its fate off of Providenciales.  

Wildlife

Flying pelicans at West Harbour Bluff in the Turks and Caicos
West Harbour Bluff is part of the Frenchman’s Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve and the area is great for birdwatching.

The West Harbour Bluff area supports an interesting menagerie of wildlife. Majestic ospreys nest in the area, brown pelicans and tropic birds often glide by, and schooling fish, stingrays, small sharks, and starfish can be seen in the water surrounding the cliffs.

One of the aspects of West Harbour Bluff is that you’ll never know what you may see. As an outlying and unusual terrain on Providenciales, the peninsula here provides shelter to fish and birds, especially during abnormal weather conditions.

West Harbour Bluff and the adjacent Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve support large populations of the brown pelican, which can often be seen flying in flocks.

Dangers

The West Harbour Bluff area of Providenciales is remote, so crime is a concern. See our article on Safety & Crime for more information.

Due to the limestone makeup of the location, holes and small caves abound. Take caution as these are often hidden in the vegetation and can be deep.

The poisonous coral sumac tree and manchineel tree are common to the coastal area of West Harbour Bluff, and may cause skin blisters and irritation. Avoid touching these plants.

Above: Jeeps at West Harbour Bluff. The route out to the southwest point of the island can be quite rough.   Top right:  Top left:  Osprey nest on the split rock at West harbor Bluff.   Bottom right:  Top right:  Cave at West Harbour Bluff. A popular spot to explore today, several ancient Lucayan Indian artifact fragments were found in this cave in 1912 by anthropologist and explorer Theodore de Booy.  

Getting to West Harbour Bluff

To get to West Harbour Bluff, follow Millennium Highway from town for about 3 miles (4.8 km) and then turn left on Tom Lightbourne Road (paved for about one mile / 1.6 km). If you’re on the right road, you should get to West Harbour Bluff after 6.5 miles (10 km). After a few miles, this road gets rough in places, so prepare to go slow. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water with you when you visit the area, as it’s a long drive back out.

An alternative to driving to West Harbour Bluff is to get there by sea. A local boat tour operator offers a weekly scheduled boat excursion to West Harbour Bluff from central Providenciales.

Guided ATV and dune buggy tours are also offered to the area.

Stay on the Roads

West Harbour Bluff and much of the surrounding regions are part of the Frenchman's Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve or the Chalk Sound National Park.

Stay on the roads. It is illegal to drive on the beach, in the wetlands, or on the salt flats. Significant fines are applicable.

Tour Companies