Wild coastlines, raw nature, and some of the country's freshest seafood await visitors to South Caicos, a laid-back luxury tourism destination for the Turks and Caicos. The island is home to two luxury resorts and a small beach hotel that offer peaceful Turks and Caicos getaways without the crowds.
Salterra is the island's newest resort and is located on Salterra Beach in the main town of Cockburn Harbour. This five-star Marriott Luxury Collection property has 100 ocean-facing guest rooms, several swimming pools, six restaurants, and a kids club.
Salterra's adventure and water sports program makes it an incredible accommodation for nature enthusiasts—scuba diving, kayaking, and guided bonefishing are just a few of the experiences they offer.
For a simple and modest stay, the Ocean & Beach Resort provides basic lodgings for visitors to Cockburn Harbour. You can choose from standard studio rooms or two-bedroom townhouses. What stands out at this budget hotel is the view—perched on a cliff, the hotel overlooks beautiful Long Cay and Dove Cay.
Onsite is the Dolphin Grill restaurant, which serves Turks and Caicos cuisine, burgers, and other comfort foods for lunch and dinner.
Sailrock is a residential community of privately owned homes on the northern peninsula of South Caicos. The property consists of oceanfront stand-alone villas nestled on eastward-facing Long Beach, approximately a 15-minute drive from Cockburn Harbour.
Two restaurants, a spa, and a sports court are found here. The Cove Beach, a beautiful white-sand beach with turquoise water in nearby Bell Sound, is a short golf-cart ride away.
South Caicos has quite a few varied and impressive coasts, but the best location for beachfront stays is arguably Salterra Beach.
This south coast beach is a short drive from Cockburn Harbour's restaurants and the South Caicos Airport, and is home to soft white sand, turquoise water, and the expansive Salterra Resort. The water here is shallow and generally calmer than at many other South Caicos beaches, making it a great place for family vacations.
More Beaches
Most of the dining on South Caicos is offered through its resorts. Whether you're in the mood for fine dining, fresh seafood dishes, or casual comfort food at a breezy beach bar, there's great dining to be had at these properties.
Salterra has six restaurants, Sailrock has two, and the Ocean & Beach Resort has one. The luxury resorts serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner onsite.
South Caicos' luxury resorts offer many of the amenities you would expect at a high-end property on Providenciales or elsewhere in the Caribbean. Wi-Fi and air-conditioning are standard, as are resort pools, a spa and fitness center, onsite dining, and concierge service.
Room types range from studio rooms to luxurious penthouses with fully equipped kitchens and private dining areas. All guest rooms and suites typically come with the usual coffee and tea maker, pool and beach towels, and daily housekeeping, among other amenities.
South Caicos is a nature lover's paradise, so get out and explore. Kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats, and snorkeling gear are some of the water sports equipment guests have access to at the luxury hotels.
Offshore, there's wonderful snorkeling, scuba diving, kiteboarding, and fishing. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, try cycling along the island's salinas, joining a beach yoga class, or picking up a game of tennis.
American Airlines flies directly to South Caicos (XSC) from Miami on Wednesdays and Saturdays. All other international flights first land at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS)—the country's largest and primary airport—before traveling onward to South Caicos.
Domestic flights are offered daily from Providenciales by the local carriers, and flight time between the islands is approximately 20 minutes. Same-day connections are typically possible for visitors arriving at Providenciales in the morning or early afternoon.
Flights and Ferries
As with any vacation, it's recommended to book well in advance of your intended travel dates. Accommodation on South Caicos is much more limited than on Providenciales—last-minute bookings for large groups, weddings and other special events, or for dates during the tourism high season may not be possible.