What You Need To Know Before Visiting South Caicos

A small, quiet island where donkeys and horses roam free and miles of white-sand beaches stretch undisturbed, South Caicos is a largely undiscovered paradise for travelers. Between the 1,100 full-time residents and geographical separation from the Turks Islands, South Caicos boasts a rather isolated atmosphere, making it the ideal destination for a rejuvenating getaway.

Intrigued by the prospect of visiting this secluded haven? Read on for everything you need to know before visiting South Caicos.

Good-To-Know Details

As is the case with most Caribbean islands, South Caicos offers sunny, warm weather year-round, with nearly 350 days of sunshine. June through October is particularly steamy, as average daytime temps land around 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit. November through May does cool off a tad, sitting at 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors planning a trip to South Caicos should also factor in hurricane season, which occurs in the Atlantic from June to November. Generally, because December through April is the best window for visiting, this is also peak season in South Caicos.

Learn more about South Caicos

Locals on the island primarily speak English, though travelers might pick up on some Spanish, Haitian Creole and Turks & Caicos Creole during their stay. Additionally, South Caicos uses U.S. currency, making this a seamless transition for Americans.

If all this talk has travelers clamoring to visit the island, they’re in luck, because American Airlines recently added a direct nonstop flight on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Miami to South Caicos. Of course, daily domestic flights from both Providenciales and Grand Turk via interCaribbean or Caicos Express Airways are also available, in addition to a small passenger ferry departing daily from Providenciales. 

Notable Attractions and Things To Do

A tropical vacation can only mean one thing: the beach! Situated on the southern coast of South Caicos, fan-favorite Salterra Beach is a secluded, 3,000-foot stretch of pristine white sand. The only other noisy beachgoers visitors have to worry about are the wildlife, as ospreys, brown pelicans, seabirds and, on occasion, flamingos enjoy relaxing here too. To kick it up a notch, travelers can get active and participate in a variety of watersports, including fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding and kiteboarding.

Around the island, some of the best attractions are rooted in South Caicos’ natural scenery and history. The Boiling Hole, for instance, is an organically formed underwater fissure passage that connects the ocean to the main salina pond, a key setup that allowed South Caicos to become a major contributor to the salt industry in the 1700s.

The Bell Sound Nature Reserve is another notable landmark. Covering 4.4 square miles, the lagoon is largely a protected area, though it provides some of the most scenic views with high ground spots at Plandon Cay Cut Beach and the abandoned U.S. Coast Guard LORAN station. For a more rugged adventure, vacationers will enjoy a trip to Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park, which is a marine and terrestrial protected area on the south coast. The 480-acre stretch of land encompasses a small portion of the island itself, in addition to the uninhabited cays of Long Cay, Six Hills Cays and Middleton Cay. This area is a highly beloved snorkeling and scuba diving spot for visitors.

Where To Stay

Considering South Caicos’ lesser-known status, properties are limited on the island, though the family-friendly Salterra Resort and Spa, part of Marriott's Luxury Collection, did open earlier this year. The hotel is located on Salterra Beach, adding a private island feel that Michael Tibbetts, developer and managing director of the resort, describes as “secluded, unspoiled, and serene.” Did we pique your interest? Come get to know the property in more detail.

Rooms and Amenities

Salterra Resort & Spa offers 100 guestrooms, boasting oceanfront views and expansive living spaces with the smallest option starting at 500 square feet. Visitors interested in upgrading will be pleased to know that 54% of the resort is dedicated to suites, giving these luxurious guests a few more options to choose from. Each of these rooms has also been tastefully curated using regionally sourced materials, such as native wood, coralstone and sisal, to incorporate the full Caribbean experience into every aspect of travelers’ stay.

"Salterra’s design is inspired by the island’s historic salt ponds, or salinas, which once made South Caicos a hub for salt production," said Tibbetts in a recent Q&A. "The color palette, textures, and materials echo the surrounding landscape, creating an organic sense of place."

Dining

Whether guests are avid foodies open to trying new cuisine or prefer to stick to the simple dishes, Salterra offers six distinct dining concepts to appeal to all types of travelers. Visitors will find craft cocktails at Sisal, casual eats and fruity drinks at the Latin-inspired Cobo Bar & Grill and fine dining at Brine, to name a few. International cuisine and even food trucks are available as well.

Wellness and Other Activities

Relaxing on the beach is, of course, highly encouraged, but guests can also shake things up with a more hands-on wellness approach.

“The Spa at Salterra is a sanctuary of relaxation, blending modern wellness with Caribbean traditions. It features eight treatment rooms, couples' suites with private lanais, an outdoor pool and lounge, plus a full thermal experience — including a sauna, steam room, hammam, and large social pool,” Tibbetts said in that same Q&A. “One of my favorite treatments is our halotherapy room, which harnesses the natural benefits of salt to promote deep relaxation and respiratory wellness.”

After guests are pampered and refreshed, filling the day with one of Salterra’s many offered activities is the way to go. From scuba diving, airboat excursions and culinary masterclasses to guided whale watching, each option is great for getting visitors out into South Caicos’ natural landscapes. For those looking for a fulfilling and meaningful option, travelers can get involved with the resort’s environmental initiatives by participating in the Coral Reef Restoration Experience. With this program, visitors can take part in conservation work, learning about South Caicos and Salterra’s preservation of local marine life.

Have no fear; parents traveling with young ones can enjoy these activities solo too, as the resort offers age-appropriate, supervised groups for children. Trained staff members at Salterra Kids’ Club lead participants through kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling clinics, among other activities, to meet the needs of everyone in the family.

Sustainability

In line with the movement occurring across many island resorts in the Caribbean, Salterra is aiming to do its part in protecting South Caicos by implementing sustainable practices throughout the property. The resort utilizes solar energy, having reduced its carbon footprint by half, according to a July 2024 press release. Guests may also notice that Salterra composts its organic waste, including scraps like discarded food, plant cuttings, paper and coffee pods to improve the water-holding capacity of sandy soils. This cyclical return helps the resort sustainably landscape, garden and plant nurseries around the property.

As the resort explained in a June 2024 press release, “Ensuring the well-being of the environment, community, culture and history is central to Salterra’s mission. The resort team has committed to safeguarding the natural environment and vibrant ecosystems of its island home through various partnerships and initiatives..."

“One of our highest priorities at Salterra is environmental stewardship,” Tibbetts concluded in that release. “Our goal is to not only sustain, but also improve the environment of South Caicos.”