South Caicos

South Caicos, locally known as 'The Big South,' is a quiet island on the southeastern edge of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Known as the country's fishing and seafood centre, it is centred on Cockburn Harbour, where small boats bring in conch, lobster and fish. The island feels far removed from busier Providenciales, with windswept beaches, limestone bluffs and a slow, unhurried pace.

Salt shaped South Caicos for roughly 300 years. From the 1850s until the 1960s, seawater was evaporated in shallow salinas that once produced more salt than Grand Turk and Salt Cay. Today, miles of stone dividing walls, ruined windmills and the Boiling Hole tidal passage remain beside Cockburn Harbour, along with colonial-era buildings and a hillside cemetery.

Much of the island's appeal lies outdoors. Visitors explore the salinas, hike the bluffs between Shark Bay and Highlands Bay, and take short boat trips to Long Cay and the uninhabited cays of the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park. Bonefishing, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling and diving draw anglers and divers, while winter humpback whales pass through the Turks Island Passage.

Accommodation is anchored by Salterra Resort & Spa and Sailrock South Caicos, with dining ranging from oceanfront resort restaurants to simple local spots serving fresh seafood. Fisherman's Day in late May or early June is the island's signature event.

South Caicos suits travellers seeking nature, fishing, quiet beaches and a glimpse of the islands' salt-industry past, with easy flights from Providenciales and twice-weekly service from Miami.