Bell Sound

Bell Sound on South Caicos is a shallow enclosed sound of mangrove, seagrass and sand flat protected as a nature reserve and Ramsar site, functioning as a nursery for the conch and lobster the island's fishery depends on. Flamingos and waders use the flats. Bonefish work the shallows and it is one of the better wading fisheries in the islands. The reserve was designated in the 1990s as part of a network of protected areas across the islands. Conch from these flats supports one of the few remaining sustainable fisheries in the Caribbean.

What you actually see

• The mangrove sound - the enclosed shallow water and its fringe.
• The nursery function - the ground the conch and lobster fishery depends on.
• The flamingos - the birds feeding on the flats.
• The bonefish flats - the shallows the sound is fished across.

When to go

December to April is the dry high season. Tide governs the flats. Flamingo numbers vary through the year.

Honest expectations

There are no facilities and access needs a boat or a guided wade. Mosquitoes in the mangrove are severe. South Caicos has limited services generally.

Nearby

Cockburn Harbour is north, and the Admiral's Aquarium is east.