South Caicos

South Caicos was the salt island: raked from the salinas from the seventeenth century and shipped out until the industry collapsed in the 1960s, leaving Cockburn Harbour with a set of stone buildings, a commissioner's house and the salinas themselves, now home to flamingos. It is now the fishing centre of the territory, with the conch and lobster fleet based here and a marine research station on the shore. The east coast has a wall dropping into the Columbus Passage and some of the least dived reef in the region. The Big South regatta each May is the island's main event.

What you'll find

• The salinas - the old salt pans, now full of flamingos.
• Cockburn Harbour - the fishing fleet and the salt-era buildings.
• The east wall - a drop-off into the Columbus Passage, rarely dived.
• The Big South regatta - sloop racing each May.

When to go

November to May is the driest and calmest. The Big South regatta is in May. Humpback whales pass through the Columbus Passage from January to April, visible from the east shore.

Practical notes

Infrastructure is very limited: one resort, a few guesthouses and almost no restaurants. Much of the historic town is derelict and hurricane damage from 2017 has not all been repaired. Flights are short but limited. There is no organised tourism to speak of, which is either the appeal or a problem.

Nearby

Grand Turk is across the passage; Providenciales is 25 minutes by air.

Key facts