North Caicos

Green Turks and Caicos island with quiet beaches, flamingo ponds, and Loyalist plantation ruins.

North Caicos is the greenest island in the Turks and Caicos, with more rainfall than its neighbours and a lush, almost jungled interior. It is connected to Middle Caicos by a causeway and reached by a short ferry from Providenciales.

The island has a handful of small resorts and guesthouses but nothing approaching the development of Provo. The beaches — particularly Whitby Beach with Three Mary Cays just offshore for snorkelling — are excellent and often empty. Flamingos wade in the shallows at Flamingo Pond, one of the easiest wildlife spots in the TCI. The Wade's Green Plantation ruins are the best-preserved Loyalist plantation remains in the territory.

North Caicos is a good day trip from Providenciales or a quiet base for exploring the less-touristed side of the TCI. The causeway to Middle Caicos opens up further exploration without backtracking to Provo.

Guide

Getting There

North Caicos is reached from Providenciales either by ferry or by the small North Caicos Airport. The ferry operates from the dock at Walkin Marina on Provo; the crossing takes about 35 minutes and runs several times a day. North Caicos Airport (NCA) has occasional small-plane connections.

Once on the island, transport is limited. There are a handful of rental cars and golf carts available through local operators; contact your accommodation for current options. The island is small enough that the main sites — Wade's Green, Flamingo Pond, Whitby Beach — are all within 30 minutes of each other by road. The causeway connecting North Caicos to Middle Caicos allows onward exploration of the larger, even quieter island next door.

Guide

Things to Do

North Caicos rewards those who make the effort to get here with empty beaches, flamingos, and plantation ruins that get a fraction of the visitors that the main sights on Providenciales receive. The Wade's Green Plantation ruins are the most substantial Loyalist plantation remains in the territory. Whitby Beach and the cays around it offer excellent snorkelling. The Flamingo Pond Overlook is one of the easiest places in the TCI to see flamingos in the wild.