South Caicos

South Caicos is an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic, notable for its natural harbour and maritime activity centred on Cockburn Harbour.

The island offers beaches, fringing coral reefs and shallow flats used for bonefishing and shore angling. Small-scale dive operators guide visitors to nearby wrecks and reef sites; accommodation is limited to a handful of guesthouses and small hotels concentrated around the harbour.

Historically the island’s economy has been based on marine industries - fishing, conch and salt production were important in past centuries - and the harbour developed as the local trading centre. Over time commercial salt operations declined and fishing and small-scale tourism became the primary economic activities.

Geographically the island sits on the Caicos Bank within the Turks and Caicos archipelago, part of the Atlantic island chain southeast of the Bahamas and north of Hispaniola. The island’s settlement is focused around Cockburn Harbour on the sheltered southern shore.

• Fishing and diving: The shallow flats and fringing reef support bonefishing, snorkelling and scuba diving operations; local operators run half-day and full-day boat trips.
• Main harbour and services: Cockburn Harbour serves as the island's transport and commercial hub, and is where most visitor facilities and guesthouses are located.

What to See #

• Cockburn Harbour: Located on the island's sheltered south side, this settlement is the main population centre and the island's working harbour with boat services and commercial wharves.
• South Caicos Airport: A small public airstrip providing scheduled and charter flights to larger islands in the territory; it is the island's principal air link.