Salt Cay, Providenciales, is the smallest of the main Turks and Caicos Island chains- but don’t let that fool you for a second! There’s a ton of things to do in Salt Cay, and a brand new adventure awaits around every corner. Today, Big Blue Collective takes you on an exciting virtual tour of the island, and the excitement you will encounter there.
How do I get to Salt Cay, Providenciales?
A mere 2.6 miles squared, and boasting a population of only 108 people, Salt Cay provides you a totally different look at the Turks and Caicos Island chain. Getting to Salt Cay is a little tricky- it’s possibly the toughest island in the chain to access- but by no means should that put you off as it makes it all the more rewarding! The island itself lies about 80 miles to the east of Provo, meaning there’s no passenger ferry services as there is for some of the other islands. International flights from the local Salt Cay airport [and nearby Grand Turk] also don’t run- you’ll find most international flights will bring you to Provo, however, and that’s a great place to start. Take a few days to explore the unique vibe of Provo [find our more about this glorious island here] and allow the chilled-out nature of the area to seep into your weary bones to prepare you for what’s to come. It’s also a great time to do some shopping, as Salt Cay’s own selection is a little limited- be sure to stock up on any non-commercial essentials while you’re there. UK and US citizens don’t even need a visa to visit the islands, so there’s no excuse!
From there, getting to Salt Cay is a matter of hopping on a local flight. The island does have its own small airport servicing domestic flights, and flights come in both from Provo and Grand Turk. Cargo space isn’t huge, as you’ll be on a small island hopping craft, so pack light for this section of the journey.
If you’d like something a little more romantic, you can also opt for a Ferry from Grand Turk. Running three times a week, it does depart from Salt Cay rather then the capital island, however, so we’d rather recommend you use it for a Grand Turk day trip rather than Salt Cay if you don’t want to stay a while
Can’t-miss things to do in Salt Cay
Salt Cay is one of the biggest islands in the chain, despite her tiny population. Facing the vigour of the tradewinds on her eastern side, the landscape you’ll find awaiting you is uniquely weather-beaten, and the island carries an aura of being forgotten by time. Herein lies it’s true beauty. This is your perfect chance to explore a Caribbean landscape unchanged by tourism and luxury hotels, where the ruins of history call to you and beaches remain untouched by crass commercialisation. Sink into the tranquility of a quiet life, where cars are scarce and roads unpaved, the airport has a single runway and colonial architecture surrounds you in it’s beauty.
Exploring the ocean, and indulging a love of watersports, is of course one of the top things to do on Salt Cay. The scuba diving provides breathtaking underwater backdrops, including some of the best wall diving in Caribbean waters. Snorkel directly from Little Bluff Lookout, or hop on a boat to head to some offshore sites. Keen kayaking fans have two choices of terrain- either the wetland flat water or open water cruising. There’s also a wealth of fishing sites for you to try your luck at, but make sure you have the right permits.
Beautiful beaches abound, ranging from the isolated and slightly rough waters of Long Bay to the pristine sand and clear water of North Bay. Balfour Town Beach rings most of the accommodation on the island, offering fantastic snorkeling sites and a spectacular rocky coastline, while Northeast Point offers sensational panoramic views that can’t be beaten. For a little island, the beach diversity is staggering, and you’re free to simply walk down and admire when you find a spot you love- all beaches are public and open to you.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the whale watching– it’s one of the most iconic things to do on Salt Cay, after all. Active January to April, you’ll be able to spot Humpback whales in all their glory as they migrate to the warmer water. Mothers with calves at play are a common sight. Due to the positioning of the islands, a natural funnel between Salt Cay and Grand Turk make the area particularly dense in these majestic beasts, and the whale watching opportunities are unrivalled. While very dependant on weather and conditions, the opportunity to snorkel with the whales may even be open to you!
Can I make a day trip to Salt Cay?
Of course! A day trip to Salt Cay can be the perfect way to explore this fascinating location, especially if you’d like your main base for the holidays to be a little more vibrant and happening like Grand Turk or Provo. Unmarred by commercialisation and tourism, the experience is truly unique. Explore the salt salinas- the historical remnants of the salt industry that once thrived here- dive, explore the laid back nooks of the Cay and make memories to treasure forever. Where else in the Caribbean could you have miles of secluded beach just to yourself? If you decide to stay longer, some villas and other accomodation are open to you.
Unspoilt, rugged and beautiful, Salt Cay offers you a truly unique Caribbean experience, and a day trip to Salt Cay should be top of everyone’s destination list for the Turks and Caicos Islands.