If you like to explore parts unknown on your travels, a day trip to North and Middle Caicos are an absolute must while visiting Turks and Caicos. On these lush islands, you’ll encounter magnificent cave systems, secluded beaches, and even large flocks of flamingos—often, all to yourself. Here are the places you absolutely cannot miss on a trip to North and Middle Caicos.
North Caicos
North Caicos is the second largest island in Turks and Caicos. Because of its lush vegetation, locals call it the “Garden Island”—the greater rainfall feeds the papaya, guava, bananas, and other local fruits that grow here, as well as the tall casuarina pines that border North’s beaches. Getting to North Caicos requires catching a ferry at Heaving Down Rock Marina (just a five-minute drive from Sunset Beach Villas). The journey is about 25 minutes each way and costs $65 for a roundtrip ticket.
Horsestable Beach
Remote, calm, and picturesque, Horsestable Beach is one of the little-known jewels of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Often, visitors get the beach all to themselves. Pelicans, ospreys, and egrets are frequent sights—and in the shallows, stingrays and juvenile lemon sharks.
Horsestable Beach is a 15-minute drive from the ferry terminal at Bellefield Landing. The eastern edge of the beach is especially pretty with its sand bars and shallow turquoise water, perfect for lounging. For the best photos stroll down to the end of Horsestable Beach’s long jetty
Flamingo Pond Overlook
Can you imagine seeing hundreds of flamingos together in the wild? Swing by Flamingo Pond Overlook on your trip to North, and you might have the chance. This thriving wetland is a favorite dwelling ground of the Caribbean Flamingo, as well as ducks, herons, and egrets.
Flamingo Pond Overlook is free to visit. When staff is there from Monday to Saturday, you can rent binoculars for just $2 per person. Located between Whitby and Horsestable Beach, Flamingo Pond Overlook is the perfect stop to make as you’re returning to meet the ferry at Bellefield Landing.
Middle Caicos
Middle Caicos is the largest island in the Turks and Caicos chain, but it’s also one of the quietest. With a population of fewer than 200 spread out across 55 square miles, it’s possible to drive across the island without seeing a single person. Middle Caicos is connected to North Caicos by a causeway, meaning you can drive from one island to the next. To get to Middle from North, you’ll have to rent a car at the ferry terminal.
Mudjin Harbor
Recognize this view? Mudjin Harbour is one of the most distinguishable landscapes in the Turks and Caicos Islands, though it’s one of the less visited compared with beaches on Providenciales. This sheltered beach is home to beautiful Dragon Cay, a rocky islet connected to the mainland by a sand spit where powerful waves crash into one another in a dramatic show of nature.
With the Mudjin Bar and Grill nearby, this beach is one of the best places on the island to park up for the day and soak in the peace and quiet of secluded Middle Caicos.
Conch Bar Caves
Middle Caicos is also home to the small village of Conch Bar, a settlement with a dramatic feature that’s one of a kind—the Conch Bar Caves.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this cave system, the largest in the Bahamas-Turks and Caicos Island chain. These limestone caves are filled with stalactites, stalagmites, underground pools, and four different species of bat, among other wonders. The caves are open Monday to Saturday and entry costs $20 per person. As you’re leaving, pay the Middle Caicos Co-op a visit, where you can shop locally made crafts and souvenirs.
Explore North and Middle Caicos from Sunset Beach Villas
Located at Providenciales’ northeastern-most tip, Sunset Beach Villas is the ideal launch point for exploring the Turks and Caicos Island chain. Our collection of nine luxury villa vacation rentals are designed around beach life and exploration. Contact us today to inquire about 2024 availability—our concierge is happy to help you plan your Middle Caicos and North Caicos adventure.
