You’ve likely heard of Turks & Caicos but most people don’t know that the island of T&C is surrounded by many smaller islands. 

Located just 40 miles south east of the island of Providenciales, South Caicos is a British overseas territory and it’s just a short 25-minute flight from Providenciales. It is known to be a very safe island, unlike Turks and Caicos, because it is so remote.

How to Get to South Caicos 

Most will fly from Texas into Providenciales, T&C, and a small puddle jumper away is the tiny island of South Caicos. American Airlines now has a flight that goes directly from Miami to South Caicos but it is only available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The small flight from Provo (what the locals call Providenciales) runs each way once in the morning and once late afternoon. 

In terms of traveling internationally, we found South Caicos to be a great choice because:

• Everyone speaks English. Some locals on the island speak Creole from Haiti.
• They take the US dollar.
• You’ll spend most of your time at the resorts, so you don’t have to worry about cash except for tips, for the most part.

New in 2025

There’s a new kid on the block on South Caicos, Salterra Resort (meaning the salt lands), due to the salt flats, also called salinas, that exist on the island. Locals go to these salinas to harvest their own salt for their kitchens (as do the folks at Salterra). 

Salterra just opened in March 2025. High season is winter as June through the summer months brings the hurricane season to that area.

This is the type of resort that is so remote that once you get there, you don’t want to leave until it’s time to go. There’s not a whole lot to do for kids at this location so I would recommend adults only for this resort.

Dining at Salterra

If you’re looking to really treat yourself with an epic dining experience, the White Gold Dinner at Brine is a very special five-course menu that is developed as a salt voyage of South Caicos. The executive chef, hailing from Bali, Indonesia, has designed an exquisite menu where each dish is paired with a very special salt, lined up on the table when you arrive, to be added at your own discretion. 

The first course is called “The First Crystals” which you eat in one bite and features a salt crusted conch tartlet with citrus aïoli. The second course is a grilled red snapper with a coconut rum sauce featuring a spinach pistachio purée! The third course is a honey glazed duck with lavender and spices. Followed by the fourth course, called “The White Gold of the Islands”, which is a beef tenderloin with truffle paired with a rosemary salt. The final course is a mango coconut mousse, paired with a very sweet wine. The wine pairing is sold separately, but is an important offering with this menu. This is a very expensive dining experience, but each course is absolutely delicious and the wines that are paired are perfection.

Regatta is the casual restaurant on property with an outdoor patio and a very relaxed menu. Drink offerings include Caribbean cocktails, local beers, and wines by the glass. I enjoyed their craft your own plate offering where I could choose a protein, such as tiger shrimp with a sauce, like the garlic herb butter, and a choice of two sides, such as the truffle Parmesan fries, creamed spinach with nutmeg, or a coconut jasmine rice, for instance. You could also order off the menu and enjoy a starter of conch and clam chowder, the callaloo and cheese dip (which is basically spinach dip like we have in the US.). Various salads, sides, and signature dishes are also offered.

Enjoy breakfast as a buffet or you can order off the menu at Regatta and choose to sit indoors or on the outdoor patio overlooking the pool. 

Lunch is at Cobo Bar and Grill, overlooking the water, where you can order delicious salads, seafood tacos or fish sandwiches. You can even order from Cobo poolside.

Sisal bar is in the lobby with a Latin and Caribbean theme.

Flamingo Café in the main building offers grab and go food items from morning through the afternoon. One thing I loved about the interior is the use of the colored tile in various locations throughout the main building. Flamingo Café features the pink tile.

Salterra Accommodations

There are four buildings on the property housing 100 rooms, all ocean facing. The ground floor features a lanai (you can ask for a private dinner out on the lanai). A standard two queen room averages approximately $599/night and a standard one king room is similar pricing. A one bedroom suite goes for about $1,300 per night with the two-bedroom suite priced around $2,500/night. There’s also a presidential suite with three bedrooms/ three baths, fit for seven people which includes a pullout sofa and washer and dryer.

Rooms and suites boast interior design items which are locally sourced, including rugs with an aerial shot of the salinas. I loved the simple decoration within the suite and common spaces. It fits with the vibe of the resort. The beds and linens were extremely comfortable! 

Resort Activities

• There’s a kids club available for ages 4-12 and babysitting at an extra charge for babies up to four. 
• The fitness club is open 24×7 featuring new gym equipment, Pilates classes and yoga outdoors at the Seaside Garden in the morning.
• There’s a library in the main house, featuring various coffee table type books, including a history of salt.
• There are two pickleball courts and guests can check out racquets and balls at the fitness center.
• The spa is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and they encourage guests to book in advance. The steam room and salt sauna are opening this summer and there is a pool in the interior courtyard of the spa. All of these amenities are complimentary for guests even without booking a spa appointment. When you arrive at the spa, you will receive a detox drink and a jasmine cold cloth. The traditional Swedish massage, like the other massages, is done in an indoor poolside cabana.
• The pools are the main feature of this resort. There are a total of four: a kids pool, an infinity pool, the main pool, and the spa pool.
• Adventures by Salterra is an onsite adventure center where guests can reserve various excursions such as reef snorkeling, scuba diving or a sunset cruise. Their most popular is called the Caicos Bank Adventure, which takes you on a boat tour to include hiking and sightseeing. Their bone fishing excursion is a half-day experience with a guide but is fairly expensive, totaling almost $1,000 if you include tip and taxes.

Trip Tips!

• There’s really only one market on the island which is very rudimentary and prices are extremely expensive compared to the U.S.
• The resort is geared towards people who just need some time for a digital detox and to really relax. 
• It’s always great to enjoy a local beer, wine or spirit when you travel. We found I Soon Reach beer from Turks Head Brewing on Day 1 and enjoyed it throughout the trip. I highly recommend the light lager (a great day drinking beer).

Watch more about South Caicos on our Studio 512 segment!

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Cover photo courtesy Salterra Resort

Marika Flatt, Outstanding Austin Communicator 2021, is the Travel Editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She began her travel writing career in 2002, and can be seen as a contributor on TV shows across Texas, such as KVUE, Daytime (FOX), San Antonio Living, Good Morning Texas, and KXAN!  Marika spent five years as the voice of the “Weekend Trip Tip” on NPR’s Texas Standard pre-Covid. She loves being one of the first to explore a new resort!