South Caicos
Latitude N 21 ° 30'
Longitude W 71 ° 30'
South Caicos is an 8.5 square mile island which attracts visitors for its fishing, birdlife, history, fresh seafood dishes and diving.
South Caicos, or The Big South, is the fishing capital of the islands, and boasts the best natural harbor and several fishing plants, processing most of the nation's seafood harvest of lobster, conch and fish for export and local consumption. It is home to the annual Big South Regatta each May.
The sleepy little harbor town of Cockburn Harbor was once the most active commercial community in the Turks and Caicos islands. It has hosted royalty and rogues throughout its rich history. Historical features of the island include the 18th century Commissioner's House where Queen Elizabeth stayed during her visit to South during her visit in 1966. Of interest also are the old salt works, and the Boiling Hole, which fed the saltpans that once made South Caicos the islands' largest producer of salt. Although long since abandoned the old salt pans have become the home of a variety of bird species including flocks of flamingos. A bird watchers delight.
The town reflects its British and Bermudian heritage with many examples of the classic architectural design, quaint stone walls bordering property, its narrow streets and friendly helpful people. Not to be missed is a trip to the iguana preserve on Long Cay.
Scuba divers delight in South Caicos’ pristine diving with breath taking walls, vast varieties of coral and marine life that dare to be rivaled. Large pelagics such as sharks, eagle rays, loggerhead turtles, spotted rays, octopus and barracudas share the sites with a spectrum of macro life. Another of the Turks and Caicos’ ideal location for whale watching during their winter migration. Truly an underwater photographers dream. It's no surpise that South Caicos is home to the marine research arm of the renowned School for Field Studies.
