Said to have the most beautiful diving spots in Turks and Caicos, West Caicos is a 9 square mile island that is currently uninhabited but is being developed as the future home of the most exclusive Ritz Carlton community in the world. The developers have taken great effort to preserve the unique ecological and historical aspects of the island, including Lake Catherine, a nature reserve that is home to a variety of bird life.

West Caicos is a favourite for picnics and dive operators with sandy coves and beautiful waters. It has a deep water marina under development that is scheduled to open in 2008.

West Caicos was cleared in the 1890's for salinas and the cultivation of sisal, a major crop of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Yankee Town was the center for those industies which ultimately failed for various reasons. The island still contains the ruins of those activities complete with railroad tracks, engines and old stone buildings. The ruins of Yankee Town, crested by an osprey's nest, its sisal press, railroad and steam engine are evidence of the small civilization that once existed on the island.