There's an increasing interest lately in chasing travel dupes — visiting less-expected destinations instead of oversaturated locales — and one tiny Caribbean island might perfectly fit the bill, at least for travelers with an affinity for tropical vibes. 

Picture the same enviable azure water and powdery white sand of popular Providenciales — without the crowds. Just a quick, 20-minute ride on an island hopper plane from this main island of Turks and Caicos delivers you to the 8.5 square-mile island of South Caicos — one of the more remote of the 40-island Caribbean archipelago. 

Here, it's so narrow that both the deep cerulean Atlantic and the calm, turquoise Caicos Bay are always in sight, meaning you can watch the sunrise and sunset from the same spot. (And with an average of 350 sunny days annually, there's a good chance you'll catch photo-worthy versions of each, every single day.) 

Time slows down in this unspoiled destination that's tucked into what might be the region's quietest corner. The landscape is in stark contrast to other Caribbean islands, with sea grape trees, mangroves, and scrub rather than wispy palm trees and tropical flowers. These forms of vegetation lend a windswept appearance that only adds to its isolated allure.

Yet, South Caicos offers plenty to do on a quiet escape (there are only two hotels on the island, with a third slated to open in late February), from experiencing serene beaches and hiking trails to swimming in shallow bays dotted with sea stars and sand dollars. You're more likely to come upon one of the 100 resident donkeys than the 900 inhabitants — the donkeys are a remnant of the local 17th-century salt-mining history when they were introduced to the island by Bermudians to carry heavy loads of salt and other goods.

Here’s how to get away from it all during a sojourn on South Caicos:

What to Do

Turks and Caicos is home to the second-largest barrier reef system in the Western Hemisphere, so it's not surprising that the snorkeling here is top-notch, with crystal clear water teeming with marine life. During a half-day boat tour, don your fins and mask at Admiral's Aquarium, a marine park filled with rays, parrotfish, blue tang, conch, and snapper. In the shallow waters at Starfish Gardens, your guide will help you safely pick up and pet one of the sea stars lining the seabed, and during a walk on Long Cay, you'll see iguanas sunning themselves on rocks. (Note that there currently aren't any dive shops on the island, but the new resort will offer scuba diving when it opens later this year.)

Cockburn Harbour is the island's only town, and while it's admittedly pretty sleepy, it's a fun excursion, if only to see the pink flamingos fly in to dine on the brine shrimp in the central salt salinas. (Contrary to popular opinion, these birds do fly.) You'll also pass some of the 15 churches, including St. George Church, which dates back to 1795, as well as the School for Field Studies, a haven for environmental and conservation marine programs. Ask your driver to stop at Cham-B Grocery or Seaview Market for snacks, drinks, or groceries to take back to your hotel, and know that the U.S. dollar has been the official currency of Turks and Caicos since 1975.

Sailrock South Caicos (the larger of the two hotels on the island) offers a variety of on-property activities for guests. Morning yoga takes place atop a stunning pavilion with 360-degree views of the ocean and only the sounds of the seagulls and the surf as you practice your warrior pose. A spa facility is planned; in the meantime, indulging in a massage in one of two huts built high on a bluff while feeling the sea breeze blow in from Caicos Bay is a welcome substitute.

Island activities are generally "choose-your-own-adventure" style, so you can curate one that appeals to your interests. That might mean an ATV ride that hugs the coastline and passes the remnants of the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN Station followed by a hike to the dramatic vista at Plandon Cay Cut on the island's extreme northernmost post. Or maybe it's kayaking through the bays and creeks of Caicos Bank, whose sandbanks emerge and disappear according to the tides.

Not surprisingly, there's a variety of immersive water-focused activities to be had, including snorkeling expeditions and tours of the salt ponds. Operators include Harbour Adventures, which rents scooters and jeeps to explore the island, and T&V Tours, which offers boating and fishing trips.

Speaking of fishing, after the salt industry collapsed in the mid-1900s due to larger competition elsewhere, small-scale fishing became the mainstay of South Caicos' economy, and today the island supplies much of the Caribbean with fresh seafood. Tap into that heritage with fly fishing lessons, try to snag the notoriously evasive bonefish, or embark on a "catch and cook" expedition, where chefs at Sailrock will grill, sauté, or blacken your personal catch of the day.

Where to Eat

There are only a handful of restaurants on the island. If you're staying at Sailrock, The Great House is the main restaurant, with an open-air design and a wrap-around terrace that overlooks the main infinity pool and paths that lead down to the beach. Menus always include a wellness section in which dishes have fewer calories, sodium, and saturated fat, like ahi tuna salad and Southern Indian lentil and vegetable curry. Fill up for a busy day — even if that means catching up on your reading by the pool — with an anti-inflammatory, freshly-pressed beet and turmeric juice, overnight oats with cinnamon and dried fruit, or an English breakfast with egg, sausage, baked beans, tomato, and toast. The dinner menu changes each evening; standouts include oven-roasted shrimp chowder, grilled lobster, and pan-seared duck breast. 

Sign up for a mixology class before dinner, and the resort's bartenders will mix up three concoctions for you to sample, based on your flavor preference. The fiery Flaming South Caicos Martini is a fun parlor trick and photo opp, and the Little Soldier takes the Espresso Martini to the next level with the addition of parmesan and cream cheese.

Located steps from the sand, Sailrock's The Cove serves lunch favorites like crisp calamari, wraps, colorful salads, and conch and lobster prepared as fritters, ceviche, or in a salad. Twice weekly, The Cove hosts dinner with a bonfire and s'mores on the beach.

In Cockburn Harbour, Dolphin Grill is known for having one of the best views on Turks and Caicos — and for its conch salad, coconut shrimp, and peas and rice. (It's also the perfect spot to watch dolphins or whales migrating in season.) Sunset Cafe Bar & Grill is another casual option for Caribbean fare like a seafood platter, grouper fingers, and curry chicken. Triple J's Grill is like a festive backyard barbecue, with patio tables, music, and the enticing aroma of jerk seasoning and smoke. Order conch soup and a platter of jerk chicken, pork, or ribs with homemade sauces and sides including corn on the cob, slaw, plantains, and cornbread.

Six new restaurants will open when Salterra Resort & Spa does, like Latin-influenced Cobo and salt-inspired Brine.

Where to Stay

Until Salterra opens (see below), Sailrock South Caicos has exclusivity on upscale resort accommodations on the island (there's also the 3-star South Caicos Ocean & Beach Resort and a variety of independent villas to rent). It's accessible via a 15-minute drive from the airport; the last stretch is a one-way dirt road that passes deserted local beaches, so the only traffic you’re likely to hear during your stay are the golf carts shuttling guests and employees around the property. 

Its 35 accommodations are designed for unplugging and recharging, with muted tones offset by pops of turquoise to match the color of the water outside your floor-to-ceiling windows, which seemingly changes by the second as the sun hits it at different angles. Though the resort is spread out, there are paths and bicycles — or you can send a text and your concierge will pick you up. 

Perched high above the island, one- or two-bedroom Ridgetop Suites tout panoramic ocean views and spacious, wrap-around terraces, with either a full kitchen or kitchenette; some also come with an outdoor shower and/or jacuzzi. Located on a bluff above Long Beach, 1- to 4-bedroom beachfront villas encapsulate barefoot luxury, with direct access to the surf and sand just a few steps away. Expansive decks encourage afternoon gatherings, with heated pools with shallow lounging areas and seating, pergolas, patio and dining furniture, and hammocks. A short golf cart ride away, 2- and 3-bedroom Private Peninsula Villas are tropical sanctuaries, tucked away in the landscape, with infinity pools and large indoor and outdoor living areas to luxuriate in seclusion.

If your accommodation doesn’t have a private pool (or if you just want a change of scenery), there’s an infinity pool and jacuzzi next to the main building. A five-minute walk down a sandy path takes you to a beach area with loungers and umbrellas, though you can also laze on tethered floats, paddle around on a glass-bottomed kayak, or test your balance on a SUP.

Later this month, the Marriott-branded Salterra Resort & Spa is set to open on a mile of natural beach next to a national park. Inspired by South Caicos' salt industry past with treatments at the spa and dishes at Brine restaurant infused with the coveted substance known as "white gold," it's a traditional hotel-style property housed in the former East Bay Resort. A hundred rooms and suites will be joined by six dining venues, a lagoon-style pool, a kids' splash area and club, and a spa with eight treatment rooms and an adults-only pool.

The Best Time to Go

Since South Caicos is much smaller and more remote than Providenciales or Grand Turk, you generally won't encounter crowds no matter what time of year you visit. However, there is an uptick in visitors during "Festive Season," which runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. February through April has pleasant weather and the best prices, while summer is hotter and muggier (mitigated by those ocean breezes, though.) As with other Caribbean islands in the hurricane belt, you might want to avoid the months of September through November as there's an increased likelihood of storms.

How to Get to South Caicos

On February 15, 2025, American Airlines will launch a twice-weekly service from Miami (MIA) to South Caicos (XSC), making it the first non-stop route from the U.S. to the island. The flights will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays on Embraer 175 aircraft configured to hold 76 passengers, including 12 first-class seats.

Alternatively, you can fly to Providenciales (PLS) or Grand Turk (GDT) via one of the main U.S. carriers including American, United, Delta, or JetBlue, then hop a 25-minute flight on InterCaribbean Airways. (This transfer is generally included for guests of Sailrock.)