Turks and Caicos Islands, which include 40 islands south of Bermuda designated as a British overseas territory, are a popular tourist destination. They’re generally less crowded than other Caribbean islands, and are known for fantastic beaches, watersports like scuba diving and paddling, and excellent food featuring conch, one of the islands’ local specialties. There are eight airports scattered across the various islands, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get to, as only a select few offer realistic options from the US.
South Caicos. Photo: Experience Turks & Caicos
A Gorgeous Caribbean Island Is Getting Its First Direct Flight From the US
Until recently, the only option for Turks and Caicos airports for travelers coming from the US was Providenciales International Airport. It’s the largest and busiest airport in Turks and Caicos Islands, handling a significant volume of daily flights from the US, the Caribbean, and Europe. PLS serves as the primary gateway to the islands, and most visitors either stay in the vicinity of Providenciales (the most populated island), switch to a smaller flight to reach a domestic airport, or take a ferry to North Caicos.
South Caicos is less developed than most othr islands. Photo: Experience Turks & Caicos
But starting in February of 2025, visitors to the South Caicos can avoid an entire connection by flying on American Airlines directly from Miami. The flight launches on February 15 and will fly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights will start around $210 each way, according to Google Flights.
While February may seem far away, it’s good timing for catching the most popular season in Turks and Caicos, running from about December to April. Winter on the islands has warm weather with low humidity, calm and clear seas ideal for watersports and snorkeling and diving, and a lively atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and shops open. Of course, it’s also the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
About the various islands of Turks and Caicos
South Caicos. Photo: Experience Turks & Caicos
Providenciales (known as Provo), is the largest and most developed island and the undisputed tourism hub. It’s known for luxurious resorts, pristine beaches like the iconic Grace Bay Beach, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Closest to Provo is North Caicos, nicknamed the “garden island,” and considered a more lush and less-developed paradise. Limited lodging options consisting of eco-lodges, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals are where most people stay. Activities have an outdoorsy focus, including hiking, horseback riding, paddling through mangrove forests, and visiting historical sites like the Wade’s Green Plantation ruins.
Also popular is Grand Turk, the historic former capital. The island is steeped in cultural heritage, with a small-town atmosphere and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cockburn Town. Options for sleeping range from hotels and guesthouses to vacation rentals, and visitors can explore the Grand Turk Lighthouse and National Museum alongside excellent diving opportunities, particularly around the dramatic underwater reef system known as the Grand Turk Wall.
But thanks to now having a second international Turks and Caicos airport, the even-less-developed South Caicos is now a realistic travel destination. It’s more natural still than North Caicos, and caters to a specific kind of traveler: scuba divers or saltwater-flat fishers. On South Caicos, the focus is firmly on water-based activities, and most dive sites are pristine, thanks to their inclusion in the protected area called Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park.
Where to stay on South Caicos
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Flying into the airport on South Caicos is useless if you can’t stay there, but the new flight is likely to encourage even more businesses to open on the pretty island. Currently, lodging options are somewhat limited and include convenient South Caicos Ocean & Beach Resort near Cockburn Town, and the gorgeous (if expensive) Salt Rock Resort, catering to well-heeled travelers looking for high-end dining and included activities. There are also several high-end home rentals on the northwestern part of the island.
However, one new resort is opening in time to take advantage of the increased accessibility of the Turks and Caicos’ second international airport: Salterra Resort & Spa. It’ll open in early 2025, with 100 beachfront rooms and six restaurants. It’s a renovation of the former East Bay Resort South Caicos, which closed in summer 2023. The resort will also run an on-site dive shop and school, making it the only dive operator based on South Caicos. 