The Pristine and Incredible Beaches of North Caicos
Secluded Beaches and Coasts to Discover!
Due to the fact that the west, south, and east sides of North Caicos consist almost entirely of mangrove wetlands and shallows, all the beaches on the island are found on the 10-mile-long (16 km) north coast. Unlike many of the Middle Caicos beaches, the coasts of North Caicos are situated further back from the barrier reef and deep water, and are consequently a bit more sheltered from the ocean swells.
Whitby Beach, Hollywood Beach, and Pumpkin Bluff Beach are the best beaches on North Caicos, yet minor amounts of floating seaweed and sargassum tend to be a bit more of a problem on North Caicos than on many of the other Caicos islands. If such conditions are present on North Caicos, Pumpkin Bluff Beach, and Hollywood Beach are typically the least affected.
As is also the case with Middle Caicos, these coasts see very few visitors. You’ll likely have miles of beach to yourself.
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Snorkeling
Beach snorkeling sites on North Caicos are unfortunately quite limited.
Three Marys Cays is the main viable site. When the wind and ocean conditions are calm, the underwater sights around these three limestone ironshore islands are interesting. You won’t likely see anything large, yet colorful reef fish, sea fans, crabs, and small amounts of coral can be spotted.
Mosquitoes and Sand Fleas
Mosquitoes and sand fleas are two pests that can be quite a nuisance at times on North Caicos. The majority of the North Caicos beaches are largely protected from the regular trade winds, so the insects may run rampant after heavy rains.
Sand fleas, or no-see-ums, are the common local name for biting midges. These tiny insects are not actually fleas.
Sandy Point Beach is typically the most affected. If the conditions persist, Horsestable Beach or one of the Middle Caicos coasts will usually be a suitable alternative. Due to the breeze, windward coasts usually won’t have sand fleas.
Key Points
- All beaches in the Turks and Caicos are public, and free to use. The law does not guarantee access across private property.
- Fishing without a license or in a protected area (national park or nature reserve) is illegal and carries fines and possible jail time. This includes the collection of conch, lobster, crab, and shellfish.
- Secluded beaches carry an increased risk of crime, both to person and property. Don’t leave valuables in your car or on the beach unattended. Read our Safety & Crime section for more general information.
- Some beaches are very remote and there may not be any other people around to provide assistance in an emergency. Exercise caution and be aware of currents, surf conditions, and hidden hazards.