West Harbour Bluff
Providenciales
West Harbour Bluff (also known as Split Rock or Pirate’s Cove) is a scenic area at the southwest point of Providenciales. This coastal setting offers several interesting features, including a small peninsula with sea cliffs, a small open-faced cave, and about a mile of secluded beach. The West Harbour Bluff area is one of the more remote sections of Providenciales, and about a five-mile drive from any developed part of the island.
The view from the top of the peninsula is quite impressive. To the north, the beaches and shallows of the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve can be seen, and to the southwest, West Caicos. If you’re lucky, you may spot a shark in the water below, or find one of the 200-year-old inscriptions left in the rock by past shipwrecked sailors.
The West Harbour Bluff area is part of the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve, which continues north along the coast of Providenciales for about 3 miles (4.8 km). For bird watchers, this region is frequented by Brown Pelicans, White Tailed Tropic Birds, Ospreys, and Green Herons.
Bonefish Point, a scenic sandy peninsula, is also found near West Harbour Bluff.
Wildlife
The West Harbour Bluff area supports an interesting menagerie of wildlife. Majestic ospreys nest in the area, brown pelicans and tropic birds often glide by, and schooling fish, stingrays, small sharks, and starfish can be seen in the water surrounding the cliffs.
One of the aspects of West Harbour Bluff is that you’ll never know what you may see. As an outlying and unusual terrain on Providenciales, the peninsula here provides shelter to fish and birds, especially during abnormal weather conditions.
West Harbour Bluff and the adjacent Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve support large populations of the brown pelican, which can often be seen flying in flocks.
Dangers
The West Harbour Bluff area of Providenciales is remote, so crime is a concern. See our article on Safety & Crime for more information.
Due to the limestone makeup of the location, holes and small caves abound. Take caution as these are often hidden in the vegetation and can be deep.
The poisonous coral sumac tree and manchineel tree are common to the coastal area of West Harbour Bluff, and may cause skin blisters and irritation. Avoid touching these plants.
Getting to West Harbour Bluff
To get to West Harbour Bluff, follow Millennium Highway from town for about 3 miles (4.8 km) and then turn left on Tom Lightbourne Road (paved for about one mile / 1.6 km). If you’re on the right road, you should get to West Harbour Bluff after 6.5 miles (10 km). After a few miles, this road gets rough in places, so prepare to go slow. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water with you when you visit the area, as it’s a long drive back out.
An alternative to driving to West Harbour Bluff is to get there by sea. A local boat tour operator offers a weekly scheduled boat excursion to West Harbour Bluff from central Providenciales.
Guided ATV and dune buggy tours are also offered to the area.
Stay on the Roads
West Harbour Bluff and much of the surrounding regions are part of the Frenchman's Creek and Pigeon Pond Nature Reserve or the Chalk Sound National Park.
Stay on the roads. It is illegal to drive on the beach, in the wetlands, or on the salt flats. Significant fines are applicable.
Tour Companies
