Day Trip to North and Middle Caicos in Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean to the east of the Bahamas, and about 2 hours by plane from Miami and the North American mainland.
The archipelago of 40 cays and islets sits on a sea mount rising up from the Atlantic Ocean. Each cay is unique and provides a glimpse of life in the Caribbean in times gone by.
If you can ever drag yourself away from beautiful Grace Bay Beach, an entire world is awaiting to be explored in the Turks and Caicos.
An easy day trip from The Palms Resort is exploring North and Middle Caicos to the east of us.
North and Middle Caicos
This adventure begins with a scenic ferry ride from "Leeward" (the eastern tip of Provo; check here for the North Caicos ferry schedule and Middle Caicos ferry schedule) to neighboring North Caicos to the east. You can most easily get to the caves of Middle Caicos from North Caicos, and, if you like, you can stop along the way to snorkel.
Leeward, Providenciales. By Flickr user Tim Sackton. License: 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)[/caption]
North Caicos
North Caicos (called just “North” by locals) is a fun island to explore thanks to its beautiful beaches, friendly people and peaceful surroundings.
North Caicos is the ‘garden’ island of the Turks and Caicos because the slight increase in rainfall it receives enables it to be the most lush and fruitful island in the chain.
After landing on North Caicos you will set off to explore the conch bar caves and venture deep inside the earth with your native guide to view stalactites and stalagmites, bats, white owls and incredible limestone formations.
Middle Caicos
From North Caicos, it's possible to continue on to Middle Caicos--a sandy causeway connects the two islands. While you can walk the trail to reach Middle Caicos, it would take far too long.
Instead, rent or arrange transport to take you to Middle Caicos and its caves.
Dragon Cay from Mudjin Bay, by Flickr user Kate Ure.[/caption]The caves of Middle Caicos are located close to Mudjin Harbour. The limestone bluffs offer some unforgettable views of spectacular seascapes here.
Besides awe-inspiring views Mudjin Harbour features some truly gorgeous beaches.
Image by Ali West. License: 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)[/caption]Dragon Cay, a small sand bar, is accessible from the beach at low tide.
But even if the tide does not cooperate, the beach at Mudjin Harbour provides a unique place to splash in the sea and relax on the beautiful white sand.
Middle Caicos Caves
The Turks and Caicos are the site of the largest above-ground cave network in the entire Caribbean, and some of the most striking caves can be found on Middle Caicos.
Image by Ali West. License: 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)[/caption]Since they’re located above ground, the caves on Middle Caicos can be explored easily by anyone (with proper footwear), and offer an interesting glimpse of the natural history and cultural heritage of the Caribbean.
Only recently rediscovered, the caves were once the home of indigenous Lucayan Indians, and it’s thought they sheltered in the caves during hurricanes. The Village Caves and the Conch Bar are the most frequently visited caves on Middle Caicos.
Exploring Providenciales
Even if you don’t have time to do a day trip to explore more of the Turks and Caicos, our very own island of Providenciales offers plenty of opportunities for exploration.
There are a wide variety of beaches and landscapes to choose from. Learn more about the beaches of Providenciales here.