Salt Cay
A tiny, perfectly preserved island frozen in time — historic salt raking heritage, spectacular humpback whale watching, world-class diving and an extraordinary sense of peace and isolation
Explore Salt Cay
Click any marker to find out more about each spot.
Things To Do on Salt Cay
Humpback whale watching, world-class diving, historic salt heritage and deserted beaches on this perfectly preserved island.
Humpback Whale Watching
Salt Cay is one of the best places in the world to watch humpback whales — the island sits right on the migration route of thousands of humpback whales that pass through the Columbus Passage between January and April each year. The whale watching from Salt Cay is particularly special because the island is so small and remote that encounters with whales feel genuinely wild and intimate. Boat trips are available during the season.
World-Class Diving
The waters around Salt Cay are home to some of the most pristine and unspoilt coral reefs in the Turks and Caicos Islands — a world-class diving destination with extraordinary marine life, including sharks, turtles, eagle rays and a dazzling variety of coral. The reefs around Salt Cay have been relatively undisturbed by tourism, making them some of the most spectacular in the entire Caribbean.
Historic Salt Heritage
Salt Cay was once one of the most important salt-producing islands in the Caribbean — the historic salt ponds, windmills and Bermudan-style architecture of Balfour Town are a fascinating reminder of the island's prosperous past. The island has been remarkably well-preserved and has a wonderful sense of stepping back in time. The Turks and Caicos National Museum has exhibits on the salt industry.
Deserted Beaches
Salt Cay has some of the most beautiful and deserted beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands — long stretches of powdery white sand with crystal-clear water, completely unspoilt and uncrowded. The beaches on the north and west coasts of the island are particularly beautiful, with calm, clear water ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
Getting There
Salt Cay is accessible by a short flight from Providenciales or Grand Turk on inter-island aircraft, or by boat from Grand Turk. The island has a small airstrip and a handful of guesthouses and rental properties. Salt Cay is best suited to visitors who want a genuinely remote and unspoilt experience — there are very few tourist facilities on the island.
Salt Cay Travel Guide
Salt Cay is a tiny, perfectly preserved island frozen in time — a remote, unspoilt paradise with historic salt raking heritage, spectacular humpback whale watching and world-class diving.
The island sits right on the migration route of thousands of humpback whales that pass through the Columbus Passage between January and April — one of the best whale watching experiences in the Caribbean.
The waters around Salt Cay are home to some of the most pristine and unspoilt coral reefs in the islands — world-class diving with extraordinary marine life.
Balfour Town is a perfectly preserved historic village with Bermudan-style architecture and historic salt ponds — a fascinating reminder of the island's prosperous past.
Salt Cay has some of the most beautiful and deserted beaches in the Turks and Caicos — completely unspoilt and uncrowded.
The island is accessible by short flight from Providenciales or Grand Turk — best suited to visitors seeking a genuinely remote and unspoilt experience.
Ready to book Turks & Caicos?
We search Travelpack and JTA Holidays simultaneously. Call us and we'll find you the best deal.