South Caicos is the fishing capital of the islands, and boasts the best natural harbour and several fishing plants, processing most of the nation’s seafood harvest of lobster, conch and fish for export and local consumption.
Other features of the island include the 18th century Commissioner’s House, old salt works, and the Boiling Hole which fed the salt pans that once made South Caicos the islands’ largest producer of salt.
SIGHTSEEING ON BIG SOUTH
South Caicos waters are pristine and full of sea life including dolphins, manta rays, eagle rays, giant grouper, turtles, a wide variety of sharks and the infamous migrating humpback whales during the winter months January through April each year.
Exploring town, Cockburn Harbour is a photographers delight with an abundance of old buildings, walls and gates, old salt warehouses and many colourful boats of many types docked in the harbour. Stop to enjoy local cuisine in any of the little restaurants including Dora’s who is famous for her lobster sandwich and Love’s for a refreshing but intoxicating coconut rum with a splash of pineapple juice.
Nature walks will take you past the old salinas and the boiling hole, miles of non-populated beaches where beachcombing excels, through herds of wild horses and cows and flocks of flamingos, osprey and pelicans. Hike along the ridgeway of the Sail Rock hills ( elevation of 150 feet ) and you will have a spectacular panoramic view Belle Sound, fringing reefs, the Turks Island Passage and the bonefish flats of the Caicos Bank.
South Caicos also known as , “East Habour” , “The Rock” and “Big South” has the most protected and finest natural harbour of all the islands, Cockburn Harbour, once a hideout for the infamous Caribbean pirates and bustling port for a thriving salt industry. At the turn of the Century, South Caicos shipped the most salt of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Divers can see the granite ballast that was thrown overboard to lighten the ships as they approached the harbour to pick up their loads. Today the once famous port and township of Cockburn Harbour makes it’s living from fishing, conch and lobster.
The Turks and Caicos Islands have been documented by H.E. Sadler who spent years of research writing this delightful, easily read history book filled with colorful pictures and fascinating history capsules. For students of history, residents and visitors to the Islands, this work is a revealing and authoritative account of the Turks and Caicos Islands from the earliest times to the present and and indispensable tool for further study or research on these Islands.
