Middle Caicos travel guide

Also known as Grand Caicos, this is the largest of the islands, with an area of 48 sq miles. Its coastline is more dramatic than some of the other islands, characterized by limestone cliffs along the north coast, interspersed with long sandy beaches shaded by casuarina trees or secluded coves. The south part of the island is swamp and tidal flats. There are three settlements linked by the paved King’s Road: Conch Bar, where there is an airstrip, a primary school, beach and guesthouses, Bambarra and Lorimers. A visit to the caves between Bambarra and Lorimers is a must. Originally used by Amerindians as dwelling places, they were later mined for guano. They are huge, complex and beautiful with bats, stalactites, stalagmites and underwater salt lakes with pink shrimps. Day tours are available from Provo, including transport from Leeward, lunch, drinks, snorkelling and beachcombing. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a Lucayan ball court and a settlement near Armstrong Pond, due south of Bambarra, but these are not easily accessible. Evidence of the Lucayan civilization dates back to AD 750. Loyalist plantation ruins can also be explored. Bambarra beach is an empty, curving sweep of white sand, fringed with casuarina trees. Middle Caicos regatta is held here, but there are no facilities. A sand bar stretches half a mile out to Pelican Cay, which you can walk on at low tide. A pretty and popular cove is Mudjeon Harbour, just west of Conch Bar, protected by a sand bar and with shade under a rocky overhang. The reef juts out from the land here, and this can be spectacular in the winter months with the crashing waves. South of Middle Caicos is a nature reserve comprising a frigate bird breeding colony and a marine sinkhole with turtles, bonefish and shark. The blue hole shows up on the satellite photo of the islands on display in the museum in Grand Turk.

The Crossing Place Trail was a path worn by Lucayan Indians and later by slaves travelling between plantations. It is well marked and runs for 12 dramatic and beautiful miles (seven can be cycled) along the north coast, connecting Lorimers, Bambarra and Conch Bar. Developed by the National Trust to encourage ecotourism, the trail takes in beaches, coastal cliffs, Conch Bar, Indian Caves and the Blowing Hole. Tours from Provo and Grand Turk are available....read more