# North Beach *Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos · 3 min read* The longest and best beach on tiny Salt Cay, with white sand, turquoise water that's usually sheltered, and small reefs close to shore. ## At a glance - Size: About 1.75 miles (2.8 km) of beach - Water: Usually sheltered, clear, sometimes choppy - Access: Sandy paths off the road near the airport - Best time: Year-round; January to April for whales - Best for: Quiet, Snorkeling, Wildlife ## Overview North Beach, also called North Bay, runs for about 1.75 miles along the north coast of Salt Cay. It's the largest beach on the island and by far the best. Most of the shore has clean white sand and a sandy bottom, broken up in places by a few rocks and coral heads. Because it faces north, the beach is usually sheltered from the swells pushed in by the eastern trade winds. There's very little development here, just a few rental villas, so you'll often have a long stretch of sand to yourself. Small, distinct reefs sit a short swim off the beach and are easy to spot as darker patches against the sand. Grand Turk is visible on the horizon, and in winter you may see humpback whales passing off the north coast. ## When to go North Beach is good year-round. The north-facing shore is usually sheltered, though the trade winds can make the surface a little choppy at times. Humpback whales pass through the waters off Salt Cay in winter, and whale watching trips run from January to April. You may spot whales from the beach, but a boat trip gives you the best view. Golf carts are limited on Salt Cay, so book ahead if you're visiting in whale season. ## Things to do ### Snorkeling - Level: Easy to moderate - What you need: Mask, snorkel and fins - Where: Small reefs off the beach. North West Point, the end nearest Balfour Town, has the best sights. Look for yellow sea fans, parrotfish, blue tangs and the odd stingray or eagle ray. ### Swimming - Level: Easy - What you need: None - Where: Along the sandy stretches, away from the rocks and coral heads. ### Whale watching - Level: Easy - What you need: Booked boat trip - Where: Off the north coast, January to April. Tours leave from Salt Cay. ### Coastal walk - Level: Moderate - What you need: Sturdy shoes, water and sun protection - Where: The scenic one-mile trail from Balfour Town, past Little Bluff Lookout, to the west end of the beach. ## Tours & activity guides - [Snorkeling](https://www.sastci.com/activities/snorkeling): The sheltered coast by Cockburn Town has small but interesting sites. North Bay has several small reefs but takes the trade winds more directly. - [Whale Watching](https://www.sastci.com/activities/whale-watching): The best whale watching spot in the country, thanks to the deep Turks Island Passage close offshore. In season you can often see whales from shore at high points over deep water, such as Taylor Hill, Long Bay and Northeast Point. - [Scuba Diving](https://www.sastci.com/activities/scuba-diving): The Turks and Caicos sit on an underwater plateau whose edges drop from about 40 feet into the thousands, giving you some of the Caribbean's best wall diving. Here is how the dive regions compare and what to know before you go. - [History & Culture](https://www.sastci.com/activities/history-and-culture): Loyalist plantation ruins, the National Museum in Cockburn Town, an 1852 lighthouse and the old salt ponds of Salt Cay tell the story of the islands. ## Getting there Salt Cay is a short domestic flight from Providenciales or Grand Turk. A community ferry also runs from Grand Turk three days a week, but its schedule doesn't suit a day trip from Grand Turk. There are no taxis or rental cars on the island. Most visitors get around by off-road golf cart, bicycle or on foot. To drive, take the road north about 660 feet (200 m) west of the airport. After about 1,500 feet it meets a road running along the bay, where you can pick any path to the sand. You can also walk about a mile along the coast from Balfour Town. ## Beach access & parking ### 1. North Bay road Take the road heading north about 660 feet west of the airport. After about 1,500 feet it meets a track running along the bay. From there, pick any path down to the sand. The roads are rough and sandy, so an off-road golf cart or 4x4 is best. ### 2. Coastal walk from Balfour Town A scenic walk of about a mile from Balfour Town, past Balfour Town Beach and Little Bluff Lookout, reaching the west end of the bay near North West Point. Bring plenty of water. ## Facilities - Rentals: Limited. Some rental villas lend guests beach towels, umbrellas, coolers and snorkel gear. There's nowhere to rent them at the beach. - Food & drink: Limited. There's nothing at the beach. Cold drinks and snacks are sold at Salt Cay's three small variety shops. - Accessibility: Limited. There's no official public access, just informal paths from rough, sandy tracks. The track toward Northeast Point has soft sand that can bog down golf carts. - No facilities on the beach - A few small shops in the settlements sell cold drinks and snacks - Some rental villas lend guests towels, umbrellas and snorkel gear - No lifeguards ## Where to eat near North Beach - [Coral Reef Bar & Grill](https://www.sastci.com/dining/salt-cay#coral-reef-bar-and-grill-salt-cay): Beach bar · Caribbean seafood and grill, waterfront, 21 min walk ## Safety - There are no lifeguards. Swim at your own risk and know your limits. - This is a remote area. Help may be far away in an emergency, so don't leave valuables unattended. - The tracks are sandy and rough. Drive slowly, since soft sand can bog down golf carts. - The sun is strong on Salt Cay. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen. - Don't touch fish or coral. Some species can cause serious injury. - If you snorkel with whales on a tour, wear a vest, never touch or chase them, and let them approach you. Feeding marine mammals is illegal. ## Local tip Before you get in, stand on the beach and look for the darker patches in the water. Those are the reefs, and the clearest ones are toward the western end near North West Point. [Open North Beach in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=North%20Bay%20Beach%2C%20Salt%20Cay%2C%20Turks%20and%20Caicos%20Islands)