The island of South Caicos isn't known as a diving hotspot. But this oversight has nothing to do with the underwater environment— which is actually quite spectacular — and everything to do with a historic lack of infrastructure. This quiet island sits at the southern edge of the Caicos Banks, facing a deep-water channel where humpback whales pass each winter. South Caicos' only settlement is the fishing village of Cockburn Harbour. Until recently this sleepy port town didn't offer much in the way of vacation accommodations.
Things changed with the opening of the East Bay Resort, which is an 86-room oceanfront property set on a deserted mile-long beach overlooking the shores of the Admiral Cockburn National Park. This first-class resort provided an ideal combination of modern amenities and out-island escape. The final element in the equation that may soon transform South Caicos into a diving hotspot is the arrival of Reef Divers, which assumed ownership and management of the resort and dive operation in September of 2021. Click here for more information on East Bay Resort.
Divers familiar with the Cayman Islands may recognize Reef Divers, as this is the in-house operation for the acclaimed properties of Little Cayman Beach Resort, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Cobalt Coast Grand Cayman Resort. The owners and management team behind these resorts are now focused on bringing the same levels of service, convenience and comfort to the island of South Caicos. And they are all about the diving.
The Turks & Caicos Islands offer stellar water clarity, steep underwater walls and expansive shallow banks where grass beds and mangrove forests become a nursery for an abundance of marine life. South Caicos Island lies on the edge of a large shallow bank, with fringing reefs that quickly transition to big walls that plummet to depths of a mile or more. Thanks to sparse topside development and minimal human impact on the reefs, the marine life of South Caicos is plentiful and diverse. Land-based dive operators on the island of Providenciales ferry divers as far as the big walls of West Caicos, but seldom venture the additional 20-plus miles to South Caicos. Liveaboards make infrequent stops near the island, but for the most part, the reefs of South Caicos have seen very little diver traffic, and remain in near-pristine condition.
East Bay is a four-star beachfront resort, and all rooms have direct ocean views. Guests can choose between traditional hotel rooms and one or two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and separate living rooms. All accommodations include expected amenities such as air conditioning, WiFi, premium bedding and flat-screen televisions with cable channels. The property includes an oceanfront swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, the Ayur Spa and the BLU Bar & Grill, which is managed by an award-winning chef.
The dive center provides the same level of exceptional service that has made Reef Divers the preferred dive operator in the Cayman Islands. Daily boat trips provide access to dozens of world-class dive sites, including many that have recently been discovered. The dive center will soon offer Nitrox, maintains a full inventory of ScubaPro rental dive equipment and can provide complete PADI and SSI dive instruction programs.
In addition to daily diving, guests can enjoy a range of water sports that include fishing trips, paddleboarding and kayak trips into nearby mangrove forests. Bikes are available to tour the island and take in the centuries-old salinas where generations of Islanders harvested salt and flamingos now roost. Whale watching trips are offered in winter months, and migratory humpbacks may come close to shore as they pass through the deep-water channel that lies between South Caicos and the island of Grand Turk.
East Bay Resort can be reached with a 20-minute flight from the international airport in Providenciales, which receives several direct flights from the US each day. The Turks & Caicos Islands is known as a very safe destination for travelers. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the islands have seen few active cases and enjoy high rates of vaccination. For divers seeking a dive destination that is an easy flight away from the United States, providing a first-class vacation experience in a quiet out-island setting, and delivering a world-class diving experience, the arrival of Reef divers at East Bay Resort puts South Caicos near the top of the list. Plan your next dive trip today!
East Bay Resort, South Caicos - LUXURY DIVE CAREFREE PACKAGE
7-nights Standard Room accommodations with upgrades available to oceanfront room, 1 or 2 bedroom oceanfront suites, 6 days of 2-tank boat dives with Reef Divers, roundtrip airport ground transfers, breakfast and dinner daily, free WiFi, hotel tax and service charges. Additional diving, Nitrox upgrades and meal plans available in the shopping cart. Flexible Payment/Cancellation Policies may apply.