Cockburn Harbour, South Caicos
South Caicos harbour · South Caicos port of entry
21°30.12'N 71°31.62'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. The Caicos Banks tidal range of 0.6–0.9m creates depth variation throughout the tidal cycle — set 75m alarm to account for increased swing at low water. Tidal current in the harbour approach from the Banks can run 1.5–2kt — set the anchor firmly before current turns. South Caicos harbour is one of the more sheltered anchorages in the Banks region.
Caicos Banks Tidal Warning
Tidal range 0.6–0.9m. Maximum draft 1.2m at low water. Navigate in good light only. Anchor alarm is essential — set immediately on anchoring and monitor depth readings continuously.
About This Anchorage
South Caicos is the least developed and most authentically local of the main Caicos Islands — a working fishing community that has been TCI's primary conch and lobster fishing base for generations. Cockburn Harbour on the west side of the island is the main anchorage and an official customs and immigration port of entry. The Admiral's Arms Inn (now a dive resort and marina) has historically been the focus of services for visiting sailors. South Caicos has no resort hotels, no luxury restaurants, and very few tourist facilities — it is the real TCI, unchanged by the Grace Bay development boom. The dive wall off the east coast of South Caicos drops from 5m to 3,000m in some of the most pristine conditions in TCI — comparable to Grand Turk but even less visited. The bonefishing flats on the Banks to the west are world-class. A must-visit for sailors seeking authentic TCI rather than the resort scene on Provo.
Protected From
E · N · NE · NW
Exposed To
W · SW · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in harbour
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Customs and immigration at the port office. TCI cruising permit ~$50 USD obtained on entry. Standard TCI immigration fees apply.
Restrictions: Official customs port of entry — Q flag mandatory until cleared; TCI cruising permit required (~$50 USD, can be obtained here if not cleared at Provo or Grand Turk); no anchoring on coral or seagrass; respect fishing vessel operations in harbour.
Hazards
- !Strong tidal currents in the cuts approaching South Caicos from the Banks — time transits at slack water
- !Caicos Banks approach extremely shallow — maximum 1.2m draft in many transit routes; check depths carefully
- !Tidal range 0.6–0.9m — depth at anchor changes significantly through tidal cycle
- !Limited services — fuel by arrangement, very basic provisions; stock up at Provo before coming south
- !Western exposure to cold fronts — in W/SW conditions, harbour becomes uncomfortable
Skipper's Tips
- →South Caicos is TCI in its authentic form — the contrast with Grace Bay's luxury resorts is profound; spend time with the local fishing community
- →The wall dive off South Caicos's east coast is world-class and rarely visited — hire a guide from Admiral's Arms for the best wall sections
- →Stock up fully at Provo before coming to South Caicos — provisions are very limited and expensive on the island
- →The bonefishing on the Banks west of South Caicos is legendary — hire a local guide from the village for an extraordinary day on the flats
- →Customs clearance can be done here on arrival from the Banks or from international waters — the officers are friendly and efficient
Facilities
Admiral's Arms Inn/dive resort has a restaurant and bar. Limited provisions in Cockburn Town — small grocery stores. Fuel available by arrangement. Very basic services overall.
Nearest provisions: Cockburn Town grocery stores, South Caicos (basic) (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
November–May. Year-round for those committed to authentic TCI exploration. The least-visited main island in TCI — a genuine off-the-beaten-track destination.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
On the Caicos Banks, in 1–4m of water with a 0.6–0.9m tidal range, the anchor alarm is not optional — it is your primary safety tool. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously, night and day.
Download Free for iOS