Cotton Cay
Cotton Cay anchorage · South of Salt Cay
21°19.38'N 71°11.16'W
Depth
2–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for good holding on sand in 2–6m. Cotton Cay is a remote, small-cay anchorage with the full TCI tidal range of 0.6–0.9m and exposed to the north and northwest. The Turks Island Passage is 2nm west — tidal current influence is present. Set 70m alarm and be prepared to move if conditions deteriorate. This is a fair-weather anchorage only.
About This Anchorage
Cotton Cay is a tiny, uninhabited islet lying approximately 1.5nm south of Salt Cay in the southern Turks Islands — one of the most remote accessible anchorages in the Turks group. The cay is surrounded by pristine reef in excellent condition due to minimal human disturbance. Snorkelling and diving off Cotton Cay is outstanding — the reef has rarely been visited and fish life is abundant. The cay itself is low scrub vegetation with a narrow sand beach on the north side. Visiting Cotton Cay is a true off-the-beaten-track experience in TCI — few cruising boats make it this far south of Salt Cay. An overnight stop here during humpback whale season (January–April) can yield extraordinary whale encounters — the Turks Island Passage runs just west of the cay.
Protected From
S · SE · E
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: Uninhabited conservation area — no anchoring on coral; DECR protection applies; no fishing on reef; full self-sufficiency required.
Hazards
- !Remote — no assistance available; fully self-sufficient required
- !Northern and western exposure — northers are dangerous here; monitor weather forecasts constantly in Jan–Mar
- !Reef surrounds the cay — approach in good light with bow watch; anchor only in sand
- !Tidal range 0.6–0.9m combined with Turks Island Passage current — ranging on rode
- !No cell signal — download everything before departing Salt Cay
Skipper's Tips
- →Cotton Cay snorkelling is some of the best in TCI — the reef is pristine and fish life undisturbed; one of the best sites in the Turks group
- →In January–April, the Turks Island Passage just west of the cay has regular humpback whale activity — bring binoculars
- →This is a true off-the-beaten-track stop — you will likely have the entire place to yourself
- →Anchor here only if you have comfortable weather windows confirmed for the full duration of your stay
- →Combine Cotton Cay with Salt Cay and Grand Turk for a complete southern Turks Islands circuit
Facilities
No facilities. Nearest services at Salt Cay (1.5nm N) and Grand Turk (13nm N).
Nearest provisions: Salt Cay (1.5nm N) (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec
December–April in settled weather. Best in January–March for humpback whale proximity. Not suitable for the inexperienced in this exposed location.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In the Turks Islands, open roadstead anchorages with 0.6–0.9m tidal range and strong Turks Island Passage current mean careful monitoring is essential. Safety Anchor Alarm keeps watch while you sleep.
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