Salt Cay Anchorage
Salt Cay west anchorage · Salt Cay whale watching anchorage
21°19.92'N 71°11.94'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. Salt Cay sits directly on the edge of the Turks Island Passage — tidal currents to the west can be significant, causing the boat to range on its anchor rode. The 0.6–0.9m tidal range is manageable but the current factor increases effective swing radius. In whale season (January–April), humpbacks may surface within sight of the anchored vessel — an extraordinary experience. Keep 80m alarm active; never reduce to less in this current-exposed location.
About This Anchorage
Salt Cay is one of the most remarkable small islands in the Caribbean — a tiny, almost perfectly preserved 19th-century salt-raking settlement that appears to have been frozen in time around 1880. The salt industry that built the island's prosperity (TCI stands for Turks & Caicos Islands; the 'Turks' refers to the Turks Head cactus whose flower resembles a Turk's fez) is commemorated in the historic salinas (salt ponds), the windmills, and the remarkably intact stone warehouses and merchants' buildings. The Turks & Caicos Heritage Trust manages several of the historic buildings. From January to April, Salt Cay sits directly on the humpback whale migration corridor through the Turks Island Passage — the 3,000m-deep channel between the Turks and Caicos islands that serves as one of the western Atlantic's primary humpback migration routes. Organised whale-watching and snorkelling-with-whales excursions operate from Salt Cay during the season. A truly extraordinary destination.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · W · NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring
- Permit required
- Yes
Restrictions: No anchoring on coral; whale watching regulations apply in season (January–April) — maintain 15m minimum distance from whales under power; no swimming within 15m of whales; approach humpbacks at idle speed only; TCI cruising permit required.
Hazards
- !Northern and western exposure — cold front northers (January–March) can bring 30–40kt; be prepared to depart to Grand Turk (12nm N)
- !Humpback whales January–April — whales may surface near the anchored vessel; maintain regulations; do not approach closer than 15m under power
- !Strong tidal current in Turks Island Passage west of the anchorage — tidal flow affects boat ranging significantly
- !Tidal range 0.6–0.9m — monitor depth; some sandy areas shoal at low water
- !Remote and limited services — nearest fuel and provisions at Grand Turk 12nm north
Skipper's Tips
- →Salt Cay is one of the most extraordinary places in TCI — the perfectly preserved 19th-century salt town is a living museum; take a walking tour with a local guide
- →Whale season January–April: contact local operators on Salt Cay for in-water whale snorkel experiences — few places in the world offer this
- →The historic windmills and salinas are photogenic in any light — walk the island at sunrise for the best photographs
- →Mount Pleasant Guest House can arrange meals and local guide services for visiting sailors
- →The wall dive off Salt Cay (east side, accessible by dinghy) rivals Grand Turk — fewer divers, equally spectacular
Facilities
Salt Cay has a small guest house (Mount Pleasant Guest House) with a restaurant/bar. Very limited provisions on the island. Fuel by arrangement only.
Nearest provisions: Grand Turk Cockburn Town (12nm N) (12nm)
Best Months & Season
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
November–May. January–April is whale season — the primary reason many sailors make the trip south from Grand Turk. The combination of whale watching and historic heritage makes Salt Cay one of TCI's most rewarding destinations.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
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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