Pine Cay is the most accessible of the three private resort islands in Turks & Caicos and home to what many consider one of the finest beaches in the entire country — a spectacular two-mile stretch of white sand on the island’s north coast that alone justifies the 20-minute boat ride from Leeward. The island is privately owned, car-free, and home to the Pine Cay Resort, a secluded Relais & Châteaux property (formerly the Meridian Club) that offers beachfront rooms, cottages, suites, and villas in a setting of quiet exclusivity. Named for the small forest of native Caicos pines surrounding its interior freshwater ponds, the cay covers approximately 800 acres and sits at the western end of a remarkable five-mile connected beach system that links it to Water Cay and the iguana sanctuary of Little Water Cay. The brackish interior ponds support a diverse and rewarding birdlife, and the island’s pirate history — reputedly a haven in previous centuries thanks to its rare freshwater supply in an otherwise parched archipelago — adds an unexpected historical dimension to what is already one of the most beautiful and private island settings in the Caribbean.
Why Go — For one of the finest and most secluded beaches in all of Turks & Caicos, a genuinely private island atmosphere completely free of cars and crowds, excellent birdwatching, and the option of staying at a Relais & Châteaux resort on one of the country’s most beautiful stretches of sand.
Best For — Couples · Honeymooners · Luxury travelers · Beach lovers · Birdwatchers · Anyone wanting a private island experience without the full private island price · Boat charter day visitors from Providenciales
Getting There — 20-minute boat ride from the Leeward area of Providenciales. The resort operates a ferry for guests. Many boat charter excursions from Providenciales include Pine Cay’s north coast beach as a stop. A 2,500-foot private airstrip also serves private planes and charter flights.
Insider Tip — The five-mile beach walk connecting Pine Cay, Water Cay, and Little Water Cay is one of the most extraordinary and least-known coastal walks in the entire country — pack water, start early, and plan for a full morning. Day visitors arriving on boat charters regularly enjoy the north coast beach without staying at the resort.