Villa Cecilia
Next best thing to your own private island.
About North Caicos
North Caicos, part of the archipelago known as Turks and Caicos Islands is located south of the Bahamas, north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and northeast of Cuba.
North Caicos is 41 square miles and is populated with approximately 1500 souls. North Caicos is 12 miles northeast of Providenciales (Provo) where the International Airport hub is centered for Turks and Caicos Islands. Daily connecting flights and boat charters are available, making North Caicos easily accessible. For adventurous travelers, car and bicycle rentals are available as well as taxis and guided tours.
Things to do in North Caicos
- Flamingo Pond - Flamingo Pond is home to the largest protected sanctuary of pink flamingos in the Turks and Caicos. The best viewing point is in Whitby. North Caicos is also home to a large group of Pelicans and Ospreys, which fly up and down the coast.
- Cottage Pond - A deep inland lake with underground access to the Ocean. Cottage Pond is located nearby.
- Wades Green - One of the old plantations founded in the 1790's during the United States' Revolutionary War.
- North Caicos Farm - A great place to see how tropical fruits and vegetables are grown on these islands. You can pick your own food here.
- Jo Jo The Dolphin - Jo Jo has made his home here in the Turks & Caicos and quite often we have the privilege of playing with him on Whitby Beach, just outside the house. If you have luck to be there when he is, Jo Jo might just play with you for hours.
- Rentals - Bicycling is a great way to explore the island. There is a local store for renting bicycles. They also rent Kayaks to explore the reef. A car rental facility is close by. The Villa manager will put you in touch.
- Strolling & Beach Combing Whitby Beach has a 7 mile stretch of an unspoiled, secluded white sand beach along the northern coast with crystal clear waters, perfect for barefoot walks.
- Snorkling - You can bring your own mask to snorkel right in front of the cottage to see the Tropical Fish and coral.
- Tours - The Villa Manager can put you in touch with places that will pick you up and drop you off to see the best that the island has to offer.
- Just Hanging Out
North Caicos Highlights
Whitby Beach
Whitby Beach, a 7 mile stretch of white sand covers a considerable length of the northern coast. The famous Three Mary's Cays is located on this side, famous for snorkeling and to see a huge Osprey nest on the Third Cay. The hotels and the majority of expatriots with homes on North Cacios have centered themselves in the Whitby area attracted by the fabulous white sand beaches.
Wades Green Plantation & Caves
Areas of interest include plantation ruins at Wades Green Plantation outside of Kew, one of the most successful plantations of the Loyalist era. There still remain many well-preserved ruins. A lookout tower, recently built, provides a 360º view that goes for miles. Horsestable Beach and Pelican Point, both very secluded, provide excellent environments for bird watching. Near Sandy Point there are caves once used by the Lucayans.
Fishing
The island possesses calm backwaters full of schooling bonefish and tarpon. Fishing trips, either deep sea, reef fishing or bonefishing, can be arranged with local native guides.
Snorkeling
Snorkelers enjoy the shallow clear waters and various coral heads along the North shore. The beaches along the North shore are gentle sloping and the waves are minimal as the shoreline is protected by the barrier reef, about 1 mile from land.
ECO-Adventures
Big Blue Unlimited has an Eco-Adventure base at Major Hill on North Caicos. Kayaks, mountain bikes and boats are available for guided eco-tours and rentals. Explore this vibrant and friendly island and learn about its history, plant life, and culture. Visit the Wades's Green Plantation ruins with the Turks and Caicos National Trust. See Bottle Creek, Flamingo Pond Nature Reserve, and visit Cottage Pond, a 250ft sinkhole in the middle of the island. North Caicos can be excellent for bird-watching and has many fabulous beaches. It is also fun and easy to venture over to Middle Caicos from here and guided eco-adventures can explore both islands.
Artists
In the last century, North Caicos was the seat of Government of the Caicos Islands. Bellfield Landing was the principal port for loading harvests of sea island cotton. There are all kinds of handmade sloops and sailing vessels laying on their sides. It's a perfect place for artist inspiration.
History
The Turks and Caicos Islands have been documented by H.E. Sadler who spent years of research writing this delightful, easily read history book full of colorful pictures and fascinating history capsules.
Areas of interest include plantation ruins at Wades Green Plantation outside of Kew, one of the most successful plantations of the Loyalist era. There still remain many well-preserved ruins. A lookout tower, recently built, provides a 360º view that goes for miles.
Wade's Green Plantation Field-Road
This gentle walk, over level ground, takes you along the entrance road and around the main ruined buildings. The total walk out and back to the car park is about 1km (less than a mile). Wade's Green Plantation, originally called Bellefield by founder Wade Stubbs, was established in 1789. Wade Stubbs was one of the most successful planters, owing at least three major plantations and several business upon his death. Wade's Green, due to its location upon the fertile soils of North Caicos, was his most productive plantation. While the plantation was composed of over 3,000 acres of agricultural land, the area you will visit is the plantation town, where Wade Stubbs and his associated plantation staff and family resided.
Horsestable Beach and Pelican Point, both very secluded, provide excellent environments for bird watching. Near Sandy Point there are caves once used by the Lucayans.
Cottage Pond, at Sandy Point, is a fresh water pool surrounded mostly by ferns and tropical vegetation. It's a 50 meter deep sink hole which seems bottomless. The story has it that in the Royalist days the slaves were thrown into this hole and never were found. There is a possibility it opens into the ocean. The ferns are so beautifully kept that the locals believe the spirits maintain the area.
In October 2001, an attempt was made to reach the bottom of this alluring deep hole thought to be located somewhere underneath the neighbouring hill and in over 200 feet of water.