Humpback whales snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos
7 nights, based on two sharing, 12 half-day whale trips, with domestic flights, transfers.
Staying at Tradewinds Guest Suites in 2025: $3200 per person sharing
Friday to Friday, January, February, and March
Info below, other options also available
Staying at Tradewinds Guest Suites in 2025: $3200 per person sharing
Friday to Friday, January, February, and March
Info below, other options also available
Escorted trip, 6 to 13th March, 2026
7 nights Tradewinds Suites, return domestic flights, 12 half-day sessions, maximum 8 clients; $3500 USD per person sharing. $4300 USD single occupancy. Free photography coaching. Led by Indigo Safaris founder and ex dive photojournalist, Christopher Bartlett. Christopher led his first Salt Cay trip back in 2013, and leads seven to nine whale swimming trips in the Caribbean and Mexico yearly.
7 nights Tradewinds Suites, return domestic flights, 12 half-day sessions, maximum 8 clients; $3500 USD per person sharing. $4300 USD single occupancy. Free photography coaching. Led by Indigo Safaris founder and ex dive photojournalist, Christopher Bartlett. Christopher led his first Salt Cay trip back in 2013, and leads seven to nine whale swimming trips in the Caribbean and Mexico yearly.
Background
Every year, after spending the winter gorging in the plankton-rich waters in the northern Atlantic and Arctic waters, pregnant female humpback whales migrate to the warm, shallow waters of the and Silver Banks in the Dominican Republic and Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos. Typically originating from the vast waters surrounding north-western Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and from inside the Arctic Circle, the majority of whales head for a relatively small region near the Turks and Caicos and Dominican Republic.
The attraction of this region are a few shallow banks, a perfect spot to give birth and teach their calves to breathe and swim the long swim down to the Caribbean to give birth and to mate.
The females and their calves, and male escorts, can be found very close to the tiny island of Salt Cay. An estimated 3,000–5,000 humpback whales pass through these waters, making it the largest breeding and calving grounds in the world. The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated on a plateau that rises abruptly 10,000 feet (3048 metre) from the ocean floor. This plateau is partially split by the 6,000 foot (1830 metre) deep Turks Islands Passage which separates the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands. Whales are naturally funnelled through this channel, and the naturally increased density of whales make Salt Cay and Grand Turk unrivalled sites for whale watching.
Salt Cay offers unparalleled whale watching, in-water encounters, and relaxation, making it a prime yet almost unknown destination for witnessing the different humpback whale behaviours associated with their annual migration to their birthing grounds. These are the same whales from the Arctic that migrate to Silver Banks, but we encounter them without all the liveaboard boats further to the south of Salt Cay. Most days, we are the only people on the water. And if there is another boat out, it will be on another side of the small triangular island. Salt Cay has more mother and calf interactions than Silver Banks too.
Once home to the finest salt marshes in the world, with a population of around 80 humans, a few dozen donkeys and one dive shop, Salt Cay is a great place to relax and unwind, staying in a charming Saltraker cottage or a seafront Salt Merchants’ house with a pool. This 6.7 sq km island is also a great place for bird watching and scuba diving.
Every year, after spending the winter gorging in the plankton-rich waters in the northern Atlantic and Arctic waters, pregnant female humpback whales migrate to the warm, shallow waters of the and Silver Banks in the Dominican Republic and Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos. Typically originating from the vast waters surrounding north-western Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and from inside the Arctic Circle, the majority of whales head for a relatively small region near the Turks and Caicos and Dominican Republic.
The attraction of this region are a few shallow banks, a perfect spot to give birth and teach their calves to breathe and swim the long swim down to the Caribbean to give birth and to mate.
The females and their calves, and male escorts, can be found very close to the tiny island of Salt Cay. An estimated 3,000–5,000 humpback whales pass through these waters, making it the largest breeding and calving grounds in the world. The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated on a plateau that rises abruptly 10,000 feet (3048 metre) from the ocean floor. This plateau is partially split by the 6,000 foot (1830 metre) deep Turks Islands Passage which separates the Turks Islands from the Caicos Islands. Whales are naturally funnelled through this channel, and the naturally increased density of whales make Salt Cay and Grand Turk unrivalled sites for whale watching.
Salt Cay offers unparalleled whale watching, in-water encounters, and relaxation, making it a prime yet almost unknown destination for witnessing the different humpback whale behaviours associated with their annual migration to their birthing grounds. These are the same whales from the Arctic that migrate to Silver Banks, but we encounter them without all the liveaboard boats further to the south of Salt Cay. Most days, we are the only people on the water. And if there is another boat out, it will be on another side of the small triangular island. Salt Cay has more mother and calf interactions than Silver Banks too.
Once home to the finest salt marshes in the world, with a population of around 80 humans, a few dozen donkeys and one dive shop, Salt Cay is a great place to relax and unwind, staying in a charming Saltraker cottage or a seafront Salt Merchants’ house with a pool. This 6.7 sq km island is also a great place for bird watching and scuba diving.
We have had some exceptional in-water encounters, with up to six whales at a time, a mother, calf, and four escorts. When we find some relaxed whales, we gently slip into the clear, warm water and observe them for as long as they are comfortable with. In-water encounters can last from two minutes to an hour, depending on the whales’ behaviour. Once one encounter is over, we look for the next one. Freediving is not permitted in the presence of the whales.
Three-hour whale watching and snorkeling trips run every morning and afternoon, and we can create a bespoke program for you combining the whales with scuba diving, reef snorkelling, and relaxation.
Three-hour whale watching and snorkeling trips run every morning and afternoon, and we can create a bespoke program for you combining the whales with scuba diving, reef snorkelling, and relaxation.
The boat
We go out with a highly experienced and extremely knowledgeable skipper-guide on three to four-hour searches. The boat takes a maximum of twelve people, has shade on the lower deck, and a raised observation deck. It can also been booked for private charter in advance.
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Getting to Salt Cay
Flights from and to Providenciales are on Mondays and Fridays currently. Round trips cost $220
There is also a ferry running on Wednesdays and Saturdays between Salt Cay and Grand Turk. There are daily flights between Grand Turk and Providenciales.
There is also a ferry running on Wednesdays and Saturdays between Salt Cay and Grand Turk. There are daily flights between Grand Turk and Providenciales.
salt cay accommodation
TRADEWINDS GUEST SUITES
Found in Balfour Town and close to Deane’s Dock, the oceanfront Tradewinds offers guest suites with kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms. The dive centre and restaurant is a short walk away. Bicycles are provided for island exploration.
THE LAST RESort
Opposite Charming House, a couple of minutes from East beach, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom ground floor cottage has a large garden, shaded patio, and raised viewing deck with sea views in all directions. a 5-minute bike ride to the dive shop, and only 2 minute's walk from Patrianna's bar and Miss Pat's restaurant.
Seaside cottages
Seaside Cottages sits directly on the ocean and is comprised of a main house and two cottages located on the beautiful old Morgan Estate in the South District of Salt Cay. The Morgan Estate was built in the 1850s and is one of the oldest settlements still standing on Salt Cay.
The property sits facing west and boasts a splendid sunset over the ocean. There is direct beach access use of two ocean kayaks which can be launched directly from the house beach. There is snorkeling right from the beach off the back of the house.
The original outdoor kitchen from the 1850s sits close to the ocean and allows for "al fresco" dining year-round. There is a fireplace, a brick oven, small charcoal grill and a beautiful teak dining table for romantic dinners set to the sound of waves crashing on the beach. All guests have access to the entire 1/2 acre grounds and the outdoor kitchen/dining area
There are also two teak beach lounge chairs positioned to take advantage of the beautiful oceanfront view as well as four bikes, an outdoor shower and a wonderful hammock for use by guests.
Main House
The main house made up of a living room with a 32" flat screen TV with DVD player, a fully equipped kitchen, a large bedroom with queen size bed and a large bathroom with a shower. The back of the house opens up to a large outside patio perfect for viewing the sunset and having a cocktail at the end of the day.
Conch Cottage
Conch Cottage is a brand new villa built in 2014 and one of the only vacation rentals on Salt Cay to offer air conditioning. Relax in comfort with a pillow top queen size bed, a large modern bathroom and a 32" flat screen TV with DVD player. Make breakfast and a pot of coffee before heading out for a day of snorkeling, diving or whale watching. The kitchenette is fully equipped with hot plate, coffee maker, microwave, toaster and silverware, plates and all cooking utensils.
Coral Cottage
Coral Cottage is the closest villa to the ocean and boasts a spectacular view out its west facing window. The villa was updated in 2014 with addition of a large modern bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette and a front patio.
The property sits facing west and boasts a splendid sunset over the ocean. There is direct beach access use of two ocean kayaks which can be launched directly from the house beach. There is snorkeling right from the beach off the back of the house.
The original outdoor kitchen from the 1850s sits close to the ocean and allows for "al fresco" dining year-round. There is a fireplace, a brick oven, small charcoal grill and a beautiful teak dining table for romantic dinners set to the sound of waves crashing on the beach. All guests have access to the entire 1/2 acre grounds and the outdoor kitchen/dining area
There are also two teak beach lounge chairs positioned to take advantage of the beautiful oceanfront view as well as four bikes, an outdoor shower and a wonderful hammock for use by guests.
Main House
The main house made up of a living room with a 32" flat screen TV with DVD player, a fully equipped kitchen, a large bedroom with queen size bed and a large bathroom with a shower. The back of the house opens up to a large outside patio perfect for viewing the sunset and having a cocktail at the end of the day.
Conch Cottage
Conch Cottage is a brand new villa built in 2014 and one of the only vacation rentals on Salt Cay to offer air conditioning. Relax in comfort with a pillow top queen size bed, a large modern bathroom and a 32" flat screen TV with DVD player. Make breakfast and a pot of coffee before heading out for a day of snorkeling, diving or whale watching. The kitchenette is fully equipped with hot plate, coffee maker, microwave, toaster and silverware, plates and all cooking utensils.
Coral Cottage
Coral Cottage is the closest villa to the ocean and boasts a spectacular view out its west facing window. The villa was updated in 2014 with addition of a large modern bathroom, fully equipped kitchenette and a front patio.
TRADEWINDS GUEST SUITES
Found in Balfour Town and close to Deane’s Dock, the oceanfront Tradewinds offers guest suites with kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms. The dive centre and restaurant is a short walk away. Bicycles are provided for island exploration.
THE CABANAS
Located in central Balfour Town and not far from Deane’s Dock, one-bedroom cabanas with a pool and Wi-Fi. Each room has a queen-sized bed and ceiling fan, looking onto the ocean.
VISTAS UPSTAIRS
The Vistas Upstairs has a deck overlooking the ocean and is an open floor plan with fully equipped kitchen, living room bedroom and bath. Television with built in CD player to watch movies or listen to music.. It also has an exceptional deck for whale watching, enjoying the sunsets or just relaxing.. Vistas is right on the beach, three minutes' bike ride at from the dive shop and Ocean Air, four minutes to Patrianna's and Miss Pat's.
The STONE HOUSE
With a king bedroom and bathroom upstairs and a queen bedroom and twin bedroom downstairs, Third Estate also has a good-sized living room and large eat in kitchen.
Eating out and eating in
On Salt Cay there is a good beachfront restaurant next to the dive centre for breakfasts and lunches. Just behind the dive shop is a very nice restaurant called Ocean Air. Close to Charming House, Last Resort, Seaside Cottages, and Third Estate is Patrianna's Bar, and Miss Pat's restaraunt.
Charming House, Last Resort, Third Estate, Vistas, and Tradewinds have kitchens, and Seaside Cottages' Conch Cottage and Coral Cottage and The Cabanas have kitchenettes, and there are a couple of small grocery stores where basics can be purchased, and fish can be bought from the local fishermen.
On Salt Cay there is a good beachfront restaurant next to the dive centre for breakfasts and lunches. Just behind the dive shop is a very nice restaurant called Ocean Air. Close to Charming House, Last Resort, Seaside Cottages, and Third Estate is Patrianna's Bar, and Miss Pat's restaraunt.
Charming House, Last Resort, Third Estate, Vistas, and Tradewinds have kitchens, and Seaside Cottages' Conch Cottage and Coral Cottage and The Cabanas have kitchenettes, and there are a couple of small grocery stores where basics can be purchased, and fish can be bought from the local fishermen.
