Introducing Salt Cay

If you can’t quite envision what the Turks would have been like in the 19th century, take a trip to Salt Cay. Like stepping into a time machine, this picturesque island is the sort of hideaway that you search your whole life to discover. A few dusty roads interconnect the handful of structures, and donkeys wander aimlessly through the streets intermixed with friendly locals. While the land is quiet, the sea surrounding the island is awash with life. Turtles, eagle rays and the majestic humpback whale all frequent the waters. Hard to get to and even harder to leave, this place is a true haven for scuba divers and for those seeking an escape from the modern world.

Salt Cay Divers is a one-stop dive shop. The owner is a long-term local who has her finger in most pies on the island. The staff can take you out for a dive ($45 per tank), and sort you out with accommodations and a hearty meal too. The annual humpback whale migration (February to March) is a big draw, and this operation takes pride in showing off the whales yet not disturbing them ($75 for divers, $95 for non-divers).