Whitby on North Caicos: Beach and History

Whitby is a small village on the central north coast of North Caicos and one of the island’s four settlements. The other three are Bottle Creek, Kew and Sandy Point. This context offers a practical starting point when choosing where to stay: Whitby connects the settlement with the adjacent coast and historic local sites in the surrounding area.

Pelican Beach and the nearby coast

Pelican Beach borders the settlement of Whitby and is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long. The beach is also known as Whitby Beach and Whitby Cove; all three names refer to the same beach. At the eastern end, Pelican Point projects from the beach as a low rocky outcrop. There is also a small snorkeling reef just offshore.

At the main access point to Pelican Beach and Whitby Cove, you’ll find quiet stretches of beach, but parking is limited. If you plan to visit this area, check the parking situation in advance, as conditions may change. Three Marys Cays and Flamingo Pond Overlook are also near Whitby. Snorkeling at Three Marys Cays offers views of corals and small, colorful reef fish; occasionally, you may also see a stingray. Wildlife encounters vary.

Historic sites in the surrounding area

The wider Whitby area was once home to several Loyalist cotton plantations. Remains of 18th-century plantation sites can still be seen in some places. Musgrove Plantation was south of the present-day settlement of Whitby. Israel Hill was between Whitby and Major Hill. A little east of Whitby was Greenwich Hill, which was owned by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Delancy. These place names refer to different locations around the settlement.

Whitby and the Turks and Caicos Islands

The Turks and Caicos Islands form an archipelago of eight main islands and more than 40 cays; the count may vary depending on the counting method. Water sports such as jet skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, parasailing, e-foiling and kiteboarding are offered throughout the destination. Boat trips in the Turks and Caicos Islands visit uninhabited cays, beaches and reefs. The archipelago’s broader diving and marine landscape also includes an extensive barrier reef and impressive underwater walls. This regional context complements the choice of a specific location: Whitby is on North Caicos, while the activities and landscape features mentioned apply to the island group as a whole.

Choosing a hotel in Whitby

Whitby is the tourist hub of North Caicos. The village has a few small homes, shops, vacation villas, restaurants and a small hotel. Individual businesses and services may change. Check current information before your trip if a particular offering is important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Sandy Point.

Return to the main travel overview: North Caicos.