Seeking Solitude in South Caicos: A Rejuvenating Escape at Salterra
When I touched down in South Caicos—a tranquil island at the southeastern tip of the Turks and Caicos archipelago—I was craving a break from the whirlwind of motherhood. As our direct flight from Miami descended, the view of the island’s untouched beauty came into focus: a modest airport surrounded by sand, lush tropical greenery, and the remnants of long-abandoned salt salinas. It was immediately clear that South Caicos offered a vastly different experience from the bustling, tourist-heavy island of Providenciales.
Just ten minutes from the airport, I arrived at Salterra, a brand-new resort that had only been open for a month. I was greeted with a chilled towel and a refreshing fruit drink—small gestures that instantly set the tone for the days ahead. My luggage was taken to my one-bedroom suite, and I eagerly followed, ready to unwind. The resort features 100 oceanfront rooms and suites, all thoughtfully integrated into the natural surroundings using locally sourced materials like warm native woods and off-white coral stone. My suite’s oversized stone bathtub and two-person walk-in shower felt like a dream—finally, a bath without little ones clamoring to join me.
Salterra’s connection to the island’s history is palpable. South Caicos was once a major player in the global salt trade from the mid-1800s through the 1960s, and that legacy is woven into the resort’s identity. My first dinner was at Brine, one of six on-site restaurants, where I indulged in a five-course meal. Each dish was seasoned with a unique salt blend, hand-harvested by the executive chef every June. From toasted coconut and seaweed salt on grilled red snapper to turmeric and cocoa salt on honey-glazed duck, the flavors were as rich as the island’s past—and for once, I didn’t have to share a bite.
The next day, a private Jeep tour took me across the island. We explored the historic salinas, visited the ruins of Highland House—a former salt baron’s residence overlooking the Atlantic—and kayaked from Jerry Landing to a sprawling sand dune. There, I snorkeled alongside curious stingrays and sleek barracudas. After a day of adventure, I treated myself to a rejuvenating spa session: a salt scrub followed by a massage with seaweed-infused body oil and essential oils like lemongrass, juniper berry, lavender, and rose geranium.
While Salterra is undeniably luxurious—with four pools (including one elevated for panoramic ocean views), a secluded hot tub, and shaded lounge chairs facing crystal-clear waters—it’s also deeply committed to sustainability. Solar panels on every building generate over half the resort’s energy. A composting system recycles food waste and plant matter to nourish the surrounding landscape. Even the drinking water is desalinated on-site, and each guest receives a reusable, blush-colored stainless-steel water bottle.
On my final evening, I joined a sunset cruise hosted by Salterra’s warm and eco-conscious adventures team. As the sky turned shades of pink and gold, I watched two eagle rays glide beside the boat and a brown pelican—the national bird of Turks and Caicos—soar overhead. I knew this peaceful escape would soon be a memory, with the demands of motherhood waiting back home. But thanks to Salterra, I felt recharged, grounded, and connected to something far greater than myself.
This wasn’t just a vacation—it was a soul-soothing retreat.
Source: oprahdaily.com