Born of the sea, salt is purifying, grounding, and balancing. And one new Caribbean resort is leaning into the mineral-rich soul of its tranquil island home to offer guests a restorative, salt-soaked sojourn.
Situated on the shores of South Caicos, a quiet, 8.5 square-mile island a world away from the crowds of Providenciales in Turks and Caicos (but really just a 20-minute ride on an island hopper plane away), Salterra Resort & Spa seamlessly blends luxury with sustainability. It's just one of two resorts on South Caicos, which has only 1,100 residents and offers a solitary, idyllic escape. The resort's name is a nod to the salt industry that was central to its economy for 250 years, whose remnants are still visible on the island. Former salt salinas adjacent to the property have been transformed into habitats for flamingos and herons who dine on the waters' briny shrimp, indulgent salt-based spa rituals relax and restore, and the culinary program is imbued with sprinkles of that precious "white gold" scraped from the ocean.
Salterra's tucked-away vibe belies how easy it is to get there. New direct flights from Miami on American Airlines operate every Wednesday and Saturday, and complimentary transportation from South Caicos International Airport (XSC) quickly delivers vacationers to the resort's luxurious amenities. Since the property is part of Marriott's Luxury Collection portfolio, guests can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points.
The property, which opened earlier this year, features 100 well-appointed rooms, including 52 one- and two-bedroom suites and two penthouse Governor's Suites. All accommodations are oceanfront or ocean facing, with spacious balconies from which to gaze at the crystal-clear water, whose hue morphs from turquoise to cerulean to azure depending on the depth and the angle of the sun. Rooms on the first floor also feature a private lanai. All are airy and light-filled, done up in warm shades of brown and beige, and with organic textures that echo the salinas outside.
Travelers who treat themselves to one of the penthouses can luxuriate in a more tropical setting designed for larger groups: These accommodations can fit up to eight guests in two king bedrooms, a queen/twin bunk bed, a sofa bed, and an optional crib. All rooms come with a Nespresso maker, filtered water dispenser, water bottles, and a beach bag.
Salterra is blessed with 3,000 feet of pristine beachfront on its eponymous beach, which stretches for almost two miles along a protected sound, and with no resorts nearby, your only companion during a morning walk will be the gently lapping surf. The beach invites a lazy afternoon reading on a lounger in quiet isolation, sandcastle construction in the powdery white sand, or snorkeling in a small reef to discover South Caicos' wondrous marine life. Beach and poolside cabanas are available with dedicated butler service and exclusive snacks.
If you care to venture out to explore the rest of this safe, unspoiled island, whose windswept landscape with mangroves, sea grape trees and scrub rather than towering palm trees and heady hibiscus lies in stark contrast to other Caribbean islands, the Adventures by Salterra service can easily curate excursions to immerse guests of all ages in the local culture, wildlife, and geography. Take to the water on a guided bonefishing trip in the shallows of Caicos Bank to attempt to catch the elusive species, witness the migration of massive humpback whales, or head out in a kayak to explore shallow reefs and bays teeming with sea stars and sand dollars. The snorkeling here is second to none, with a thriving reef accessible via a short boat ride from Salterra Beach.
To truly delve into South Caicos' salt-fueled past, accompany a guide on a storytelling expedition through the salt ponds, where you're likely to come across a few of the 100 resident donkeys, which were introduced in the 17th century by Bermudians to transport heavy loads of salt and other goods; the unique outing ends with a salt-tinged culinary experience back at the resort.
Family-focused pursuits, from snorkeling adventures to discovery beach walks, stir the curiosity of the younger set, while complimentary Kids' Club activities give kids (and their parents) their own space to play.
An impressive six epicurean options pique all kinds of palates. Brine is the resort's signature dining concept, which looks out onto the salinas and pays homage to the seasoning crystals in various sips and bites; the savory Seaside Martini stirs a salt-infused gin with vermouth and tomato water, and creative dishes on the five-course Salt Voyage include salt-crusted conch tartlet and mango coconut mousse with salted milk crumble. On East Bay Beach, Latin-inspired cuisine and handcrafted cocktails at relaxed Cobo Bar & Grill are served with a side of whale-watching and diving pelicans: start with the 8 Days a Week, a libation that shakes rum, pineapple, lime, vanilla and Angostura bitters, then tuck into an order of fish tacos with jicama slaw or roasted pork loin with pumpkin seed and green pepitas sauce. Regatta fuses British and Caribbean fare with global and local influences, imagined in plates like Jerk chicken sausage-stuffed Scotch eggs dipped in mango chutney and Caribbean cottage pie with mashed plantains.
Grab a pre-dinner spritz or Carajillo nightcap at Sisal, the sophisticated lobby bar where handcrafted installations of the namesake material, a natural fiber derived from the agave plant, hang from the ceiling. Pop into Flamingo Café for smoothies, gelato, and coffee, or check out the ever-changing menu at Jack & Jenny's, a vintage-style truck with creative street food like tacos and elotes.
Located among the beach scrub and next to the salt pans, The Spa at Salterra is a seaside oasis of tranquility, with wellness experiences that use natural and organic ingredients and draw from the restorative powers of the ocean and its sea salt. Three rituals — designed to either invigorate, relax, or cleanse — all begin with an exfoliation of locally-sourced salt paired with an oil blend, followed by a body wrap and a full body and scalp massage. There are eight treatment rooms (including two designed for couples), though you can also enjoy a foot or body massage, facial, or body mask from the comfort of your poolside cabana. An aquathermal therapy circuit with a salt sauna, steam room, hot tub, and hammam heals and soothes, and afterwards you can bask in the sun (or the shade) in the relaxation lounge and social pool over a refreshing infused water.
No matter where you are on the island, you'll find an ethos of sustainability and responsible tourism. Salterra serves as one of South Caicos' premier environmental stewards, helping to preserve its natural resources and walking the walk by eliminating single-use plastics in guest rooms, leveraging renewable energy (the island does have 350 sunny days, after all), composting organic waste, and harvesting rainwater to use in landscaping and gardening, which has been specially selected to be salt-tolerant and drought-resistant.
Salterra also co-founded the South Caicos Coral Reef Consortium in partnership with the School for Field Studies Center for Marine Resource Studies, the Reef Institute, and the Turks and Caicos Reef Fund, whose mission is to research, replant, and restore these precious underwater sanctuaries. Guests can learn about and help contribute to the resort's coral conservation efforts by visiting the coral lab or scuba diving into the waters around Dove Cay to assist scientists with cultivating and planting.
While time slows down on South Caicos, that certainly doesn't mean there's a lack of diversions to make it pass — on the contrary. At Salterra, the salt's in the air, the food, the rituals, and the experiences; it lingers on your skin and stays with you long after you've flown back home from its serene shores, a lingering reminder to stay mindful and soak in the moment.