The Serene Caicos Beach Harbor With Lower Foot Traffic Than Providenciales, A Hidden Cave, And Cliff Views

Many recognize the Caribbean island nation of Turks and Caicos from glossy postcard-perfect pictures of its main island, Providenciales. While soft-sanded Provo may be the most developed and best connected of the islands (together with being home to most of the country's population), it also attracts the highest number of crowds. It's easy to see why, with clear and shallow waters creating idyllic secluded locations dotted on the crescent moon-shaped bay.

For barefoot luxury with a much smaller crowd, the serene Mudjin Harbor on the neighboring island of Middle Caicos is the perfect turquoise-tinted island getaway. You're not likely to see packed beaches and crowded trails here. In fact, only roughly 2,000 people live across North and Middle Caicos, the two largest islands of the archipelago home to Mudjin Harbor. Once named "Bermudian Harbor" due to the resemblance to its namesake, with time the name morphed into Mudian Harbor and eventually became Mudjin, as it is known today.

The most popular way to reach Turks and Caicos is by plane, landing in Providenciales' international airport. The U.S. East Coast is well-connected with daily direct flights from Atlanta, New York, and Miami, to name a few. Once you land in Provo, a 45-minute ferry will take you to North Caicos, where you can rent a car to drive around with freedom and reach Mudjin Harbor, another 35-minute drive away on the breathtaking North and Middle Caicos Causeway.

Dragon Cay Resort is your point of access to Mudjin Harbor. If you want to explore the wider area, you may wish to stay at this quaint cottage resort, costing about $200 per night. However, you don't need to be a guest to access Mudjin. Follow the signs from the resort, and embark on a stone path that takes you directly to Mudjin viewpoint, one of the favorite vistas in Turks and Caicos for discerning travelers that venture this far.

Dragon Cay is the only resort with villas in the Middle Caicos, and it comes with a portfolio of activities, as well as dining options. You may find that booking all-inclusive packages and resorts is one of the ways to make your Caribbean getaway cheaper. However, this resort is not your only option, and if you want to veer away from the luxury to immerse yourself in Caribbean daily life, you will find small family-run, simpler stays dotted around the island.

Part of the islander lifestyle revolves around the unspoiled nature and water activities available on the island. The shores of Turks and Caicos are the ideal location if you are new to snorkeling, or maybe sit between the initial and intermediate levels. But while the capital Provo and the surrounding crescent bay may offer the ideal conditions, Mudjin Harbor shows somewhat of a wilder side, with slightly rougher waves, and sea life including urchins and grey sharks swimming in the area. Literally immersive activities may not be accessible to all, but sea-combing is a popular pastime in the area, with iridescent sea glass to be found on the long, pale stretches of fine sand beaches.

If you're not one for frolicking in the deep sea, Mudjin Harbor has the perfect credentials for scenic coastline walks and caves waiting to be unveiled by curious travelers. Cliff views make the place truly unique, especially when the harbor area experiences an ocean swell – a phenomenon due to its position on an underwater plateau.  The latter is also what makes it rich with caves and blue holes, a geological result of karstification, or acidic water digging into the pliable rock. You can visit many of the sinkholes, caves, and karsts dotting Turks and Caicos today. Be aware that these activities come with risks, some more significant than others, depending on the location you pick. Mudjin Harbor has its own easily accessible caves. One is directly facing the main beach, while the other is tucked away at the end of a steep staircase, and is a true hidden gem you can explore in your own time.

You can observe the majestic limestone cliffs from Mudjin Viewpoint, continuing into a coastal path towards the north of the bay. If you want to take in the gorgeous surroundings while enjoying a sun-toasted walk, follow the path towards Whale Cay and Sandy Hill, a pristine stretch where your senses are submerged in the characteristic, supple mangrove greenery.

To enjoy the breadth of water activities, as well as to make the most of the pleasant weather, the best time to visit Turks and Caicos is during the dry season from December to April. Make sure you don't get caught during the islands' hurricane season — which affects the Caribbean region more widely — happening between June and November.