Pelican Beach, North Caicos
The verdict
- Best for: Travellers who want a genuinely empty, peaceful beach and the slower pace of North Caicos away from the Provo crowds.
- Best spot: The central stretch off the Whitby settlement, with the longest open sand and the easiest calm water entry.
- Know this: North Caicos is reached by ferry from Provo, so this is a day trip or quiet stay, not a quick beach hop.
Published 17 February 2026. Last reviewed 5 May 2026
Pelican Beach is what much of Turks and Caicos looked like before the resorts arrived. On the green, slow paced island of North Caicos, near the small settlement of Whitby, it is a long, soft, pale strand backed by bush and casuarina, with calm, clear water and, most strikingly, almost no one on it. Where Grace Bay is polished and busy, Pelican Beach is wild and quiet, the kind of place where you can walk a long way and pass nobody. For travellers who measure a beach by its peace, that is the whole appeal.
The honest context is access and amenities. North Caicos is reached by a passenger ferry from Providenciales, so getting here takes planning and at least half a day, and once on the island you will want a hire car or taxi to move around. Pelican Beach itself is undeveloped, with little or no service on the sand and only a scattering of guesthouses and small eateries nearby whose opening status can change and is to be confirmed. There is no lifeguard and no shade beyond the trees, so this is a self sufficient, slow travel beach rather than a convenient one.
It suits independent travellers, couples and anyone happy to trade resort comforts for genuine solitude and a glimpse of the quieter Caicos. Combine it with the lush interior of North Caicos and a hop to neighbouring Middle Caicos for the dramatic Mudjin Harbour and the long flats at Bambarra, and you have a memorable day or two well away from the Provo crowds. Keep Grace Bay for the showpiece water and full service when you want it.
Clubs on this beach
Pelican Beach is an undeveloped North Caicos strand with no club on the sand. For day passes and beach clubs, see our Turks and Caicos beach clubs directory.
No club on the sand
Pelican Beach has no beach club or sunbed service, in keeping with its wild, empty character. A few small guesthouses and eateries sit near Whitby, but their offering and opening status change and are to be confirmed. For organised beach clubs and day passes, mostly on Provo, use our directory and check current terms.
Day passes mostly on Provo
Organised beach clubs and day passes are concentrated on Providenciales rather than quiet North Caicos. Our Turks and Caicos beach clubs directory lists the current options, opening status and any minimum spend, all of which can change through the season, so confirm directly before planning a visit around them.
Pelican Beach is near the Whitby settlement on North Caicos, the green island north of Providenciales. You reach North Caicos by passenger ferry from Provo, a crossing of roughly half an hour, then a hire car or taxi to the beach, as the dock and the sand are not within walking distance of each other. Allow at least half a day for the round trip.
Bring water, sun cover and supplies, since service on the sand is minimal and nearby eateries can be closed or seasonal, with status to be confirmed. There is no lifeguard, so swim within your limits and watch children, and treat the calm conditions as typical rather than guaranteed given how exposed and quiet the shore is.
Reserve a day at Pelican Beach
Pelican Beach is about quiet rather than clubs, but we can point you to the right beach club or day pass, mostly on Providenciales. Tell us your date, party and plan. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
How do you get to Pelican Beach on North Caicos?
You reach North Caicos by passenger ferry from Providenciales, a crossing of about half an hour, then take a hire car or taxi to the Whitby area where the beach sits. The dock and the beach are not within walking distance, so allow at least half a day for the round trip and plan island transport ahead.
Is Pelican Beach worth the trip from Providenciales?
If you value peace and a glimpse of the quieter Caicos, yes. It is a long, soft, empty strand with calm, clear water and almost no one on it, a striking contrast to busy Grace Bay. If you want resort service and convenience, though, you may prefer to stay on Provo, as North Caicos is deliberately slow and undeveloped.
Are there facilities at Pelican Beach?
Very few. There is little or no service on the sand, and only a scattering of guesthouses and small eateries near Whitby whose opening status can change and is to be confirmed. There is no lifeguard, so bring water, shade and supplies and treat this as a self sufficient, slow travel beach.
Can you combine Pelican Beach with Middle Caicos?
Yes, North Caicos and Middle Caicos are linked by a causeway, so many visitors pair a Pelican Beach stop with the dramatic Mudjin Harbour and the long flats at Bambarra Beach on Middle Caicos. A hire car makes this easy and turns the ferry trip into a rewarding full day of quiet beaches.
Is Pelican Beach good for swimming?
Generally yes, as the north facing shore is usually calm, clear and shallow enough for relaxed swimming. Conditions are typical rather than guaranteed and there is no lifeguard, so swim within your limits. The peace and space are the main draw, rather than facilities or organised water sports.
