An Island to Yourself

Private island hideaway

The ultra-exclusive Pine Cay belongs to The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Crown Colony located southeast of the Bahamas and about halfway between Florida and the British Virgin Islands. Aside from a settlement of Arawak Indians dating to A.D. 800, Pine Cay had no permanent population until the mid-20th century. Even today, this small private island, which is just over one mile wide and two miles long, has only a handful of inhabitants. Cars are not permitted, nor will you find televisions—the island's owners are passionately dedicated to preserving its undisturbed state. It is a truly secluded haven.

Easterly trade winds keep temperatures in the pleasant 80s during the winter, and at just over 90 degrees in summer. A landscape of low rolling, limestone ridges, dunes and gorgeous talcum powder beaches lulls the senses into a sweet forgetfulness—forget the cares of the world, forget the crush of daily life. Forget everything, in fact, other than relaxation. While humans are scarce on the island, it is far from vacant. You’ll encounter more than 100 plant varieties, including ancient mahogany trees, orchids and branched cacti. The warm crystalline waters teem with marine life such as coral and colorful fish, as well as unique grass and mangrove communities. Offshore, miles of barrier reefs surround Pine Cay.

Friendly guest room	McBride House

Also at home on Pine Cay is The Meridian Club, a secluded, environmentally sensitive retreat—and the only resort on the island—situated along two miles of rugged beachfront. Guests can stay in twelve guest suites or the Tiki-hut style Sand Dollar Cottage, which is nestled along the shoreline and dunes. Privately owned cottages are also available, and all have water views. The Cabbage Patch, located seven minutes by buggy ride from the Club, is of note with its full kitchen, covered porch and sunbathing deck.

Outdoor dining	Laze in a cabana

Three meals a day are included with your stay, and breakfast may start with freshly-squeezed juice and a lobster omelet, buttered red snapper, grits and coconut waffles. In the evening, after a dinner of fresh fish served poolside by candlelight, you can watch the stars from the upstairs lounge. Also fun are the West Indian barbecues and buffets accompanied by local Caribbean music.

As for between-meal pursuits, there is swimming, snorkeling, shelling, playing tennis, fishing, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, biking, walking and bird watching. And then there is our recommended activity. Each lunar month, five nights after the full moon, and 55 minutes after sunset, an amazing phenomenon occurs in the current that ebbs from the Caicos Bank, a short boat ride from the Club: the mating of a worm-like sea creature called Odontosyllis Enopla causes a 15-minute display of underwater luminescence. We suggest you time your trip to this natural occurrence and add to the magic of what is sure to be an already magical stay.