Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine July 2018 | Page 702
PlaceS of Interest
Gibbs Cay
Salt Cay
From the late 1600’s to as recently as the 1960’s, salt has been the mainstay of the Turks and Caicos
economy and they were, for a time, the world’s largest producer of salt. As if in a time capsule, Salt
Cay, which has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes visitors back to the days when
salt reigned as king of the islands with slaves being an integral part of the salt trade. An attraction
for visitors today is the stately salt merchant’s manor built in 1835 from Bermuda limestone. It still
maintains some of its antique furnishings and the building’s presence is very much a visible reminder
of that profitable yet somber part of the island’s history.
Gibbs Cay is an uninhabited island just
about a mile away from Grand Turk
island. Coral reef and shallow waters
surround the island, making it an ideal
spot for stingrays to feed so this island is
also known as Stingray City. Cruise ship
passengers and other visitors often picnic
on the island to enjoy snorkeling among
the fish or just relaxing on the beach
watching the many varied seabirds which
also feel quite at home on the island.
www.visitusvi.com
Photo Credit: Turks and Caicos Preservation Foundation
Photo Credit: Tim Rawle