South Caicos is the smallest and easternmost island of the Caicos Islands. It consists of an arid wasteland of sand and scrub. Most people come to South Caicos for it surrounding reefs, which are excellent for scuba diving. Along most of the island's eastern coast runs a reef with a plummeting wall.

The only town on South Caicos Island is Cockburn Harbour.

The region of South Caicos Island's region north and east of Cockburn Harbour is included in the Admiral Cockburn Land & Sea Park, which protects the island's mangroves, bonefish flats and coral reefs.. The reserve stretches some 6.5 km (4 miles) to the west and also encompasses the Sail Rock Hills, a ridge extending along the panhandle and rising to a giddy 54 m (178 feet). From the hills you can enjoy spectacular views of the Turks Island Passage and over Belle Sound, a huge bay that open to the flats of the Caicos Bank.

Accommodation is available in Cockburn Harbour. South Caicos Island is 40 km west of Cockburn Town.