Sailrock South Caicos is a meticulously designed, low density and ocean focused master-planned development. This multi-phased project consists of well over 2,000 acres, the majority of which were previously owned by Caicos Company Limited and prior to that the salt company of South Caicos. Most of the Sailrock properties were acquired starting in 2006, with the master plan being created in 2006/2007. That master plan and the subsequent development agreement entered into between Sailrock and TCIG in 2008 and 2013 are the basis for the Sailrock project. Numerous phases over many years are envisioned through the master plan and development agreement.
Sailrock has endured a protracted and, at some points, circuitous process which has gone through seven governmental administrations with considerable engagement and extensive interaction with relevant TCIG Departments. Without the master plan, the development agreement and the accompanying commitments from TCIG, Sailrock would not have committed to nor would it have proceeded with the development of the Sailrock community. Sailrock has and continues to rely upon representations made by TCIG and its various departments throughout this process.

The master plan and development agreement are the only reason that there is currently active development on South Caicos. Our monetary investment, which is multiples greater than any other investor in South Caicos, has provided for extensive infrastructure work to take place including roads, underground utilities, water plants, villa and resort development as well as beach enhancements and lagoon creation. This investment is critical to the success of the island as a destination. South Caicos is a windward island and protected beaches and active areas are paramount to the success of this destination. Our competitors are clearly aware of this, as their guests visit the western beaches regularly.

The people of South Caicos have waited far too long for real and substantive development to take place. For decades they have waited for the previous Highpoint and East Bay projects to come to fruition. Those projects faltered while Sailrock has steadily executed on a master plan and opened a world class resort which has won significant accolades year-over-year. These include Small Luxury Hotels of the World prestigious Resort of the Year, Conde Nast Johansen’s Award for Excellent for Best Service (4 years running) and the World Travel Awards Leading Luxury Island Resort.

Sailrock has been actively engaged within the South Caicos community for nearly 20 years, during which time we have worked to ensure that our endeavors benefit and provide numerous opportunities to South Caicos as a whole. Sailrock’s commitment to the well-being of South Caicos has seen the community benefit from numerous job and outreach programs. Educational programs and events including Easter & Christmas parties for the students, reading programs, laptop computer donations, back-to-school backpacks and graduate’s gifts. Professional development programs include job opportunities for the local community. Cultural engagements such as funding and/or assisting with publishing books relating to South Caicos, rebuilding the historic downtown walls and planting of trees along airport road. Disaster relief was provided by Sailrock following Hurricane Ike in 2008 and then again in 2017 following Hurricanes Irma & Maria. This provided roofing materials for repairing local homes/businesses, generators, fuel, equipment and supplies to help get the community back on its feet. In 2017, the South Caicos Heritage Foundation was created as a dedicated organization to carry out these initiatives. Between Sailrock and the South Caicos Heritage Foundation, well over $2,000,000 has been donated towards island improvements, charitable giving, educational causes and hurricane relief and repair. Multiple millions of dollars have been paid for direct labor to Turks Islanders in relation to the various construction and development components as well as resort operations. Over $25,000,000 has been paid directly to TCIG since the Sailrock project inception through tax, fees and payments. These efforts and initiatives demonstrate the level of commitment Sailrock maintains to the Turks and Caicos Islands and specifically the South Caicos community.

Salterra has recently entered the scene, working to convert East Bay Resort into a Provo-esque branded development in secluded South Caicos. Within days of meeting with Salterra’s owner for the first time, we were blindsided by false information put into the Community of South Caicos. At our meeting Salterra made it clear that they did not want to see parts of our land developed as they would like them to remain natural to use as an amenity for their guests. Soon after the meeting Salterra went as far as to create banners, which they made to look like official TCIG documents, opposing our projects and posted them throughout the town. Salterra, their political operatives and not-for-profit partners in this process have repeatedly and inaccurately circulated planning approval numbers and associated them with phases of development to which they know they do not apply. They are using these tactics of misinformation to incite confusion and fear, and we ask “why”? South Caicos, after waiting for such a lengthy period of time for active projects, certainly deserves better. Although we believe the Salterra project is grossly out of place in South Caicos, we want to see them succeed. This will only happen if Salterra is willing to engage in healthy collaboration and honest communication with Sailrock and the local community. Spreading false narratives to sway public opinion in order to use Sailrock property as an amenity for their guests is just simply wrong.

Sailrock is a large and long-term project, and has been working with TCIG through various approvals for years. The approval for the lagoon and enhancements are covered under an existing building permit. In January of this year representatives from Sailrock, Planning and DECR met regarding the Sailrock projects. At that time it was determined by TCIG that works could continue but that an updated mineral license may be required. More research was required by TCIG as the license application had previously been provided and the approval granted. Sailrock was recently informed that DECR has now requested that certain specific works be put on hold pending process resolution.
After investing tens-of-millions of dollars in a new South Caicos International Airport, TCIG recently announced that American Airlines will begin direct flights to South Caicos in early 2025 – this is great news and a huge benefit to the community of South Caicos. However, without Sailrock Resort, Sailrock Private Villas, and the comprehensive plans for real estate and hospitality growth within the Sailrock community, bringing long term direct international flights will not be sustainable. Salterra’s 100-room resort simply does not have the scale on its own to justify long term direct international flights. Future low-density development on South Caicos will be necessary in order to continue to move the destination forward.

We appreciate and respect the role of Planning, DECR, the Reef Fund and SFS plays in the protection of the natural environment. We are not here to detract from that in any way. It is our continued intent to work with all parties ensuring proposed projects are being accomplished in a manner that minimizes impact and works toward a symbiotic role of the parties. A proper balance can be achieved to create a hospitality-based economy while still preserving the environment. One does not need to take the place of the other but rather can work in unison to minimize impact while providing needed development for economic growth. We look forward to working with all relevant parties to achieve this goal.

Sailrock acknowledges that we need to do a better job keeping residents up to speed on various project progress and components. Over such a lengthy development period it is easy for confusion to set in through the process. As the project continues through the normal channels, we trust that the process will not be hijacked for political purposes, fund raising efforts or competitors desires to curb our development plans in order to use our property as free amenities for their business interests. There will always be varying points of view and we acknowledge that we cannot make everyone happy thru this process, however, we will endeavor to do our best to overcome issues that may arise. We look forward to working with the South Caicos Community to ensure that their voice is clearly heard, their comments and concerns are addressed and that we work together to make South Caicos the best it can be.