Bellefield Landing
North Caicos
Located on the central west side of North Caicos, Bellefield Landing functions as the main industrial port for both North Caicos and Middle Caicos (which are joined by a causeway). It is also the landing location for the Providenciales—North Caicos ferry services.
Near to the port is the settlement of Kew and Wade's Green Plantation.
Due to sand naturally filling in the channel between Parrot Cay and North Caicos, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to navigate into Sandy Point Marina. In the past, Sandy Point Marina was the primary ferry port on the island. However, Bellefield Landing now welcomes all ferries, and it’s unlikely that the services will return to Sandy Point.
At this time, a large quantity of broken-down industrial and agricultural machinery has been collected at this site for export for scrap.
The Passenger Ferry Port
All scheduled ferries between Providenciales and North Caicos, including both Caribbean Cruisin’ and MV My Girl Ferry Service, land at Bellefield Landing. Most North Caicos car rental and tour companies meet their customers at this port.
A welcome center completed in late 2022 is located at the complex, and has restrooms, a shaded waiting area for ferry passengers, a few small shops, and a restaurant. There is ample free parking onsite at Bellefield Landing.
Dick Hill Creek and Bellefield Landing Pond Nature Reserve
Directly adjacent to the north of the port is the Dick Hill Creek and Bellefield Landing Pond Nature Reserve (NR15). Consisting largely of tidal channels and transitional marine mangrove flats, this 975-acre (395-hectare) protected area is a prime habitat for large wading birds, the near-threatened West Indian whistling duck, lemon sharks, and turtles.
During the Loyalist plantation days, the Bellefield Landing and nearby Kew area on North Caicos was the most important region for agriculture in the country. Within a few miles of the port were the cotton plantations of Wade’s Green, Lewhy Moore, Teren Hill, Street Wall, St. James, and Mount Pleasant.
Wade’s Green is the only site still visited as a tourist attraction. The others have long since been overtaken by the dense vegetation.
Channel and Dredging
In 2007, a 2-mile (3.2 km) channel was dredged from the cut between Dellis Cay and Parrot Cay to Bellefield Landing to facilitate larger vessels. Portions of this channel had concrete sidings, much of which has since fallen into disrepair. There are currently plans to re-dredge the channel.