South Caicos Kayaking
For the experienced kayaker, South Caicos is an amazing destination. Countless small cays and tidal creeks are found to the north of South Caicos and the channels between these islands offer some of the best paddling in the region.
The foremost channel of these is the narrow channel between McCartney Cay and East Caicos, where sandbars and narrow mangrove-lined waterways paint truly unmatched vistas.
Bell Sound National Park, a sheltered lagoon largely surrounded by South Caicos, matches the amazing turquoise hues of Chalk Sound on Providenciales and Bottle Creek Lagoon on North Caicos.
A Pristine Marine Environment
Wildlife abounds in the sounds, creeks, and wetlands near South Caicos, to a degree not seen elsewhere in the country. Southern brown stingrays, green turtles, and small lemon sharks are common in the mangrove channels.
In the deeper outer channels, an impressive range of sharks can be seen, including the bull shark, grey reef shark, lemon shark, tiger shark, and nurse shark, and at certain locations, this full complement can be spotted from a single location on shore.
Coastal birds, including frigatebirds, pelicans, egrets, herons and more, thrive in many locations. The density of ospreys at certain locations in the cays is also the highest in the country. Frigatebirds aren’t very common in the Turks and Caicos, only being established on a few mangrove islands in the eastern Caicos Islands, yet they are regular sights circling above the northern wetland channels.
The marine environment and marine life are not the only interesting sights. There’s even a shipwreck of a yacht and old plantation ruins in the region to explore.
For the proficient paddler, the south-eastern coast of East Caicos can be reached within a day from South Caicos, and offers the finest kayak camping excursion in the Turks and Caicos.
Rental and Tours
Due to the limited tourism to South Caicos, casual kayaking options are limited. All of the interesting sites tend to be relatively remote, so proper planning and preparation is necessary.
Based on Providenciales, Big Blue Collective is the go-to business for adventure kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the Caicos Islands. They currently maintain a decent selection of kayaks on South Caicos and offer rentals and guided tours. They’re also an excellent source of advice on current weather conditions and navigation.
- Consider the wind. Depending on conditions, it can be difficult to fight your way upwind. Starting your journey by heading into the wind makes your return trip much easier.
- Be aware of currents. There are countless channels and bottlenecks between the cays and small mangrove islands north of South Caicos. During the natural rise and fall of the tides, there can be significant water movement in these areas. Although these currents don’t pose much of an actual danger, you can avoid unnecessary fatigue by paying attention to your surroundings.
- Take plenty of water with you. The sun in the Turks and Caicos can be intense, so avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water (about one gallon per person, or 4 liters, per day when in the sun). Bring more than you expect to use in case you run into difficulties.
- Don’t get lost. The wetlands to the north of South Caicos have vast areas of maze-like mangrove networks. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the area by examining maps and also take a suitable GPS unit, or go with a guide knowledgeable about the area.
- Always wear a personal flotation device. Accidents happen, and the weather changes. It simply makes sense to have and wear an appropriate life vest.
