Turks and Caicos Kayaking
Island-Specific Guides
Kayaking is a simple and easy way to explore the amazing waters of the Turks and Caicos. As one of the easiest water sports to learn, almost anyone can start paddling after a few minutes of practice.
Along with unparalleled ocean water and beaches, the country has extensive and pristine mangrove wetlands and ponds to discover that are often teeming with life.
Many of the waterfront accommodations in the country include complimentary kayak use for guests, and simply paddling on the ocean nearby can be fun for a short while. However, if you want to see more wildlife and diverse scenery, it’s highly recommended that you venture into the mangrove wetlands.
While it depends on where you’re staying, the best wetlands aren’t typically found near the country's resorts or accommodations. You will either need to rent and transport your own kayak or book a tour with a water sports company that operates in the area to explore them.
It’s worth also considering stand-up paddleboarding as an alternative to kayaking. This newer water sport offers one great advantage over kayaking when exploring the reefs and wetlands: a much better view of the sea life in the turquoise water. The greater height makes it much easier to spot animals like sea turtles, reef fish, baby sharks, and the country's nimble rays—in the sheltered mangroves, you’ll often be able to see marine life with crystal-clear clarity.
Safety
Wind and currents can greatly affect your paddling. Pay attention to your drift direction and speed to avoid having difficulties. Consider kayaking against the drift so your return is easy.
Currents often exist at the narrow channels between cays. These typically slow down or disappear rather quickly and are only of concern during tide changes, but it’s best to be aware of them.
Bring plenty of drinking water and protection from the sun. The heat can get intense in the Turks and Caicos.
Be sure to wear a personal flotation device (life vest) when kayaking. It can prevent an accident from turning serious.
Wind and Tides
The constant east-southeast trade winds are typically the greatest force to consider when paddling in the Turks and Caicos. On most days, wind speed is low and doesn’t affect kayaking much, yet on breezy days it can have a noticeable effect.
The best strategy is to work with the breeze, and it’s often possible to do so (even on round-trip adventures). Be aware of and use sheltering coasts and cays when paddling upwind, and use the wind to your advantage on the return journey.
Tides create much of the actual water movement (albeit less than the wind), which is often independent of the localized wind direction. It’s generally predictable where and in which direction currents will be as the ocean level rises and falls on the Caicos Banks, which amplifies water movement in the channels between the islands.
When traveling into extensive mangrove creeks and shallows, it’s best to be aware of tide times for the day so as not to become grounded. As the Turks and Caicos is in the tropics, there isn’t a great tidal range (the difference between low and high tides), yet many wetlands are quite shallow, and it doesn’t take much of a drop to restrict movement.
Organized Tours vs. Self-Guided Kayaking
While guided kayaking tours do typically cost more than a simple rental, these trips allow you to see the most that the weather and location will allow on your paddling trip. If you are new to the sport or are unwilling to properly plan and prepare for your journey, it's highly recommended that you go kayaking with a guide.
If you have experience kayaking, are willing to spend a little time planning your journey, and take into account wind and tide conditions, you should have no issues exploring on your own.
Operating in the Turks and Caicos since 1997, Big Blue Collective is the foremost eco-kayaking and exploratory kayaking authority in the country. They have a wealth of knowledge on locations and conditions throughout the islands and an excellent selection of equipment.
How the Different Islands Compare
The Turks and Caicos is made up of two island groups separated by a deep channel: the Turks Islands and the Caicos Islands.
Consisting mainly of two main islands and a few smaller cays, the Turks Islands do not have the extensive mangrove wetlands that can be found throughout the Caicos Islands. Typically, most kayaking that takes place on the Turks Islands is simply paddling on the open water.
Comparatively, the Caicos Islands have much more to see. Along with having vastly more expansive wetlands, the larger and more complex coastline of these islands offers miles of sheltered and unique sites.
Due to being the primary overnight tourist destination in the country, Providenciales has by far the most water sports businesses and consequently the widest selection of kayak rentals and tours. Although the majority of eco-tours take place in the Leeward and Mangrove Cay area of Providenciales, trips to more remote locations and other islands can be arranged.
On the island of South Caicos, the two luxury resorts provide kayak rentals for their guests. The newly opened Salterra Resort & Spa offers paddling adventures to the brilliant kayaking location of Jerry Camp and Plandon Cay Cut, where turquoise water and glistening shallows abound.
Best Paddling Locations in Turks and Caicos
The best kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in the Turks and Caicos is found in parts of the extensive Ramsar Nature Reserve on the remote south coasts of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and East Caicos, and in the channels separating East Caicos, Hog Cay, and McCartney Cay.
On Providenciales, the mangrove channel and sandy coastal environment of the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve on the undeveloped west coast hides the best paddling setting.
Kayak Types and Equipment
Most resorts and vacation villas have basic, plastic sit-on-top ocean kayaks. These feature an enclosed hull, making them difficult to sink, and are quite stable. On the downside, they don’t paddle very fast and can be rough in any level of chop. Paddles are typically the generic aluminum shaft adjustable variety. Many of the resort kayaks are made by Hobie, of Hobie Cat fame.
Glass-bottom and clear kayaks have become very popular in recent years, for both eco-tours and lifestyle drone photo shoots. Clear kayaks provide a somewhat limited ability to see what’s under the water’s surface.
Water sports company Big Blue is the only local tour operator that maintains a fleet of more efficient vessels, which includes polyethylene Necky Manitou day-touring kayaks and carbon fiber Werner paddles.
Fiberglass or carbon fiber touring or racing kayaks are unfortunately not available for rent in the Turks and Caicos at this time.
Booking and Reservations
It's best to book your kayak tour or rental ahead of time to ensure availability, especially if you are:
- Visiting during the tourism high season between December and April
- Booking one of the more popular kayaking tours (such as a clear kayak mangrove tour)
- Planning to kayak on North Caicos, Middle Caicos, or South Caicos (where kayaking providers are limited)
Some companies exclusively offer small-group kayaking adventures, limiting how many kayakers they take on a given tour.
Kayaking providers vary in their booking policies—while some rent kayaks by the hour, others only rent them by the day. Price also depends on the provider, with some companies offering a discounted price for children under 12.
It's fairly standard in Turks and Caicos for companies to refund you or reschedule your tour if bad weather rains out your kayaking trip. Such policies may not apply for equipment rentals for self-guided kayaking trips. Confirm your tour operator or outfitter's cancellation policy and booking conditions before reserving a kayak or kayaking tour.
Amazing Turks & Caicos Kayaking Locations
Tour and Rental Companies
