North and Middle Caicos Kayaking
The islands of North and Middle Caicos are the two largest in the country, and combined comprise over half the total land mass of the country. The extensive wetlands and shallows found on their southern coasts make for some of the best kayaking in the Turks and Caicos.
Kayaking on North and Middle Caicos can generally be split into two categories: casual trips of less than a few hours long, and more strenuous half and full-day and overnight expeditions.
Many villas on North and Middle Caicos include complimentary kayak use. Although great for casual short-distance cruising off the coast, the location and type (villa kayaks are usually sit-on-top ocean kayaks, easy-to-use but not as efficient for long distances as sit-in cruising kayaks) are not as suitable for exploring.
For longer kayak expeditions, the islands offer several excellent exploring and camping routes. Excursions of this type require a bit of planning. Although there really aren’t many actual dangers and navigation is generally easy around North and Middle Caicos, we recommend carefully planning your routes and possibly talking with a local tour operator before you depart. Due to the remote starting points, most long distance routes require kayak transport to the launching location. See locations below for more information.
Kayaking Locations
The extensive and spectacularly turquoise Bottle Creek Lagoon is the most popular paddling spot. This shallow sound and wetland is a protected area, and includes the south sides of Bay Cay and East Bay Cay. If you make it all of the way to these uninhabited islands, expect beautiful and wild beaches.
The western mangrove wetlands of North Caicos are a decent location for boat launching kayaks from Providenciales. Due to being on the leeward side of the island, the wetland and channels tend to be a bit more sheltered than other locations. Small sharks, turtles, conch, and birds abound.
Found on the remote east end of Middle Caicos, Lorimers Creek offers excellent overnight and exploring potential for the serious kayaker. Joe Grant Cay, Dickish Cay and the old cotton plantations of Lorimer’s Peninsula await.
Kayaking is generally an easy and safe water sport. However, there are several things you should be aware of. The most common problem paddlers encounter is having a difficult return journey due to the wind, currents, and tides.
- Pay attention to your drift direction and speed gefore you get well underway. If you head into the drift, your return trip won’t be tiring. Currents tend to be less of an issue than the wind, but can be a bit more forceful in the channels between cays.
- Don’t get dehydrated. We advise taking about one gallon (4 liters) per person for the two- to four-hour paddle. You probably won’t need that much, but it’s a good idea to have it.
- Go with an experienced guide or do your homework and bring (and know how to use) a GPS unit or maps. Some of the wetlands on North Caicos and Middle Caicos are extensive, and the channels into these mangrove networks are maze-like and tend to look the same after a few minutes.
- Wear a life vest or personal flotation device. The weather can quickly change and accidents happen.
