Providenciales Clear Kayaks
Clear and glass-bottom kayaks have become very popular in the Turks and Caicos, as they offer an unobstructed view into the crystal-clear water below where interesting marine life can be seen. Both guided clear-bottom kayak eco-tours and unguided rentals are offered at a few locations on Providenciales.
Kayaking is one of the easiest water sports to learn. The Turks and Caicos is an amazing place to go kayaking, as it boasts a range of great settings to explore (from verdant marine wetlands and estuaries to lively reefs and beautiful sandy bays). Depending on where you decide to go clear kayaking, it's possible to see colorful reef fish, stingrays, jellyfish, baby conchs, young sea turtles, and juvenile sharks in the waters below. Your tour guide will typically point out the interesting creatures and sights in the ecosystem.
Most clear kayaks are perfect for one or two kayakers, which is great when there may be a less capable paddler, such as a child.
Clear Kayak Drone Photoshoots
If you simply want to take incredible images in a clear kayak, book a clear kayak drone photoshoot. These photoshoots produce spectacular drone images and videos that capture the subject floating in the brilliant turquoise water the country is known for. Several kayak tour companies offer photo packages in addition to their eco-tours.
Top Destinations
Leeward Channel & Mangrove Cay
The busiest wetland eco-tour location in the Turks and Caicos is Mangrove Cay, a small uninhabited island found close to Providenciales in the Princess Alexandra National Park. The main tidal channel at Mangrove Cay offers turquoise water and interesting wildlife.
Herons, egrets, pelicans, and coastal birds can be seen in the red mangroves and on the beaches, while conch, starfish, turtles, jellyfish, sharks, and stingrays dwell in the water.
Little Water Cay & Half Moon Bay
The uninhabited and exquisite cays of Little Water Cay (Iguana Island), Half Moon Bay, and Water Cay are amazing paddle destinations near Providenciales. Little Water Cay is a sanctuary for the endangered Turks and Caicos Islands rock iguana. Half Moon Bay is a breathtaking lagoon and beach, while Water Cay has an incredible white-sand beach stretching all the way to Pine Cay.
While trips to these cays typically depart from the same area as those to Mangrove Cay, the travel distance is a little longer.
Planning Your Adventure
Custom Kayaking Trips
For those seeking a unique experience, a custom kayaking adventure can be a great idea. The Turks and Caicos is home to extensive wetland systems, and the best spots tend to be quite remote. Tour companies can provide transportation via land or on the ocean by boat to places such as the Frenchman’s Creek Nature Reserve and the extensive Ramsar Nature Reserve.
Kayak Rental & Delivery
For those staying in a villa or vacation rental, another option is to rent clear kayaks and have them delivered to your accommodation. Many rental companies are happy to do so. Several accommodation spots are near some fascinating and vibrant reefs, at locations such as Smith’s Reef and Turtle Cove, Blue Mountain, and in the Bight.
Common Wildlife Sightings
Bird and marine life sightings vary by location, season, tides, and more, yet there are some rather consistent regulars at certain spots.
In the Leeward Channel and Mangrove Cay area (the most popular paddling location in the Turks and Caicos), it’s common to see red cushion starfish, turtles, stingrays, conch, upside-down jellyfish, several varieties of colorful fish, and sometimes juvenile nurse sharks or lemon sharks. In the deeper channels are larger turtles, eagle rays, and the occasional dolphin or tiger shark.
On calm days, an exceptional location for clear kayaks is the surrounding reefs, including bay reefs such as The Bight Reef (Coral Gardens) and Smith's Reef as well as the barrier reef at Leeward Cut. These sites offer bright corals and colorful fish.
Bookings and Reservations
Clear kayak tours are a popular excursion in the Turks and Caicos, so it's advisable to book your tour well in advance of your intended tour date. Some companies offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour's start time. Availability may be limited during the tourism high season from December to April.
In cases of bad weather or rough seas, clear kayak tours may not be able to operate. If a tour provider has to reschedule or cancel your tour, this typically comes at no penalty to the guest. As with all tours and excursions in the Turks and Caicos, it's important to clarify the company's booking and cancellation policies before reserving.
Clear Kayak, Touring Kayak, or Paddleboard?
The various types of kayaks and paddleboards all have their own advantages and disadvantages, and these traits may not be initially obvious. The best watercraft depends on what you want to do.
Kayak and paddleboard types and availability vary across the islands. Providenciales has by far the greatest selection of water sports equipment. North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, and Grand Turk have more limited selections, and clear kayaks are not common on the less-populated islands.
Clear & Glass-Bottom Kayaks
Clear kayaks are great for short trips in sheltered areas where there is a varied and active underwater environment, such as a red mangrove estuary. They're also the ideal kayak for a drone photoshoot.
They aren't the best choice, however, if you plan to do a longer trip, such as from Leeward to Water Cay. They don’t track (glide in a straight line) very well and are not great for covering any significant distance. Due to their open design, it's easy for water to splash in, making them unsuitable when there are waves.
Conventional Touring Kayaks
When departing from the popular Leeward Channel area, touring kayaks are the easiest way to visit some of the further paddling destinations, such as Little Water Cay or Half Moon Bay, as they are simply far more efficient. They tend to be fast, quiet, and track in a straight line nicely, meaning you won’t have to correct your direction as much as with short kayaks and paddleboards.
Larger touring kayaks are also great if you’re carrying extra equipment for specialized afternoon trips or camping missions.
Paddleboards
While clear kayaks may seem like the best option for seeing down into the water, this isn't always the case. It’s often much easier to spot turtles, small sharks, stingrays, and fish from a paddleboard than it is from a clear kayak, given that the user is higher up from the surface. From this vantage point, it's easier to spot some of the larger skittish wetland sea creatures, as they tend to move off before they can be seen through the clear kayak.
In sheltered channels and estuaries, the water is often calm enough to enjoy a great view from above.
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