South Caicos Kayaking
South Caicos is an amazing destination for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. 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 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. At certain locations, this full complement can be spotted from a single location on shore.
Coastal birds, including frigatebirds, pelicans, egrets, and herons, 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 southeastern coast of East Caicos can be reached within a day from South Caicos, and offers the finest kayak camping in the Turks and Caicos.
Rentals and Tours
Both of the luxury South Caicos resorts offer their guests complimentary use of sea kayaks for casual paddling near the beach. Proper kayaking expeditions and tours that visit the more remote sites, such as Plandon Cay Cut, can be arranged through Adventures by Salterra.
You can also book adventure kayaking expeditions through Big Blue Collective. This business, based on Providenciales, maintains a selection of kayaks on South Caicos and offers rentals and guided tours. They’re also an excellent source of advice regarding 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.
