Indian Cay
Turks and Caicos
Indian Cay is a unique, remote, and uninhabited cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The cay is located on the southeastern edge of the Caicos Banks plateau, and about 12 miles (19.3 km) southwest of Ambergris Cay, which is the closest inhabited island. The total area of Indian Cay is about 11.5 acres (4.7 hectares).
Close to Indian Cay is White Cay, and to the east are the Three Brothers Rocks, Shot Cay, Pear Cay, the Seal Pup Cays, the Coral Cays, Bush Cay, and Billy Beefer Rock. Together with Indian Cay and White Cay, these small and uninhabited rocks collectively make up the Seal Cays Wildlife Scanctuary, which is one of the protected areas in the Turks and Caicos.
The terrain of Indian Cay is quite exposed, and consequently vegetation height is quite limited. On the southern coast is a white sand beach and small dune plateau, which is largely covered by sea oats and low coastal plants. The higher elevations on the cay consist of weathered limestone and low dense coastal vegetation. In many areas, thick patches of pear cacti cover the landscape.
As is also the case with Bush Cay and White Cay, there is evidence of poachers from the Dominican Republic using the cay. Small temporary shelters are on the cay’s beach, and there is an ample amount of refuse left.
Nesting Birds
Indian Cay and nearby White Cay are important nesting locations for the brown noddy and the sooty tern, and limited turtle nesting also takes place on the small beach on the southern side of the cay. A small yet healthy population of the endemic Turks and Caicos Islands Rock Iguana is also found on the cay.