The white cliffs and beach at Water Cay Cliffs on Water Cay.
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Water Cay

Turks and Caicos
Editor's Comments
A completely undeveloped island, Water Cay offers miles of amazing beach on its north coast and one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country. When ocean conditions are rough, the sheltered lagoon found between Little Water Cay and Water Cay offers a welcome escape.
5-star rating for Water Cay by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
Soft limestone cliff on the beach at Water Cay
Weathered marine limestone cliffs on Water Cay.

Not to be confused with its Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana sanctuary neighbor Little Water Cay, the exquisite and larger Water Cay is a thin 2-mile-long (3.2 km) island found in the string of cays between Providenciales and North Caicos.

Water Cay is a private island, yet is uninhabited and completely undeveloped.

Water Cay Beach

The northern coast of Water Cay features a spectacular beach, which definitely ranks as one of the best beaches in the Turks and Caicos.

The ocean here is generally quite calm, and the ocean water is a vibrant turquoise. Much of the coastline is framed by low white limestone cliffs, which add to the scenic ambiance.

As with all beaches in the Turks and Caicos, Water Cay Beach is public up to the high tide point.

Boat Cruises and Charters

Coastal thatch palm forest on the beach of Water Cay
A Thatch Palm forest on Water Cay.

Due to Water Cay’s close proximity to Providenciales, the island’s beach is a very popular boat cruise destination. Many of the island hopping tours make their way up the cays as they visit snorkeling reefs, see the iguanas, or put on a BBQ.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

An eco-friendly way to get to Water Cay is to kayak or paddleboard from Leeward on Providenciales. It’s possible to land on the southern side of Half Moon Bay, after which it’s possible to walk to the surrounding land sights, Little Water Cay, and Water Cay.

If you’re at Half Moon Bay Lagoon, be on the lookout for juvenile lemon sharks in the shallow water. These incredibly cute little sharks are typically well less than two feet long, yet have the proportions of an adult. It’s often possible to approach within a few feet of them before they are spooked and race off.

If you do venture on your own be sure to bring snacks and plenty to drink, as it’s easy to spend much of a day exploring.

Terrain and Landscape

Sunset at the beach and cliffs of Water Cay
Cliffs at sunset on Water Cay.

Water Cay is considered its own island, yet it’s actually attached to Little Water Cay to the west and Pine Cay to the east. Sands shifting across the Caicos Banks and major hurricanes have filled in the channels that once separated the islands. The sandbars here now support coastal vegetation, sea oats, and casuarina trees.

The channel between Water Cay and Little Water Cay, Donna Cut, is now the site of the popular Half Moon Bay Beach and its lagoon counterpart. This site offers a great beach, sandbars, and a sheltered shallow with crystal-clear water.

The marine limestone cliffs that line much of the north coast are quite interesting, and blur the line between limestone and compacted ancient dune. These cliffs are semi-lithified and very soft, so there’s a very high rate of environmental decay. Caves, overhangs and arches are carved by the ocean, and tend to appear and disappear with regularity.

As is the case with most of the small cays between Providenciales and North Caicos, the southern Caicos Banks side of Water Cay largely consists of mangrove wetlands, which are a haven for birdlife. At the southwest and southeast ends of the island, the wetlands form small tidal creeks which make their way a little inland.

Dangers

Rock cave and arch on the coastline of Water Cay
Arch on Water Cay.

Beware of the soft and crumbling cliffs at Water Cay as they may easily collapse. Do not venture into any of the small ocean caves, under the overhangs, or attempt to scale the taller rock walls.

As there are no active natural channels adjacent to Water Cay where water movement from the tides may occur, the area typically does not experience any strong currents.

Please take care not to harm the ecology of Water Cay. Do not feed the iguanas, and avoid damaging the sensitive sea oat dune vegetation, as this coarse coastal grass helps to prevent beach erosion. Please don’t litter.

Tour Companies

Moana Charters
Moana Charters is a luxury private day charter company, based in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Discover amazing beaches, uninhabited cays, beautiful reefs, and much more. Choose from sporty Axopar day yachts, or a spacious and luxurious Windy yacht with air-conditioned cabin.
Big Blue Collective
Big Blue Collective's kayak ecotours and private charters all offer visits to Little Water Cay and Big Water Cay. Renowned for Rock Iguanas and Half Moon Bay, it is perhaps the shallow inside, that is most beguiling. Their kiteboarding downwiders, also often end here.
Okeanos Charters
Okeanos Charters is a private luxury charter, with custom adventures to the beautiful beaches, cays, and reefs that surround the Turks and Caicos. Discover paradise at your own pace.
Ocean Frontiers
Ocean Frontiers is a boutique and private eco-friendly charter that visits the incredible and secluded locations that make the Turks and Caicos such an amazing destination. Discover spectacular beaches, reefs, and sights aboard a luxurious 37-foot Axopar boat.
Island Adventure TCI
Island Adventure TCI is a small and locally-owned eco-tour company that specializes in clear kayak wetland tours and private boat charters. Excursions are family-friendly, and are great for experiencing the natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos.
Sahara Adventures
Discover the Turks and Caicos with Sahara Adventures, an affordable boat charter company that specializes in private trips and water sports that include sea scooter snorkeling, tubing, and more. Tours may visit the beaches in the Caicos Cays, the barrier reef, Pirate's Cove, and more.
Jedi Charters
Jedi Charters specializes in unpretentious and off-the-beaten-path boat excursions that are fully customized to guest preferences. Snorkel on beautiful reefs, explore deserted beaches, or experience an exhilarating kite downwind safari across the turquoise waters of the Caicos Islands.
Turks Ventures
Turks Ventures is a small eco-tour, water sports, and boat charter based on Providenciales, with a focus on fun and interesting tours to many beautiful locations in the Turks and Caicos. Excursions include an economical water taxi service to Half Moon Bay, Little Water Cay, and the floating bars.
Sail Beluga
Built by its current captain in 1982, the Beluga is a 40-foot Polynesian-style catamaran. Several different cruises are available, including visits to the spectacular beaches of the uninhabited Caicos Cays, snorkeling cruises, and the ever popular sunset sails.