South Caicos Stand-up Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding is a very popular water sport in the Turks and Caicos, and South Caicos is an amazing destination for the activity.
Both kayaks and paddleboards are available on the island, and selecting the right watercraft is largely dependent on the user’s preferences. Kayaks track very well and are typically more efficient for covering distances, yet paddleboards offer a much better view of sea life due to the user’s greater height over the water.
Locations
There’s a great selection of interesting and beautiful paddling locations at and around South Caicos.
Bell Sound
The tranquil waters of Bell Sound are a very safe and comfortable paddling location. This sheltered lagoon and nature reserve offers great vistas and the beautiful island of Horse Cay, which has a secluded beach on its west side.
Plandon Cay Cut
North of South Caicos, the brilliant channels between the uninhabited islands of Plandon Cay, Middle Creek Cay, and McCartney Cay offer one of the most picturesque settings in the Turks and Caicos. Jerry Camp, a water access and landing on the northern peninsula of South Caicos, is the best way to access Plandon Cay Cut.
The channels between these cays are an amazing environment for a wide array of ocean life, from conch, to fish, turtles, stingrays, eagle rays, and sharks.
Salterra Beach
Salterra Beach is another scenic paddleboarding and kayaking location, especially during calm weather conditions. There’s a white sand beach, turquoise water, and seagrass beds, a rocky island out in the bay, and the surrounding coastal cliffs to explore.
Dove Cay and Long Cay
When the ocean is particularly flat, another viable destination is Dove Cay and the national park islands of Long Cay near Cockburn Harbour.
Dove Cay is located close off of South Caicos, and offers a beach, great views, and interesting snorkeling. Long Cay is found less than 0.5 miles (0.75 km) away, and is a very long and narrow cay with incredible turquoise ocean water, white sand beaches, iguanas, and breathtaking vistas. Long Cay is part of the Admiral Cockburn Land and Sea National Park.
The Highlands
When ocean and wind conditions are abnormally calm, the cliffs and reefs off of The Highlands, which is the far south-eastern point of the island, can be quite interesting. This region is best accessed by land from the East Bay area, and can be found by following the secluded coast of beaches and cliffs to the east.
Guided Tours
South Caicos is beginning to forge a reputation as an eco-tour destination, and deservedly so. The sounds, channels, and verdant mangrove estuaries are teeming with bird and ocean life.
Big Blue Collective, the premier eco-tour company in the Turks and Caicos, offers custom paddling adventures from South Caicos upon special request.
Fly-Fishing and Bonefishing
Bonefishing by paddleboard or kayak is another activity that’s gaining popularity in South Caicos.
The sounds and shallows north of South Caicos are teeming with bonefish, barracuda, permit, and even the occasional tarpon.
Beyond the Blue, a South Caicos flats fishing charter company, has several Dragonfly paddleboards specifically equipped for fishing.
Equipment and Rentals
Sailrock maintains kayak and paddleboard fleets for their guests to use.
The guided eco-tour companies that operate at South Caicos generally do not offer hourly rentals.