Little Water Cay
Little Water Cay
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Island in the Turks and Caicos islands, the only place in the world to see the endangered rock iguana in its natural habitat.
Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
264 reviews
Excellent
171
Very good
68
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
2
constantcritic
Washington45 contributions
Jun 2022
Ohmigosh these endangered rock iguanas are tooooo cute! I've never seen an iguana in its natural habitat, and I was excited to see them. They like to hang out under the shade, because it's hot as heck even for the iguanas! To find them, walk slowly and keep your eyes open. You can also look on the ground for tell-tale, well, tail marks, as you would expect from an animal walking with a tail on the sandy ground. They are cute!
The water on this island is also amazing on both sides, including Half Moon Bay on the north. You'll want to bring shoes to walk around and get from one beach to the other side, as there are lots of pine needles, rocks and other ground, including, yes, hot sand.
If you have a chance to see these critters, do it! So cute!
The water on this island is also amazing on both sides, including Half Moon Bay on the north. You'll want to bring shoes to walk around and get from one beach to the other side, as there are lots of pine needles, rocks and other ground, including, yes, hot sand.
If you have a chance to see these critters, do it! So cute!
Written 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sgiles68
Greenbrier, Tennessee144 contributions
Feb 2022
Took a tandem kayak over to visit the Iguanas. Didn't see as many as we thought we would but we had a good time walking the area. CAUTION: Taking a kayak across the channel can be very challenging due to the currents, NOT recommended for anyone that isn't in descent physical condition
Written 20 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bugsbunny
Toronto, Canada291 contributions
Our 7 and 3 year old boys loved their visit to Little Water Cay (aka Iguana Island). On Feb. 10/05, we took Reef Peepers glass bottom catamaran out of Turtle Cove (Dennis, Rock and Kelly are great people and wonderful with the kids) and stopped to see the Iguanas. Iguanas were on the beach to greet us when our boat arrived and a stingray was in the water beside the boat. We took the short tour walking on a raised wooden walkway to see the iguanas in trees, walking around, eating etc. The guide called some of the iguanas by name and they came running. Some have beads on their necks that have been put on for tagging and research purposes. A fun stop for kids and adults alike.
Written 23 February 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa Bradley
Kansas City, MO55 contributions
Oct 2011
When reading this, keep in mind there is more to do on "Little Water Cay" than just visiting the Iguana Tour Area -- there is a fantastic beach area on the opposite side of the Cay with pretty good snorkeling. We stayed at T&C for 2-weeks so we had 3-trips to Little Water Cay. Our first trip was via TCI Ferry -- it was our second day and we were looking for something to do. We heard a ferry could take you to Iguana Island and thought it would be fun for the kids. It cost $40 per person + $5 admittance fee at Iguana Island (yes they charged full price for our 2 & 4-year old which is not what they said over the telephone). It only took a few minutes to get there -- the captain recommended that he come back in 30-minutes to get us. I thought that sounded like a very short amount of time so we stayed for 1-hour. Out of 2-weeks stay, this was the only time we had rain, but it was only a sprinkle and it was warm. The tour was only 10-minutes at best. We walked around the beach and were getting eaten alive by sand flies -- the locals said they only come out when it rains. We did see 2-Iguanas -- one lives by the trail head at the hut and his name is rocky (he lives in the rocks) -- I was surprised at their smaller size because we had larger ones roaming around in Mexico. Also, there is still Hurricane damage so about 1/2 of the boardwalk trail is closed. If I was rating Little Water Cay based on that experience, I would have to give it an "average", at best -- not worth $175 for a 10-minute tour. The next visit to Little Water Cay was via Blue Kayaking Adventure -- it was WONDERFUL! We traveled from the Marina to the opposite side of Little Water Cay from where the tour was -- Iguanas everywhere! There is a picnic table and these Iguanas know the tourists will come bearing snacks. We got a real good look at Iguana behavior -- very similar to dogs -- you have a big fat alpha male -- another large male with a broken tale (we called him chubs) who was actually the largest, but probably the oldest and no longer the alpha -- several younger males bucking for position -- and the females linger in the background -- I would say there were a dozen or more (males have large spines). The kids were playing with them, trying to get them to come closer. Every once in a while one would dart past and brush against the kids legs -- we really enjoyed it. Our last visit was via private charter aboard the Ataberya -- it was fantastic because Little Water Cay has one of the best beaches in T&C. Again, Iguana's everywhere because we knew to go to the picnic table. If we hadn't been on the Kayak tour, we wouldn't have known where the picnic table was. The Kayak tour had a lot of factoids about the Iguana's that the TCI Tour didn't have -- for example, the males have 2-sets of genitals so that no matter which way the female swings her tail, the male is successful. If you want to see Iguana's and have a great afternoon on the beach, take the Kayak tour with Big Blue Adventures.
Written 15 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tobey1kenobe
Glen Ellyn, IL25 contributions
Little Water Cay is a small little island, just a stones' through from Provo. You can get a ride from Big Blue Unlimited for $35, use a kayak, sail boat from your resort, rent a skiff or if you're really ambitious, swim! A small area of the island has a short boardwalk to walk through some native brush and view iguanas. The iguanas hung out mostly by the small shack office right off the beach since the local park guides feed the iguanas. We saw about 20 iguanas. Our 2 year old son loved it and it was nice to see and grab some good close up shots. A natural wildlife experience this is not, but this iguana species lives only in the Turks & Caicos and the fees help keep this small strip of land in a semi-natural state. When you see all of the construction on Provo, you can see why this is a good thing. Cost for the park itself is $5. Total time needed to walk the boardwalk is about 15 minutes.
Written 10 December 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caljogger
California73 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
This is one of those "don't miss" trips in Turks and Caicos. Unless you have significant disabilities or are making multiple stops, don't bother to "buy" this trip from a tour operator. Go to Big Blu on Leeward, adjacent to Blue Haven resort and rent a single or tandem kayak for roughly $30 per hour. This will be about a 2-1/2 to 3 hour trip, more if you want to visit the mangroves across the channel. They have wet sacks available for your extra clothing or cameras, be sure to ask for your admission pass to the island or you may have to pay extra once you are at Little Water Cay. Be sure to take your own water and snacks as nothing is available for purchase on the island. They key is to stay in the "darker water" of the channel, both coming and going, or you are going to beach in the shallows and you will have to get out and walk the kayak to a different location. Really encourage you to wear (old) tennis shoes or sandals with a heel strap (like Tevas) as if you swamp in the shallows, flip flops will simply disappear as you walk in the muck. Whatever footwear you have will also be what you wear as you hike across the island, so be comfortable! Kids and adults will love seeing the lizards, and it's freaky as you walk across the island because you hear them running away from you but you can't always see them. (You will definitely see them upon landing.) On the far side of the island there are some nice tide pools to explore, a little look-out station and a nice and secluded beach for swimming and snorkeling and snacking. There is no security for valuables left in a kayak on the beach, so take those with you as you hike. Be most careful of the water as you leave the island as this is when you are most likely to "beach". In addition, the current will likely be against you returning to Big Blu (if you go in the morning), so it may take additional energy to paddle back. My ten-year old grandson managed the trip in a solo kayak, so don't be afraid to tackle this on your own!
Written 22 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne P
United Kingdom244 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Really wanted to spend a few hours on this small island, in order to meet the iguanas and also allow some time to walk along to Half Moon Bay, so opted to make our own way there by kayak. You need a calm day and favourable weather conditions for this, and fortunately it wasn’t too challenging a trip, probably took about 40 minutes but we weren’t rushing. We hired the kayaks from Big Blue Unlimited after phoning them first thing on the day, and set off about 10am, returning for 2ish, which cost us 45 dollars each.
Once we’d beached the kayak we saw iguanas everywhere on the island and they were very friendly, especially around the picnic spot, wonder why that is?? Half Moon Bay is well worth making the effort to reach, it is probably the most photogenic (my photos don’t do it justice!!) and beautiful beach I will ever see, just how you imagine a paradise beach, and best of all, for most of the time we were there it was completely deserted, soooo Robinson Crusoe! Probably if we had walked all the way to the north end of the bay it would have been even more picture postcard, but it seemed a bit too far to venture on such a baking hot day. Take ultra strong sunscreen, sunhat, water and map reading skills, especially if kayaking, and enjoy!
Once we’d beached the kayak we saw iguanas everywhere on the island and they were very friendly, especially around the picnic spot, wonder why that is?? Half Moon Bay is well worth making the effort to reach, it is probably the most photogenic (my photos don’t do it justice!!) and beautiful beach I will ever see, just how you imagine a paradise beach, and best of all, for most of the time we were there it was completely deserted, soooo Robinson Crusoe! Probably if we had walked all the way to the north end of the bay it would have been even more picture postcard, but it seemed a bit too far to venture on such a baking hot day. Take ultra strong sunscreen, sunhat, water and map reading skills, especially if kayaking, and enjoy!
Written 4 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
denvernoles
Denver, CO56 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
I find the negative reviews of Little Water Cay hilarious. "there's nothing to do here"...."not many amenities"..."boring and small"....well OF COURSE there aren't many amenities, it's a small and uninhabited island!! You need to know what you are getting yourself into and where you are going before doing it folks....now that I have that off my chest, I must say this is one of the most relaxing and beautiful places on earth. The beach is absolutely stunning. It is even more beautiful than Grace Bay and rivals Taylor Bay. You can perfectly see your feet down to the bottom of the ocean until at least 5 feet deep. It is quite easy to spot fish, rays, nurse sharks, etc in this crystal clear water. We had the privilege of wading and drinking here in the water for a few hours one day, and it was a wonderful experience. The visuals are what you dream about when you get back home and are waiting for another vacation again.
Written 25 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carina W
28 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Rented Kayaks with Big Blue Unlimited and paddled across to little water cay to visit the iguanas. Fabulous afternoon completed with a walk to Half Moon Bay while searing out Iguanas.
Written 12 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Apothecary
Montreal, Canada705 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We visited that island as a part of the Island Vibes Tour snorkeling trip. I got to say, it's probably the most beautiful beach in Provo and it's very, very calm. We loved the fact that it was hard to reach... made us feel even more alone. The beach is long and beautiful, with white, white sand. There are also lots of iguanas, hence the name "Iguana Island".
The only flaw is the following : there are hordes of people coming in on tour boats and invading the island. Yes, we were part of them :( However, next time we will be going on our own, and spending half a day there, with our food and all... It just breaks the "mood" to see all those people. Lastly, when going on a tour, you only get around 45 minutes to 1 hour on the island (unless your tour goes specifically to this place), which is not enough if you really want to enjoy the beach.
One thing to watch for : bring your "crocs" or something similar. Walking across the island barefoot is difficult and risky. Take your shoes off when you reach the beach on the other side.
The only flaw is the following : there are hordes of people coming in on tour boats and invading the island. Yes, we were part of them :( However, next time we will be going on our own, and spending half a day there, with our food and all... It just breaks the "mood" to see all those people. Lastly, when going on a tour, you only get around 45 minutes to 1 hour on the island (unless your tour goes specifically to this place), which is not enough if you really want to enjoy the beach.
One thing to watch for : bring your "crocs" or something similar. Walking across the island barefoot is difficult and risky. Take your shoes off when you reach the beach on the other side.
Written 28 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you swim to the island instead of taking a kayak or a tour?
Written 16 October 2019
If you rent a Tandom from big blue Collective do they provide admission to enter the boardwalk at iguana island?
Written 7 October 2019
Can I get to iguana island without going on a tour
Written 7 May 2018
I’m not sure you can get there unless you had your own boat or did a private tour
Written 6 June 2018
What is the best way to get to iguana island for a nonswimmer with a baby?
Written 28 August 2017
On Little Water Cay, how is cell service? I am wondering about using social media on a smartphone. Need advice.
Written 14 February 2016
Hi! I have a question...once you are on Little Water Cay can you walk to Half Moon Bay? If not, how can you get there?
Written 18 January 2016
Yes! It's a short walk over the hill to HMB. The folks at Big Blue Unlimited are very helpful. Rent your kayak from them. They'll give you a map and directions. Kayaking to Little Water Cay took us maybe 20 mins. It was very easy and totally worth it!
Written 2 February 2017
Once you are on Little Water Cay can you walk over to Half Moon Bay? It looks like you can from the ariel view pictures but wondering from people who have gone....Thanks!
Written 18 January 2016
hello, which is the best season period to really enjoy the beach and the sea?
Written 17 April 2015
travelerNYC623
New York City, New York
If you are not actually staying at the resort, is there a way to buy a day pass to enjoy the amenities for a day? Thanks!
Written 15 April 2015
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