Little Water Cay

Little Water Cay, nicknamed Iguana Island, is a low, former island of about 116 acres between Providenciales and Pine Cay. According to the Turks and Caicos National Trust, it is home to about 3,000 Turks and Caicos rock iguanas, an endangered species found only in these islands. Visitors arrive by boat, about fifteen minutes from Providenciales, or by kayak, and walk the boardwalks and trails that keep feet off the fragile ground. The cay is run as a protected reserve, with etiquette rules posted: stay on the boardwalk, do not touch or feed the iguanas, keep noise down, take all rubbish with you and leave dogs and cats at home. Litter attracts rats, which destroy iguana eggs. The Trust lists regular opening hours on weekdays and Saturdays and offers short and extended tours, plus a visit to Half Moon Bay, each with its own entry fee. Most visitors reach the cay as one stop on a snorkel cruise, but you can also go independently through the National Trust.

What you see: the cay is scrubby and sandy, with mangrove edges and a network of boardwalks. The iguanas are most visible in the cooler parts of the day, basking on trails and in the shade, and they have grown accustomed to visitors. Rock iguanas are among the most endangered lizards in the Caribbean, which is why the cay was set aside and why access is controlled. Seeing them in the wild, rather than in a zoo, is the appeal.

Getting there and fees: the Trust page shows entry costs for a short tour and an extended tour, with a lower fee for Half Moon Bay and free entry for members, and gives set opening hours on most days. Fees and hours can change, so confirm them with the Trust before you go and check whether a boat trip includes the entrance fee. Some cruise operators ask for the fee separately in cash on the day, so carry small bills. If you go independently, arrange a boat or a kayak transfer from Providenciales and check the weather, since the crossing is open water.

Visiting well: stay on the boardwalk even if an iguana wanders across the sand, give each animal space and never offer food, because human food harms them and teaches them to approach people. Keep your voice down, wear sun protection and bring water, because the cay has no shops and no rubbish bins. Because the island is small and the iguanas are the point, a visit takes an hour or less, so it pairs naturally with a snorkel or a beach stop. It is a favorite with children, who tend to remember it long after the reef.