Iguanas and Little Water Cay

Little Water Cay and the iguanas are only accessible with a boat ride from Leeward.

The nature preserve of Little Water Cay is locally known as ‘Iguana Island’. This small island, or cay, is home to the few remaining Rock Iguanas that used to live on most of the islands in the Turks and Caicos. The Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana or Cyclura Carinata is now classified as endangered. At one time they lived on all the islands but the introduction of cats and dogs by humans led to their rapid decline and extinction on the other islands.

A boardwalk leads visitors on a nature walk to spot the iguanas

An iguana waits on the walkway.

 

The rock iguana lives in rocky areas and sandy habitats as sand is required for nesting

Little Water Cay is approximately 116 acres and has two small interior ponds that are surrounded by many native plants. This little cay is home to between 2,000 and 3,000 Rock Iguanas. In 2002, hundreds of iguanas were moved from islands that had larger populations to four uninhabited cays where they could be safe and multiply. Pine Cay is a good example of how fast populations can decline. In the 1970’s a population of some 15,000 iguanas was completely destroyed within five years by a mere handful of dogs and cats brought in by hotel workers.

Little Water Cay and its' beautiful beach.

 

Some iguanas will come out and greet you while others hide in shallow burrows dug in the sand or under rocks.

Coloured glass beads are used for identification by scientists.

You will notice that the iguanas on Little Water Cay have been tagged with coloured beads by scientists and researchers who use this harmless procedure to get information on the iguanas’ life span, survival and  reproductive rate as well as eating, mating habits and individual growth rates. These coloured glass beads correspond to different numbers. Rock Iguanas are basically herbivorous and eat leaves, flowers, and fruits from many different plant species including Sea Grapes and Seven-year Apple to name a couple of favourites.

Iguanas love to sun themselves on the rocks

The boardwalk winds its way through the vegetation.

Please remember that the boardwalk was built in order to protect the iguanas. All visitors are not allowed to step off the walkway and can view the Rock Iguanas, the fine-powder beaches, red mangroves, small lakes, and scenery. A small entry fee goes toward preservation efforts currently in progress.

The Rock iguana's basic colour can range from green to brownish grey, usually patterned by darker markings.

Looking for something good to eat.

 

Up close and personal with a Rock Iguana

Time for a little swim break before heading back

 

 

Make sure you put a visit to Little Water Cay and the Rock Iguanas on your list of things to do. The kids will love it!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

 

Rock Iguanas

How lucky can a person be? Up close and personal with a Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana!

The Turks and Caicos Islands has approximately 50,000 rock iguanas. Their official name is Cyclura carinata and these iguanas are critically endangered and endemic (found nowhere else) to these islands. I was lucky enough to spend a fair amount of time and at least 300 photos later with the rock iguanas on one of the little cays.

I think he was posing for this photo.

The West Indian rock iguana is one of the smallest of the Cyclura species and measures less than 770 mm or 30 inches when fully grown. Its basic colour ranges from green to brownish grey and usually patterned with some darker markings.

Don't come any closer!! They are so very dinosaur-like and can be very intimidating when coming towards you.

The rock iguana has a ridge that runs from the top of the head to the tip of the tail. The males, have a very prominent ridge on the crown, and a large dewlap. This is a large flap of skin that hangs from the throat area and assists in temperature regulation. This beautiful creature is adorned with a crest of some 80 to 110 scales down the centre of the back, and rings of enlarged spiny scales around its tail.

Showing off its magnificent tail ......it really does look prehistoric!

The Turks and Caicos rock iguana lives in rocky areas and sandy habitats as sand is required for nesting. It lives and sleeps in shallow burrows dug in loose sand or under rocks. In the morning they will emerge from their burrows and
bask in the sun before going off to feed. At midday, when the sun is the hottest, they hide in the shade to avoid overheating.

A handsome ridge runs from the top of the head down to the tail

We have some 2,000 iguanas that are the only land creatures living on Little Water Cay. A boardwalk has been built throughout the island and our visitors can take a tour of the island by walking along the boardwalk. But please, do not step off the walkway.

The Atabeyra drops a group off to see the iguanas at Little Water Cay.

See you next time when you visit the rock iguanas at Little Water Cay.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

Sunday Beach Day

Barry deserves top billing as he "frolics" in the water with an ever present Coors Lite!!!

Barry deserves top billing as he "frolics" in the water with an ever present Coors Lite!!!

We motored out from our Marina channel to a small sliver of white powdery sand beach for a few hours Sunday afternoon

We motored out from our Marina channel to a small sliver of white powdery sand beach for a few hours Sunday afternoon

It was pretty windy and the ocean was rough last Sunday but we thought it would be fine. It was a bumpy ride over the white caps so much so that I was literally gripping onto the hand rail. Luckily we were protected from the wind and things calmed down as we approached and moored at a little beach.

As I explored the island, the others stayed on the boat and slowly made ready to enjoy the water.

As I explored the island, the others stayed on the boat and slowly made ready to enjoy the water.

I was thrilled to see several Rock Iguanas and I could hear the rustling of many others as they made their escapes before I could spot them.

I was thrilled to see several Rock Iguanas and I could hear the rustling of many others as they made their escapes before I could spot them.

The Turks and Caicos Rock Iguana was re-introduced to several of the many little Cays. It is an endangered species of lizard and is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The waves were pounding on the far side of the island and I was fascinated by the large rock formation with a hole in it.

The waves were pounding on the far side of the island and I was fascinated by the large rock formation with a hole in it.

We enjoyed the sun, sand and beach and of course we had it all to our selves. Even the iguanas didn't mind sharing this little spot of paradise.

We enjoyed the sun, sand and beach and of course we had it all to ourselves. Even the iguanas didn't mind sharing this little spot of paradise.

There’s so many idyllic beaches and secluded getaways in these picture perfect islands. We hope you’ll come down and visit us in the Turks and Caicos Islands soon and enjoy what our islands have to offer.
Marta

A Day on the Water

This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.

This beautiful pink tipped sea anemone looked like it was growing out of an old conch shell.

 Another great day spent with friends on the water. As we waded to our little cay with the iguanas, I came across a pink tipped sea anemone. It appeared to be growing out of an old conch shell encrusted with marine life.

This iguana was ready to hide under the sea grape bush if we came any closer.

We saw many iguanas on the little cay and they were probably introduced some years ago.

The iguanas scurried away as we approached and this one was almost ready to put up a fight. He positioned himself so that he could hide in the brush under a sea grape bush if he needed to.
Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish

Three pelicans all in a row were feasting on a large school of little fish

As we anchored off the pirate’s cave and Osprey Rock, we were treated to a pelican show…………..three Brown Pelicans and their synchronized dive bombing for fish show. It was spectacular to watch as I positioned myself in the water in the hopes that they would feed close beside me.
Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.

Look at the huge stretch of this pelican's gullet.

Little fish were jumping all around as the pelicans swooped time and time again.
I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.

I love the way they skip along the water trying to get enough lift to launch into flight.

And finally, front row seats for the best view in the world and a grande finale to the day. The sun sets over Turtle Rock, and we head back to Harbour Club’s Marina.

We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.

We watched the sun go down from the waters of Taylor Bay.

A perfect ending to another Provo day filled with sun, fun, good friends and alot of laughter. We wish the same for you as you make plans to visit soon.
Marta

Sea Purslane

A grasshopper sits posing on a pretty, pale pink Sea Purslane flower

A grasshopper sits posing on a pretty, pale pink Sea Purslane flower

Sea Purslane grows abundantly in salty and dry habitats such as on the tiny cays just out from Harbour Club Villas and Marina. We decided to explore one day and stopped on a little cay with a spectacular view of the Five Cays shoreline.

View of Five Cays shoreline from one of the tiny cays where Rock Iguanas have been introduced

View of Five Cays shoreline from one of the tiny cays where Rock Iguanas have been introduced

We spotted some Rock Iguanas but they scurried away quickly as we approached. I did manage to get a photos of one though!

This rock iguana was very wary and was ready to take flight if I came any closer

This rock iguana was very wary and was ready to take flight if I came any closer

On one of the slopes of this little cay, a carpet of sea purslane cascaded over the rocks. Some had star shaped pink flowers that bloom throughout the year.

Sea Purslane carpets the rocks on this little cay

Sea Purslane carpets the rocks on this little cay

Sea Purslane is a succulent herb that makes for a great ground cover. It grows along beaches and along the edges of salinas and has smooth, fleshy leaves. The leaves are edible and have a salty taste. I’ll have to find out if iguanas eat the leaves as this island seemed pretty limited in the way of food. 

Sea Purslane is also know as Sea Pickle and can be used medicinally for treatment of scurvy and kidney disorders

Sea Purslane is also know as Sea Pickle and can be used medicinally for treatment of scurvy and kidney disorders

What a great plant and useful for so many things!

 

Marta

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Small cay

What a view! Over looking our anchored boat with Five Cays in the background.

What a view! Over looking our anchored boat with Five Cays in the background.

Today we pulled up and anchored off this little uninhabited cay………….just us and the local iguana population. They were really skittish but we saw quite a few which scuttled away as soon as they saw us. Over the years, iguanas have been introduced to some of the offshore cays as a protective measure.  What a great view from the island with the settlement of Five Cays off in the distance. Weather was perfect and as you can see from the photo, the water was different shades of turquoise.
Come see for yourselves……….plan a vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Hope to see you soon!
Marta

Iguanas

Friendly iguana on Bay Cay just off the marina at Harbour Club Villas

Friendly iguana on Bay Cay just off the marina at Harbour Club Villas

A short boat ride or a two mile kayak trip takes you to Bay Cay. Guests at Harbour Club have spent all day on this little island (they call them “cays” here ) exploring, snorkeling, fishing, lazing in the sun on the beach and getting up close and friendly with the iguanas. This one was very gentle as he ate an apple from Scott’s hand. Organized trips are available to see the iguanas at Little Water Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands. Hope you get a chance to see one or two on your visit here.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com