Half Moon Bay

Posted on March 3, 2020 by marta

What a treat……..I’m thinking this had to be JoJo wanting to play with the boat.

What an amazingly beautiful day as guests headed out on an afternoon excursion on the turquoise waters …… look at the colours! We were just off Leeward Going Through when look who joined us? I’m pretty sure that it was JoJo the dolphin come to play. He stayed with us for a bit and then we were off headed for some snorkeling at the reef, iguanas, conch salad, Half Moon Bay and followed by some fun tubing and water slide. Provo has many excellent boating, cruising and water fun excursions to offer as the one we were on. For more information, just contact us and we can make some suggestions.

Our sensational waters………a turquoise like you’ve never seen before. WOW!

Turks and Caicos rum punch coming up.

Waves breaking on the reef as we prepare to do some snorkeling.

Beautiful corals and a variety of fish as we snorkel beyond the cut.

Love those silver palms precariously perched at the far end of Half Moon Bay

The far end of the beach at Half Moon Bay is so beautiful to photograph….an idyllic spot.

Found an Oyster Catcher sunning himself on the rocks. Not at all disturbed by the camera!

A walk along the beach and such glorious colours

Such an impressive looking iguana. The Rock Iguana Cyclura Carinata has had to be re introduced to less populated cays

Conch shell on the beach. A delicious “fresh from the sea” conch salad was made and enjoyed by all.

Book your excursions and enjoy being on the water in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our beaches are spectacular and you can enjoy a cruise, diving for conch, taste some “as fresh as you can get it”conch salad, stop for some snorkeling on the reef, see iguanas and simply let the world float by as you finally relax on “island time”.

You too may be lucky and have JoJo the dolphin join in the fun.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Half Moon Bay

Posted on January 27, 2014 by marta

This little guy popped his head up in Turtle Cove Marina before we were leaving.

A beautiful trip heading out from Turtle Cove Marina following the shore line towards Little Water Cay and the iguanas and on to Half Moon Bay. It’s a favourite stopping spot with a magnificent stretch of beach and of course that signature turquoise water.

The reef as we head towards Half Moon Bay

A long stretch of pure white , soft sand and silver palms at either end.

Struggling vegetation due to erosion of the sands.

Picturesque rocks and aqua ocean backdrop.

A green iguana comes up to say hello.

Conch shell lying at the water’s edge.

A sing ray cruises by in the shallows close to the beach.

A stick and a sea fan make for great toys

Loads of dragonflies.

Hoping you get an opportunity to enjoy this idyllic beach on an afternoon cruise. Maybe you’ll spot the iguanas as we did.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Iguanas and Little Water Cay

Posted on July 28, 2013 by marta

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

Posted on September 19, 2011 by marta

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

Posted on July 21, 2010 by marta

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

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.

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.

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

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

A Day on the Water

Posted on October 16, 2009 by marta

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

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.

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.

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.

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

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Anoles or Lizards

Posted on September 10, 2009 by marta

Lots of lizards or Anoles at Harbour Club Villas

I’m constantly tripping over these lizards and they are so interesting to watch. Anoles found in the Turks and Caicos Islands are from a group called Anolis Scriptus and there is quite a variety of them. The Turks and Caicos Islands are home to four species of lizards in addition to iguanas: one species each of anole, gecko, skink and curly-tail lizard.

These two anoles were having a heated discussion as to which one of them should leave the tree branch

Male anoles are very territorial and will often engage a rival with threatening displays. They open their mouths to show off their bright colours. Anoles are tree dwellers and are highly agressive.

This one looked like he was posing as he cocked his head to the side and looked at the camera with one eye.

Handsome anole lizard in our gardens at Harbour Club Villas

In future posts, I will add photos of our curly-tail lizard. Some of these guys found on the grounds of Harbour Club are getting quite large.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sea Purslane

Posted on August 8, 2009 by marta

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

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

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 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

What a great plant and useful for so many things!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sapodilla

Posted on April 27, 2009 by marta

Sapodilla fruit and flowers locally known as the "dilly" tree

I just thought you might like to know what a Sapodilla is…………this tropical tree is called a “dilly” locally and grows here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The fruits are favoured by our island iguanas and the taste is sweet and pleasant, ranging from a pear flavor to crunchy brown sugar.

The flowers of the Sapodilla are quite beautiful and I hadn't noticed this until I went out to take photos.

The bark of the Sapodilla tree produces Chicle which is a latex that has been used for many years as a chewing gum base .

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Curly Tailed Lizard

Posted on January 25, 2009 by marta

A Curly Tailed Lizard eyes me from his perch on top of an old anchor

This Curly Tailed Lizard is only found in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Although it is fairly common in the islands, this particular species is found nowhere else in the world.

This little Turks and Caicos Curly Tailed Lizard species is only found here.

It is identified by yellow and black stripes along his back and is the second largest lizard after the Rock Iguana. Each major island has a Curly Tailed lizard that has slightly different colouration and or patterns. Leiocephalus psammodromusa is its proper name and it is a ground dweller.

Keep your eyes open for these lizards on your next trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

MyTurksAndCaicosBlog.com

Turks and Caicos Vacation, Travel, Fishing, and Diving

Category Archives: Iguanas

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay

Iguanas and Little Water Cay

Rock Iguanas

Sunday Beach Day

A Day on the Water

Anoles or Lizards

Sea Purslane

Sapodilla

Curly Tailed Lizard