This Caribbean Destination Is Known as 'Iguana Island'-Here's How to Visit

"Rock iguanas once roamed freely across the islands of Turks and Caicos. Spotting one today, however, requires a bit of planning-and a boat ride. After centuries of hunting and the introduction of predators, the reptiles suffered a steep population decline and were classified as "critically endangered" in the 1970s. Today, things are looking slightly better for the green lizards, and in 2020, their classification was upgraded to simply "endangered." But that doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing for the iguanas."

"Today, your best chance of seeing them means you'll have to travel to an uninhabited island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago, Little Water Cay, best known as " Iguana Island." Located just off the coast of Providenciales, Iguana Island is only accessible by boat and serves as a sanctuary for iguanas, whose population is rebounding thanks to ongoing conservation efforts."

"Today, National Trust Turks and Caicos manages Little Water Cay. The uninhabited island, which is less than one mile long, is a part of the larger Princess Alexandra National Park. The island has become a haven for the rock iguanas, who eat plentifully from the local guava plants and are beginning to repopulate. The trust manages two raised boardwalks that allow visitors to see the reptiles safely, and a $20 admission fee helps fund conservation efforts."

Rock iguanas once inhabited the 40-island Turks and Caicos archipelago and can live up to 70 years. Human hunting and introduced predators decimated populations, wiping the species out on some islands. The iguanas were classified as critically endangered in the 1970s and upgraded to endangered in 2020. Little Water Cay, an uninhabited island near Providenciales, serves as a sanctuary where populations are rebounding thanks to conservation and plentiful guava plants. National Trust Turks and Caicos manages the cay, two raised boardwalks for safe viewing, and a $20 admission fee that funds conservation. Access requires a boat or ecofriendly kayak from Providenciales.

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