You see them peaking up over the turquoise sea. Giving perspective to your view of the horizon. The white sand glows in the sun. The rolling hills a lush shade of green. You wonder what it's like out there.
Captivating. Tempting. Alluring.
As you might expect, it's beautiful. But the 2-dimensional view from shore barely scratches the surface of what Pigeon Cay holds. At about one-third of a mile long and one-tenth of a mile wide, it's an unspoiled beauty of an island, with a magical secret. That secret is a massive sand peninsula that juts out into the crystal clear sea towards The Salt House. Nearly 200 yards long and 55 yards wide today, experiencing the peninsula in person is something to treasure.
While the beach is the star, the island boasts spectacular snorkeling along its southern side and the little rock island just off the end (looks connected, but it's not) is hollowed out and you can swim through it! The interior of the island is like a meadow of varying craggy grasses and plants. It also boasts a couple of types of iguanas that you won't come across on the mainland. There are some smaller ones (6-8" long with fatter heads and bodies that the lizards on the mainland) that will approach you at the transition of the beach to the bush...no doubt looking for you to feed them. In the interior are larger stocky iguanas of 1-2' long that don't seem to be interested in people as they scurry off in the grass.
Pigeon Cay is the eastern end of the Moriah Harbour National Park that stretches west to Man-O-War Cay off Rolle Town. Pigeon Cay is 1.3 miles straight out from our beach and is a great spot for an adventure in the seakayak on a day when the sea is as flat as glass. Bring your snorkel gear and pack a lunch and some beverages to have a memorable time (make sure you bring home any trash, plastic or bottle and caps so you don't endanger the wildlife).
Check out this incredible series of satellite images from Google Earth over the last 11 years. The sand peninsula shifts wildly!
Check out this incredible series of satellite images from Google Earth over the last 11 years. The sand peninsula shifts wildly!
Though the ocean depth is never more than 17' and you can see the sandy bottom the entire distance, don't attempt this on a day when there are waves.
A closer option is the small unnamed beach island about .75 miles. It's a beautiful spit of sand in it's own right (below) and has a small reef off the western end for snorkeling. No doubt it has that deserted island vibe you've dreamed about. Click here to check out our availability calendar.
A closer option is the small unnamed beach island about .75 miles. It's a beautiful spit of sand in it's own right (below) and has a small reef off the western end for snorkeling. No doubt it has that deserted island vibe you've dreamed about. Click here to check out our availability calendar.