Can’t swim? How to love the water in Turks and Caicos anyway

Best for: anyone who’d rather stay dry

On a private charter the boat is yours, so the day can be planned around the people who’d rather stay dry: a shaded seat, a cold drink and a front-row view while the others snorkel. Two hulls make a catamaran wide and steady. The 44ft Luxury Catamaran Yacht rides with almost none of the roll of a single hull, and the 65ft Ultra Lux Sailing Cat is so stable that first-time sailors feel at home. Most boats carry ice and a cooler, so the cold drinks are never far away.

Can non-swimmers go on a boat charter?

Absolutely. Life jackets in every size come on every charter, and nobody has to get in the water. Worried about feeling queasy? Our seasickness and calm water guide explains where the sea is calmest.

Best for: wading, photos and dipping your toes

The classic Turks and Caicos boat stop needs no swimming at all. Around the sandbars of the Caicos Cays the water is knee-deep, warm and clear, and you can climb down the ladder and walk on soft white sand far from shore. Half Moon Bay, between Little Water Cay and Water Cay, adds a sheltered, shallow lagoon on one side. Stand still for a minute and you may spot a ray gliding past your ankles.

Can I snorkel if I can’t swim?

Only where you can stand, in calm, shallow water and wearing a life jacket. Tell your captain, who can pick a stop where your feet touch the sand. Our Half Moon Bay guide has every sandbar.

Best for: turtles and rays without getting wet

A clear kayak is the closest thing to snorkeling without getting wet. The hull is see-through, so as a local guide leads you through the mangroves of Providenciales, you can watch turtles, stingrays and young sharks glide under your seat. The two-hour tour stays in the mangroves, and the three-hour tour adds a landing on Iguana Island.

Is a clear kayak tour OK if you can’t swim?

Yes, with a little planning. You stay seated, the safety equipment comes with the tour, and a double kayak lets you paddle with someone confident. Tell the guide you can’t swim before you set off.

Best for: a cold drink in the middle of the sea

Noah’s Ark, the floating bar in the shallows off Little Water Cay, is a highlight of many boat days, and how you get aboard depends on the boat. Most powerboats tie up right alongside, so you simply step across. On the 30ft, 35ft and 41ft catamarans and the 51ft and 62ft yachts, guests wade over from the boat instead. The bar is open every day from 10 am until sunset.

Do you have to swim to get to Noah’s Ark?

Not on a boat that ties up alongside, and most of the boats below do. More in our Noah’s Ark guide.

• Wear the life jacket whenever you’re in the water, even where you can stand.
• Tell the captain or guide you can’t swim before you set off, so they choose the stops.
• Share a double kayak with a confident paddler.
• Leave the deep-water fun (the Subwing, Snuba and cliff jumping) to the strong swimmers in your group.

The sandbars, the cays and the view from the deck are open to everyone, swimmer or not. Choose a private boat charter with plenty of shade, ask for calm, shallow stops, or try a clear kayak tour. Pack a hat, a light long-sleeve layer and reef-safe sunscreen: the deck is where you’ll spend the day, and the sun off the water is strong. Planning for the whole family? See things to do with kids and how safe boat charters are. Pick your boat below.

• Taxes included. The price you see is the price you pay.
• A deposit secures the boat. Every boat shows its free-cancellation window.
• Fast answers. Requests are confirmed within a few hours, nearly always the same day.