Wondering about the definition of cay? Keep reading to learn the meaning of cay, see some examples, and get a better understanding of this travel glossary term!
What is a Cay?
A cay is a type of island that is a low bank or reef made of accumulated sand, coral, or rock.
Usually, if the accumulated sediments are predominantly sand, it is a cay; if it is predominantly rock or gravel, it is a motu.
More on Cays
Well-known examples are the Florida Keys in the United States (shown above) and Heron Island of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Cay is pronounced interchangeably like “key” or “kaye” and also spelled as “key” (common in American English).
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