Grace Bay Beach and Long Bay Beach are two of the most popular destinations on the island of Providenciales. Once home to just a few small fishing villages and a series of salt flats, Providenciales is now the jewel of Turks and Caicos with all manner of accommodation, dining, and nightlife. Long Bay and Grace Bay are known for their stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and proximity to luxury hotels and villas. Yet while each offers endless opportunities for sun, sea and sand, there are quite a few differences between these holiday hotspots.
Long Bay Beach is located on the southeast coast of Providenciales.
Grace Bay Beach is located on the northeast coast of Providenciales.
If you’re looking to indulge in some rest and relaxation, Long Bay Beach is your spot. This three-mile beach has soft sand that is fringed with palm trees and calm, shallow waters that are perfect for leisurely swims. Unlike Grace Bay Beach, there are very few hotels, restaurants, and bars here, so the beach is usually crowd-free.
Grace Bay is the most popular holiday destination in Providenciales, so it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of nightlife spots where you can party until the wee hours of the morning. Establishments range from easy-going pubs to bustling waterfront bars with patios and live music.
Families love Long Bay Beach for its peaceful atmosphere and calm, shallow waters that are perfect for little ones. The ocean floor is soft and sandy so kids can splash around without parents worrying about them hurting themselves on rocks or coral. Older kids and adults can try a variety of water sports including kiteboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Grace Bay is lined with large hotels, and Long Bay is home to private residences and luxury villas. This gives the area a more secluded and exclusive feel. For example, Triton Luxury Villa offers the utmost privacy with two acres of lushly landscaped grounds, seven spacious bedrooms, two swimming pools, and unobstructed views of the ocean. In addition, Triton offers direct access to the beach.
Although Triton Luxury Villa seems like it’s a world away from bustling Grace Bay, it’s actually just a 10-minute drive from the front door of the villa to Grace Bay Beach.
Both Grace Bay and Long Bay offer your usual warm weather activities like sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. However, Grace Bay Beach is more popular for motorized water sports like jet skiing, water skiing, and boat trips for scuba diving or fishing. Grace Bay is also home to Provo Golf Club.
Long Bay Beach is famous for kiteboarding and horseback riding in the water. Long Bay has far fewer visitors than Grace Bay, allowing for much more privacy to enjoy water activities.
Kiteboarders in the know head to Long Bay to ride the waves because the area gets consistent trade winds year-round. Another draw is the shallow water with a clear sandy bottom, which makes it great for beginner kiteboarders to learn the basics. There are also a number of kiteboarding schools that cater to beginner and advanced riders.
Grace Bay is renowned for its excellent dining options that range from laid-back cafes to elegant fine dining restaurants. Some sublime dining venues include Coco Bistro for fresh local seafood served al fresco underneath palm trees, Grace’s Cottage for gourmet Caribbean cuisine in a sophisticated colonial setting, and Opus for fine wines and exquisite globally-inspired dishes.
Kiteboarding is becoming increasingly popular in Turks and Caicos and around the world, and it’s easy to see why. This exhilarating water sport involves skimming across the water at high speeds propelled by just a kite, a board, and the wind. If you’re looking to ride the waves in the Turks and Caicos, Long Bay Beach is the best kiteboarding spot for beginners and advanced kiteboarders alike.
What is Kiteboarding?
Most people agree that modern kiteboarding began in the 1980s when the Lagaignoux brothers designed an inflatable kite that was meant to pull people across the water. Over the years, the kites and equipment have evolved into what we see today, which is essentially a large kite with bars attached to lines for steering, a harness that wraps around the waist, and a board for gliding across the water.
Where to Kiteboard in Turks and Caicos
The island of Providenciales is the most popular place for kiteboarding in Turks and Caicos because it has excellent wind and water conditions. However, you can also find some great areas to kiteboard off the coasts of North Caicos, Middle Caicos, and South Caicos.
Kiteboarding Lessons
The majority of kiteboarding schools in Turks and Caicos are located on Long Bay Beach and they employ instructors certified by the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO). A typical lesson lasts anywhere from one to three hours and includes equipment rental. Beginners will learn the basics, while advanced riders can set off on excursions to little-known kiteboarding destinations and learn new tricks.
Kiteboarding vs Kitesurfing
Kiteboarding and kitesurfing are two different names for the same sport. Generally speaking, North Americans tend to use the term kiteboarding, while Europeans prefer the term kitesurfing.
What Gear do You Need to Kiteboard?
There are three essential pieces of gear you need to kiteboard: a kite, a board, and a harness. Any kiteboarding school in Turks and Caicos can set you up with equipment that is suitable for your body type and skill level. Inflatable kites are the most common and they include a steering bar attached by lines and a harness. Most kiteboarders in Turks and Caicos also use twin-tip boards with foot straps.
The Best Kiteboarding Spots in Turks and Caicos
Long Bay Beach on Providenciales is by far the best place to kiteboard in Turks and Caicos because it is suitable for all levels. Experienced riders can also try Grace Bay, Leeward Beach, and the barrier reef on the north side of Providenciales. Cedar Point and Wild Cow Run are popular kiteboarding spots in Middle Caicos. East Bay Beach on South Caicos also offers good wind conditions, as does Whitby Beach on North Caicos.
Turks and Caicos Tides
Turks and Caicos experiences easterly trade winds most months, which makes it a great year-round kiteboarding destination. Under normal conditions, the tides do not change drastically, meaning you know what to expect on any given day out on the water.
Benefits of Kitesurfing
Kiting offers many benefits for the body and mind. Not only does it burn calories and tone the entire body, but it can also improve balance and coordination and help relieve stress by releasing endorphins. In addition, there is a large global kiteboarding community, so it is easy to meet new people wherever you kiteboard.
Why is Long Bay Beach Great for Kiteboarding?
Long Bay Beach is ideal for kiteboarding because the winds are consistent and it has clear, shallow water with a soft, sandy bottom. The shallow depth makes it easy to stand up if you fall down, which is great for beginners. Advanced riders love that the area is not crowded and there are few boats, so long, uninterrupted rides are possible. Long Bay Beach also has gorgeous rental villas like Triton Luxury Villa, which is just steps from the water, making it a kiteboarder’s dream accommodation.
