Kitesurf at Providenciales - Long Bay Beach

Crystal clear blue water & wind all year round

  • Overview
  • Good to know
  • Getting there

Overview

Turcs & Caicos islands, TCI for short, are a perfect Caribbean escape destination and an only short flight away from mainland America. Based at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, this vast archipelago of crystal clear and shallow blue water, constant trade winds and Caribbean climate are a kitesurfer paradise for ten months of the year. Caicos banks is an extensive underwater plateau that supports all of the surrounding islands, providing miles of ocean shallows of flat turquoise water for kitesurfers of any level. The islands are surrounded by the barrier reef followed with the sudden drop to the depths of the Atlantic, also knows as the Wall, making this location well known for its vibrant wildlife and diving options. Providenciales is the most popular island in the region for tourism and kitesurfing; with beautiful white sand beaches; a variety of accommodation options; all the needed amenities and frequent International flights. Most of the main attractions are based in different corners of the island; however, the main kitesurfing action can be found in a more secluded Long Bay beach, and for more nightlife and dining options head to Grace Bay. Staying in or around this area is highly recommended, but please note that there is no public transportation around the island and you will have to use taxis, cycle to the kite spot or rent a car to explore the island further. There’s a variety of activities offered on this island, so you will have plenty to do if you want to take a break from kitesurfing or if the wind is not playing ball. Boat charters and plan adventures around the islands, SUP eco-tours in the Mangroves, kayaking to nearby Cays are offered daily. GOOD TO KNOW VISAS: USA, Canada and UK passport holders and residents of these countries are exempt from the Visa charge. Check your nationalities entry requirements before planning your travels. CURRENCY: USD PRICES: Beer: $5-7 Food: Lunch $7-15 Accommodation: $50-250+ pp Kite Lessons: $65-150 per hour depending on package; Kite Gear rental: $100-150 per hour LANGUAGE: English INTERNET: Most hotels and villas provide free WiFi, for better internet connection buying Local SIM card is recommended. TRAVEL ADVICE: This location is a very popular American holiday escape, therefore travelling outside of the public holiday period will be more cost-effective. TEMPERATURE: Water temperatures range from 24-30°C / 74-86°F depending on the time of the year so the wetsuit can certainly stay at home. Make sure that you have a rash-vest and plenty of suncream at hand for the UV protection. The air temperatures are 25-30°C / 78-86°F all year round. GETTING THERE NEAREST TOWN: Grace Bay NEAREST CITY: Cockburn Town (Grand Turk Island) NEAREST AIRPORT: Providenciales Airport [PLS] Providenciales Airport handles all the international flights coming from Mainland USA. The island is very small, and the airport is only over 10 miles away from the Long Bay beach. The accommodation provider can arrange a transfer from the airport, and you will find plenty of taxis at the airport, but they can be more expensive than you expect for the short trip. GETTING AROUND: There is no public transportation active on this island, but taxis are readily available. If you want to explore the island and the many possible kitesurfing spots, a rental car will come in handy. Just remember that the island is still run under British law; therefore you will be driving on the left side of the road.

Good to know

VISAS: USA, Canada and UK passport holders and residents of these countries are exempt from the Visa charge. Check your nationalities entry requirements before planning your travels. CURRENCY: USD PRICES: Beer: $5-7 Food: Lunch $7-15 Accommodation: $50-250+ pp Kite Lessons: $65-150 per hour depending on package; Kite Gear rental: $100-150 per hour LANGUAGE: English INTERNET: Most hotels and villas provide free WiFi, for better internet connection buying Local SIM card is recommended. TRAVEL ADVICE: This location is a very popular American holiday escape, therefore travelling outside of the public holiday period will be more cost-effective. TEMPERATURE: Water temperatures range from 24-30°C / 74-86°F depending on the time of the year so the wetsuit can certainly stay at home. Make sure that you have a rash-vest and plenty of suncream at hand for the UV protection. The air temperatures are 25-30°C / 78-86°F all year round.

Getting there

NEAREST TOWN: Grace Bay NEAREST CITY: Cockburn Town (Grand Turk Island) NEAREST AIRPORT: Providenciales Airport [PLS] Providenciales Airport handles all the international flights coming from Mainland USA. The island is very small, and the airport is only over 10 miles away from the Long Bay beach. The accommodation provider can arrange a transfer from the airport, and you will find plenty of taxis at the airport, but they can be more expensive than you expect for the short trip. GETTING AROUND: There is no public transportation active on this island, but taxis are readily available. If you want to explore the island and the many possible kitesurfing spots, a rental car will come in handy. Just remember that the island is still run under British law; therefore you will be driving on the left side of the road.

  • Beach
  • Wind
  • Rules/Hazards

Beach

Long bay beach is a top kiting spot in the region, offering consistent onshore or cross-shore winds and flat waist-deep water plus a 5km long soft sand beach is free of hazards and relatively short of tourists. Wide launching area, no shore break, waist-deep water and onshore winds make this place an ideal playground for beginners and advanced riders. There are many other kitesurfing spots around the island, but they can be trickier to get to, kite at and are not beginner-friendly (usually offshore winds, deepwater etc.). It is highly recommended for everyone to start at the Long Bay beach, and if you are an advanced rider, consult with the local schools about the possibility to kite in more remote areas. Most of the centres offer kiteboarding Safaris and downwinders to the areas that are easier to access with the boat and at the same time provide you with a safety cover and local knowledge. Providenciales is not typically counted as a wave riding location; you can find some reef breaks around the island, and a small beach break can be seen closer to the Leeward beach but, it is more suitable for the SUP surfing. AMENITIES: Kite School, Gear Rental, Beach Assistance, Kite/Gear Repair, Toilets, Parking, Cafe/Bar, Accommodation, Food Shop.

Wind

Typically trade winds blow from easterly direction offering perfect onshore or cross-onshore winds for the majority of the year. In season, the wind averages to 18-25 knots and usually builds from the later morning and stays well into the evening. Due to the relatively flat nature of the island and no significant obstacles upwind, the wind is very steady and reliable. The most used kites 8m to 12m. Occasionally winter storms can bring the winds from the north, offering to explore other beaches at the north-west side of the island. September and October are counted as a rainy/hurricane season; nevertheless, it can still provide some amazing kitesurfing conditions. WIND DIRECTIONS: N, NE, E, SE WINDIEST MONTHS: High Season - December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August. Mid Season - September, October, November.

Rules/Hazards

There are no such rules, just a common sense - the beach area is relatively large, sandy beach, therefore, the usual precautions when launching and landing the kite should be considered. At low tide, the water moves out of the bay making it shallow closer to the beach. This location doesn’t have any hard hazards, but keep in mind that some areas of the beach are dedicated to private houses and have limited access. Additionally, don't get scared when you see manta rays swimming with you, they are not dangerous. * If you need kite related service like kite repairs, lessons or beach assistance please contact with the local kite centre or camp. ** We always recommend seeking for additional knowledge about the spot from local kite school and qualified instructors.

Info

Rider Level:
beginner, intermediate, advanced
Discipline:
freeride, foiling
Spot Type:
Flatwater, Lagoon
Launch area:
Sand
Tidal:
yes
Windiest Months:
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec

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The reviews say it all

spot reviews

The best place to learn to kiteboard!

Providenciales - Long Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

I live here in TCI and am a kiter. The main school, Kite Provo, installed a weather station through iKItesurf.com It shows you the real wind history from the past 4-5 years. The winds are MUCH MUCH better than this website indicates, you can see the history graph on the Kite Provo wind station off ikitesurf.com Between the amazing conditions and the instructors at Kite Provo, you simply cannot find a better place to learn to kiteboard. You can walk one mile away from the shoreline in front of the Kite Provo school and still be walking in waist deep crystal clear waters with a solid beach sand bottom!! Silky smooth cool winds come in side shore and so just blow you back to the beautiful sugar sand wide beaches. Kite Provo instructors are truly amazing and they have boat support and waverunner support as well blue tooth radio communication systems. But most importantly is their understanding on how to teach and following proven lesson plans, teaching aids, and a genuine interest in your success. Long Bay in Turks and Caicos is amazing, but you can also hire KIte Provo to explore the over 40 additional islands in their boat led kite adventures or Kite the length of the island with their Kite the Island Adventure.

Rating Summary

Overall Rating
Beginner Friendly
Wind quality
Non-kiting activities
Nightlife