Providenciales Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding (or kitesurfing) is becoming one of the most popular water sports in the Turks and Caicos. At the excellent Long Bay Beach on Providenciales, there can be dozens of kites in the air on a windy day.
Here we will give you a rundown on locations, conditions, and where to start if you want to learn.
Turks and Caicos Kiteboarding
There are many locations throughout the Turks and Caicos which are decent for kiteboarding, however, nearly all kiteboarders can be found on the island of Providenciales.
Kiteboarding Equipment
Kiteboarding is a simple wind-powered water sport, which uses a large specialty kite, a harness that attaches the kite to the kiter, and a board, of which there are several basic types.
The Kite
The kite itself is of course the primary piece of equipment. The most common and easiest to fly type is the inflatable kite (also known as a ‘tube kite’), which has an inflatable bladder on the leading edge of the kite for rigidity and buoyancy. Foil kites are also occasionally used on the water, mainly for low wind conditions.
The Board
Kiteboarding boards are made specifically for kiting, and are not borrowed from other water sports. There are three basic types, and many hybrid styles.
The basic twin tip board is by far the most common variety. It’s the easiest to ride, it’s simple to change directions when riding, and it has foot straps, so it’s likely to stay on your feet! Twin tip boards are not typically large, yet there are training and light wind models when additional buoyancy is needed.
Strapped or strapless surf-style boards are also popular, yet take more skill and training to appreciate.
Foil boards are the latest evolution, and are amazing. As their name suggests, these boards have foil wings, much like a hydrofoil boat, which lift the kiter out of the water when traveling at speed. Foils have by far the steepest learning curve, yet when mastered offer a surreal experience, with unrivaled speed, smoothness, and quietness.
The Harness
The third critical piece of equipment for kiteboarding is the harness. Harnesses are typically simple in design, and essentially redistribute the power of the kite to the kiter, so there’s not a constant strenuous fight with the kite. As may be expected, harnesses incorporate a quick release, in the case of emergencies!
Wind
The most predictable and consistent wind on Providenciales is the east-southeast trade winds. The islands typically experience this wind on and off over the year, but it’s usually a bit more pronounced and regular in the winter months.
Squalls and regional storms occasionally cause different wind directions, which make north and west coast locations more viable. However, these winds are uncommon and unpredictable.
What’s the Best Time of the Year for Kiting?
Purely from a kiter’s perspective, November through May probably offers the best wind. Keep in mind that the average wind differences between the months isn’t great, and top conditions may be had at any time of the year.
The weather in summer may be hot, however, disregarding the unlikely event of a nearby hurricane, conditions tend to alternate between perfect breezy kiting days and completely calm conditions. The windless days, where the ocean may be glassy, are unparalleled for scuba diving, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, so there’s no limit on fun things to do.
There may be other considerations on the best time to visit as well, including your budget and crowds.
Kiteboarding Locations on Providenciales
There are currently no laws or regulations against kiteboarding on any beaches in the country. Due to the spectacular setting and safe environment, we advise that any kite newcomers to the Turks and Caicos start at Long Bay Beach, regardless of skill level.
Long Bay Beach
Long Bay Beach is the best kiting spot on Providenciales. The Turks and Caicos typically gets an east-southeast wind, which Long Bay is directly exposed to. The water here is consistently shallow with a clean sandy bottom, which makes it an amazing spot for those new to the sport. The typical depth is waist-deep, and can be quite shallow at low tide. It gets quite busy at Long Bay on windy days, and it’s not uncommon to have more than twenty riders out on the water.
For those interested in staying nearby, there are several rental villas and the Shore Club Resort.
Leeward Going Through
Leeward Going Through at the northeast point of Leeward Beach can be good for those who like to explore, as many small cays and coves can be found to the east. Due to currents and boat traffic, this area is not recommended for beginners. When the ocean swell is higher than usual, the best wave-riding spot easily accessible from shore on Providenciales can be found a little west of the point.
Grace Bay Beach
Due to the typical east-southeast winds, Grace Bay usually isn’t the best beach for kitesurfing. Unlike Long Bay, the water here quickly becomes too deep to stand and high resorts near the beach can cause wind disruptions. The best kiting spot in the area is found off the Grace Bay Forbes Point access next to the Sands Resort. Grace Bay is the busiest beach on the island, so be aware of boats and people.
The Bight Beach
As with Grace Bay Beach, the wind will typically be offshore at the Bight Beach, although due to lower building density wind obstructions are less of a problem. Crowds and boats are also less of an issue, however, attention is still required. Everything considered, we don’t recommend that beginners kite here. The Children’s Park access area has the widest beach and the fewest kite hazards.
Other Locations and Places to Avoid on Providenciales
Providenciales does have other locations, but they are probably not appropriate for most kiters new to the Turks and Caicos.
Chalk Sound National Park is highly scenic, but not great for kiteboarding. Because this lagoon is surrounded by hills and buildings, the wind is usually gusty. Also, nearly the entire coastline here is razor-sharp iron shore. It will be difficult to launch and land, and your gear will very likely be destroyed if you crash!
Northwest Point, Malcolm’s Road Beach, and West Harbour Bluff are also beautiful locations, but the wind will usually be offshore and these areas are often deserted. If you have any problems, you could likely drift until you hit the Bahamas or Bermuda!
Day Trip to North and Middle Caicos
Heading to North and Middle Caicos for a day trip can be a great way to kite at some beautiful deserted spots. Although North Caicos has some great beaches, Middle Caicos has more interesting kiting locations.
Bambarra Beach offers the tamest conditions, with clean shallow water. Casuarina trees (usually locally called “cedar trees”) grow along the beach thickly, so be careful when launching and don’t crash!
The stunning Mudjin Harbour and Conch Bar Beach can have large waves and will be a location you’ll never forget, but only advanced kiters should venture here. Along with rough conditions, much of the coast is razor-sharp ironshore, and it can be very difficult to get back to your starting point if you get blown downwind. Hammerhead sharks are also sighted here!
The remote Cedar Point and Wild Cow Run can be amazing locations. A shifting sandbar forms a sheltered flat water lagoon in this area, and the turquoise water east to Dickish Cay and Joe Grant Cay is highly scenic.
Wave Riding and Surfing
When the Turks and Caicos experiences a little bit bigger than usual ocean swell, several spots around Providenciales become decent wave riding locations.
The easiest wave location to access is a small area found off of Leeward Beach, a little west of the Leeward Going Through access. Here, 3-6 foot (1-2 m) waves break a few hundred feet from the beach when there is an ocean swell. Due to the absence of coral or rocks, this is the best spot for someone unfamiliar with the island.
Cuts along the barrier reef located on the north side of Providenciales typically offer waves of 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m). During storms, the swell rises up past 10 feet (3 m). Depending on the wind direction, the reef is a five-minute tack out. A safety boat should be present, and caution should be taken when riding the reef as the changing tides may expose coral. Be sure to let someone know when you go out.
Northwest Point can also have large waves, but due to the winds almost always being offshore, coral and rocks in the water, and the difficulty of access, Northwest Point is suitable only for experienced riders familiar with the area.
Instruction, Lessons, Rentals, and Sales
Over the past few years, kiteboarding has expanded greatly on Providenciales. There are several schools with many instructors teaching lessons for beginners, and expert instructions for more advanced riders.
Most local schools employ instructors with qualifications from IKO (the International Kiteboarding Organization)
Lessons are usually 1-3 hours, and initially involve learning how to fly a small trainer kite. Once the basics are mastered, the student moves on to the real deal and goes out on the water, refining their technique. Typically, you’ll start learning to kite downwind, and later progress to kiting upwind. Many schools offer packages, and it’s possible to be riding on your own after 3-6 lessons. Lessons are normally offered for ages 10 years and up and cost approximately $150-200 an hour. Complete beginner packages run at about $500-1,000.
The local kite schools rent also rent kiteboarding equipment, but proficiency must be proven (some business charge extra for a basic test). Rates are typically around $200 per day for board, kite, harness, and lines, or around $800 for a week.
Booking and Reservations
It’s best to book direct with a local kiteboarding school. Along with usually getting the best price, wind conditions can change, and it will be easier to adjust your reservation if need be.
Blue Surf Shop in the Saltmills Plaza is currently the main retail shop for kiting equipment on Providenciales.
Kite Expeditions
Several of the local kite businesses offer eco-friendly kiteboarding safaris. These excursions may simply visit remote and incredible kite locations that are only accessible by boat, or can be downwind expeditions that lead through the uninhabited Caicos Cays back to Providenciales.
On the way down through the shallows and cays you’ll often spot interesting wildlife, including lemon sharks, stingrays, turtles, and bird life, in addition to the unbelievably-turquoise ocean water.
No Wind Activities
The Turks and Caicos typically experiences consistent east-southeast trade winds, yet there are flat days.
If there’s a swell, conventional surfing and stand-up paddleboard surfing are fun and a great workout. Near Providenciales, a casual sandbar break is located near Emerald Point and Leeward Going Through on Leeward Beach. Malcolm’s Road Beach and Northwest Point are also decent spots at times, yet are remote.
A new and exciting sport in the Turks and Caicos is e-foil surfing, and lessons and hourly rentals are available. E-foils are small boards that are powered by electric motors, and have a mast and foil much like a kite foil board. For kiters that haven’t tried foil boards, e-foiling offers an easy foray into using foils, which can be very difficult to learn with kites.
The Annual Windvibes Kiteboarding Tournament
For over 10 years, Hope LeVin and the kiteboarding community hosted the Windvibes Kiteboarding Tournament. This had been an annual event here on Providenciales since 2007. Originally just kiteboarding, the competition has expanded to include kayak and SUP racing, windsurfing, log-throwing contests, and tug-of-war. An excellent event for adults and kids alike.
The last Windvibes was held in 2016 and the event has been discontinued.
Nearby Caribbean countries, such as the Dominican Republic, host their own kiteboarding tournaments.
Kite Schools and Rental Companies
