Turks and Caicos is becoming a popular kiteboarding destination in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean. This isn’t particularly surprising, considering the exquisite clear, shallow waters and forgiving sandy ocean floors make it an ideal location for beginners and experts alike.
The country’s kiting culture is predominantly based on the islands of Providenciales. Here, you’ll find the kite schools, local kiteboarders, and the best locations in Long Bay. Most of the water levels in this bay are waist-deep, making it perfect for people who want to give the sport a try. There are a variety of rental villas on this beach, including the UMI Villa, a luxury resort with accessibility to some of the best-secluded beaches.
Grace Bay Beach isn’t quite as popular for kiteboarding due to the wind direction. Having said that, kiters are still occasionally seen boarding here. Chalk Sound is also not an idealistic location due to the wind, as it can be too gusty due to the hills, islands, and houses in the area.
Seasons
Typically, the winter season is more consistent in terms of wind, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the seasons aren’t suitable for kiteboarding. The most consistent wind in the Turks and Caicos islands would be the east-southeast trade winds. This wind is experienced on and off throughout the year, although wind conditions are more pronounced in the spring and winter months.
Regional storms and tropical cyclones can change the wind situation dramatically, although the North and West beaches are less commonly affected.
Most kiteboarding instructors and kiteboarding schools are based on Providenciales. Lessons can be arranged on the other islands, but it will come at an extra cost.
How quickly you learn will generally vary by student, but it usually takes between 5-8 hours of lessons before you can begin practicing on your own. After that, it may take an additional 8-10 hours until a student is capable of kiting upwind. Kiteboarding is considered to have a mid-to-higher level of difficulty in comparison to other sports; however, it is still quite accessible for those who are willing to learn. Having said that, the learning curve isn’t nearly as steep as it is for conventional surfing, but it does take a great deal of commitment. Most of the best kite schools are available in Long Bay Beach, which is one of the best kiteboarding locations in the world.
Traveling Throughout Turks and Caicos
Travel between the islands usually takes place on small passenger ferry boats or small twin turboprop aircraft that seat between 10 to 20 people.
In general, there isn’t much in the way of restrictions or lack of luggage space on ferries. There may be excess baggage fees above certain amounts, yet these fees are often not enforced. The local airlines are generally accommodating, but it’s important to keep in mind that there isn’t much space on these small planes.
Things to consider on your beach vacation to Turks and Caicos
There are some things you’ll need to keep in mind when it comes to packing for your Turks and Caicos beach vacation. Here are some of the most important things to consider:
1. What type of accommodations will you have?
Your choice of accommodation is important to consider because it’ll affect how many items you have to bring. Staying at an all-inclusive resort, however, may allow you to pack lighter. If you’re staying at an AirBnB or a luxury villa, you may need to pack more. Make sure you check to see what you’ll need to bring.
2. How many people are you packing for?
Of course, what you end up packing will depend on who you plan to travel with to the Turks and Caicos. If you’re on a solo trip, you’re only thinking of yourself, but if you’re traveling as a couple or with a family, it helps to think of how to pack while saving space.
3. What are you planning to do in Turks and Caicos?
Knowing what you plan to do once you get to the Turks and Caicos can help make packing easier. How many plans do you have? Are water sports on the list? How many excursions are you going on? These are the important things to consider when planning.
For a 7-day vacation, here are some suggested items to bring on your beach vacation to Turks and Caicos.
- 3-4 swimsuits or bikinis.
- 2-3 pairs of casual shorts or skirts.
- 5-6 t-shirts, polo shirts, or casual tops.
- Underwear
- 2 beach tops or cover-ups.
- 2 summer dresses
- 1-2 pairs of flip-flops or beach sandals.
- 1 pair of long pants and a button-down shirt (for men) or a formal dress (for women).
- 1 pair of closed-toe shoes or dressy sandals.
- 1 belt that matches everything.
- 1 pair of sneakers.
- A cardigan or light jacket for the evenings.
- Toiletries such as a comb, makeup, deodorant, lotion, toothbrush, and toothpaste.
