THE SET-UP

If you're looking for smooth, comfortable progression, you've found the right location. Providenciales (or ‘Provo’) is the primo kiting location in the Turks and Caicos archipelago with steady trade winds, warm turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Unobstructed for miles around, there are 41 islands and cays to discover while enjoying some of the smoothest winds you could hope to find. The absence of gusts will only aid your progression.

The TCI's (Turks and Caicos Islands) are especially ideal for beginner to intermediate kiters who want the rush of kiting without the fuss or danger. You'll usually be riding your ten to 17 metre kites with your twin-tip, so this is often bigger kite riding, but so many people enjoy that.

While this can generally be a more expensive location to reside than some other Caribbean destinations, the conditions are undoubtably more consistent, with a ten month wind season and a phenomenal 90% average of kite-able days in that time (depending on your gear of course).

Dreamy.. / Photo: Andre Magarao

Allow a guide to take you carving through the mangroves / PHOTO: Big Blue

Wes Matweyew gets more than his fair share of waves here!

LONG BAY BEACH

The main spot is at Long Bay beach — a three mile long, soft, white sand strip, lined with beautiful accommodation and water conditions that are suited to all levels of kiter. Most of the kiting is focused at the far east end of Long Bay beach where the winds are side-onshore, the beach is nice and wide and the water is mostly shallow enough to add confidence. Most people go from the public launch near Shore Club down to Sea la Vie.

The prevailing east / south east winds hit the main spot, Long Bay Beach, from the left with miles of waist-deep water to play around in, making this the perfect location for novices and early intermediates. The shallow Caicos banks allow you to easily remain in waist deep waters, especially at low tide, for up to a mile from shore; no shorebreak, no rocks, urchins, sharks or unfriendly fish – no need for booties.

Competent riders will have a blast cruising the many inlets and cays dotted around Long Bay and it’s a dreamy freestyle spot too, especially at low tide, with steady winds blowing 90% of the time during the season. Access to the water is also very easy and this is where most of the schools and centres are.

This is one of the safest and most comfortable ocean kiteboarding experiences in the world. You'll find the sheltered lagoon area of Stubbs Cove at the northern part of Long Bay beach. The only area where you may experience a slight wind shadow is at the very north end where it curves a little behind the land / buildings.

If you'll be taking your foil gear, check in with the local schools for the best high tide times. Kabir from Villa Esencia reckons that a good mast length for here is around 70cm and, with some knowledge, you should be able to utilise that a lot of the time. In fact, there would only really be the odd times in stronger winds with bigger chop / swells that you'd want a longer mast anyway.

Finally, one more option to note for Long Bay is the superb option of a downwinder, Long Bay to Bugaloos on the south side of island – which is a very picturesque journey, passing some very nice homes and rustic shoreline. It takes about an hour and at the end you can hit Bugaloos restaurant for lunch. Either organise for a friend to pick you up or you can get a taxi back (though just be aware that taxis on the island can be pricey).

Although Long Bay isn’t a wave spot, conditions can line up in the winter months for down-the-line wave riding in northeast wind and Grace Bay on the north coast regularly gets fun, manageable surf out on the reef. You’ll need to be experienced to ride over there though because the prevailing wind blows lighter and offshore.

GRACE BAY

Little more than a five minute drive from Long Bay (on the opposite north side of the island), you'll find Grace Bay. A popular tourist location with many luxury resorts, shopping and nightlife options, for kiteboarding much of the beach is in a big wind shadow in the prevailing east / southeast directions. If you venture far enough west along the north shore you'll start to get to good winds again where it's possible to ride straight off the beach. Basically, the further west you go, the better, and you can find some waves on this side, too.

Do look out for a popular local restaurant and bar called Da Conch Shack as you can also kite right off their beach!

OTHER SPOTS

As you can imagine from looking at the images in this feature, there are countless special 'secret' spots just a short boat ride away, such as up by Dellis Cay, north east of the Long Beach area, or even closer you'll find Half Moon Bay or Water Cay.

Northeast of Grace Bay, more adventurous kiters looking for waves can try Emerald Point's Leeward beach in north-northeasterly winds. The reef is about half a mile out and is fun, but be careful at lower tides when the sharp coral reef starts to stick up. Check with kite shops for the best reef spots to kite.

If wind from the left isn’t your thing, head to the lagoon at Blue Hills in the northwest of the island where it blows cross-on from the right with even fewer kiters than Long Bay (not that Long Bay ever gets ‘busy’).

Close to the airport, Five Cays is another great spot and it’s one of the three main settlements on the island, so there are nearby bars and restaurants for post session refreshments.

A half-hour drive from Long Bay will bring you to NorthWest point where you'll find deep waters, the potential for waves and a unique environment with coral heads and great snorkelling. Be aware of stronger currents and winds in this area, though.

Chalk Sound is another beautiful, white sand, shallow water area with small islands that are fun to jump over.

Finally, between North Island and Parrot Key there's an excellent downwinder, from North to Provo. Definitely organise to go with a boat again, but this is a gorgeous environment, with mangroves, flat waters, small islands and plenty more super-fun terrains.

WAVE CHARTERS

If you're looking for the best waves, a boat charter is a must and Kite Provo and Big Blue offer these. You can do wave adventures with these companies with and without a boat and there are a lot of spots to hit through the entire archipelago, so you'd be crazy not to book a session with a guide for an unforgettable experience.

Do go with a guide though rather than hunting waves on your own, as the barrier reef is mostly far offshore, so for these spots having a boat is a necessary safety.