Paddleboarding in Turks and Caicos
There are many reasons why paddleboarding is becoming so popular in Turks and Caicos. First of all, it’s very easy to learn. All it takes is a bit of balance and the ability to use an oar. Second of all, it’s a great way to explore waterways that you might not be able to access in a boat. Finally, the fact that you’re standing on a board allows you to see incredible views above and below the water. If you’re looking to do some paddle boarding in Turks and Caicos, these are some things you should know.
What is Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP Boarding)?
Paddleboarding originated in Hawaii as a way for surf instructors to get better views of their students and the wave conditions. Basically, it involves standing on a surf-style board and using a long oar to propel you through the water.
Paddle Boarding vs Paddle Surfing, What’s the Difference?
Stand-up paddleboarding is typically done in calm waters where you can easily glide across the surface and steer the board in different directions with your paddle. As the name suggests, paddle surfing involves riding or surfing waves on a board with a paddle. Paddle surfing is not very common in Turks and Caicos because there are very few swells to ride.
Where Can You Paddle Board in Turks & Caicos?
You can paddle board anywhere in Turks and Caicos where the water is calm. Long Bay Beach is a great place for paddle boarding because there are very few large waves. In addition, the water is quite shallow and the bottom is soft and sandy, which is great for beginners who might not have their balance down in the beginning. Guests staying at Triton Luxury Villa can paddle board directly from the beach in front of the villa.
What Equipment do You Need?
The only equipment you need to paddle board is the actual board and a long oar. A paddle boarding company can set you up with the right board and oar for your height and size.
Do You Have to Be Fit to Paddleboard?
You only need a basic level of fitness and a bit of balance to learn how to paddle board. The hardest physical part is using the oar to propel you forward and steer the board. That being said, paddle boarding is a great exercise because it works your whole body, especially your core.
What Can You See on a Paddle Board Tour?
The great thing about paddleboarding is that you can cruise along shallow and narrow waterways that boats can’t reach, so you can see more than you would on a boat charter trip. In addition, paddle boarding is relatively quiet, so it doesn’t scare away wildlife and sea creatures like motorised water sports do. Many paddle board tours in Turks and Caicos will take you to protected national parks and through the mangroves where you can see turtles, sharks, sea birds, and much more. And of course you’ll get to take in the natural beauty of the coastlines and turquoise ocean.
Paddle Board Suppliers
Big Blue Collective
Big Blue Collective is a tour company that offers daily paddle board tours in the waters around Providenciales. You can opt for a two-hour eco-tour to the mangroves or a backcountry paddle ‘safari’ to little-visited spots along tidal channels. Groups sizes are kept small for a more exclusive experience and the instructors are friendly and very knowledgeable about the area and ecology. Experience is not necessary for the two-hour tour, as the instructors can teach you the basics and have you riding in no time.
Jet Skiing in Turks and Caicos
Water sports are a way of life in Turks and Caicos, and jet skiing is one of the most popular ocean activities. A jet ski gives you the power and speed to cruise the waves and explore hidden coves and beaches, uninhabited cays, and narrow inlets that are teeming with wildlife. Jet skiing in Turks and Caicos is a great way to spend a fun day out with the whole family or take some quality time for yourself skimming across the water and taking in incredible views of the coastlines.
Long Bay Beach Water Conditions
Long Bay Beach is one of the most popular spots to go jet skiing in Providenciales. This is because there are no limitations on jet skis in the bay and the water conditions are excellent. Long Bay Beach typically has wind conditions around 10 miles (16km) per hour or less, so the water is calm with little to no large swells. This makes it easy to jet across the surface smoothly. The water is also shallow close to shore, so you can mount and dismount your jet ski right off the beach.
Can You Have Jet Skis Dropped Off at a Private Villa?
Most jet ski rental companies in the Long Bay Beach area can drop off your jet ski right in front of your private beachfront villa. At Triton Luxury Villa, your personal concierge can arrange jet ski rentals for you any time during your stay and have them dropped off on the beach in front of the villa. You can rent jet skis for anywhere from 30 minutes up to a full day and most rentals include life jackets and a full tank of gas. You can opt for a non-guided rental if you want to rip up the waves on your own or a guided jet ski tour to see interesting sights around Providenciales.
Jet Ski Tour of La Famille Express
If you’re looking for an interesting jet ski tour close to Long Bay Beach, the La Famille Express shipwreck is just two miles offshore and within sight of Triton Villa. This massive cargo ship was once part of the Russian naval fleet under the name Fort Shevchenko and later became a Caribbean freighter ship under the name La Famille Express. The ship was grounded on a shallow reef during Hurricane Frances in 2004, and it has rested there ever since. You can’t actually climb onboard the ship for safety reasons, but a jet ski will allow you to tour the perimeter and see it up close.
What Can You See on a Jet Ski Tour?
Besides the La Famille Express shipwreck, there are many other fascinating sights you can see on a jet ski tour leaving from Long Bay Beach. These are just a few popular jet ski touring spots:
Located on the southwest point of Providenciales, this scenic area is worth a visit for its towering cliffs, secluded beach and 200-year-old rock carvings left by sailors who were shipwrecked and stranded on the island. This is also a great spot for bird spotting.
Dellis Cay is part of a string of cays that lie between Provo and North Caicos. Completely uninhabited, it has an absolutely spectacular beach that is renowned as a prime seashell gathering destination. Along the south coast of the cay there are interesting wetlands with mangroves.
Close to West Harbour Bluff, Turtle Rock is a 200-foot (65m) wide limestone rock that is split by a narrow channel. It has interesting formations that create underwater caves, which makes it a great place for marine life to gather and an excellent snorkelling spot. Visitors can catch glimpses of crabs, coral, tropical fish and sea stars.
