Rou Chater and Anastasia Pankina head to the H2O Life. Style. Resort in the Turks and Caicos to explore the new kite and wing academy and check out what the spot has to offer. Read all about the history of this unique Caribbean destination and what you can expect on your own trip to this dreamy kiting paradise in this article!

With new flights leaving from the UK, this destination in the Caribbean has suddenly become much closer. Situated on the island of Providenciales, the H2O Life. Style. Resort was purpose-built for kiteboarders and wingfoilers alike and opened in 2020. From the ground up, it's been designed around our amazing sport, and if you ever get the chance to visit, it's well worth the trip.

Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, the turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands can be seen from space, but you won't need a rocket ship to experience them. Comprising a chain of 40 islands and cays, this British Overseas Territory beckons travellers with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a captivating history that spans centuries.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are situated southeast of the Bahamas and north of the Dominican Republic, drawing their name from the indigenous Turk's Head cactus and the Lucayan term "caya hico," meaning string of islands. This tropical paradise has a unique history, shaped by the Lucayan Indians, European explorers, pirates, and salt-rakers.

Spanish explorers arrived in the early 16th century, followed by French and British settlers. Over the years, the islands became a haven for pirates, including the notorious Anne Bonny and Calico Jack. By the 18th century, salt became the primary industry, constructing impressive salt ponds and raking systems that still dot the landscape today.

Tourism has emerged as the cornerstone of the local economy, transforming the archipelago into a sought-after destination for travellers seeking pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and a serene tropical atmosphere. Over the years, the islands have transitioned from a historical reliance on salt production and fishing to a thriving tourism industry that sustains local communities.

The allure of the Turks and Caicos Islands lies in its natural beauty, featuring some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Grace Bay Beach, with its powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, consistently attracts international acclaim and symbolises the archipelago's appeal. The islands boast stunning coral reefs, making them a haven for snorkelers and divers eager to explore the vibrant underwater world.

We're not here to sit on the beach, though or swim around underwater; we've come to check out the incredible kitesurfing at Long Bay. Rou last travelled to the Turks and Caicos around ten years ago, so getting on a plane and heading back for him was great. I, however, have never been, so I was excited to see for myself the white sand beaches and the most incredibly clear water that Rou spoke about.

And oh boy I was not disappointed at all, as the pristine beaches and turquoise water are there in abundance. On Rou's last visit, he was over in Cockburn Town and only spent a very brief amount of time on Providenciales, so both of us were keen to explore the island. Providenciales is the main island with the International airport, meaning the transfer to H2O is just over 20 minutes, which is pretty amazing compared to some locations.

This means you can take the morning flight in the UK and be kiting in the afternoon at Long Bay. This is exactly what we did; there is something incredible about jumping off a plane and straight into the sea. The lagoon at Long Bay is like nothing else I've really ever seen before or experienced. The watercolour is literally like a swimming pool, and the sand is almost as white as snow. That's nothing new, I hear you say, but what differentiates it is the sheer size and scale compared to anywhere else I have been. The lagoon is genuinely something to behold; it stretches out as far as the eye can see and is only waist-deep in most places. If you tried to kiteboard to the end of it, I'd wager that you wouldn't succeed. If you want to take in the astronaut's eye view of this place, head over to Google Earth and take a look at Long Bay from above; it is truly mind-blowing. 

The kiteboarding here is special, with consistent trade winds blowing for ten months of the year, also boasting one of the longest seasons. The winds start blowing in November and don't stop until September. You still get wind in the off-season, but it's more frontal and not as reliable. 

The wind here isn't super strong, and it's not a big air destination, but for every other discipline in our sport, this place has a lot to offer. The lagoon is perfect for beginners as you will never be out of your depth, but there is enough water to soften the blow when the inevitable wipeouts happen. Because the wind is a little lighter, the water state remains reasonably calm, and it's not too choppy in the lagoon, making it great for freeriding, freestyle and cruising. 

You can also foil here, and I challenge you not to have an otherworldly experience foiling above the water, which is so alluring in its clarity and colour. It's worth mentioning that the lagoon is tidal, and at low tide during springs, you can't foil, so if you want to fly over the water, perhaps plan your trip to have the high tide in the afternoons when the wind is up.

The trade winds deliver predominantly onshore breezes, meaning the location is super safe. If anything ever does go wrong, you can easily walk back to the beach. This makes it one of the best places I have ever been to for learners; it's the perfect playground for improving your skills. More advanced riders will appreciate the opportunity to cruise around and explore the lagoon and everything it has to offer; there is even a floating bar out in the middle of it that you can kite to for a beer!

Further afield from Long Bay, there are loads of great spots to kite. Some of the best waves in the world can be found among the archipelago, but you do need a boat to access most of them, something they do have at H2O. However, I would consider this more of a freeride and freestyle destination as getting a boat out to a wave spot each day is going to get expensive pretty quickly. 

For freestylers, spots like Half Moon Bay offer incredible flat water with sandbars to play around on. You can go on kite safaris between the islands and explore endlessly as there are so many incredible spots absolutely everywhere. You never know what you're going to find around the next corner.

As I mentioned earlier, the setup at H2O is purpose-built for kiteboarders and wingfoilers. They have all the new equipment from Cabrinha, which is brand new and renewed every year. This means you can jump on a plane with your harness and not have to worry about bringing any equipment. They have a full range of kites, boards, foils, wing surfing gear, e-foils, jet skis, SUPs and even catamarans for you to play on. There's always something to do no matter what the wind is up to. 

If you want to learn to kitesurf, then H2O can cater for that too. They have instructors on hand at the kite and wing academy, and the conditions are probably about as good as you're going to get anywhere in the world to learn the sport. They also have a shop on site which sells harnesses, rash vests, suncream, sunglasses, hats, and anything that you might have forgotten that will be useful to you before, during, and after your session.

The accommodation at the resort is incredible; the entire complex was completed early in 2020. It was built to an incredibly high standard by Rob and his team, and walking into one of the rooms, you really feel the luxury that surrounds you. Every room has a balcony, and all of them have a sea view of the fantastic turquoise lagoon. You will also find an incredibly well-equipped kitchen in each apartment, honestly better than just about any I have ever seen and enormous comfy beds to ensure a good night's sleep after a long day on the water. 

There are BBQs in the outdoor kitchen area that you can use to cook fresh fish, too. The resort doesn't have its own restaurant, though it's something that is being talked about and may happen in the future. They do serve a basic breakfast each day; think toast, pastries, fruit and coffee, and you get the idea. We found it perfect for our needs, but if you want something more substantial, then it's best to prepare your own.

One advantage of this is that you can buy food locally and eat whatever you fancy, the local supermarkets are very well equipped. Of course, you can also jump in one of the Teslas, e-jeep or e-scooters that they have at the resort and travel to Grace Bay or one of the other areas to sample some of the amazing local cuisine. There are plenty of restaurants to cater for just about every dietary requirement and taste, and food on the island is of a very high standard.

If you do decide to go out to eat, then the famous Conch Shack should be the first place that you check out. It's been a feature on the island for over 20 years and serves the local delicacy in just about every imaginable way. I can highly recommend the conch fritters, and eating the conch pistol is definitely an experience I won't forget in a hurry!

The resort also has the option of a private chef, which you can arrange for a meal, a day or even the entire duration of your stay. Just speak to the team about it, but remember to organise it in advance before your trip, as there are only so many chefs on the island working like this, and they get booked up quickly. 

While there isn't a restaurant at H2O, there is an excellent beach bar, which is a great place to unwind after a session; just step off the beach and grab a beer. Be sure to sample the rum punch and also the local beers from the Turks Head Brewery, who do an excellent IPA and lager. 

The evenings are generally quiet as it's all about the action on the water; of course, you can go into one of the nearby towns as there is definitely a party vibe on the island if that is what you are after. On some weekends, the resort has live music and a bit of a party vibe, but the other evenings are for chilling on the roof terrace with a glass of wine and watching the stars.

If you don't luck out on the wind, there is plenty to do on the island; take a boat trip and explore some of the other spots. Head over to Grace Bay and see the stunning beach, go snorkelling, e-foiling, sail a catamaran, or just chill on the beach; you definitely won't get bored here. There is also a really well-equipped gym, yoga, tennis, basketball and pickleball courts, so if you want to work out, get bendy, or play with some balls, there are plenty of options. 

If you are in the US or Canada, then the Turks and Caicos are an easy hop across, with lots of airports and carriers offering direct flights. In the UK, Virgin has just started a new direct flight, and you can also fly with BA via the Bahamas. There are lots of options from European airports, too. As a traveller from Europe, I'd recommend coming for at least a week as the flight is a long one. 

When you are here, you can rent a car to explore or just do a food shop, stay at the resort, and kitesurf your brains out. If you are bringing your own gear, check the forecast and pack the kites accordingly before you leave. It's usually bigger kites, just like most of the spots in the Caribbean.

The Turks and Caicos Islands offer an enchanting blend of history and adventure, with Long Bay on Providenciales standing out as a true kiteboarding paradise. The resort at H2O takes things to another level in terms of comfort, setup, and standards; you won't be disappointed if you stay here, and you'll probably spend your trip planning the next one! Whether you're looking to learn to kite or land your latest freestyle trick, maybe try wingfoiling or perfect those gybes, this Caribbean gem promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of paradise.

 

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IKSURFMAG head to H2O Life Style Resort in Turks and Caicos
By Anastasia Pankina

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