National Geographic has a well-deserved reputation for opening up the world to its readers with spectacular photography, riveting narratives and an honest perspective on faraway lands and distant cultures.
Peering deep within its rectangular yellow frame, generations of kids and kids-at-heart have been awed by the wonders of the pyramids, become enthralled with the colorful vistas of Tuscany, or felt a frisson of fright as they were taken deep into the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
Whatever the topic or location, readers have always known that they were getting the straight story, without fear or favor. So when National Geographic published a list of the best kiteboarding beaches in the world, fans of this increasingly popular sport took notice.
At the pinnacle was Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, followed by Maui, Lake Garda in Italy, Babaomby in Madagascar and Essaouira in Morocco.
It was number six that caught our eye, a sleeper on the list: Long Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. What makes the rising popularity of this Turks and Caicos kiteboarding spot so notable is that, until recently, it’s been a destination that many experienced kiteboarders have wanted to keep to themselves. They’ve enjoyed the relative privacy and seclusion of Turks and Caicos, a place that is at once off the beaten path but also squarely on the radar for world travelers in the know.
National Geographic had this to say about the destination: “Turks and Caicos is a Caribbean paradise, with turquoise water and soft white sand that seem to spring from dreams. What makes it great: Kiteboarding elevates to the divine at Long Bay, a broad, shallow lagoon that cradles the eastern edge of Providenciales. Protected by fringing reefs, this flat-water paradise has a sandy bottom and consistent side-shore wind.”
Long Bay edged out Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, the Columbia River Gorge in the Pacific Northwest, La Ventana in Baja, Mexico and Cabarete in the Dominican Republic.
Long Bay is located on Providenciales, the main island in this glittering constellation of endless beaches and glassy, deep-azure seas. Providenciales is sophisticated enough to delight a wide range of tourists — from beachgoers to visitors who just want to enjoy a calm, stress-free place — but remote enough to be an undiscovered Atlantic gem.
As a popular online travel guide noted, “Although they’re often overshadowed by their closest neighbor, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a worthwhile vacation destination in their own right. In fact, in many ways, this charming island chain offers a more authentic ‘deserted island’ feel than any other group in the Caribbean.”
This dual character of Turks and Caicos — at once cultured and uncharted — means that luxury lodging is finite, but also that when you do settle into your resort bungalow, you won’t feel you need to forage for transistors to communicate with civilization.
In fact, at resorts such as UMI Villa, you are in control of how much of the world you want to let in, or how far you want to soar above it.
The perfect day may be simply enjoying the spectacular panorama from your luxury suite. Turks and Caicos resorts are world-class inside and out. UMI Villa, for example, features wood-paneled ceilings, bathrooms with modern gray slate tiling and calming rainfall shower heads, private balconies, an outdoor grill and an elegant beachside pool.
Meanwhile, the natural beauty beyond the lambent pool beckons. Walk a few steps to the beach for a day of sunbathing, surfing or kiteboarding. Explore beach bars and dining options right around the corner; or discover the nearby attractions of Grace Bay, Sapodilla Bay and Taylor Bay Beach. Golf, snorkel or relax at a spa. You have all the time in the world.
For the novice, kiteboarding schools are close by, and the shallow portion of UMI Villa’s beachfront is the perfect beginner’s proving ground. Farther out, currents of air lift kiteboarders skyward, as tides churn frosted waves below.
When it’s time to rejoin civilization, you’ll have many stories to tell about your time on Providenciales, the island you discovered, explored, conquered or found yourself happily marooned on. By the end of your adventure, you’ll know the truth behind a favorite kiteboarding quote: “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a kite — and that’s pretty close.”
