Grace Bay Beach and Long Bay Beach are two of the most popular destinations on the island of Providenciales. Once home to just a few small fishing villages and a series of salt flats, Providenciales is now the jewel of Turks and Caicos with all manner of accommodation, dining, and nightlife. Long Bay and Grace Bay are known for their stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and proximity to luxury hotels and villas. Yet while each offers endless opportunities for sun, sea and sand, there are quite a few differences between these holiday hotspots.
Where is Long Bay Beach?
Long Bay Beach is located on the southeast coast of Providenciales.
Where is Grace Bay Beach?
Grace Bay Beach is located on the northeast coast of Providenciales.
Best for Relaxation: Long Bay
If you’re looking to indulge in some rest and relaxation, Long Bay Beach is your spot. This three-mile beach has soft sand that is fringed with palm trees and calm, shallow waters that are perfect for leisurely swims. Unlike Grace Bay Beach, there are very few hotels, restaurants, and bars here, so the beach is usually crowd-free.
Best for Nightlife: Grace Bay
Grace Bay is the most popular holiday destination in Providenciales, so it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of nightlife spots where you can party until the wee hours of the morning. Establishments range from easy-going pubs to bustling waterfront bars with patios and live music.
Long Bay is Great for Families
Families love Long Bay Beach for its peaceful atmosphere and calm, shallow waters that are perfect for little ones. The ocean floor is soft and sandy so kids can splash around without parents worrying about them hurting themselves on rocks or coral. Older kids and adults can try a variety of water sports including kiteboarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Long Bay is More Private than Grace Bay
Grace Bay is lined with large hotels, and Long Bay is home to private residences and luxury villas. This gives the area a more secluded and exclusive feel. For example, Triton Luxury Villa offers the utmost privacy with two acres of lushly landscaped grounds, seven spacious bedrooms, two swimming pools, and unobstructed views of the ocean. In addition, Triton offers direct access to the beach.
Distance from Triton Villa to Grace Bay
Although Triton Luxury Villa seems like it’s a world away from bustling Grace Bay, it’s actually just a 10-minute drive from the front door of the villa to Grace Bay Beach.
Activities Available on Long Bay vs Grace Bay
Both Grace Bay and Long Bay offer your usual warm weather activities like sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. However, Grace Bay Beach is more popular for motorized water sports like jet skiing, water skiing, and boat trips for scuba diving or fishing. Grace Bay is also home to Provo Golf Club.
Long Bay Beach is famous for kiteboarding and horseback riding in the water. Long Bay has far fewer visitors than Grace Bay, allowing for much more privacy to enjoy water activities.
Long Bay is Best for Kiteboarding
Kiteboarders in the know head to Long Bay to ride the waves because the area gets consistent trade winds year-round. Another draw is the shallow water with a clear sandy bottom, which makes it great for beginner kiteboarders to learn the basics. There are also a number of kiteboarding schools that cater to beginner and advanced riders.
Grace Bay Top Restaurants
Grace Bay is renowned for its excellent dining options that range from laid-back cafes to elegant fine dining restaurants. Some sublime dining venues include Coco Bistro for fresh local seafood served al fresco underneath palm trees, Grace’s Cottage for gourmet Caribbean cuisine in a sophisticated colonial setting, and Opus for fine wines and exquisite globally-inspired dishes.
