Seven beautiful beaches
to explore
The full guide to the beaches of Providenciales — from the quiet local cove a five-minute walk from the villa, to the famous twelve-mile stretch and the uninhabited cays beyond.
Most visitors come for one beach.
The locals know seven.
Provo's beach reputation rests on Grace Bay — and Grace Bay deserves it. But the island has six other beaches worth knowing, each with a distinct character, and most of them are emptier than the famous one. Here's the full list, with notes on which beach for which day.
Babalua Beach
The locals' beach. Five-minute walk away.
Quiet, snorkel-clear, framed by low cliffs and tropical vegetation. The closest beach to Beachwood Villa — a five-minute walk from the front door.
Morning swims, snorkeling, sea-turtle sightings, beach mornings without the crowd.
Bring beach chairs from the villa. Most days, you'll have stretches of it to yourselves. For more on snorkelling the reef here and the rest of a week on the water, see our guide to a week on the water.
Grace Bay Beach
The famous one. Twelve miles. Worth the hype.
The internationally awarded twelve-mile stretch of soft white sand, three blues of water, and the island's most photographed resorts. Calm, gentle waves, perfect for swimming.
Long beach days, sunset walks, the iconic Caribbean experience.
Park at the public access points along Grace Bay Road. Bring chairs and an umbrella from the villa — beachfront loungers belong to the resorts. Best in the morning before cruise-ship crowds, or at sunset after they leave.
Taylor Bay
The shallow-water beach. For families with small kids.
Exceptionally shallow water — wade out fifty yards and still be standing. Firm sand bottom, no rocks, no seagrass. Calm, warm, completely safe for small kids.
Toddlers, non-swimmers, families with young children, anyone wanting calm warm water.
Less crowded than Grace Bay because most guidebooks miss it. Worth the fifteen-minute drive from the villa.
Long Bay Beach
The kiteboarder's beach. Wide. Windswept. Dramatic.
Completely different in character from the calm north-shore beaches. Wide, shallow, with constant trade winds blowing across the flats. The world's premier kiteboarding destination.
Kiteboarding lessons, dramatic afternoon walks, photographers, anyone wanting the south-shore contrast.
Drive the length of Long Bay Drive — one of the most photogenic stretches of road on the island, with dramatic modern villas along the route. Long Bay is also the island's kiteboarding beach; our water guide covers lessons and the flat-water conditions.
The Bight Beach
For the snorkel reef. Less famous, better swimming.
Just west of Grace Bay, with the same beautiful sand and water but fewer people. The Bight Reef is a protected shallow snorkel reef accessible from the beach — no boat required.
Snorkeling, swimming, beach days that combine lounging with reef exploration.
Swim out fifty yards from the beach and you're surrounded by tropical fish, soft corals, and the occasional sea turtle.
Half Moon Bay
The boat-trip beach. Uninhabited. Worth the journey.
Technically not on Provo — Half Moon Bay sits between Water Cay and Little Water Cay, accessible only by boat. A curve of white sand on an uninhabited cay, calm shallow water on one side, snorkel reef on the other.
Boat days, snorkeling, the picture you'll send everyone, sea turtles.
Most private boat charters from Provo include Half Moon Bay as the lunch stop. Our concierge can arrange the charter.
Leeward Beach
The east-end alternative. Quieter Grace Bay.
The far eastern end of Grace Bay, accessed through the upscale Leeward residential community. Quieter than the central Grace Bay strip, with fewer resorts and more local feel.
Long walks, quieter beach days, architecture enthusiasts (the path runs past beautiful private homes).
The marina at the end of the road is worth a stop for boats and lunch.
Seven beaches, one home base
Beachwood Villa is a private 4-bedroom luxury villa in Providenciales, a 5-minute walk from Babalua Beach and a short drive from the rest. The home base for the beach week you've been promising yourself.
Check Availability Speak with Concierge