Kiteprovo

The Long Bay Shipwreck – A must-see attraction
in Turks and Caicos

For many years, the rusting wreck of La Famille Express has been one of the most famous shipwrecks in the region and certainly the most famous wreck in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It’s relatively easy to access by boat or jet ski and is popular for boaters and photographers due to its unique, stranded position off the turquoise shallow waters off of Long Bay Beach.

You can find the Long Bay Shipwreck about 2 miles off Long Bay’s Kite Beach on Providenciales. When on Long Bay Beach, look directly out and you can’t miss it. It has been a major attraction of Kite Beach since its arrival in 2004 when it was dragged along the coast of Providenciales during Hurricane Frances.

What happened to La Famille Express?

La Famille Express is a cargo ship that ran aground in Turks and Caicos during Hurricane Frances in 2004. The vessel became a well-known shipwreck off the coast of Long Bay Beach on Providenciales. The hurricane pushed the ship toward the shallow waters, where it has remained ever since, becoming an iconic sight and very popular destination for boaters and photographers. 

How do I get to La Famille Express shipwreck?

The most common way to reach the Long Bay shipwreck is by boat or jet ski. Many local tour operators such as Caicos Catalyst offer trips to the shipwreck, combining it with other activities like snorkeling or sightseeing. You can snorkel around the shipwreck where you will see lots of reef fish and the occasional lobster. You can also visit it via kayak or paddleboard but this is not generally recommended as it’s over 2 miles off of Long Bay Beach.

With the right wind direction and conditions, advanced kiters & foil boarders can kite upwind and around La Famille Express. This is a 2 miles upwind ride and should only be attempted by advanced kiters who take all necessary safety precautions! Kiting out to and around The Long Bay Shipwreck from Long Bay Beach is almost a rite of passage for high-level kiters who spend a lot of time kiting on Long Bay Beach.

Climbing the shipwreck & safety precautions

If you get the chance to pay her a visit, you might notice that mother nature has taken its toll. Climbing onto the shipwreck and exploring it was once a popular and readily accessible activity thanks to a net that hung over its port side. However, we now strongly recommend that you do not climb onto the wreck. The ship has significantly deteriorated over time, presenting numerous potential hazards due to its abundance of sharp edges along the rusty surface.

Additionally, there are general safety concerns regarding its stability. There have been discussions about the possible removal of the wreck, but as of the latest information, it remains a point of interest and a reminder of the hurricane’s impact on the area. 

 

The La Famille Express shipwreck remains as a significant feature in the landscape of Long Bay Beach and is a must-see attraction in the Turks & Caicos.

Bring your camera and a mask to make the most out of your visit!

How many shipwrecks are there in Turks and Caicos?

Turks and Caicos is home to numerous shipwrecks, with estimates suggesting there are over 30 known wrecks around the islands. These shipwrecks vary in age and origin, ranging from historic vessels dating back to the 18th century to more recent ships. However, not very many of these wrecks are accessible as most sunk off the barrier reef where the water is too deep to access them. 

La Famille Express off on Long Bay Beach is the most popular and most easily accessible shipwreck in the Turks & Caicos.

Kite Provo Offers Even More to Do!

Take a magical journey through the shallow water estuaries of the beautiful Turks & Caicos ‘Mangrove Island’ nature reserve. Paddle alongside countless turtles, baby lemon sharks, pufferfish, rays, snapper, anemones, star fish, conch, pelicans and more.

Wing boarding is the newest wind powered water sport! Safe and easy to learn as the wing has no lines and the board doesn’t sink! With no previous wind or water experience, enjoy riding the board during your 1st lesson. Wing Boarding is for everyone!

See What Our Boarders are Saying About Us!

Reviews: 5 stars on and
(combined 700+ reviews)

  • star rating  Jay was awesome! Really took the time to teach me how to maintain control of the kite under strong wind conditions. I would highly recommend. Shout out to Jerry, too.

    Ali R
    April 1, 2022

    star rating  We appreciate that Chris and Jason are friendly, informative, genuine and eco-minded! Our family of 5 adult first time paddle boarders saw sharks, turtles and jellyfish. We held a sea… read more

    Annette M
    December 1, 2021

    star rating  Awesome Kite boarding school!!! – Alan, our instructor was amazing. The whole team was great! Wish we’d have booked the 10 hour package, cause we were so hooked, we scheduled two more lessons… read more

    steveyX7524XC
    April 11, 2022
  • star rating  Epic start! – Baptiste is a great instructor who exhibited great patience! We had zero prior experience and truly enjoyed our time on Long Bay Beach with him. Great equipment and… read more

    willwelchjr
    March 18, 2022

    star rating  My son and I had a great introductory lesson with Mawi! He took us through all the early stages at our pace, and it really cemented our desire to… read more

    Christian B
    January 1, 2022

    star rating  I had 5 two-hour lessons with the Kite Provo team in early December 2021 as a beginner kite boarder. Kite boarding can have a steep learning curve, especially for older… read more

    George B
    December 1, 2021
  • star rating  Quick progression  – No wasted time, Jay gave me great progression quickly.

    The instructors get you the spot quickly and the area allows you to recover quickly. Combined, you get a… read more

    ChuckyChuckFromTheE
    July 29, 2022

    star rating  SJ and the Kite Provo crew are friendly and offer fantastic instruction. The crew are great instructors. SJ helped me reach a breakthrough with transitions and the setup- including newer… read more

    Island Bill
    January 1, 2022

    star rating  Great instructor, setting, weather and equipment for kiteboarding. Jay did an excellent job reviewing principles and moving through the lesson at our pace. Did a three hour… read more

    D B
    May 1, 2022
  • star rating  We booked a paddle boarding tour from 8:15-10:15am. After a long paddle across the channel, we made it to the mangroves and saw all kinds of wildlife: conch, lemon… read more

    becky c
    March 1, 2022

    star rating  BEST Kitesurfing and Mangrove Tour Experience!  – This place deserves more than 5 stars! Both my kids did private lessons over Spring Break with Mati and Julie. They are both high school athletes and have a lot… read more

    avatar thumb T T
    May 16, 2025

    star rating  Instructor was awesome, patient, followed on jet ski, just the right combo of demonstrating and offering tips. Site is exceptional too. Office very organized and flexible.

    avatar thumb T5025ZSjohnb
    January 24, 2023
  • star rating  The mangrove tour on paddleboards was a lot of fun! Saw so many turtles, some baby lemon sharks. The information about the area was great and it was… read more

    Linssk
    June 1, 2022

    star rating  This is the place to learn kiteboarding! – 1. Lessons were easy to book! Questions were quickly addressed and directions to the kiteboarding location were very detailed and easy to understand.
    2. The location can not be… read more

    haleyh1234
    August 7, 2022

    star rating  Absolutely gorgeous place to learn or to improve your kiting skills. At low tide it is so shallow that you can easily recover and walk to your board. … read more

    RobbedPerson 🙁
    December 1, 2021

Real-time Wind & Weather
Compliments of Kite Provo

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Sensor
Wind Speed (Knots/mph)
Gust Speed (Knots/mph)
Temperature (C/F)

Reading

E
9.5/10.9
11.3/13
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