Live wind
Water & wetsuit
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About this spot
Smith Bay, on the East End of St. Thomas near Red Hook, is the island's documented kite beach. The spot guide rates it for all rider levels on a clean sandy beach with a good launch, in side-onshore conditions on the prevailing northeasterly trade wind.
The wind is a winter story: the guide says it blows fairly constantly from late November through the winter months at 15 to 25 knots, with January, February, March and December the best months. The water is crystal clear and mostly choppy, with small waves on the reefs, and the spot does not depend on the tide.
Two cautions come straight from the guide: reefs in the water and inter-island currents, plus trees on the beach to keep clear of when launching. The beach is managed by the Magen's Bay Authority with a small entrance fee, and is reached by car down a mud road off Smith Bay Road — no taxis serve it.
3-day forecast
Speed / gusts in knots. Colour = rideability for this spot. Bottom row = recommended kite size for your weight — not recommended outside this spot's 13–25 kn range.
Conditions
- Water
- choppy, waves
- Depth
- Sandy shallows with reefs in the water
- Seabed
- sand, reef
- Skill
- intermediate, expert
- Beginners
- Not for beginners — intermediate and up
- Wind range
- 13 kn – 25 kn
Access & parking
From Smith Bay Road (Route 38) east of the resort, half a mile down a mud road; private or rental car only, then a short walk.
Parking: Parking at the beach; the spot guide lists parking as a feature.
Amenities
- Clean sandy beach with a good launch spot
- Side-onshore northeasterly trades, 15–25 kn in winter
- Tide independent, crystal-clear water
- Entrance fee of about $4 (Magen's Bay Authority)
Needs local verification: Sources: the spot guide's Smith Bay page (all rider levels, clean sandy beach, side-onshore NE trades 15–25 kn from late November through winter, best months January–March and December, tide independent, hazards currents, reefs and trees, entrance fee $4, access by car down a mud road, no taxis). Although the guide rates the spot for beginners, no school confirms teaching here — the island's schools are on St. Croix — so no beginner label. Wind figures are the guide's, not a station record. Needs local verification.
Local hazards
- Reefs in the water — the spot guide lists reefs as a hazard
- Inter-island currents despite the small tide
- Trees on the beach — keep the launch clear
- Frequent winter rain squalls