I am heading to St. John and hoping to do some kiting while I'm there.

I can't find much info online and the related forum posts are pretty old. Anyone have any updated info on kiting in USVI? Is it worth bringing my gear? I'll have a car, so I can head to St. Thomas if needed.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

-Francis

did you check on www.splocs.com ?

if nothing listed please add locations once you are back! make sure to make some pictures!
thx! and have a great trip!!!

St. John probably not, too many mountains. St. Thomas you can ride on the east end, in the bay near the Ritz, and I think the adjacent bay.

There was a small kiteboarding contigency there 5 years ago when I went.

Thanks. I'll check out St. Thomas and let everyone know how it goes...

St. Thomas has a ton of great beaches and setups, but unfortunately most of them are blocked by the really convoluted coastline and a general lack of strong wind. I was there in June 2010 and only used my biggest kite. Most common winds were NE and SE, about 10-12mph. No surf. All spots involve riding over reef.

There were 3 spots that i saw and rode, all in the Red Hook area.

Great Bay aka the Ritz. Small beach, very onshore, limited launch/land spot, powerlines behind the trees on the sand, zero room for error while riding as your kite will end up in the beach chairs of the hotel guests. Best on SE.

Muller bay aka Redhook harbor. Side shore launch beach. Must stay upwind otherwise you end up riding amongst the moored boats. Best on NE.

St John Bay aka Sapphire Beach. Launch and land on the grass lawn between the palm trees. Don't get pinched on the northern end of this small beach, otherwise you will be stuck body-dragging over shallow reef. Also best on NE.

There's also Brewer's Bay by the airport which looks like a rideable setup, but it was offshore the day I was there.

And Magen's Bay up north is absolutely beautiful and would be a dream riding location, but there's slim chance that wind would ever make it in that narrow fetch.

Expect on being self-sufficient, but there is a windsurfing shop by Muller bay and I think the guy had limited kite gear.

If you can see the Red Hook harbor, check the moored boats in Vessup Bay. Usually the boats will point into the wind and provide a good indicator of direction.

If there's stormy weather coming in, the wind may alternate between dropping to nothing, followed by 20mph microburst squalls.

All in all the island is better suited for snorkling, fishing, SUP, and drinking rum.

hope this helps

Awesome info. Thanks discojuggernaut!