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Hello,
We're heading to St. Thomas this weekend for a two week wedding/honeymoon. While there, I plan on doing some kiteboarding. By now I've heard about West Indies as a good shop and the bay in front of the Ritz as a great location. I have also heard that "Smith Bay Road" can offer good access. This was described as "#38 road...Appears private access but there is no such thing here in the islands. Only accessed by private/rental car- no taxis!Get a car which you can lock well as there is no security here!"
So, I would like to stop there during the day, but was wondering if I should be concerned about safety? Naturally, I'd lock my car when I was away from it, but I'd probably be by myself or with my wife, who would would hang out on the beach while I was out. I would suspect that I would only go if other kiters were out so there would be other people and cars around, but I wanted to see if this is worth a visit, or worth avoiding.
That's my main question - safety on Smith Bay Road. However, any tips on good kiting locations (or places you have seen others ride on St. John or St. Thomas) would be appreciated. FWIW, a *great* location would have predominately side shore winds with shallow water. 🙂
Thanks! Looking forward to our first visit to the USVIs.
-tjb
...oh, and one follow-up question - jeep or convertable?
either way we'll have the top down, which is key - but the convertable seems easier to secure when we're away from it. would only get the jeep if 4WD would be nice to have. thanks!
Some of you "locals" need to respond to this....
My son moved to STT a year ago and indicates that the Smith Bay area is not exactly safe for people just hanging out alone...and not just from the theft concerns. It is a nasty part of the island if you are not at a resort.
Please rethink just where you do your kiteboarding - unless there are other people around.
Smith Bay Road is well-traveled by many, including some unsavory characters. It is a residential area, and the families that live there are law-abiding.
That being said, I do not recommend "hanging out" there at night, alone. During the day, you should be able to safely drive along this road and enjoy the Lindquist Beach and enjoy your kiteboarding.
I'd get a car that can be locked if you plan to leave valuables inside. 4WD is recommended because the road is bumpy and after it rains, rife with mud holes.
Hello tjb,
I don't follow... 'Smith Bay Road' can offer good access to _____? Which beach are you trying to get to? There are a few that are accessed by Smith Bay Road. I quess A. Davis knows the kiteboarding scene and knew it was Lindquist :). If thats it, Yes I'd also recommend locking up your vechicle, hiding valuables, getting other folks with you and yeap the road is dirt/bumpy, you can make it with a car but might touch bottom in a few spots.
Route 38 is a lenghtly strip of road; it runs basically from town to Red Hook. The part called Smith Bay Road runs from around Tutu to Red Hook. Its a main road, safe. It runs through a some what shady area, Smith Bay. Folks just hanging out, strip club... so it has a bad image attached but during the day the fishermen sell their fish roadside, folks at fruit stands and people stop and shop at the stands. I agree with A. Davis I wouldn't hang there at night.
Bluebeards Beach at Ritz Carlton is where I have seen the most kiteboarders.
--Islander
Yes, Linquist is the name I've heard. How will I know Linquist beach when I get to it?
Thanks for the great feedback, I'd of course welcome any additional comments or insight! It sounds like a place I would be comfortable going to during the day...I'll just try to not look like too much of a touron while I'm there. 🙂 "Is this where the bridge to St. Croix is?"
tjb:I see a lot of kiteboarders in the Jersey Bay area- there are a group of cays just outside Benner Bay Lagoon. Usually good wind. I am not sure how they access this, but it would beat going to Lindquist in my mind. Your wife could hang out at Secret Harbour and watch you with binoculars across the bay and sip on a painkiller! Ask Joe at West Indies Windsurfing, the guru of sail and kite boarding.
The ritz has more room to launch. and not as much reef as linguist. They only kiteboard at linguist when the wind is from the north. this time of year it is mostly from the east, or ese
>They only kiteboard at linguist when the wind is from the north. this time of year it is mostly from the east, or ese
great info, thanks!
any other feedback on jeep/4wd vs. convertabile? if i'll be away from linguist, is there any other reason i'd want the jeep's 4wd for tooling around either island? (st. john or st. thomas)
