Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Hull Bay is a quite exposed reef break on St. Thomas’s north shore, known for picking up northern swells and producing surf over a shallow reef. Conditions are described as sensitive to wind, and the beach is exposed, so you should expect a more demanding, reef-focused session when the swell is on. For surfing, the spot is most associated with northern swell direction (with northwest also noted) and is reported as producing decent walls on good northern swells, typically ending in a channel. Wave shape is described as mixed/peeling, and the wave power can be moderate to powerful depending on swell and conditions. Ride length is generally medium, with typical sessions giving runs in the tens to ~100 meters range when conditions are favorable. Hazards are a key part of the Hull Bay experience: rocks, shallow reef, and numerous sea urchins (plus sharp coral) are specifically highlighted. Reef shoes/reef boots are strongly recommended, and water shoes are practical even on calm sessions. Strong currents (including rip-current behavior during larger winter swells) can occur, so plan your entry/exit carefully and don’t assume the beach is safe just because it’s shallow. Seasonally, northern swell relevance is emphasized around the winter period, and October is also highlighted as a best month in one source. Facilities are limited, and the beach is described as strongly local—fishers anchor small boats there and dogs are present. Expect minimal rescue/lifeguard support and plan to travel from Charlotte Amalie by car/taxi for access.
- Exposed north-shore reef break that works with northern swells.
- Very local beach scene with limited facilities.
- Sea urchins everywhere on the reef—reef shoes are essential.
- Highly exposed north-shore reef break with consistent northern swell windows.
- Can produce quality waves with both lefts and rights.
- Limited but present on-beach food/drink option; strong local scene.
- Reef hazards: rocks and sea urchins (reef shoes strongly recommended).
- Wind trades can make conditions sensitive and less clean for surfing.
- No lifeguards reported; rescue described as not available.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds; sensitive to trades for keeping waves clean.
- Reliability
- Low for surfing when winds are on-trade; prefer light or off conditions for cleanliness.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Provider notes gustiness; monthly blown/clean distribution also indicates variability.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadow from high hills to the east and south.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — One source describes sand; another describes mixed beach composition with rocks/coral debris.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is reported as small to medium depending on conditions and swell.
- Launch
- Small — Shore access at the base of a steep valley; narrow beach at the end of the road with rocks/coral debris.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Reported as moderate due to reef/rocks and narrow access.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; can be crowded on weekends and during good swells.
Hurricane season runs from June to November.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Quite exposed reef break on St. Thomas’s north shore that picks up northern swells and can produce both lefts and rights over a shallow reef.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed north-shore reef break with limited protection from prevailing swell/wind.
- Wind Effect
- Trade winds can make the spot sensitive; lighter or more favorable wind helps keep conditions cleaner.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold larger swells but becomes heavy and develops strong currents.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality depends on the northern swell and wind cleanliness; sometimes rated average.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can be powerful on northern swells; becomes heavy with strong winds/trades and larger conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Often mixed; can peel with a decent wall on northern swells.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, moderate release on good swell.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Decent wall that typically ends in a channel.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically provides a medium ride with a decent wall on good northern swells, often ending in a channel.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) in the full forecast view.
Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–16 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- ESE119°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 28–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.8–1.6 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Sea urchins
- Sharp coral
- Shallow reef
- Rip currents
- Submerged rocks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Charlotte Amalie.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Locals are active at the beach; culture is described as laid-back/local.
Rules of the spot
Be mindful of anchored fishing boats and dogs; respect the local community and follow standard surfing etiquette.
- Beware sea urchins—reef shoes are highly recommended.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen.
- Wear water shoes/reef boots due to rocks and urchins.
- Expect dogs and small boats around the beach area.
- Plan for a local vibe and limited facilities.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Charlotte Amalie
- Nearest Town
- Charlotte Amalie
- Nearest Airport
- Cyril E. King Airport (STT) / Charles E. Miller Airport (STT)
- Parking
- Limited parking along the road and in a small dirt area near the beach; parking may also be informal roadside near the launch.
- Public Transport
- Public bus service exists (VITRAN), but access to coastal launches is limited; taxis/safari taxis and rental cars are primary.
- Access
- 20–30 minute drive north of Charlotte Amalie; accessible via Hull Bay Road (Route 37) with the beach at the end of the road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Local villas and vacation rentals in the Hull Bay and Northside area; extensive accommodation in Charlotte Amalie.
- Food & Drink
- A well-known local beach bar/restaurant is located right at the beach; limited to one on-site option.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated surf rental shops on the beach; gear should be brought from town.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is not commonly available as a standalone service; often restricted to guests of specific beachfront resorts.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie)?
The best overall months at Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie)?
Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) works with S, SW winds.
What skill level is Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) suitable for?
Hull Bay (Charlotte Amalie) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.