Nazareth (St. Thomas)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nazareth Bay (St. Thomas) is a low-profile, resident-accessible kitesurfing spot on the south coast with almost daily kiteboarding activity. Winds are typically easterly trade winds (often East/Northeast) and are generally reliable, with a common working range around 15–25 knots. The wind season is strongest from December through June, continuing into July. The physical launch is relatively small and technically constrained: the sandy beach is narrow and the bay includes moored boats, plus nearby shallow reef patches. That mix makes the spot more operationally technical than a wide-open beach, even though kiteboarding activity is frequent. Expect turbulence close to the shore influenced by local buildings/topography, and plan your launch/first meters carefully. Safety is a key consideration here. Sources specifically flag the moored boat field as the main “no-go” area—avoid kiting through it whenever possible. Shallow reef patches can be a hazard, including sea urchins where walking occurs; local guidance recommends launching and heading upwind immediately to clear moorings and watching your footing near reef areas. For water conditions, the bay water is reported as clean and warm (about 26–29°C, with month-by-month values provided). Seasonal crowd is highest during winter and spring break (December through April), and the broader region is within hurricane season from June through November.
- Almost daily kiteboarding activity noted
- High-reliability trade winds (typical 15–25 knots)
- Warm, clean water with turquoise clarity
- Technical on-site setup due to narrow launch area and moored boats
- Consistent trade winds with high reliability
- Good kiteboarding frequency (almost daily kiteboarding activity noted)
- Clean, warm, turquoise water and strong year-round usability
- Technical launch setup due to narrow launch area and moored boats
- Shallow reef patches and sea urchins near some walking/launch areas
- No on-site rescue and no lifeguards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Easterly trade winds (often from the East/Northeast), typically steady through the day.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small waves reported.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water type reported as chop.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach with nearby vegetation and buildings.
Through the year
Highest during winter and spring break (December–April)
Hurricane season runs from June through November
By sport
What to expect for each.
A beginner-friendly place with almost daily kiteboarding activity. The launch is technically constrained (narrow launch area and moored boats), so riders should expect a more technical on-site setup even when wind is consistent.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for freeride and slalom windsurfing, especially when using the more open areas of the bay for launching.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Becoming popular due to consistent winds. Minimum depth near nearby reef patches should be respected.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nazareth (St. Thomas) in the full forecast view.
Nazareth (St. Thomas) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 9–16 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- ESE116°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.4 m7s period
- Temperature
- 28–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nazareth (St. Thomas) is forecast for daytime winds of 9–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.7–1.4 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- moored boats
- sea urchins
- shallow reef patches
- narrow launch area
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Served by the U.S. Coast Guard (Sector San Juan) and local marine units operating out of nearby marinas.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 911.
Rules of the spot
Avoid kiting through the moored boat field whenever possible.
- Launch and head upwind immediately to clear the boat moorings.
- Watch out for sea urchins if walking on the reef patches.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Charlotte Amalie
- Nearest Town
- Red Hook
- Nearest Airport
- Cyril E. King Airport (STT)
- Parking
- Parking available near the steep hill overlooking the bay; limited public parking near Vessup Beach.
- Public Transport
- Local transport includes Safari buses and taxis; a rental car is recommended for sports gear transport.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several resorts and villa rentals in the Cowpet Bay and Nazareth area; wider accommodation spread across Red Hook and East End.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and bars located nearby in Red Hook.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated kite centers directly on this beach; rentals available in Red Hook or via mobile operators.
- Gear Storage
- Some local schools and resorts offer limited storage; many riders keep gear in rental vehicles or accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Basic gear repair is available via local schools; major repairs may require shipping.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The East End (Cruz Bay/Red Hook area) is a dense hub for marine activities and wind-sport tourism, with easy access to major viewpoints and nearby destinations.
An underwater observatory and marine park featuring dolphins, sea lions, and coral reefs.
A historic 17th-century watchtower located in Charlotte Amalie.
Frequent ferry service providing access to the pristine beaches and trails of the Virgin Islands National Park.
A dense collection of bars, restaurants, and nightlife venues catering to sailors and tourists.
A protected, shallow beach with calm waters and picnic areas, ideal for families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Nazareth (St. Thomas)?
The best overall months at Nazareth (St. Thomas) are December, January, February, March, April, May, June. The best wind months are December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July.
Which wind directions work at Nazareth (St. Thomas)?
Nazareth (St. Thomas) works with NE, E, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Nazareth (St. Thomas)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Nazareth (St. Thomas): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Nazareth (St. Thomas) suitable for?
Nazareth (St. Thomas) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.