Smith Bay (St. Thomas)

Smith Bay (Lindquist Beach within Smith Bay Park) is a protected, sandy, crescent-shaped kitesurfing bay on the north coast of St. Thomas, offering consistently crystal-clear water and small waves/chop. The ride happens over shallow nearshore water that transitions into deeper water in the central basin, and the overall feel is of turquoise chop rather than surf-style surf. Wind is dominated by easterly trade winds, with the best direction centered on NE. Typical winds are about 15–25 knots, and reliability is highest during the winter/spring trade-wind season, with a winter peak described as having windy conditions on roughly 70–80% of days. A thermal/sea-breeze effect is also described for the active Dec–Mar period, adding roughly 5–8 knots during the midday window (about 11 AM–4 PM) on top of the trade-wind gradient. Safety-wise, the key constraint is reef and current management: a reef is described around 100 yards out, and currents/rip-type flow can form near reef openings. Practical guidance is to stay upwind to avoid being pushed toward the reef, and to launch with attention to swimmers in designated swimming areas. The park can get busy in winter on weekends, so arriving early helps you secure space. For clothing, sources indicate no wetsuit is generally necessary because water temperatures are warm (mid 70s °F to low 80s °F / roughly mid-to-high 20s °C). Winter rain squalls are frequent and can bring sudden wind shifts, so it’s important to monitor conditions even when the overall trade-wind pattern looks steady. Entry involves an entrance fee and the access rules emphasize using private/rental transport rather than taxis.