US Virgin Islands Surf Spots & Information
Surfing season on the US Virgin Islands is November through March. During this time, the waves can reach between six and eight feet in height, with bigger days reaching as high as double overhead. The rest of the year, the waters are pretty flat and unsurfable. The breaks on the US Virgin Islands are all reef breaks, and long coral heads are not uncommon.
Surfing here is generally recommended for experienced surfers, and it’s also advisable that you go out with someone who is familiar with these waters. There are a few windsurfing shops that have shortboards and longboards for rent, but most local surf shops here do not offer board rentals, only sales, so you might want to bring your own board. The steady trade winds off the Atlantic attract a lot of windsurfers, and bodyboarding is also very popular.
Water Island, which is about a 10-minute ferry ride from St. Thomas, has a spot known as Sprat Bay that’s great for swimming and snorkeling. At times, the surf breaks at Sprat Bay can accommodate all skill levels, including beginners. The last of the US Virgin Islands, it’s small (about ½ mile wide and two miles long), with not a lot of development, so it’s a good place to go if you want to escape the crowds at St. Thomas and “lime” (relax, chill). Sprat Bay is about a one-mile walk from the ferry dock. The break is a hollow, fast and fun right reef break that can get long at times. Another spot that sometimes breaks and is okay for beginners is called Santa Maria (in St. Thomas). Santa Maria also attracts a lot of kiteboarders.
Hull Bay on the Atlantic (north) side of St. Thomas is the beach that’s most associated with surfing. When the swells are rolling in from the northeast, Hull Bay will get a four-foot or bigger point/reef break that attracts surfers from all over the island. Other places to surf on St. Thomas include Caret Bay and Botany Bay (which is accessible via boat from Hull Bay), but localism at these spots can be intense. There are problems with theft, violence, and drugs, and in general, it’s not advisable to go off the beaten path. If you decide to explore, keep a low profile, do not bring any valuables with you, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Virgin Islands Surf Breaks
St. Thomas - Caret Bay |
| Surf Location |
Look for a sign that says “West Carat,” follow the dirt road. One bay over from Hull Bay. |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest, West |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
South |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
A long, hollow, fast and powerful right and left reef break |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded on weekends. |
| Boards |
Shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult depending on swell size |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef with sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp rocks and coral, localism |
| Water Condition |
Clean and clear |
St. Thomas - Hull Bay |
| Surf Location |
On the Atlantic side of St. Thomas, follow posted signs |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
West, Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
A hollow, fast, powerful and ledgy right and left reef break |
| The Surfers |
Can get crowded on good days and weekends |
| Boards |
Short to longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult depending on swell size |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef and coral |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp rocks and coral, sea urchins, riptide and undertow |
| Water Condition |
Clean and clear |
St. Thomas - Botany Bay |
| Surf Location |
Take a boat from Hull Bay, west about five miles |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southwest, South |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
A hollow, fast and powerful right-hand point break, can get really long |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded on weekends |
| Boards |
All boards work well at this spot |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef and coral |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp coral, sea urchins, riptide and undertow, heavy localism, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Clean and clear |
St. Thomas – Santa Maria |
| Surf Location |
Take Highway 30 past the University, stay on your left and go up the hill for a couple of miles. On the right is an old iron gate, next to that is a path down to the beach. |
| Best Swell Direction |
Anything out of the north |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
November-March (Winter) |
| Wave Quality |
Sometimes breaks between 5 and 6 feet |
| The Surfers |
Not crowded at all |
| Boards |
All boards work, but you will probably have more fun here with a longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult depending on swell size |
| Skill Level |
All |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp rocks |
| Water Condition |
Secluded beach with Caribbean clear water |
St. John - John Folly’s |
| Surf Location |
Drive from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay, take that toward Salt Pond Bay. About 3 miles in you will see a lagoon, to the right is the mouth of the bay. |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southeast, East, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northwest, West, Southwest |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
A hollow, fast and powerful right reef break, can get long |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded on weekends |
| Boards |
Shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef and coral |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp rocks and reef, sea urchins, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Clean and clear |
St. John – Turner Bay |
| Surf Location |
About a 5-minute walk from Cruz By |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Spring and Summer |
| Wave Quality |
A hollow, fast and powerful left reef break, can get 10 feet and up, doesn’t break too often |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded on weekends |
| Boards |
Short or longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Pros |
| Bottom |
Reef and coral |
| Watch Out For… |
Sea urchins, riptide and undertow, sharp rocks, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Pristine |
St. John – Cinnamon Bay |
| Surf Location |
15-minute cab ride from Cruz Bay, 3.9 miles east of Mongoose Junction off of Route 20. The beach is about ¼ of a mile away from the parking lot, and there is a flat, paved track that leads to the beach. Located in National Park – longest beach in park at 1 mile in length. |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
South, Southwest |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
Not very consistent and a bit mushy |
| The Surfers |
A few locals and tourists from the campground |
| Boards |
A longboard is your best option |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner |
| Bottom |
Reef and sand |
| Watch Out For… |
The staghorn coral will light you up |
| Water Condition |
Warm and clear |
St. John – Little Reef Bay (Parrot Bay) |
| Surf Location |
Take Route 104 to Fish Bay Road, continue to the Marina Drive and Reef Bay Road. Take a left onto Reef Bay Road and go up the hill. Turn left at the top of the hill, drive 1/4 mile, park across from the house with the new green metal roof. The path to the beach starts at the utility pole. |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southeast |
| Best Tide |
High |
| Best Wind Direction |
Northwest |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer |
| Wave Quality |
Western end of the beach holds the best waves. Good option in summer months. |
| The Surfers |
Friendly locals, occasionally on weekends |
| Boards |
Short or longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner |
| Bottom |
Reef and rock |
| Watch Out For… |
Sea urchins, scattered coral heads |
| Water Condition |
Clear and clean |
St. Croix – Judith’s Fancy (Judith’s Cove) |
| Surf Location |
Access is through a gated community |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest, Northeast |
| Best Tide |
Mid to High |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Winter |
| Wave Quality |
A fast, powerful and ledgy right and left reef break, one of the best breaks on St. Croix |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded on weekends |
| Boards |
Short or longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult depending on swell size |
| Skill Level |
Experienced and up |
| Bottom |
Reef with sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Sea urchins, riptide and undertow, sharp rocks, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Warm and clear |
Water Island – Sprat Bay |
| Surf Location |
Take the ferry from St. Thomas to Water Island. From there, it’s about a mile walking east (or you can try to hitch a ride). |
| Best Swell Direction |
Southwest, South, Southeast |
| Best Tide |
Mid and High |
| Best Wind Direction |
North, Northwest, Northeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer |
| Wave Quality |
A hollow, fast and ledgy right point break, can get long |
| The Surfers |
Semi-crowded |
| Boards |
Short and longboards |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate (about 10 minutes) |
| Skill Level |
Experienced at point, beginners in bay |
| Bottom |
Reef and coral |
| Watch Out For… |
Sharp rocks and coral, sea urchins, sharks |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
