St. Thomas in Dec

ronp · Since 05 Jul 2007 79 Posts west linn

Any pointers for St Thomas in Dec. I'm heading out for my sister's wedding but the hotels are crazy expensive. Any suggestion for a place near the kiting beaches that is OK for a family (including 1.5 yr old)?

I know, the Ritz is right there at the kiting beach but $1700 a night for an ocean view is too much for me Smile

I am trying to get in touch with West Indies Windsurf to rent great because I am lazy and don't want to bring kites and stroller. Any experience with them?

thanks

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

bring your credit card cause it is by far the most expensive place I have been.
$30-50 breakfast, $60+ lunch, $100+ dinner

In front of the Wyndham resort is your best bet for kiting and rooms are $450 all inclusive (liquor too). It was about as cheap as it gets there. The kiting requires a bit of treking there as it is on private land and has a security guard at the entrance so you need to sneak around him, but very doable.

Ritz has a really good $18 hamburgers and $15 happy hour drinks Shocked

Ritz is not too good for kiting as almost always filled with sails boats and wind will be directly on shore with a ton of beach goers but it is doable. Most bays that look good but almost always filled with big tall sail boats. That is why I liked the Wyndham place the best no boats. Watch out for the coral reef too..it hurts when you get dragged over it. If you can I'd recommend charting a boat and head to the BVIs for kiting if you have any money left over and time.

Driving is also wierd as they have left hand drive cars but drive on the "other" side so be careful.

PM me if you want more details.

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

We've had great success around the world with www.vrbo.com - sounds like a fun trip! Very Happy

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=sugar+bay,+st.+thomas+virgin+Island&sll=18.306536,-64.872272&sspn=0.011938,0.019698&ie=UTF8&ll=18.339556,-64.85532&spn=0.011447,0.019698&t=h&z=16&msa=0&msid=114090231967000260879.0004546f6113bd7e095a0

The places I was talking about that will be good for riding there pending correct wind direction
Smith bay and St. John bay

ronp · Since 05 Jul 2007 79 Posts west linn

Hi, Thanks for the previous comments on St Thomas. I took the trip and had a few good days of kiteboarding. Here are some comments if anyone plans to go in the future.
- price: the beach and hotel meals are crazy expensive. we had half our stay at Saphire Beach condos and bought food from the grocery store. I think you each much healthier that way also but just about all the fruit and vegetables were imported. food shack at saphire sold bergers for $11 each.
- location: Saphire beach was really good for snorkeling. two good reefs on both sides of the beach. I saw turtles about 10 times at that beach while kiting
- kiteboarding: I only kited at saphire. not a place for beginners. the wind was east and directly on-shore. trees within 10 ft of the beach and dense with beachgoers. the strength was decent for a few days. it seemed like 30 from the shore but felt like 23 when on the water.
- other spots: I met a local experienced kiter and he said the other sites are even tougher than Saphire.
- launch: there is a small area on the north side of the beach behind a few trees where there is just enough space to launch on grass between the trees and hotel. I suggest a relatively hot launch to ensure it doesn't lag and then throw you into the hotel. after launching, say excuse me and walk the kite between the beachgoers. Since it is on-shore and people everyone, I think it is best to body drag a little to get a little space before riding.
- conditions: the wind was fairly steady and water was nice. It was good kiteboarding. I was surprised that I was the only one out there most of the time.