Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a nation comprised of a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. It is known for its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, and rich history and culture. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines also offer some of the best conditions for kiteboarding, with warm waters, steady trade winds, and several spots framed by beautiful scenery. The best way to explore the spots is on a kite cruise, as you can quickly move from one island to the other, a unique and exciting way to experience these beautiful islands. That’s why we decided to join a ten-day cruise to go kiteboarding St Vincent Grenadines departing from Martinique (12-day with the sailing days).

A dream destination, a paradise of kitesurfing spots, and a kite cruise experience to remember.

Why a St Vincent Grenadines Kite Cruise

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation located just south of Martinique.

Islands and Cays Galore

It comprises 32 islands and cays, of which only a handful are inhabited. The island of St. Vincent is the country’s main island, home to the capital, Kingstown. The Grenadines, consisting of several small islands and cays, are located south of St. Vincent.

Kiteboarding Tobago Cays in the Grenadines

These islands and cays are accessible by boat, making a kiteboarding Grenadines cruise the perfect way to explore the area, an adventure that combines the thrill of the sport with the beauty of the Caribbean.

Perfect Kiteboarding Conditions

With consistent trade winds, warm waters, and wave conditions suitable for riders of all levels, these Caribbean islands offer the perfect conditions for kiteboarding. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, there are spots to suit all skill levels, making St. Vincent and the Grenadines a must-visit destination for kiteboarding. However, check which islands you can kite, depending on your levels. Some islands are best reserved for advanced kiteboarders and the services provided (or not) by your kiteboarding St Vincent and the Grenadines cruise.

Tobago Cays Marine Park

Be prepared to ride and swim with sea turtles, enjoying the turquoise waters and sometimes even the unique milky-like colors that barrier reefs can create.

Turtle in the Tobago Cays

Best Spots for Kiteboarding St Vincent Grenadines

Some popular kitesurfing spots in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines include:

xxx add kite spot maps

Union Island Kitesurfing

Located in the southern Grenadines, Union Island is one of the top spots for kiteboarding in the Grenadines. The island is known for its steady trade winds, flat waters, and beautiful beaches, and offers several beaches and lagoons for beginners and experienced riders.

Clifton Harbor Marina, Union Island

The island is home to several kitesurfing schools and rental shops. The main kite launching spot is at the Clifton Harbor Marina, right in front of the Jeremy Tronet kite center. This spot is best recommended for those who can ride upwind, as many boats and yachts are moored downwind.

Kiteboarding Spot in front of Jeremy Tront kite center

After a day of riding, enjoy a walk to the small town and its colorful houses, soak into the Reggae ambiance, and stop for a drink at one of the several bars and restaurants.

If you are moored close to Clifton Harbor, you can also get on to Happy Island by dinghy. The island is made of conch shelves and features an excellent bar where you can sip local cocktails at sunset!

• Conditions: Onshore winds, reefs, sand, yachts downwind.
• Best for: Intermediate to Experts riders. Upwind skills are a must

Getting drinks at the Happy Island bar

Fregate Island, by Union Island

Located a short sail ride from Union Island, Fregate Island presents two spots: the flat offshore side from the beach and the windward onshore side with waves.

The flat side is perfect for all levels and ideal for beginners, provided you have a secure boat watching you at all times since the wind is offshore. Many kite schools come there as the conditions are really neat, though if many riders stay close to the beach, it might get crowded quickly.

Flat water side of Fregate Island

The windward side is excellent for those looking for more waves. The onshore winds make it safe if you don’t have a safety boat, but watch that the landing beach is relatively short, and if the wind drops unexpectedly, you might land on one of the remote beaches and have to land by yourself and walk back to the beach. Or, if your upwind skills are not good enough, you might land on one of the rusty metal poles of what used to be a marina project.

• Conditions: Onshore/offshore winds depending on which side you kite
• Best for: Intermediate to Experts riders. Upwind skills are a must. Possible for beginners if rescue is available.

Palm Island

The small island is about one mile away from Union Island, and would most likely be another great spot for kiteboarding. However, Palm Island is a private resort, the luxury all-inclusive Palm Island The Grenadines Resort, where guests are asked to dress “island chic by day and elegantly smart in the evenings.”

Mayreau Island

The idyllic Caribbean postcard! Picture a white sandy beach, palm trees, and turquoise waters! The boats usually anchor in the protected Mayreau Bay, and the dinghy will take you to the north, windward side, where a long beach awaits. In that northern section, the water is mostly flat, and the shallow areas are also perfect for beginners.

Advanced and expert riders can ride up to reach less flat areas, where choppy waters make for a more challenging time. If the conditions allow and your skipper can include it, consider a downwinder from Mayreau to Union Island.

• Northern Beach
  • Conditions: onshore winds, sand, palm trees, and bushes downwind.
  • Best for: beginners to expert riders.
• Southern Beach
  • Conditions: reachable by boat only, side/off-shore, no real launching/landing area.
  • Best for: expert riders only.

Mayreau Island

Kiting at Mayreau Island

Bequia 

Bequia is an island located in the northern Grenadines and is known for its strong trade winds and flat waters, making it an excellent spot for kitesurfing. The island, known for its friendly locals and stunning beaches, is home to several kitesurfing schools and rental shops. It is a popular destination for kitesurfers with different skill levels, from flat water to small waves.

There are two main spots: Industry Bay, Park Bay, and Hope. Hope can be challenging as palm trees near the water surround the small launch area. The area sees strong currents and potentially significant shore breaks – perfect for big wave riding, but the remoteness makes it tricky riding.

Industry Bay is the best spot on Bequia. Though the launch area is also small, the bay is pretty open, and a reef creates good conditions for wave riding.

Tobago Cays

The Tobago Cays are a group of five small uninhabited islands in the Grenadines: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac, and Jamesby.

They are home to beautiful coral reefs and an abundance of marine life protected by a marine park – the Tobago Cays National Marine Park. The clear waters here offer some of the best freeriding and jumping conditions in the Caribbean, and the shallow lagoons are incredible for practicing new tricks. The best kitesurfing in the Caribbean Sea!

View of the Tobagos Cays (Petit Tabac up close)

The Tobago Cays are also an excellent spot for downwinders who can ride long distances and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

You can take a boat tour to the Cays from Union Island to see these beautiful islands up close. Once there, to take a break from kiting, you can snorkel in search of turtles, kayak around the smaller islands, or stand-up paddleboard. In addition, you can enjoy savory BBQ if your crew organizes such a trip.

Petit Tabac Island

The spot was part of the Pirate of the Caribbean movie; that’s how beautiful the tiny island is!

With a small stretch of sandy beach and a bunch of palm trees giving a touch of green within the turquoise ocean, the island features a reef bar that creates a choppy side and a flatter lagoon area.

Kiteboarding Petit Tabac

Petit Tabac on a stormy day

Watch for turtles and snorkelers that might come up for air along the reef as you ride there. Pay attention to a barely-there yet noticeable tide, which makes some areas really shallow. The spot is already very shallow to start with, but at low tide, it’s so shallow that your tips might touch the reef and send you flying. Be ready for a highly painful and potentially harmful landing on the reef.

Of the different kiteboarding spots, Tabac is the one we returned to several times, some of the best kiteboarding Caribbean ever!

It takes about 1 hour to reach from Union Island.

• Conditions: Very shallow, high reef, onshore/offshore winds depending on which and where around the islands.
• Best for Advanced to Experts riders. Make sure to have a security boat. Launching and landing might be done from the ship.

Jamesby Island

A tiny island with barely a sand stretch to launch and land, and a small hill from which you can appreciate 360 views of the Tobago Cays.

A downwind from Petit Tabac to Jamesby and then all the way to Union Island is possible, should the conditions and your skipper allow it.

Jamesby Island, Tobago Cays

Petit St. Vincent Island

The secluded island with a beautiful beach and crystal-clear waters offers a range of wind and wave conditions suitable for different skill levels, from flat water to small waves. Petit St. Vincent is also an excellent spot for downwinders who can ride long distances and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Morpion Island

Close to Petit St. Vincent, this tiny island is mostly reef and sand. With just barely enough space to launch and land, the spot is usually choppy with good wave riding.

Canouan Island

Canouan Island is located in the southern Grenadines and is the longest barrier reef lagoon in the Caribbean. Known for its powerful and consistent trade winds and flat waters, the island is an excellent spot for wave riding and jumping that more advanced riders will enjoy. In addition, the island is home to several Grenadine kitesurfing schools and rental shops and is a popular destination for kitesurfers from around the world.

Note that we were told it was not possible to head to Canouan Island at the end of our cruise as it’s forbidden to anchor on the windward side. We couldn’t verify this during our cruise, so if you are considering this island, consider stopping at the beginning of your cruise. Or discuss the option with your tour operator to ensure this is feasible.

On no-wind days, you can go scuba diving around the island.

So as you prefer your trip, make sure that your kiteboarding cruise in St. Vincent and the Grenadines can also take you to these top spots!

What to Know Before Booking Your Cruise

If you plan a kitesurfing cruise to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, several options exist.

How to Choose your Kite Cruise Company

You can choose a kitesurfing-specific cruise, focusing on kitesurfing and including stops at various spots for kitesurfing St Vincent and the Grenadines. Alternatively, you can choose a more general sailing or yacht charter and plan your route to visit the best kitesurfing spots in the Grenadines.

In terms of boats, the most popular option is a catamaran, the best boat for Caribbean island hopping – stable, storage on deck, and makes for perfect photos. Depending on the number of people, a 45- or 52-foot catamaran will provide more space. As you will live with other people for a week to ten days, these extra feet might give you more room to put your gear on and some breathing space!

Caribbean Catamaran Cruising

What to Expect on a Caribbean Kite Cruise (or Not!) 

While kiteboarding in the Grenadines is undeniably fantastic, the success of your trip will also be based on how your cruise goes. The kitesurfing itself was mindblowing, and we can only recommend heading to the Grenadines for an exciting kite trip. Our kitesurfing cruise Grenadines experience – less so. Read here about our disappointing experience with RentSailBoat, which we do NOT recommend for a kite cruise.

Mayreau Bay

Additional Services

Some cruises include a photo and video service, even drone footage. Optional services might also include kitesurfing equipment rental and kitesurfing lessons. If you are taking lessons, ensure your instructor is IKO-certified, and ask how the lessons go.

Kiteboarding Cruise: Travel Tips

When to Kiteboard St Vincent Grenadines

Grenadines are one of the best winter kiteboarding destinations! Indeed, the best time to kitesurf is during the dry season, from December to May, when the wind can blow between 15 to 25 knots. Most adult riders will take their 9 to 15 in kite sizes.

After May, the trade winds continue until July, though the hurricane season starts from June to November.

As for any of the other kitesurfing destinations, the wind is never a guarantee, though!

Weather Forecasts

It’s worth noting that despite both islands’ beauty and conditions, it’s essential to be aware of local regulations and safety guidelines. Therefore, it’s necessary to research the conditions for kiteboarding in Caribbean Sea, as well as the safety rules, weather patterns, and emergency information for the islands that you’re planning to visit.

Afternoon Storm

What Kite Level

Most spots are for intermediate to expert riders. Only two sites are fine for beginners if your cruise doesn’t provide a safety boat.

What Gear to Bring on a Kitesurfing Grenadines Cruise

Given how remote the Grenadines are, make sure you come equipped with a few spare before heading to your kitesurfing Caribbean cruise:

• Most riders bring their 9 to 14 kite sizes.
• Bring some repair kits.
• Make sure to bring and wear booties, as several spots have sharp reefs.

Kiting with a 12m

No Wind? No Worry!

In case of no wind or if you want to take a break from too much wind, the islands offer plenty of cool activities. So check out our things to do in the Grenadines for more details.

Most nights, the boats are moored in quiet bays like Chatham Bay or Mayreau Bay, which are usually protected from the winds. You can generally find bars and restaurants in these bays if you want to go out at night. Some places might accept credit cards, but it’s best to take some cash with you.

Overall, we loved our time kiteboarding in the Grenadines, but our kiteboarding cruise could have been much better and left us with a sour taste. So definitely head to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a thrilling kiteboarding adventure, but do research on which companies to travel with.

Have you been on a kiteboarding cruise Grenadines? What’s your experience? Please share with us in the Comments section! Looking for another kitesurfing winter destination? Check out our other kiteboarding blog posts below:

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