Brings the Family! Top 5 Family-Friendly Caribbean Kiteboarding Destinations
#1 on the list? You’ve guessed it The British Virgin Islands!
The British Virgin Islands are commonly known as the most beautiful place to sail on earth. With the “Indo Boat Trip” being all the rage in surfing and pro-kitesurfing circles, chartering a yacht through the BVI’s allows you the same experience, minus the three-day travel drama and third-world frustrations.
In one week, you can kite five or more different islands while enjoying the life that inspired Jimmy Buffett to write most of his Caribbean-based songs. Yes, bring the non-kiters with you! Non-kiters will be very happy and entertained in the BVIs. This is a trip that you must do at least once in your lifetime!
How to Get There: American Airlines is the king of the Caribbean. Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), and then take a puddle jumper to Tortola, BVI. If you have surfboards or SUPs loner than 8’, fly to St. Thomas, USVI (STT), and then take the ferry to Tortola. You will need a valid passport to travel to the BVIs. Your travel agent specialist from BVI & Caribbean Yacht Charters will take care of all the arrangements.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the BVIs is December through March.
Typical Conditions: Warm water and air; you only need a wetsuit top or a shorty. For kites, we’ve seen everything from 8m kites all day and night for a week up to 16m meter kites and light wind boards or surfboards. Bring your light wind gear to make sure you’re covered. Typical winds during the peak season are 12m and 10m daily.
There are some great surf breaks for surfing in the morning and kitesurfing in the afternoon. It’s definitely worth the extra cost to bring a kitesurf board, versus only bringing a twin tip. Standup paddleboards (SUP) are a great tool to bridge the wind gap in the BVIs because the water is so clear and beautiful.
Where to Stay: If you are going to the BVIs the ONLY place to stay is on a boat, not because there aren’t land-based operations, but because the boat offers unlimited mobility and a 360° water view in the best place to sail on earth! Yachts like Tell Star, Rocketeer, and Cool Runnings. On these specialty yachts, captains and crew are avid kiteboarders themselves and therefore they know all the best spots consider a bareboat charter if you have the skills and explore the unlimited potential of the BVIs.
What to Do if No Wind: Sailing, surfing, standup paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling and diving, hiking, sightseeing, and partying! Nothing beats the Rum Punch at The Bomba Shack on Tortola or their Full Moon Parties!
Article originally published by “The Kiteboarder” June 16, 2010, and adapted by BVI & Caribbean Yacht Charters November 2014
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