GUIDE: THE GRENADINES KITESURF SPOTS, A DREAM DESTINATION
🎯 In short: This Guide
The Grenadines archipelago stretches for over 100 km, with more than 600 islands and cays.It is the ultimate playground for a catakite cruise. It features spots like Spring Bay in Bequia, Salt Whistle Bay in Mayreau, and the Tobago Cays lagoons. Clifton and Frigate Island in Union, and Sandy Island in Carriacou are also featured.
Live Conditions
GlissEvolution brings you live wind data, high-resolution forecasts, tides, and webcams on our dedicated weather pages:
► Live Weather & Wind Grenadines · Tobago Cays
► Live Weather & Wind Union Island · Clifton
► Live Weather & Wind Mayreau · Salt Whistle Bay
► Live Weather & Wind Bequia · Spring Bay
► Live Weather & Wind Carriacou · Sandy Island
► Live Weather & Wind Union Island · Ashton / Frigate Island
► All spots: Weather & Spot Guide (74 spots in France and Europe) Kite and wing equipment is in our Kitesurf and Wing Foil worlds.
The Grenadines archipelago: dream spots for a catakite cruise.
The Grenadines archipelago is a chain of over 600 islands and cays (small sand or coral islands). It stretches for nearly 100 km between Saint Vincent to the north and Frigate Island to the south.
The northern two-thirds of the archipelago fall under the sovereignty of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The southern third belongs to Grenada.The Martinique Channel separates the two countries. It provides a sea passage between Union and Carriacou.
The main islands include:
- Young Island
- Bequia
- Petite Nevis
- Isle-à-Quatre
- Pigeon
- Moustique
- Les Piloris
- Petite Moustique
- Savan
- Bettowia
- Baliceaux
- Canouan
- Petit Canouan
- Petit Canouan
- Mayreau
- Tobago Cays
- Petit Rameau
- Petit Bateau
- Baradal
- Jamesby
- Petit Tabac
- Tobago Cays
- Union
- Palm Island
- Petit-Saint-Vincent
- Morpion
- Punaise
► BEQUIA, SPRING BAY
Disciplines: Freeride, foil, wing
Rider Level: beginner to expert
On the northeast side of the island, two beautiful white sand beaches and their lagoons offer perfectly flat water spots.
You'll also find a beautiful beach in the center of the island. It's not protected by a reef, so the water there is rougher.
To reach it, your best bet is to take a taxi. If you're hoping to see turtles, I recommend bringing a mask and snorkel, as the turtle sanctuary is a tourist trap.
► MAYREAU, SALT WHISTLE BAY
Disciplines: Surf, freeride, foil, wing
Level: Advanced to expert
Kitesurf take-off from the beach is challenging here. The boat anchors downwind of an isthmus, and you launch from the beach at the foot of the coconut trees, facing the wind.
This small lagoon features a sandy beach and a coral reef, facing northeast. The anchorage area is navigable, even when it's not too crowded.
Small waves are present (max 2 m).
In my opinion, this is one of the best spots in the Grenadines. However, it can quickly become complicated if it gets crowded.
Onshore with NE wind
Side onshore with E wind
Sideshore with SE wind
The spot has many bars, which are very popular during the season.
► TOBAGO CAYS
Disciplines: Freeride, foil, wing
Level: Beginner to expert, with dinghy assistance for beginners.
A large coral reef sits just below the water's surface, facing the trade winds.
Launch from a boat; rigging on the main island's beach is prohibited. For a beach start, head to Jamesby's downwind beach. The wind is completely onshore for launching. If you miss your launch, your kite will land in the cacti covering the island's point. If you're unsure, try some body dragging first.
Expect very high traffic during peak winter season.
Watch out for turtles when foiling.
Riding is very pleasant, except for chop at high tide.
For the more adventurous, a wave breaks upwind of Petit Tabac, an islet east of the reef. Anchoring can be difficult in swell.
Mooring to the buoy is mandatory. It's iconic, but can be a bit rolly.
► UNION CLIFTON
Disciplines: Freeride, foil, wing
Rider Level: beginner to expert
"The JT Pro Center spot, Jeremie Tronet's kite school."
This small, cramped lagoon is heavily used by boats anchored behind a coral reef that's just below the water's surface. You can ride outside the lagoon, with easy access to the open sea.
The kite school has a small private beach for launching in the off-season (paid during peak season).
Be careful: do not end up in the anchored boats!
Intermediate to expert level, as the riding area is extremely limited.
Enjoy all trade wind directions.
For the more adventurous, cross to Palm Island, a few miles upwind. You'll find surfable waves on the island's windward coast.
► UNION, ASHTON, FRIGATE ISLAND
Disciplines: Freeride, foil, wing
Rider Level: beginner to expert
The 5-star school spot!
Beginners to experts.
The take-off zone on the small beach isn't wide, but it allows one kite at a time. Whether you're on a Surf, twintip, freestyle, wing, or windsurf board, it's pure joy. Sheltered behind an isthmus, this flat water spot can quickly become saturated with numerous anchored boats and kite schools bringing their beginner students.
For the more adventurous, cross the isthmus and ride small waves on the coral reef.
Be careful: there's a wind shadow zone behind Frigate Island.
► Carriacou and Sand Island.
Disciplines: Freeride, foil, wing
Rider Level: beginner to expert
Carriacou doesn't have beautiful white sand beaches on its windward coast, but it's perfectly navigable.
Sand Island and White Island, however, are postcard-perfect. They feature a white sandbank in the middle of turquoise waters. This makes them superb flat water spots.
Be aware that you will need to complete new clearance procedures.
► Local friends to ride with:
Fred & Annabelle: IO croisière
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IOcroisiere
JT Pro Center Kite School: https://www.jeremietronet.com/jt-pro-center/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jtprocenter
► Friends on site for the after-session:
Happy Island
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best kitesurf spots in the Grenadines?
Spring Bay (Bequia) has flat lagoons, Salt Whistle Bay (Mayreau) is for advanced riders, and the Tobago Cays have their marine park. Other spots include Clifton and Ashton/Frigate Island (Union Island), and Sandy Island off Carriacou.
Do you need a boat to kitesurf in the Grenadines?
It is highly recommended. The archipelago is ideally explored by catamaran cruise (catakite). Some spots like Mayreau or the Tobago Cays are difficult to launch from the beach. They require launching from the shore or a boat.
What skill level is needed for the Grenadines?
It varies by spot. Bequia and Clifton welcome all levels. Salt Whistle Bay and inter-island sailing are for advanced and expert riders. These areas have currents, coral, and spots open to the ocean.
Where can you check the wind in the Grenadines?
On the GlissEvolution weather pages: Tobago Cays, Union Island (Clifton and Ashton/Frigate), Mayreau, Bequia, and Carriacou. These pages provide live wind data and trade wind forecasts.
Key Features
| Section | Key takeaway |
|---|---|
| In short, this guide | The Grenadines archipelago spans over 100 km, with more than 600 islands and cays. This makes it the ultimate playground for a catakite cruise, featuring highlights like Spring Bay in Bequia, Salt Whistle Bay in Mayreau, and the lagoons of… |
| The Grenadines Archipelago: Dream Kitesurf Spots for a Catakite Cruise | The Grenadines archipelago is a chain of over 600 islands and cays (small sandy or coral islands). It stretches for nearly 100 km between Saint Vincent to the north and… |
| Main Islands | Young Island Bequia Petite Niévès Isle-à-Quatre Pigeon Moustique Les Piloris Petite Moustique Savan Bettowia Baliceaux Canouan Petit Canouan Mayreau Tobago Cays Petit Rameau Petit Bateau… |
| BEQUIA, SPRING BAY | Program: Freeride, foil, wing. Level: Beginner to expert. On the northeast side of the island, two beautiful white sand beaches with their lagoons offer perfectly flat water spots. |
| MAYREAU, SALT WHISTLE BAY | Program: Surf, freeride, foil, wing. Level: Advanced to expert. Kitesurf take-off from the beach is challenging. You'll need to moor your boat downwind of an isthmus and take off from the beach at the foot of the coconut trees, facing the wind. |
| TOBAGO CAYS | Program: Freeride, foil, wing. Level: Beginner to expert. Beginners require dinghy assistance. |
| UNION CLIFTON | Program: Freeride, foil, wing. Level: Beginner to expert. This is the JT Pro Center spot, Jeremie Tronet's kite school. It's a small, cramped lagoon, often busy with boats at anchor… |
| UNION, ASHTON, FRIGATE ISLAND | Program: Freeride, foil, wing. Level: Beginner to expert. This is the 5-star school spot! |
Consider this
Key considerations and limitations noted in this article:
- Expect very high traffic during peak winter season.
- Warning: Do not end up in the moored boats!
- Be careful: there's a wind shadow zone behind Frigate Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
In short: key takeaways from this guide
The Grenadines archipelago stretches for 100 km, with over 600 islands and cays. It's the ultimate playground for a catakite cruise. Explore Spring Bay in Bequia, Salt Whistle Bay in Mayreau, the Tobago Cays lagoons, Clifton and Frigate Island in Union, and Sandy Island in Carriacou.
What should you know about the Grenadines archipelago, a dream spot for a catakite cruise?
The Grenadines archipelago is a chain of over 600 islands and cays (small sand or coral islands). It stretches for nearly 100 km between Saint Vincent to the north and Frigate Island to the south. The northern two-thirds of the archipelago are under the sovereignty of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, while the southern third belongs to Grenada.
What should you know about the main islands?
Young Island Bequia Petite Niévès Isle-à-Quatre Pigeon Moustique Les Piloris Petite Moustique Savan Bettowia Baliceaux Canouan Petit Canouan Mayreau Tobago Cays Petit Rameau Petit Bateau Baradal Jamesby Petit Tabac Union Palm Island Petit-Saint-Vincent Morpion Punaise ► ALL OUR SPOT GUIDES ► BAGS AND BOARDBAGS
BEQUIA, SPRING BAY: What you need to know
Program: Freeride, foil, wing. Level: Beginner to expert. On the northeast side of the island, two beautiful white sand beaches with their lagoons offer perfectly flat water. You'll also find a beautiful beach in the center of the island. It's not protected by a reef, so the water there is choppier.
MAYREAU, SALT WHISTLE BAY: What you need to know
Program: Surf, freeride, foil, wing. Level: Advanced to expert. Kitesurf take-off from the beach is challenging. You'll need to moor your boat downwind of an isthmus and take off from the beach at the foot of the coconut trees, facing the wind. This small lagoon features a sandy beach and a coral reef facing NE. The mooring area is also navigable when not crowded.
TOBAGO CAYS: What you need to know
Program: Freeride, foil, wing. Level: Beginner to expert. Beginners require dinghy assistance. A large coral reef sits just below the water's surface, facing the trade winds.
Got a question about the gear mentioned here?
The GlissEvolution team rides what they sell. They are available to answer your questions in person at the Pornichet store or by phone.
