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Sea Kayak Trips Bulletin Board
Kayaking the Virgin Islands *Pic*
Posted By: Malcolm Schweizer
Date: Monday, 26 May 2003, at 2:48 p.m.
Hello All,
I finally got the ability to post pictures. If you don't follow the kayak building page, here is a shot of me in my just-launched Shearwater Atlantic in St. Thomas. There is an outfitter on St. John, Arawak Adventures, that offers a great day and half-day as well as week-long trips. They use quality rotomolded kayaks similar to a Dagger Baja. I'm not really sure which specific brand or model, but they are quality kayaks. They also have sit-on-tops. Don't knock the sit-on-tops, I know a guy that kayaked to Puerto Rico (60 miles) in one. Arawak also does a week long tour of Anagada, which has beautiful clear blue water and awesome coral reefs. They have a website, but darn if I can remember what it is. You can do a web search to find it.
Paddling here is great because there are so many Cays to explore, and coral reefs to snorkel. A kayak is a great low-impact way to explore reefs. You can pull it up on a cay where larger boats would have to drop anchor. Dropping anchor here can destroy coral. If you have to anchor a kayak you can dive the anchor in and ensure it is clear of coral.
Hans Lolick is an island right off the north side of St. Thomas, and makes for a great secluded campsite. It has a beautiful white-sand beach. The sand is so soft that you sink to your ankles when you walk. You have an entire island to yourself, and because of the treacherous reef surrounding it, not a lot of boats come into the beach. If you're unlucky and have company you can paddle around to another beach that is impossible for a boat to get to, and is just as nice. The only inhabitants of Hans Lollick are a few donkeys and goats. At night the stars are gorgeous, and if you pick a full moon night be prepared to be awestruck. If you're lucky you can also see some bioluminescence in the water for another light show.
Another good paddle is Magen's Bay. It's a bit touristy, but you can rent a sit-on-top and paddle out, and be away from all the tourists on the beach. Surprisingly I don't see a lot of people out in kayaks. Magen's has the beautiful blue Caribbean water, and it's protected on three sides, and the entrance is blocked from the swell by Brass Island. Brass Island is a good paddle spot, but stay away from the back side, as there are two currents that meet there along with all the swell, and the wind is also funneled that way. It was an ugly experience for me!
Well, I just wanted to let folks see what the island is like. The water really is that blue in the shallows. It's like paddling a big swimming pool.
Happy paddling,
-Malcolm
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