Stand Up Paddleboard Rental — Salt River Bay, St. Croix, USVI

Your paddleboard rental gives you access to explore the calm waters of Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve at your own pace. Launching directly from the marina you can paddle through the bay’s protected waterways, mangrove-lined channels, shallow coastal areas, and scenic open sections of the preserve. Popular routes include paddling through the mangrove forests, exploring the quieter coves within the bay, visiting the historic Columbus Landing area, and cruising along the shoreline while watching for wildlife beneath your board. The bay is large enough to spend hours exploring, but protected enough to remain approachable for casual paddlers. How far you go is completely up to you. Some guests enjoy a short, relaxing paddle through the mangroves, while others spend hours exploring the interconnected bays and shoreline. Before you launch, staff can point out recommended routes, wildlife hotspots, and the best areas based on current conditions and your experience level.

No prior paddleboarding experience is required, but some comfort around water and basic balance will definitely help. The calm, reef-protected waters of Salt River Bay make it one of the best places in St. Croix to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time because there are usually minimal waves and very little current inside the preserve. We provide wide, stable paddleboards designed to make learning easier for beginners. Most first-time paddlers are able to get comfortable quickly, especially in the calmer sections of the bay. That said, stand-up paddleboarding does require more balance and coordination than kayaking, so guests who are nervous about standing or who want the most stable option may prefer a kayak rental instead. If this is your first time on a paddleboard, staff can also provide basic tips on balance, paddling technique, and suggested beginner-friendly routes before you head out.

Absolutely. Salt River Bay’s calm, protected waters make it an excellent place for SUP yoga, stretching, or quiet floating sessions. Many guests paddle into calmer coves or sheltered sections near the mangroves where the water is especially smooth and peaceful. One of the unique parts of doing SUP yoga here is the setting itself—you’re surrounded by mangrove forests, tropical birdlife, and clear Caribbean water inside a federally protected ecological preserve. Early mornings and calmer weather days are often ideal for yoga sessions because the water tends to be especially glassy and quiet. Because this is a self-guided rental, you’re free to find your own peaceful corner of the bay and enjoy the experience at your own pace.

Salt River Bay is naturally sheltered by reefs and surrounding coastline, so conditions are often calmer here than in more exposed coastal areas around St. Croix. However, weather and water safety are always taken seriously. If conditions become unsafe due to strong wind, storms, lightning, or other severe weather, Sea Thru Kayaks VI may delay, reschedule, or cancel rentals for guest safety. If this happens, the staff will contact you as early as possible with available options. Conditions inside the bay can also vary slightly throughout the day, so staff may recommend certain routes or areas based on current wind and water conditions before you launch.

Yes — weight limits are extremely important for both safety and kayak performance. The fully transparent “sea thru” kayaks are specially designed to maximize visibility into the water below, but because of their construction, they also have stricter weight limits than traditional kayaks.

For the transparent kayaks:

• Maximum individual weight: 235 lbs (107 kg)
• Maximum combined weight per kayak: 385 lbs (175 kg)

These limits help ensure the kayaks remain stable, responsive, and safe on the water. Overloading a kayak increases the risk of taking on water, reduced maneuverability, instability, or capsizing.

Transparent kayaks are generally configured as two-person tandem kayaks, and guests are paired accordingly unless you are a solo traveler or part of an odd-numbered group. If your group exceeds the transparent kayak limits, alternative kayak options may be available depending on availability:

• Glass-bottom kayaks: up to 385 lbs (175 kg) combined
• Sit-on-top kayaks: up to 500 lbs (227 kg) combined
• Paddleboards: maximum 225 lbs (102 kg)

If guests arrive above the posted limits, participation in the transparent kayaks may not be possible, and guides may place guests into another type of kayak if available. These limits are strictly enforced for everyone’s safety.

For families with children:

• Each child must ride in a kayak with an adult
• Groups may not have more children than adults
• If your group has more children than adults, please contact the outfitter before booking to discuss possible arrangements

Guests who voluntarily leave the tour early or who are unable to safely participate in a way that affects group safety may not be eligible for a refund.

Don’t worry!  We’ve got you covered.  DEET is nasty stuff, it is harmful to the bioluminescent organisms in the bay, and it melts our boats! We will provide a DEET free, Picaridin based insect repellent lotion for your convenience.  You’ll love it.

Our main concern bringing small children on the tour is that they won’t be able to sit still for the entire tour, and will disrupt the enjoyment of others, since we can’t turn the tour around for only one party.  We’ve set our age limit at 5 years old.  However, if you believe that you have a little one that can handle the time on the water, and you can’t find a baby sitter – give us a call and we can talk about it.  We do have large “sit-on-top” boats that can handle three or four passengers (if one or two of them are small).  Just remember, this is an adventure tour with 1.5 miles of paddling. All children under the age of 13 must have a capable, fit adult in the kayak with paddling with them.

Generally speaking, if it rains, we get wet!  Quick passing showers are one of the delightful things about the Caribbean, especially during certain seasons.  They are called diurnal showers and they frequently pass just after sunset.  If we anticipate widespread, pervasive, nasty, long ongoing rain, then we will cancel the tour.  We make this judgement call about 1.5 hours before the tour departs and send out emails and text messages to alert everyone.  Last year, this happened about four or five times, so it is very rare.   Typically the rain passes quickly, and the tour continues. Light rain does not affect the bioluminescence, and actually, adds a beautiful raindrop effect

No worries. All guests are required to wear a USCG approved personal flotation device.  These are comfortable paddling vests, once you get comfortable with them you will forget you have one on, and will want to wear it home.