SUP Tips for First-Time Paddlers

Stand up paddle boarding (or SUP boarding) is a great way to get out and explore the USVI from a different vantage point. Whether you are looking down into the crystal clear water or gazing out onto the horizon, there really is no bad view standing on top of the water. That being said, we can’t say much for the sights you are going to see when you lose your balance and take a surprise (but refreshing!) dip in the ocean.

Don’t be that guy or gal, check out these tips to staying vertical on your SUP board.

Start by standing next to your board in about knee-deep water – just so the fin of the board doesn’t scrape against the ocean floor (if you aren’t deep enough your SUP board just turned into a stationary SUP board)
Grab the edges of the board on each side and slowly make your way on – start with your knees in the middle of the board facing the front, your knees and legs should be parallel with the board – tip, find the middle of the board by locating the carrying handle
One leg at a time – replace your knee with your foot in the middle of the board. Rather than try to get up in one quick motion, slowly raise your chest with knees bent until you feel stable and balanced

Your hand on the grip at the top of the paddle should always be the opposite of the side of the board you are paddling on, when you switch sides don’t forget to switch hands
Your bottom hand should be lower down on the paddle, and your arm relatively straight
Dig the end of the teardrop end deep into the water when paddling and pull it all the way through on each stroke – you should put the paddle at an angle in front of you, not straight down beside you at the beginning of your stroke
To keep your board going straight – alternate each side of the board between strokes
To turn your board – paddle on the opposite side of the direction you want to go

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What was that?! USVI Underwater Mysteries, Solved.

By Chrissann Nickel • July 30, 2026

If you’ve ever been snorkeling here in the US Virgin Islands, you got to be surrounded by an abundant array of marine life. We’re fortunate to have thriving reefs with a high diversity of living things. However, if you didn’t go with a guide , you likely may have missed some things and/or seen some things that stumped you. We have a lot of things in the water here that may not be identifiable at first glance, which is what makes going on a guided snorkel tour so much fun. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—even if you’ve been snorkeling here many times, you can always get some value out of going out with a guide. Our local guides know these waters intricately and have a deep knowledge and passion for the USVI marine environment. Joining them for a snorkel tour (and yes, you can set up a private tour , if you prefer!) means you can get all of your questions answered, learn some cool facts, and have things pointed out to you that you may miss on your own. Here are a couple of things underwater that you might have seen and thought, “What on earth was that thing?!”