Tropical Wave on Galion Beach

on Galion Beach in Saint Martin, FWI
phone 590 87 37 25 | email

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Pat Turner established Tropical Wave in 1977 on the beach of "Le Galion Hotel" to handle watersports: kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboating, standup paddle boarding, and windsurfing. One of St Martin's best and most accessible reef protects our beautiful bay. Just off the beach and out from the point, the reef offers a beautiful selection of colorful fish and corals. The eastern coast of St Martin is exposed to the almost constant tradewinds, but the reef keeps the waters calm, making the bay a perfect place for windsurfing.

After the demise of Le Galion Hotel in 1990, Chez Pat was formed as Patrick added a restaurant and beach amenities. Claim a chair and umbrella and enjoy a day at the calmest beach on the island. We have ice cold beer, even colder frozen drinks, rum drinks, and soft drinks, juices, and water to help you relax.

When you have worked up an appetite, you hardly have to leave the beach to enjoy something from our menu. We've got salads, sandwiches, burgers, grilled food, and hunger-busting appetizers available at our shaded tables on the beach overlooking the island of St Barts.

  Le Galion Beach
regularly is voted
the best place for kids
on the entire island.
Award  

Tropical Wave activities paddleboat.jpg float.jpg swamp.jpg tropwave.jpg

Our entrance

PAT & TRACEY TURNER

Pat Turner, though an American, was born in Rio De Janeiro, and has been calling the island home since 1977. He can tell you story after story, ranging from local history (some of it true), sailing stories (even less), or how he arrived on St Martin when only 19. Pat has been at the same spot for since 1978 and was one of the Caribbean's top windsurfers. Now retired from the racing circuit, he and his team are some of the best instructors on the island. Pat is also a known sailing legend around the Islands, sailing his 36 ft triamaran "TRYST" in races such as the "Heineken Regatta" & "Caribbean Off Shore Race" which was started by himself and brother Bob in 1985. Tryst, with Pat at the helm, finally won the 25th Heineken Regatta. Pat met his wife and partner on the same beach at the same bar in 1992. Tracey, born in Australia, lived in Montreal, Canada, before falling for "THE BIG KAHUNA".

Pat and Tryst

Windsurfing
WINDSURFING (Currently not available)

Le Galion Beach is quite possibly the best all around location in the entire Caribbean. We have side on shore winds allowing for a one mile reach on calm waters. The off-shore wave break is surfable and crosses a shallow sponged-over reef. Beginners will love this location as the calm waters and steady side on shore winds will allow for progress without the feeling of getting blown out to sea. Intermediates will love this bay, since the waist deep waters encourage learning jibes and water starts. Our equipment includes a range of "MISTRAL" 90 liter to 340 liter boards and "EZZY" sails, 3.2 to 7 meters plus Hi Fly and Exocet models.

The winds are best in June-July and again in December-January. During the day, they are best before lunch and in the late afternoon.

We recommend that you bring your own harness, gloves, and booties, but they are available for rent.

DETAILS

We are open from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM seven days per week from December 15 until May 1. In the offseason we take Mondays off. We do not accept checks, but gladly take Discover, Amex, Visa, and Mastercard. Don't leave anything in the trunk of your car.

RESTAURANTS

Having lived here for a quarter of a century, Pat has seen a lot of restaurants come and go. Currently, Pat and Tracey consider like this one lately:

Le Piment Orient Village, 590 52 43 12
Pizza, Pasta, Salad

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