CatchWindow fishing intelligence

Charlotte Amalie, VI Daily Water Report — October 8, 2026

Sailing and diving are the clear picks around Charlotte Amalie on October 8; boating is workable but bumpy, while kayaks will earn every mile. An easterly 14 knots, gusting to 18, is putting a steady texture on the water, with combined waves near 1.04 m at a short 4.7 seconds. That is enough chop to make exposed small-craft travel less relaxed than the temperature suggests, even with a very warm 30 C sea surface. For sailing, the breeze is the feature rather than the bug: the 8.6/10 score reflects useful wind with a manageable gust spread, though the strongest gusts—up to 21.4 knots around 6 AM—make the early start the more athletic option. Diving rates 8.4/10, supported by warm water and available clarity data, but surface conditions still matter for entries, exits, and boat rides. Atmospheric visibility is forecast at 43.4 km, which is not a measure of underwater visibility. The best all-around daylight window looks like mid-morning, after the early rain window of 3–6 AM and during the 9:38–11:38 AM solunar major period. Fishing is a respectable 6.5/10, down from 7.7 yesterday, with pressure rising through the day and only a small tidal range: low water is 0.15 m at 12:56 PM, followed by the day’s 0.27 m high at 7:04 PM. The late-afternoon minor period, 4:08–5:08 PM, is another reasonable fishing or shoreline-exploring slot before sunset at 6:04 PM. Boating’s 5.9/10 and kayaking’s 5.2/10 are the day’s caution flags, not prohibitions: wind, short-period waves, and a south-setting current near 0.39 m/s all add workload. Conditions are a touch rougher for boats than yesterday’s 6.3 boating score, while diving holds steady at 8.4. The ocean remains warmer than average by 0.6 C; chlorophyll is low at 0.09 mg/m³, a water-colour/productivity measure rather than a fishing forecast. Friday through Sunday keep waves around 0.9–1.2 m with high rain chances. A more encouraging easing arrives Monday, and Tuesday–Wednesday currently show 0.7–0.8 m waves with lighter winds. Best bet: rig for a mid-morning sail, then let the water settle into the afternoon rather than trying to out-muscle the dawn gusts.