US Virgin Islands

Take your pick of some of the finest beaches in the USVIs and quiet overnight anchorages while sailing the Virgin Islands.

Head to this immense mile-long, white sand beach, one of the island’s most popular. Make sure you get there early, it’s one of our favorite things to do in the US Virgin Islands.

 Enjoy music, beach games, great food and watch the awesome sunset. More mooring balls are being added here.

Enjoy the warm waters or, if you feel energetic, hike to the Annaberg ruins, a sugar plantation, during your St. Thomas sailing vacation.

On Great St. James, at Christmas Cove, which is only accessible by boat, you will find floating restaurant Pizza Pi. Don’t miss it while on your Virgin Islands yacht charter and keep an eye out for turtles and spotted eagle rays.

The language spoken in the US Virgin Islands is English.

The currency in the US Virgin Islands is the US Dollar (USD).

US citizens do not need a passport to enter the US Virgin Islands but proof of US citizenship is required when departing to return to the mainland.  Visas may be required for citizens from other countries of origin – check with the tourist board.

Talk to us to make sure you have the correct documents before you travel.

You can get around the US Virgin Islands easily with advance planning. The cab fare is $15 per person from the airport to Compass Point Marina and some cab companies charge a fee for your luggage.

We advise arranging your transfer a few days before arrival. This will prevent you sharing an open-air cab or large van with other travellers where the marina is the last stop.

We recommend the following taxi companies:

• Rachel Brown Taxi & Tours: (340)-771-2986
• A&P Taxi Service: (340)-642-4966
• Big Love’s Taxi: (340) 201-7299
• Mr. Nice Guy Taxi: (786) 296-8767
• Prestige Taxi: (340) 643-7002

You might want to consider renting a car instead of hiring a taxi if you want to provision your boat – remember we drive on the left. You can leave the car at the marina and the car rental company will pick it up.

These are the car rental companies we recommend:

• Paradise Rental Car™: 340-643-2692
• Discount Car Rental: 340-776-4858

There isn’t Wi-Fi access at Compass Point Marina and while some yachts have Wi-Fi onboard, it will not work until within range of a cell tower in the BVIs. Add an international package to your cell phone account with your provider so you can hotspot. There is internet access in some cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots, but you may need to pay.

The USVIs banned the import, sale and distribution of all sunscreens containing “Toxic Os” (oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene), as they cause harmful bleaching to coral reefs. From January 1, 2020, anyone found using a non-approved sunscreen will be fined $1,000.

One of the most popular sunscreen brands here in St .Thomas is Bare Republic, which you can buy at our office. Other reef safe brands include: All Good, Babo, Badger, Raw Elements, Manda, Kokua Sun Care, Mama Kuleana, Raw Love, Think Sport, Sea & Summit and Stream2Sea.

Please note, spray sunscreens are strictly forbidden onboard due to discoloration to the boat over time. Avoid Coppertone products of those with self-tanners or bronzers in as they will damage the boat.

In the USVIs , night sailing is not allowed. We ask you to be settled at a mooring by 5pm. If you are sailing the St. John National Park, please visit the park’s website for information and regulations on mooring, anchoring and fishing. For overnight anchoring or mooring between the hours of 5pm and 7am, there is a self-registration fee. Overnight fees must be paid prior to spending the night at one of the many payment station rafts.

You can find US Virgin Islands weather forecasts on Windguru website ahead of your sailing vacation.

There is plenty of choice for reliable and affordable provisioning on St. Thomas, but you must be onboard to accept delivery. Please do not arrange delivery before your arrival at Compass Point Marina. For more information, please see the Base Guide in the Downloads section.

Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.

The electrical current in the US Virgin Islands is 110V.

The dialing code for the US Virgin Islands is +1 340.

Day 1: Provision and overnight at Compass Point Marina, taking a drink at the nearby Dive Bar or head into Red Hook 

Day 2: Sail around the island to the wonderful beach at Magen’s Bay and explore the area.

Day 3: Head over to St. John along the north shore and stop for a snorkel at Hawksnest before heading to Francis Bay for overnight. If you want to try the local atmosphere, try lunch at Maho Crossroads – a pop up village with food and bar.

Day 4: Discover Waterlemon Cay and Leinster Bay, taking time to enjoy the clear waters. For lunch, head over to Hansen Bay to taste the tacos from floating restaurant Lime Out.  For the evening, make your way to Salt Pond or Lameshur.

Day 5: Prepare for a passage to Water Island, where you can dine at Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill or Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill. 

Day 6: Sail back to Honeymoon Beach, St. John, and dinghy to Cruz Bay. Discover the national park and there are many dining choices. You could even try the floating pizza restaurant on Great St. James – delivery and pick up options available.

Day 7: Visit Christmas Cove on Great St. James and try the floating pizza restaurant Pizza Pi – delivery and pick up options available.

Day 8: Sail back to Compass Point Marina for disembarkation.