The US Virgin Islands offers some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches and is perfectly placed to explore the BVIs. Get in touch to discover more.
Sailing the Virgin Islands archipelago from our base in St. Thomas offers you the chance to experience one of the world’s most wonderful cruising grounds and explore the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
The tropical weather with year-round warm temperatures between 75ºF and 82ºF is perfect for a boat charter in St. Thomas. While many will plan for sailing the British Virgin Islands, don’t miss out on exploring the beautiful USVIs. The region is known for its beaches with expanses of powdery white sand, as well as its seven national parks. Find out which are the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands and where to eat in the USVIs.
Get to know the islands
The USVIs consist of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island and many smaller islets and cays. This group of Caribbean islands was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and settled by Spain, England, France and Denmark. In 1917, the islands became a United States territory and while the islanders speak English, the culture is a unique blend of European, American and Caribbean influences, with traces of the indigenous Taino culture.
When it comes to things to do in the US Virgin Islands, you are in luck if you love snorkeling or diving. Sail to the nearby island of St. John which has some of the most beautiful and well-protected beaches in the world. The island is a favorite destination thanks to its lush surroundings, national park and clear waters brimming with turtles and rays. You can even hike to the restored Annaberg sugar plantation.
Best beaches USVIs
If you want to relax and swim, you will be spoilt for choice for beaches while on your Virgin Islands yacht charter. Popular choices for those exploring by boat include Honeymoon Beach and the beaches along Caneel Bay (formerly Caneel Bay Resort), Oppenheimer Beach (Hawksnest area), Maho Beach in Francis Bay (visit Maho Crossroads pop-up village for tasty food), Salt Pond and Lameshur. Leinster Bay and Watermelon Cay offer awesome opportunities for snorkeling too with abundant coral.
For seafood, try the Mahi Mahi and fresh tuna when dining out. You can also have fun visiting floating restaurants, from pizza to tacos! If you want entertainment, Water Island is known for its lively events program. From movies by the sea and dinner under the stars, as well as live music, it is a calmer version of White Bay in the BVIs.
Sailing to the BVIs
While the USVIs have much to offer as a sailing destination, the islands are also the gateway to the BVIs and this is where most of our customers choose to spend their sailing time. The BVI clearance process is easy and simple to do.
Flying directly into St. Thomas is a convenient, less stressful and economical way to sail the BVIs. You can choose from 60 world-class islands, from Tortola, Scrub Island (where our BVI base is), Jost van Dyke, Cooper Island, Norman Island, Peter Island and Anegada, plus many more. It is the Caribbean’s most popular sailing destination for good reason, offering an amazing atmosphere at beach bars and restaurants.
We can help you make the most of your time in the area and during your charter briefing we can show you the natural loop for itinerary planning. We are experts and can make recommendations on what to see and where to dine.
Sailing US Virgin Islands with Dream Yacht Charter
Our USVIs base is at the Compass Point Marina, close to Red Hook with plenty of restaurants, shops and a vibrant live music scene.
Bareboat charter USVI
Sail the US Virgin Islands and enjoy one of the world’s most special sailing destinations. Choose from our bareboat yacht charters and cutting-edge catamarans and monohulls. Find out more about our US Virgin Islands bareboat yacht charters.
St. Thomas sailboat charter
Can’t sail? Hire a skipper and make the most of your vacation by sailing the islands of the USVIs. Your skipper will sail you and your guests while you relax. Find out more about our US Virgin Islands skippered charters.
US Virgin Islands crewed charters
Take your vacation to a new level of luxury with our personalized US Virgin Islands crewed charters. Hire your own private luxury yacht and relax while our captain and chef look after you and your guests. Find out more about our crewed charters.
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.
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.
When is the best time to go to the US Virgin Islands?
The best time to visit the US Virgin Islands is between December and May when trade winds are the most steady and temperatures are comfortable, although the USVIs have pleasant weather for most of the year.
Temperatures in the USVIs are around 75°F to 82°F all year round. August, September and October are the warmest months with hardly any wind, which makes it feel even hotter. The low season is summer time when it is less crowded. The hurricane season is between June and October.
What are the sailing conditions in the US Virgin Islands?
Sailing the Virgin Islands is the best way to discover the specific individuality of each island in the USVIs and BVIs. It puts you in control of your own itinerary so you can make the most of new discoveries, from charming coves, beach parties or bountiful marine life.
The Virgin Islands sailing conditions include easy passages that suit all experience levels, particularly novice sailors. You’ll find gentle and near constant winds most of the year, calm seas at 3 to 4 feet and line of sight navigation.
The Virgin Islands wind systems include the trade winds season between November and June and the famous Christmas winds in December/January, which can keep you going for several days. In the BVIs, winds are mainly from east or northeast, depending on the time of year, and the sailing area is less crowded when the winds are lighter. Groundswells can occur between December and March after particularly strong winds, so be careful.
Our USVI Base Manager will be pleased to welcome you on arrival to Compass Point Marina.
How to get to the US Virgin Islands from the US
To get to the US Virgin Islands for your St. Thomas boat charter, fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT), St. Thomas, USVI. There are direct flights from many US cities, but some are only on weekends. Most flights connect through Miami, Ft Lauderdale or Atlanta.
You can also connect through Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is the nearest international airport. Several airlines operate flights from SJU to STT, including Seaborne and Cape Air.
US citizens do not need a passport to enter the US Virgin Islands but will need one for the BVIs (it must be valid for another six months from date of entry). 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.
The customs clearance process is easy to travel to the BVIs from the USVIs, although keep in mind that the high season will be busier. During your briefing, the base team will give you all the paperwork needed to clear in and out of customs. You must clear BVI Customs immediately upon entrance, but in the USVI you have 24 hours to clear in.
You can clear BVI customs in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, or West End in Soper’s Hole on Tortola. Tell the customs officer that you are clearing in and out.
Download the CBP ROAM app on your smartphone for clearing back into the USVI. A free login.gov account is required to use the CBP ROAM app. After opening the CBP ROAM app, tap “Sign In”. Guests with foreign passports are usually required to clear customs in person at the Customs and Immigration Office in Cruz Bay, St. John.
National Marine Park Permit – The cost of a permit depends on the number of guests in your party and will vary from $50 per week for 4 guests up to $110 per week for 10 guests
Port Fee – $1 per foot for the length of your charter vessel
Occasionally, the customs agent will include a Vessel License Fee which is an additional $35.
A National Marine Park Permit allows you to pick up day mooring balls in any of the BVI’s fabulous marine parks, including the famous Baths, the Caves, the Indians, Monkey Point and the Dogs. Anchoring is prohibited at all times in these areas in order to protect the territory’s vulnerable reefs. Mooring buoys from the National Park are for daily use only.
Fishing permits are required to fish in the BVI, visit the government website for details.
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.
There isn’t Wi-Fi access atCompass 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 and BVIs, 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’swebsite 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.
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.
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 along the northern shores of St. John, stopping at quiet cays for lunch and a snorkel. Overnight in Francis Bay or Leinster Bay, where you can hike to the restored Annaberg Sugar Mill.
Day 3: Head to customs at the West End of Tortola to clear into the BVIs. Sail to Norman Island to overnight in The Bight. On the way, grab a mooring ball and snorkel at The Indians and take the dinghy over to the Cave. Try beach bar and restaurant, Pirate’s Bight, if you want to dine out, or order a Painkiller cocktail at the Willy T floating bar (advise a lunchtime visit if traveling with children).
Day 4: Make your way to Cooper Island via Salt Island where you can snorkel the wreck of RMS Rhone. Be ready to see plenty of tropical fish – a charter highlight. Overnight in Manchioneel Bay. You can snorkel at Cistern Point, relax at Cooper Island Beach Club and even make an advance reservation for dinner. You must not use your anchor at Cooper Island, due to the turtle grass.
Day 5: Make sure you get away early for The Baths, Virgin Gorda. Grab a National Parks mooring so you can dinghy and swim in. After exploring the rock formations, lunch at the Top of the Baths and see the magnificent view. Sail on to North Sound using the well-marked north entrance and not the shortcut next to Mosquito Island.
Day 6: Visit Jost Van Dyke and spend the night in Great Harbour. Dinghy to White Bay and visit the famous Soggy Dollar Bar and dine at Foxy’s or Corsairs.
Day 7: 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 8: Sail back to Compass Point Marina for disembarkation.
Note: If you want to sail to Anegada, we recommend you extend your stay to 10 days so you can spend a couple of nights there.
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 (open Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30am-5pm). 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. You can overnight in Lindberg Bay and dine at beachfront Emerald Bay Resort.
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.
Dream Yacht Charter is the only charter management company that offers six individually designed charter management programs. These programs include pre-approved financing, guaranteed monthly payments or performance based income.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!
