St. Thomas is a practical, well-connected base for a yacht charter in the Caribbean, with short hops to St. John, Water Island and the British Virgin Islands. Expect reliable trade winds, protected anchorages and plenty of short-range passages that suit first-timers and experienced sailors alike. The island has multiple marinas, provisioning options and day-charter operators, so you can tailor the trip around your crew, time and budget. Key bases include American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie, Crow n Bay Marina near the airport and Compass Point Marina in Benner Bay.

When to go: sailing conditions, trade winds and hurricane season

Sailing conditions are generally moderate, with steady trade winds and line-of-sight navigation. Peak charter season runs from December to March, with shoulder months in April to June and November offering slightly lighter crowds and good breeze. The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk between mid-August and mid-October, so flexible plans and travel insurance are sensible if you sail then.

Day boat charter St. Thomas: quick escapes and beach-hopping

If you have limited time, a day charter is a direct way to reach reefs and beaches around St. Thomas and St. John. Operators commonly depart from Red Hook or Yacht Haven Grande for snorkelling at Turtle Cove or the north-shore bays of St. John, and can also run trips to Water Island’s Honeymoon Beach. These short itineraries work for families and larger groups who prefer a relaxed day on the water over overnight cruising.

Bareboat charter St. Thomas vs crewed: choosing the right boat

Catamaran rental St. Thomas: space, stability and shallow draft

Catamarans are popular in the US Virgin Islands yacht charter scene thanks to their wide decks, easy access to the water and comfortable cabins. Their shallow draft helps you pick up moorings in bays with fringing coral reefs, and the huge cockpit makes life simple for families or a large group.

St. Thomas sailboat charter: monohulls and performance

If you enjoy heel, tighter tacking angles and a more traditional feel, a modern monohull remains a strong choice for a sailing vacation. You’ll sacrifice some interior volume compared with a catamaran, but gain feedback on the helm and a lively ride in the trade winds.

Skippered or bareboat charter

Qualified sailors often opt for bareboat St. Thomas to move at their own pace. If no one in your crew holds the right licence, or you simply want local knowledge of hidden gems and secluded beaches, add a professional skipper. Many St. Thomas fleets offer extras such as snorkel gear, paddleboards and onboard Wi-Fi; check individual boat pages for exact equipment.

Where to start: St. Thomas marinas and pickup points

• American Yacht Harbor, Red Hook. The island’s east-end hub, close to provisioning and the St. John ferry. Many day boats and term charters start here.

• Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie. A full-service mega-yacht facility with shops and dining, commonly used as a pickup point for term charters and excursions.

• Crown Bay Marina. Near Cyril E. King Airport, convenient for arrivals and fuelling before or after charter.

• Compass Point Marina, Benner Bay. A quiet, charter-friendly basin with service yards and close access to east-end cruising grounds.

US Virgin Islands yacht charter itineraries: St. Thomas, St. John and beyond

St. Thomas and Water Island: short first day

Cast off from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook and head to Water Island for a swim at Honeymoon Beach, an easy, well-sheltered introduction for mixed-experience crews.

Christmas Cove, Great St. James

A favourite first-night stop for St. Thomas boat charters. Expect mooring balls to protect the reef, clear water for a sunset swim and a calm anchorage in settled conditions.

North-shore St. John: national park bays

Two-thirds of St. John is protected, with well-managed moorings and marked swim areas. Classic stops include Caneel Bay, Maho Bay, Trunk Bay (with the underwater snorkel trail) and Leinster Bay for Waterlemon Cay. These are line-of-sight hops with plenty of wildlife and vibrant coral reefs.

Southern St. John: Lameshur and Salt Pond

If the forecast is settled, continue to Great Lameshur or Salt Pond Bay for hiking and quieter water, then loop back toward Cruz Bay (St. John) or Red Hook for reprovisioning. Moorings are provided in many bays to avoid damage to seagrass and reefs.

Optional BVI leg: Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Virgin Gorda

Many crews “island hop” to the Virgin Islands next door. Popular BVI stops from St. Thomas include White Bay (Jost Van Dyke), The Bight (Norman Island) and the North Sound (Virgin Gorda). If you cross the border, you must clear into BVI Customs and Immigration and pay the relevant cruising permits; check back into USVI on return. Plan an extra day for paperwork and passages.

Snorkelling and wildlife: sea turtles, coral reefs and easy entries

St. Thomas and St. John offer frequent encounters with sea turtles, rays and colourful fish, especially over seagrass beds and around patch reefs. From St. Thomas, many day trips sail to Maho Bay to snorkel with turtles, or to Turtle Cove and Little Buck Island for easy swim-offs with guides and gear included. Always observe from a distance and use reef-safe sunscreen.

Moorings, national park rules and low-impact cruising

Inside Virgin Islands National Park waters around St. John, overnight stays are on designated moorings rather than anchoring in coral or seagrass. There is a posted overnight fee (typically $26) with payment stations at locations such as Cruz Bay, Caneel Bay, Maho and Leinster Bay. Stays are limited per bay and per year to spread use. Moorings protect the seabed and make late-afternoon arrivals simpler; if you do anchor elsewhere, verify you are in sand before dropping.

Sample 7-day St. Thomas yacht charter route

Day 1: Board in Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook, provision and sail to Christmas Cove for your first night swim.
Day 2: Short hop to Cruz Bay for a stroll, then pick up a mooring at Caneel Bay or Hawksnest for the evening.
Day 3: Maho Bay turtle snorkel in the morning; afternoon sail to Francis or Leinster Bay for Waterlemon Cay.
Day 4: Weather allowing, continue to Salt Pond or Great Lameshur on St. John’s south shore for hiking and quiet water.
Day 5: Return north via Trunk Bay’s underwater trail, then overnight near Caneel Bay.
Day 6: Sail back toward St. Thomas, stopping at Water Island for an easy beach afternoon. Day 7: Re-fuel and disembark at your start marina.

If you plan a BVI extension, fold in Jost Van Dyke or Norman Island and complete Customs formalities on both sides.

Getting around: ferries, reprovisioning and logistics

If crew are joining late or leaving early, the public ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay on St. John runs frequently and takes roughly 20 minutes, which is helpful for changes of plan or shore days in the national park. Taxis are easy to find near Yacht Haven Grande and the airport, and major marinas sit close to grocery stores for quick turnarounds.

Who this destination suits

• Families and first-timers. Short passages, protected bays and well-marked moorings keep stress low.

• Experienced sailors. Trade-wind routes, option to add a bareboat charter leg to the BVI, and plenty of line-of-sight pilotage make for satisfying miles.

• Large group or friends’ getaway. Catamaran rental St. Thomas gives deck space, shade and easy water access for snorkel days.

• Short stays. A day boat charter St. Thomas covers highlights without committing to a full week.

Responsible cruising reminders

Use moorings where provided, avoid anchoring on coral reefs or seagrass, respect swim zones and wildlife, and follow park guidance on length of stay and payment. These simple steps keep the crystal-clear waters and reefs healthy for the long term.

Book your St. Thomas yacht charter with Boataround

Boataround lists a fully equipped fleet of sailing catamarans, monohulls and motor yachts for St. Thomas yacht charter, including options for bareboat charter St. Thomas, skippered and crewed packages, plus day boat charters. Compare boats, check real availability, filter for catamaran rental St. Thomas or St. Thomas sailboat rental, and reserve securely. When you are ready to set sail, book with Boataround on this page and plan your route across St. Thomas, St. John and the wider Virgin Islands.

Motorboat rental in Saint Thomas

Rent a Motorboat and explore Saint Thomas! Prices start from 550 $ per day. Experience the thrill of water sports in Saint Thomas with a Motor Boat, also known as a Speed Boat. These nimble crafts, perfect for activities like water skiing and wakeboarding, typically range from 9 to 11 m (29.5 to 36.1 feet), with one or two powerful engines from 500 to 1050 hp. As they are primarily used for water sports, fishing or transfer from motor yachts to land, they usually do not provide overnight accommodation or toilets.

Our fleet of motor boats in Saint Thomas includes models from renowned yards such as Intrepid, Contender and Midnight.

These are some of the best places to rent a motor boat in Saint Thomas:

• Motorboat rental Compass Point Marina