Planning a yacht charter in the US Virgin Islands is straightforward and rewarding: short passages, clear water, reliable trade winds and a well-developed charter scene centred on St Thomas. This guide covers where to start, when to sail, what boats work best and how to plan an easy, enjoyable itinerary around St Thomas, St John and, for experienced crews, St Croix.

US Virgin Islands Yacht Charter: Why Choose the USVI

Steady trade winds and line-of-sight cruising

The USVI sit in the easterly trade-wind belt. Through most of the season you’ll find consistent winds that make for predictable sailing days and relaxed passages between anchorages. Conditions typically trend moderate, which suits mixed-experience crews and families planning a first Caribbean charter.

Extensive moorings and protected bays

Around St John, much of the coastline is part of Virgin Islands National Park. You’ll find organised mooring fields, day moorings near snorkel sites and clear guidelines on overnight stays. It keeps anchoring simple, protects reefs and helps you plan each night’s stop with less stress.

Easy access and established charter bases

Most charters start on St Thomas, which has multiple full-service marinas, provisioning and short transfer times from the airport. You can be on board and under way the same afternoon you arrive, with protected day one options like Christmas Cove or the north shore of St John.

Best Time to Sail USVI Boat Charters

Seasons, wind and sea state

• December to April is the classic high season: drier weather, reliable trades and comfortable temperatures.

• April to June often brings slightly lighter winds and calmer seas, useful for new skippers or families.

• July to October is hurricane season; some operators reduce fleets or require flexible plans. Weather windows can still be pleasant, but travel insurance and contingency thinking are wise.
  Across the region, expect roughly 10–20-knot tradewinds outside of fronts and squalls, which is ideal for easy cruising.

Where USVI Sailing Charters Start: St Thomas Marinas

St Thomas: Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook

St Thomas concentrates the islands’ main charter infrastructure:

• Yacht Haven Grande (Charlotte Amalie): a large, well-equipped marina in the capital’s harbour with services, dining and shopping close by.

• Crown Bay Marina (west of Charlotte Amalie): convenient for airport transfers and full-service support.

• American Yacht Harbor (Red Hook, east end): handy for quick hops to St John and day trips, with provisioning and restaurants steps from the docks.
  These marinas anchor most USVI charter operations and provide straightforward pier-to-provision logistics.

USVI Sailing Charters: Highlights by Island

St Thomas: easy first hops and mellow anchorages

• Charlotte Amalie: start or finish with a shoreside meal and a short shakedown sail.

• Water Island: low-key beaches and a relaxed first-day vibe.

• Christmas Cove (Great St James): popular, well-sheltered and a classic first-night stop when you depart Red Hook late in the day.

St John: Virgin Islands National Park moorings

Much of St John’s coastline is mooring-only to protect seagrass and coral. Expect clear water, turtles, and snorkelling straight off the stern. Notable bays include Maho, Francis, Leinster, Saltpond and Lameshur. Overnight mooring stays are limited per-bay to prevent crowding, and payment is required for each night.

St Croix: a blue-water leg for experienced crews

St Croix lies farther south and involves a longer, more open-water passage compared with the short hops around St Thomas and St John. When weather windows line up, crews are rewarded with historic towns and the Buck Island Reef National Monument snorkelling area. Check your charter company’s policies on range and weather limits before committing this leg.

USVI vs BVI: How to Extend a USVI Yacht Charter

Sailors often add a night or two across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the British Virgin Islands for stops like Jost Van Dyke, Tortola or Virgin Gorda. It’s a simple extension, but it is international travel: you must clear in with BVI Customs and Immigration on arrival and comply with re-entry procedures on return to the USVI. Many crews handle this on a calm morning and then enjoy short, protected passages for the rest of the day.

Boat Types for USVI Yacht Charter and Boat Rental

Catamaran charter USVI

Catamarans are the most popular choice for USVI sailing charters. They offer generous deck areas for families and friends, level sailing at modest heel, easy beach access with shallow draft and efficient use of moorings. Large cockpit and saloon layouts make mealtimes and social time straightforward.

Sailing yacht charter USVI

If you prefer a traditional sailing experience, monohulls deliver engaging helm feel and upwind ability. They typically cost less than an equivalent-size catamaran, which can help when balancing budget and comfort.

Power catamaran charter USVI

For crews who want to cover more ground in a week or focus on snorkel stops, power cats provide speed between anchorages without sails to manage. Fuel planning is simple, and you still enjoy the same roomy platform as a sailing cat.

Crewed, skippered or bareboat charters

• Crewed charters USVI include a professional captain and often a cook/host. Good for groups focused on relaxation and dining.

• Skippered charters USVI add only a captain; you handle the rest.

• Bareboat charters USVI are for experienced sailors who want full independence. Operators will review your sailing résumé and experience before confirming a bareboat.

Sample 7-Day USVI Sailing Itinerary (Line-of-Sight, Easy Passages)

Day 1: St Thomas to Christmas Cove (Great St James)
Provision in town or Red Hook, cast off mid-afternoon and settle in with a gentle reach to Christmas Cove. Good first-night moorings and protected waters.

Day 2: Christmas Cove to Maho or Francis Bay (St John)
Pick up a mooring and swim with turtles in the late afternoon. Evening is calm with scenery in every direction.

Day 3: North-shore St John exploration
Short sails between Leinster, Waterlemon and Cinnamon. Use day moorings for snorkel sites, then return to your chosen overnight bay.

Day 4: Coral Bay and the south shore
Round to Saltpond or Lameshur Bays for quieter nights and a sense of distance from town.

Day 5: Back to Caneel or Hawksnest (St John)
A short hop sets up a comfortable final approach back toward St Thomas.

Day 6: St John to Water Island or Honeymoon Beach (St Thomas)
Beach time, paddleboards, an easy sunset.

Day 7: Return to base
Refuel, pump-out and berth mid-morning to avoid end-day congestion.

Optional BVI extension: weather permitting, add a night to Jost Van Dyke or West End, Tortola, clearing customs and immigration accordingly before you go ashore.

Practical Information for USVI Sailing Charters

Mooring and anchoring rules on St John

Virgin Islands National Park requires payment for overnight moorings, with limits on consecutive nights per bay. Overnight fees are set by the Park Service and can be paid at on-site stations; the Park also supports QR payments via the Recreation.gov app. Anchoring is restricted to protect seagrass and coral; use designated areas and follow local notices from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

Provisioning, water and fuel

St Thomas has multiple supermarkets near the marinas, plus chandlers, water, ice and fuel on the docks. Many crews pre-order provisions to save time on arrival day. If you’re out for a full week, plan a mid-cruise water top-off in Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie.

Navigation and distances

Passages between St Thomas and St John anchorages are short and largely line-of-sight. Keep an eye on local ferry routes and traffic separation around Red Hook and Cruz Bay. A plotter plus paper backup is the norm; most charter fleets brief you on local hazards during check-in.

Clearance if you visit the BVI

If your plan includes Jost Van Dyke, Tortola or Virgin Gorda, clear into the BVI on arrival at an official port of entry and follow the operator’s re-entry steps for the USVI on return. Allow time in your day plan for the formalities so you still reach your evening mooring in daylight. Costs and planning tips for a USVI yacht rental

Charter prices vary by:

• Season (high season is December–April; shoulder months can offer better availability)

• Boat type and size (sailing catamarans cost more than equivalent monohulls)

• Crewed vs bareboat and any optional skipper/host

• Fuel and marina nights vs mooring-field itineraries

Booking early helps with boat choice and routing. If you’re travelling in peak months, lock in flights and a first-night berth soon after you confirm your yacht.

USVI Sailing Charters: Responsible cruising

• Use moorings where provided and observe nightly limits.

• Avoid anchoring on seagrass and reefs; follow local notices and park guidance.

• Pack reef-safe sunscreen and keep a respectful distance from sea turtles and rays while snorkelling.

• Conserve water and power on board; plan a mid-week top-off rather than running generators unnecessarily.

Plan and book your USVI yacht charter with Boataround

Browse verified boats, live availability and transparent pricing for USVI yacht charters. Filter for sailing catamarans, monohulls or crewed yachts, choose your preferred start marina on St Thomas, and build an itinerary that fits your crew and season. When you’re ready, book with Boataround and get support before you board and throughout your trip.

Motorboat rental in US Virgin Islands

Rent a Motorboat and explore US Virgin Islands! Prices start from 550 $ per day. Experience the thrill of water sports in US Virgin Islands 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 US Virgin Islands includes models from renowned yards such as Intrepid, Contender and Midnight.

These are some of the best places to rent a motor boat in US Virgin Islands:

• Motorboat rental Saint Thomas