Overview – US Virgin Islands
The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is a popular sailing destination in the Caribbean. With short distances, predictable tropical weather, an abundance of water activities and onshore restaurants and bars, the USVI has something to offer everyone! Most sailing vacations start from St. Thomas to explore the main islands of St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, plus 50 smaller islets and cays.
With so much to do and see in the US Virgin Islands your sailing vacation will be packed with beautiful sightseeing, great food, yummy cocktails, beautiful sunsets, exciting water toys, and a whole lot of fun!
Activities & Events – US Virgin Islands
There’s a long list of things to do on your yacht charter through the US Virgin Islands. From elegant, Caribbean-style dining to wondrous deep sea diving, there’s no lack of unique things to do on your sailing adventure.
Here is a taste of what you can expect on your USVI sailing excursion:
Bountiful cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, or freshly prepared plates from island restaurants and world famous beach bars
Snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding and other water activities
Hiking and exploration of the rich history of island life
5 Favorite Beaches in the US Virgin Islands:
1. Avoid crowds at Oppenheimer Beach, Hawksnest Bay, St. John
2. Enjoy the views at Magens Bay, East End St.Thomas
3. Snorkel at Waterlemon Cay, Leinster Bay, St. John
4. Hike at Honeymoon Beach, Caneel Bay, St. John
5. Swim with turtles at Maho Bay Beach, Francis Bay, St. John
You will never run out of fun things to do and see in the USVI! Your sailing vacation will be packed with gourmet meals, delicious cocktails, exciting water toys, and beautiful sunsets!
Check out a few of the exciting celebrations happening during your trip:
January | February | March |
April | May | June |
July | August | September |
October | November | December |
Sample Itinerary 1
Day 1:
Start your first day boarding your yacht! Have a nice casual lunch and snorkel at Caneel Bay, St. John. Sit back and relax and have a nice sail to Maho Bay, St. John. Enjoy the waves, maybe some paddle boarding, or a walk on the beach. Finish your first night watching the sunset while enjoying cocktails!
Day 2:
Today starts off with your morning breakfast and a short dinghy ride over to Mary’s Point or Whistling Cay for a guided snorkel tour, here you will learn about the coral reef ecosystem and the fish and coral that makes up these Caribbean waters. Next, you will head back to your private yacht where you will eat lunch, relax and watch the waves go by. Later its just a quick sail over to Waterlemon Cay in St. John where you can enjoy a short hike to Annaberg ruins for a fascinating historical tour or check out world class fly fishing in the salt flats. The perfect ending to your fun packed day would be a night dive around the Cay!
Day 3:
Start your third day off with another yummy breakfast and a quick sail up to Newfound Bay to try your hand at snaring Caribbean lobster! Enjoy a quiet afternoon on a gorgeous white sand beach or spend your time snorkeling at Booby Rock, a dive excursion or hike Rams Head for an epic sunset view!
Day 4:
The fourth day of your sailing vacation starts off with another lovely breakfast and a morning sail to Lovango/Congo Cay Cut. After your sail have a quick bite of lunch before your adventure starts! Dive the legendary Carvel Rock, make sure you look for old cannon balls and other relics! You may even get lucky and see some local black tip reef sharks! Still feeling adventurous? Ask the locals about exciting cliff jumping options for a thrilling adrenaline rush. Cap your evening off with a sunset sail to the world famous Magens Bay, St. Thomas and enjoy a sunset swim, paddle or a leisurely walk on the longest beach in St. Thomas!
Day 5:
Today is another fun filled day, start off with some water sports, Magens Bay is the perfect spot for wake boarding, water skiing and tubing. Take an afternoon dip on one of the small, secluded strips of the beach. Head back on board and enjoy lunch, or hit up a local beach bar and a boutique for some day drinking and shopping! Unwind after all your retail therapy and play some games on the aft deck before dinner and enjoy stargazing on the trampolines.
Day 6:
A relaxing day is in store for you! Sail up to Little St. James for a gorgeous snorkel/dive at “Ledges” Or “Calf and Cow”. Enjoy lunch at Pizza Pi, in Christmas Cove, Great St. James (if open). By evening set sail for the historic Buck Island on St. Thomas and enjoy a quiet evening, enjoying the sunset and learning the history of the island and all of its glory.
Day 7:
Start your second to last day having breakfast before you go snorkel the wreck of the Cartanza, and old freighter with a fascinating history! Take your dinghy over to Turtle Cove to swim with the turtles! Downwind sail to Honeymoon Beach, Water Island and enjoy lunch aboard and then spend the afternoon on the beach or rent golf carts and explore the island. After you explore head back to the boat and take a leisurely sunset stroll through historic downtown Charlotte Amalie. Spend the night at anchor in the harbor. Enjoy some local nightlife and hang out with your family/friends for your last night aboard!
Last Day:
Enjoy the time you have left in the US Virgin Islands by taking a historic walking tour of Charlotte Amalie. Check out Emancipation Gardens, the 99 steps and the historic Fort Christian. Partake in some more retail therapy at the vendor’s plaza or in any of the downtown boutiques. By this time you will have returned your boat and headed home already wanting to book your next charter!
Sample Itinerary 2
Day 1:
Pick up at American Yacht Harbor. Off the quaint Secret Harbor Beach Resort, Nazareth Bay offers snorkeling and a spectacular sunset for guests’ first night aboard. The aptly named, Sunset Grille provides fine dining in a casual atmosphere with live music.
Day 2:
Sailing with the tranquil trade winds, arrive at Buck Island for a snorkel adventure of the 190-foot long old freighter. After lunch, sail into the protected bay where pirates took refuge in the 18th century to experience the vibrant Historic District of Charlotte Amalie.
Day 3:
When an island beach bar is calling, Honeymoon Bay provides waterfront concessions and ice-cold umbrella cocktails. Renting a golf cart allows exploration of the uniquely acquired Water Island and WWII-era Fort Segarra. For the nature lover, a lunch stopover at Saba Island provides a breathtaking view of the nearly 200-foot hillside and wildlife sanctuary. As the anchor digs into Brewer Bay’s powdery sand, guests snorkel in the beautiful water searching for plentiful lobsters. Fit and active guests looking for an adventurous hike can stretch their legs with a climb up a rocky trail ascending almost 1000-feet for a magnificent view of the bay, Saba Island, St. Croix, and the Caribbean Sea.
Day 4:
Sailing around St. Thomas’ wild and rugged western most cliffs and inaccessible cays, guests get a view of the Spanish Virgin Islands standing boldly on the horizon just 10 miles east. An early arrival to the top-rated Magens Bay introduces Chuckles, the giant 15-foot flamingo, and an opportunity for water activities. The bay is home to turtle feeding grounds; a mile-long sandy shoreline; rock formations with colonies of brown booby birds, energetic schools of fish, and a deep sandy cavern; and dozens of stingrays.
Day 5:
For a dreamt-about experience of total seclusion on an exotic island, stop at Hans Lollik for lunch. Motor sailing to Lovango and Mingo Cays provides an evening out or a remote anchorage.
Day 6:
The numerous deer, donkey, goats, turtles, and friendly sharks welcome you, when pulling into Francis or Maho Bay. Whether looking for various levels of hiking or water activities, guests can choose from a dinghy excursion to Whistling Cay, snorkel reefs teeming with sea life, a hike along Francis or Maria Hope Trails, or lunch ashore with live music. Depending how your feel, spend the night at Francis/Maho Bay or continue onto Waterlemon for a late afternoon trek to the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins where you may be lucky enough to collect fresh papaya, sugar cane, or steam of oregano from the gardener.
Day 7:
If conditions cooperate, venture to the seldom-visited Flanagan Island nature reserve or stop in Coral Bay for lunch. Take in the most scenic destination on St. John, Saltpond Bay. Around the salt pond to Drunk Bay, you can add your ‘drunk’ rock-people to the collection! Enjoy the beach and snorkeling, or on the Ram Head Trail, stop along Blue Cobblestone Beach to close your eyes and just listen as the waves recede over the smooth green and blue pebbles. Spend the night at Saltpond Bay, or Lameshur Bay where you have endless options for exploration! Whether looking for a relaxing beach day, fun snorkeling, or adventurous hiking. Trails range from low-key to very challenging, but there’s something for everyone here!
Last Day:
Discover all that Lameshur Bay has to offer before returning to the marina.
Sample Itinerary 3
Day 1:
WELCOME ABOARD!! Leinster Bay – Snorkel and hike. Dinner on board.
Day 2:
Breakfast, Coral Bay – Lime Out TACOS and DRINKS! Salt Pond Bay. Turtles! Dinner on board.
Day 3:
Breakfast, Honeymoon Beach STJ lunch and drinks at Bikinis Beach Bar. Cruz Bay Dinner and drinks ashore.
Day 4:
Breakfast, Magen’s Bay for Beach and lunch and drinks. Dinner on board.
Day 5:
Breakfast, Water Island lunch and drinks at Heidis or Dinghies. Charlotte Amalie Harbor- Dinner and drinks ashore and any number of places. Dozens to choose from.
Day 6:
Breakfast, Buck Island stop for cool snorkel and lunch aboard. Cowpet Bay for dinner ashore at Elysian.
Day 7:
Breakfast, Little St. James snorkel. Beergaritas from Pizza Pi – lunch on board – Water Bay for dinner at Margaritaville -or- Redhook Muller Bay for Dinner and Redhook 500!
Last Day:
Breakfast and noon drop off ashore at AYH Marina.
Sample Itinerary 4
Day 1:
WELCOME ABOARD!! Sail around the East End of St. Thomas for Magen’s Bay. Lunch ashore and dinner on board.
Day 2:
Breakfast, Head to Lovango for lunch at Zozo’s H2O, Red Hook for overnight and dinner on board.
Day 3:
Breakfast, Sail along the North Shore of St. John, stop at Hawksnest for snorkeling. Sail to Francis Bay to overnight, Maho Crossroads for lunch & drinks/live music, then dinner on board.
Day 4:
Breakfast, Waterlemon Cay and Leinster for snorkeling and easy hike sail to Hansen Bay for lunch at LimeOut. Make your way to Salt Pond or Lameshur for quiet overnight and dinner on board.
Day 5:
Breakfast, Nice longer sail to Water Island, lunch at Heidi’s or Dinghy’s. Overnight in Lindberg Bay, dinner at Emerald Bay Resort. Or, choose to anchor in Long Bay, marina slip at Yacht Haven Grande for dinner & shopping downtown.
Day 6:
Breakfast at Emerald Cafe then head back east and motor through Long Bay for the scenery. Pick up a ball on Honeymoon and spend some time in Cruz Bay for shopping and dinner.
Day 7:
Breakfast, sail to Christmas Cove for lunch at Pizza Pi and snorkeling, overnight on mooring or spend the afternoon and evening in Secret Harbor on anchor (it’s very calm here.)
Last Day:
Early breakfast at Cruzan Beach Club in Secret Harbor, then back to the marina.
Sample Itinerary 5
Day 1 12pm– Pickup at American Yacht Harbour dock in St. Thomas (crew will arrange transportation and provide rendezvous info) |
Day 2 8am– Breakfast, then dinghy over to Mary’s Point or Whistling Cay for a guided snorkel tour, learning about the coral reef ecosystem and fish/coral ID. |
Day 3 8am– Breakfast followed by a nice hike/snorkel at Waterlemon Cay (depending on what was accomplished day before) OR a quick motor sail up to Newfound Bay to try your hand at snaring a Caribbean lobster! |
St Croix Option!
Day 4-5: Interested in exploring the largest island in the VI territory? St. Croix is a quiet, friendly island with a fascinating history and a burgeoning restaurant industry. Located appx. 35 miles south of St. Thomas and St. John, it’s an exciting “beam reach” sail to and from St. Croix, with the one-way trip being 4-5 hours of exciting, open water sailing. Once arrived in STX, you’ll enjoy world class diving on the North Shore, snorkeling with sea turtles at Buck Island and fascinating historical relics and stories! If permissible, your crew can help rent a car and go explore the rainforest, beautiful beaches and enjoy the local culture. Fancy a round of golf? Check out the Buccaneer for a unique island golfing experience. Don’t forget to stop by the Norma’s Domino Club to enjoy local concoctions and feed the beer drinking pigs! History buff? Tour Fort Christian, Fort Frederick, Estate Whim or the famous Cruzan Rum factory. Sail back to St. Thomas the morning of Day 6.
Day 4 8am– Breakfast. Enjoy an early morning hike up the Ram’s Head Trail. Return to the vessel for a relaxing, mid-morning sail to the Lovango/Congo Cay cut. |
Day 5 8am– Breakfast followed by WATER SPORTS! Magens Bay is the perfect spot for wakeboarding, foiling, water skiing and tubing. Not into the action? Hide out on one of the small, secluded strips of beach where you’ll have the place to yourself! |
Day 6 8am– Breakfast Motor sail up to Little St. James for a gorgeous snorkel/dive at “Ledges” or “Calf and Cow”. Enjoy lunch at Pizza Pi, in Christmas Cove, Great St. James (if open). |
Day 7 8am– Breakfast Snorkel the wreck of the Cartanza, an old freighter with a fascinating history! and/or dinghy over to Turtle Cove to swim with the turtles! |
Day 8
8am– Breakfast. Try a walking tour of historic Charlotte Amalie! Check out Emancipation Gardens, the 99 steps and the historic Fort Christian. Take advantage of duty free shopping at vendor’s plaza or in any of the downtown boutiques.
11am– Return to the boat to pack for a noon departure. Crew will arrange transportation to your hotel or the airport.
12:01pm– Book your next charter!
Weather & Seasons – US Virgin Islands
One of the best parts about a yacht charter through the US Virgin Islands is the destination’s consistently warm, sunny weather and steady winds. Many traveling during the winter months choose to charter a yacht in the USVI to escape the cold at home, because it’s during this peak season from December through April that you’ll find less rain and good winds in the Caribbean.
Once June comes around, sailing starts to slow through July — and by September, it’s the peak of storm season. However, it doesn’t last long. By November, many are back on the water. In fact, those cruising the Virgin Island often prefer to avoid the winter crowds and sail throughout fall and spring. With beautiful days and year-round temperatures in the 80’s— and let’s not forget water temperatures also in the high 70’s to low 80’s— you can rest assured knowing it’s okay to pack light and that you’ll leave with a sun-kissed glow no matter when you sail!
Average Weather Statistics – US Virgin Islands:
January | February | March |
April | May | June |
July | August | September |
October | November | December |
Travel Info – US Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands is an easily accessible Caribbean destination just a short 3-hour flight from a few southern US travel hubs. You will arrive at Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, which is located two miles west of the main town of Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas is 32 square miles, making travel from the airport to any marina on island no more than 30-35 minutes.