Finding the Right USVI Charter
The U.S. Virgin Islands took on around 2 million international visitors in 2019. Which is not much of a surprise since the islands have so much to offer for tourists, people looking to escape, and for sightseeing. We probably don't need to tell you how absolutely gorgeous it is in the Virgin Islands and why so many people visit every year.
We are here to tell you about charters though! If you've recently or are currently planning to book a trip to the USVI and you enjoy getting out on the water, then this article is for you.
We're going to talk about how to find the right USVI charters and everything you should know about them. Let's take a look!
Welcome to the Virgin Islands
The United States Virgin Islands are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are simply amazing to visit and while there are many things you can do while visiting the islands, one of the MUST DO'S is renting a charter boat for a day!
What better way to see and experience the beauty of the islands than spending the day exploring by sea? After all, the islands are surrounded by water.
Whether you're dreaming of a peaceful sail or want to party all day, we've got the insider knowledge on how to make the most of your vacation. You'll master the Virgin Islands boating world as you learn how to pick a boat that's appropriate for you, where to go, and what to bring.
First things first, in order to rent a charter boat in St. John USVI, you'll want to start with deciding what type of charter you want to experience.
Decide on the Right Type of Charter
There are a few different types of charter boats that you can rent in St. John and the USVI.
Each type of charter boat has its own purpose, so it's important to decide which is right for you before you start your search.
Here are the different types of charter boats that you'll find in St. John and the USVI:
Bareboat Charters
A bareboat charter is when you rent a boat with no captain or crew. This option is great if you have experience boating and feel confident operating a boat on your own.
If you don't have experience operating a boat, we recommend renting a boat with a captain or taking a boating safety course before your trip.
Captain Charters
A captain charter is when you rent a boat that comes with a captain. This option is great if you want the freedom to explore on your own but don't feel confident operating a boat. This relieves you of any stress and it's also good because they'll know the area much better than you would... however the one downfall is you won't have complete privacy as if you rent your own boat.
Now that you know the different types of charter boats, let's look at what kind of activities you can do on each type of charter.
Activities on USVI Charters
There are endless possibilities for activities on charter boats in St. John and the USVI. Here are some popular activities that people enjoy:
Sailing
Fishing
Snorkeling/Scuba Diving
Site seeing
Swimming
Partying/Island Hoping
As you can see, there's something for everyone when it comes to chartering a boat in St. John and the USVI. Depending on what you want to do can also influence the type of boat charter you decide to go with.
For example, if you're looking to have a bunch of drinks, relax, and island-hop, then it may be a better idea to have a captain. On the other hand, if you want to site see, you could rent it on your own and just follow local maps to all the best locations to site see.
Now let's discuss the types of boats there are to choose from...
Types of Boating Charters
Here in St. John and the USVI, you'll find a few different types of boats to choose from. The size and type of boat you choose should be based on the number of people in your group, how long you want to charter the boat for, and what activities you want to do while on the water.
The most popular types of boats that are chartered in St. John and the USVI are:
Catamarans
Sail Boat
Speedboats/Powerboats
Fishing Boat
The best thing to do is discuss what you plan on doing with whichever company you deiced to go with and they'll be able to recommend the best boat.
Choosing the Right USVI Charter Company
When it comes to USVI charters, there are several dozen that you can go with... which can be a lot if you're just beginning to look at them or don't have any experience with them.
We recommend starting with what we discussed first, thinking about what types of activities, boats, and things you're going to want out of the charter. This will help you narrow down to the ones that only offer what you're looking for... from there it should make things much easier.
We've also put together a few of our own favorites... so whether you're looking for fishing charters, cruising, island hopping, or anything else, these are the top 5 boating charters in the USVI!
Big Blue Excursions
Ocean Runner USVI
Wharfside Watersports
Voodoo VI
Just Fish St. John
Things to Bring on Your Charter
There are few things more frustrating than arriving at the Virgin Islands' customs dock with no passport. Here are a few crucial items you'll want to bring with you as well on any charter:
Reef-safe sunscreen
Hat for sun protection
Sunglasses
Long sleeve shirt, preferably one with FPS
Passport
Towel(s)
Bathing suit (Duh)
Music Playlist (Download it ahead of time)
Snorkel Gear (Check if your charter will provide these)
Adult Beverages (Only if you have a captain)
Snacks
Cash for tip
Where to Go While on A Private Boat Charter
Lastly, let's quickly touch on a couple of places we highly recommend while going out on a private boat charter in USVI.
Go Island Hopping
This one may be obvious, but you have to go island hopping if you're booking a charter. We recommend checking out Lovango, Water Island, and Hans Lollik. These are all amazing little islands to explore with plenty to offer!
Places Around St. John
We recommend exploring three areas of St. John with your boat adventure. These are Waterlemon Cay, Cruz Bay, and Maho Bay. These offer you snorkeling, reefs, food, drinks, and of course sandy beaches.
Look for Floating Bars
There are a couple of amazing floating bars that you have to go see! Who doesn't want to have pizza or tacos while exploring the Caribbean? Pizza Pi Vi and Lime Inn are both floating bars around St. John.
Finding the Right USVI Charter
There you have it, hopefully, some of these tips and information will help you find the right USVI charter and fully enjoy your visit!
Start with this guide and you'll be sure to find the right charter just for you! Make sure to check out our top 5 recommended charters as each one provides exceptional services. However, if you want to ensure you fully explore everything that the Virgin Islands have to offer, make sure you book the best luxury villa in St. John!
Happy Traveling,
The Team at Finisterre