Yacht Charter in the USVI

The US Virgin Islands offers a wide choice of yachtaround $20 - $30/night. The maximum vessel length
charter and includes bareboat yacht charter,allowed for overnight buoys is 60 feet. Other
skippered yacht charter, luxury crewed yachtmooring buoys are 13 inches in diameter and are
charter, monohull and catamaran charter and both sailcolour-coded. Please note that there is a 90-minute
and motor yacht charter.time limit on all non overnight moorings and these are
The Ciboney, Carib and Arawak Indians originallyon a first come first served basis.
settled the Virgin Islands. Christopher ColumbusOrange - Non-diving, day use only.
discovered and claimed the islands for Spain during hisYellow - Commercial dive vessels only.
second voyage in 1493. Over the next three hundredLarge Yellow- Commercial boats or boats over 55
years, the islands were held by many Europeanfeet in length.
powers, including Spain, Britain, the Netherlands,White- Non-commercial vessels, daytime dive use
France, the Knights of Malta, and Denmark. Theonly.
Danish West India Company settled on Saint ThomasBlue - For dinghy use only.
in 1672, on Saint John in 1694, and purchased SaintSailors must, by law, obtain a National Parks Permit,
Croix from France in 1733. The islands became royaleither from the yacht charter company, or when the
Danish colonies in 1754.yacht clears customs, or from the National Parks
Yacht Charter in USVITrust Office.
For the remainder of the Danish time the islandsThe capitol city of St. Thomas is Charlotte Amelie,
were not economically viable and heavy financialthe busiest cruise ship harbour in the Caribbean.
support had to made by the mother country. AnBecause of its thriving commercial activity, as well as
attempt to sell the islands to the United States wasits crime and drug problems, it is often referred to as
made early in the 20th century but an agreementthe least virgin of the US Virgin Islands. The people
could not be made. During the First World War, theare also not necessarily the friendliest either and tend
USA, fearing that the islands might be seized byto cast a cynical eye on tourists, especially in the
Germany as a submarine base, once againmidst of all the cruise chaos. The beaches on the
approached Denmark to sell the islands. A selling priceisland are renowned for their calm turquoise waters
of $25 million was agreed and the USA tookand pristine white sand. Charlotte Amelie is filled with
possession of the islands on March 31st 1917, whenhistory and charming white homes with red roofs
the territory was renamed the Virgin Islands of thethat shimmer in the sun. It is famous for some of
United States.the best duty free shopping in the Caribbean. Once
The US Virgin Islands is one of the most convenientaway from the hustle and bustle you will find
yacht charter locations to the United States mainland.seclusion at the many beaches.
There are direct, quick flights from the mainland. IfThe lovely white sands of Magenxs Bay make it a
time is limited to only a few days, the US Virginfamily favourite. The calm turquoise waters are ideal
Islands is a great choice, as it is an easy quick sail tofor swimming, although the snorkelling is not very
its two main islands. The US Virgin Islands is verygood. This is an extremely popular beach and tends
easy for the first time yacht charter and families.to get crowded.
There is no open water navigation, and the islandsSapphire Beach is one of the finest on St. Thomas
are all within a short two to three hour sail from eachand a favourite among windsurfers. Here on will find
other. Navigation is always by line of sight. It is asome of the islands finest diving and snorkelling and
popular destination, especially during the Christmas,diving off Pettykilp Point.
Presidents Week and Easter week holidays. The firstOn the small island of Great St James, just off the
two weeks of July are also extremely busy due tosoutheast tip of St. Thomas, is the well protected
Puerto Ricoxs holiday schedule.Christmas Cove. Legend has it that this cove was
Three of the four US Virgin Islands have nicknamesthe site of a huge potluck Christmas dinner between
often used by locals. St. Thomas is "Rock City", St.cruising families who visited the US Virgin Islands. The
John "Love City", and St. Croix is "Twin City".dinner became an annual event and from then on it
During the November to January winter months thehas been known as Christmas Cove. The cove is a
average wind is 15 - 20 knots from the northeast. Oncommon first or last night yacht anchorage. The
and off all winter, the famous "Christmas Winds"snorkelling and diving are good here.
blow strong at 25 - 30 knots for several day periods.St John lies about a mile due east from St. Thomas
Beginning in February and finishing in June, the windsand is the closest of the US Virgin Islands to the
move from a northeast direction to southeast whenBritish Virgin Islands. Almost 70% of this tiny island is
10 - 15 knots can be expected. Late summer toprotected and maintained by the National Park
autumn, August to November, is the US VirginService. The Rockefeller Family donated land and this
Islands's rainy season. However, rainsqualls can occurguaranteed the lovely hillsides would be protected
at any time and they are usually short lived. Watchfrom development and stays green forever. The
for approaching dark squall lines and drop the yachtscoral reefs are also protected. The island remains non
sails and motor if in doubt. During September andcommercial and pristine in nature. There are many
October, the trade winds are unsettled and weakest.well-marked hiking trails that take you through the
These months are considered the height of hurricaneremnants of an old Sugar Plantation. The Reef Bay
season, although the nominal season is June tohiking trail passes by ancient petroglyphs on its way
November. Check yacht charter company policies into the sugar mill ruins and the beach. St. John is only
regards to hurricanes. Average high temperaturesaccessible by yacht, boat or ferry. A National Park
range from 25°C to 30°C with the highestpermit is mandatory; ask your yacht charter
in July to October.company for the details.
Nowadays it can be such a hassle to go between theTrunk Bay is one of the best in the whole of the
US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands thatCaribbean. It features an underwater self-guided
some people do either one or the other. Since 9/11snorkel trail, with plaques describing the fish, corals
every person on the boat must present themselvesand other marine life that you might see. There are
to customs and immigration for what can be a timeshower facilities at the beach and you can rent
consuming affair. It used to be that one crew couldsnorkel gear. Yacht moorings are located in the bay
present all the passports for a quick stamp and thefor a fee.
yacht would be on it's way in the new country'sCruz Bay is the main landing spot for visitors who
waters. For less than a one-week charter it may notcome to the island on the ferry. The bay is located
be worth it to try to do both. If you do not carryon the west side of St. John. Cruz Bay is a US
the proper documentation on board the yacht it canCustoms and Immigration point of entry for yachts
be confiscated. Please check with your yacht charterreturning from the British Virgin Islands. It is so small
company for more details.that the streets have no names but it does have the
The US Virgin Islands are working hard to protectMongoose Junction shopping plaza. This is an
the fragile ecosystem. You will find mooring balls atattractive complex of restaurants, galleries and shops
many anchorage destinations. Keep in mind that theywith a distinctive Caribbean flavour. No cruise ships
are often all occupied by 3:30pm. If you show upthat dock here so the place does not get that
after that, you will have to anchor. The only problemcrowded.
is, in some places there are so many mooring balls,The tiny yacht anchorage of Hawk Nest Bay is very
that there is barely enough room left for the yachtpeaceful. The beach is a favourite with the locals and
to anchor.good for families with children.
Overnight moorings are 18x white balls, and cost