Sailing in The Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands offers hidden harbors, beaches, and dive spots. Charter operations provide trips from a half-day to many weeks, power or sail, crew or uncrewed.
Caneel Bay, Francis Bay, and Maho Bay are popular anchorages for overnight stays. Anchor in sand well away from coral and seagrass beds or use moorings. Anchoring is not permitted in Saltpond, Great Lameshur, Little Lameshur, and Reef Bay; moorings must be used in these areas. Living aboard a boat in the National Park waters is limited to 14 days in any 12-month period.
Coral is very fragile and easily damaged by anchors, human touch, feet, and flippers. Coral damage by one person can take hundreds of years to regrow. Remember, "If it is not sand, don't stand." Coral and other sea life can also cause injury to people when touched.
Sailing and Yacht Charters:
The Virgin Islands have many visitors that come just for the sailing. The combination of good weather, protected waters, and good anchorages not too far apart has served to help build the island's yachting industry. Pioneers of this business have built it from the bottom up for the past three.
It is best to plan your itinerary at least six months in advance if you're interested in peak times like February, March, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The poorest sailing conditions run from August through October. Bring Dramamine in the unlikely event that you get seasick.
You can expect to spend between $1,000.00 - $2,000.00 per person for an eight day/seven night cruise with all meals, alcohol, and use of sports equipment included. Most boats are heavy displacement vessels with a lot of momentum. You should have adequate experience skippering this type of boat as well as good basic comprehension of inboard engines. Another alternative is to pre-book a skipper for your holiday.
Yacht Chartering Tips:
- Book early to prevent disappointment.
- Book late if you are less particular and hope to score a last-minute bargain.
- Expect to spend around $1,500.00 - $1,800.00 per week to charter a 30 - 50 foot sailboat with an experienced captain.
- "Bareboat" chartering means that you do all the work. Costs are lower.
- "Crewed" means that you have help. Try to find a crew that matches your personality and needs.
- If you book off-season, you may be offered "free days" as an incentive.
- More adventurous sailors can head for St. Croix and Anegada.
- Taking the ferry from St. Thomas across to Tortola saves you money and gets you in the mood.
- If you don't like to cook or can't, hire a cook.
- Don't over pack. All you need is few tee shirts and several bathing suits and a pair of shorts for venturing ashore.
- Cancellation insurance insulates your pocketbook in the event of an unexpected cancellation.
