A vacation in the Virgin Islands never disappoints, and here you will find many friendly locals, good food and scratch band music (called fungi music in the British part of the territories). There are also our beautiful azure waters and white sand beaches that beckon you to sunbathe and frolic within them. There are so many fun things to do in the Virgin Islands that it was hard for us to put our finger on the ultimate experience. However, when we polled our guests about the most enjoyable part of their trip, their reaction was unanimous. Their favorite experience cited, by far, was a vacation day or two spent boating on the Caribbean Sea’s gorgeous waves.
Besides winning our popularity contest, a boat day is the absolute BEST way to experience all of the activities, attractions and unspoiled scenery that make the Virgin Islands the trip of a lifetime. A trip by boat allows you to easily hop from one island to the next, allowing you to enjoy the best of what St. Thomas, St. John and the British Virgin Islands have to offer. Keep in mind that our neighbors in the British Virgin island won’t be reopening until September.
During your wondrous maritime excursion, you’ll get to revel at fun bars scattered along the shoreline, explore the best snorkeling locales and watch the green flash of an ethereal sunset on the horizon from your own private deck. Keep in mind that the sun sets fast; we’re talking just a few minutes here. The most unbelievable thing is that you can experience all that in just one amazing day!
What follows is a guide to chartering some of the excellent boat rentals and tours on the islands. However, keep in mind that rentals vary in occupancy, type of vessel and itinerary. Because of that, you will want to scroll through the different options and be well-versed in all that they offer.
One common theme you will notice about the boat tours is that they are unstructured – better to relax and enjoy the luxurious and laid back experience on your own terms. Simply ask the friendly captain their recommendations as to what are the best things to see and do during the trip. After the discussion, they will navigate to the preferences and interests you indicated.
At the end of each boat rental section, you will find pertinent information about the boat rentals, along with what to expect and boating costs. You’ll also want to check out our Experience page to discover all the exciting activities and recreation opportunities existing in the lovely and welcoming Virgin Islands.
Boat Tours
Company Name and Boat Types
Bad Kitty – Power Catamaran
On the Sea Charters – Power Catamaran
Island Explorer – Powerboat
Midnight Sun Boat Charters – Custom Powerboat
Kekoa – Catamaran
Southern Hospitality – Motor Yacht
Bad Kitty
About the Boat
Make your Virgin Island visit complete by spending a day boating on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Explore the many treasures these Islands and waters have to offer on a boat charter. For
ten years we have been guiding visitors throughout the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. We offer many boating options to meet all of your charter needs: sail, motor, public, or private. Whether you want to have a peaceful sail on turquoise waters, explore The Baths, snorkel pristine reefs, or party at an island beach bar, we can deliver. We are based on St. John, USVI, but fully accommodate guests staying on St. Thomas. Over the past year we have taken over 15,000 guests on boat charters in these waters. Our friendly and experienced staff will make your charter the best day of your visit to this beautiful place.
The speed of Bad Kitty’s 49-ft power catamaran allows guests to visit all the BEST destinations in the BVI. We stop at Spanish Town and The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Cooper Island for lunch, snorkeling near Norman Island, and end the perfect day at beautiful White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. This tour is a great way to see all that the BVI has to offer.
Best of the BVI Boat Trip
Bad Kitty 4 Islands/ 5 Stops (8am-4pm):
$155 per adult/$95 for children under 12, plus $75 in cash per guest (for BVI customs, immigration, national park fees, port authority fees).
Don’t forget to bring money for lunch, shopping, and gratuity. 7:20 am meeting time Cruz Bay & Red Hook. Valid passports REQUIRED for BVI trips!
Other Popular Trips
White Bay – Jost Van Dyke
Enjoy a full-day trip aboard Bad Kitty, a 49-ft power catamaran. First stop is incredible snorkeling in USVI waters, then on to Jost Van Dyke for the rest of the day. See Foxy’s while crew handles BVI Customs, then one bay over to White Bay, home to Soggy Dollar Bar, for serious beach fun and relaxation.
USVI Waterlemon Trip
Enjoy a day on the water in the USVI. See the north shore of St. John, explore beaches and snorkel reefs only accessible by boat. Deli-style lunch onboard is included.
Private Charters
Plan a full-day private trip aboard Bad Kitty. Spend a day in either USVI or BVI waters. BVI trips require valid passports. Call for details and pricing. Meet at America Yacht Harbor in Red Hook or Cruz Bay by Margarita Phil’s
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK BAD KITTY, PLEASE CALL (340) 777-7245
OR VISIT CALYPSOVI.COM
On the Sea Charters
About the Boats
On the Sea Charters runs fast, shallow-draft power catamarans out of Cruz Bay, St. John, taking private groups through the US and British Virgin Islands for snorkeling, beach stops, and bar-hop island-hops. The fleet is small and purpose-built: twin-engine World Cat catamarans that trade sailing canvas for speed and stability, so an eight-hour loop to Virgin Gorda or a two-hour sunset spin stay comfortable even in chop.
Cheshire is a 32-foot World Cat rated for twelve guests. Twin 600 hp outboards push her efficiently, while three shaded seating zones let passengers spread out. Standard kit on every charter includes Coast-Guard-approved safety gear, adult masks/fins/snorkels, a large cooler pre-iced and stocked with bottled water, and a Bluetooth sound system you can pair your playlist to.
Gato Mundo stretches to 33 feet and adds a fourth seating area plus an upper perch for sun-seekers, but otherwise mirrors Cheshire’s hardware: twin 600 hp motors, snorkel sets, cooler, audio, and full safety inventory. Across all hulls you get shade, stable twin-hull ride, quality snorkeling gear, cold drinks on ice, and plug-and-play music—no hidden rental fees, just fuel and customs add-ons when you cross into the BVIs.
Adventures
British Virgin Islands Full-Day Explorer
8 ¼ hrs — $1,295 on Cheshire | $1,395 on Gato Mundo. Passport required for a fast loop that normally hits the Baths on Virgin Gorda, snorkels the Indians or Norman Island caves, then ends with painkillers in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.
US Virgin Islands Full-Day Highlights
6 ¼ – 7 hrs — $895 on Cheshire | $995 on Gato Mundo. Stay on the U.S. side: St. John National-Park reefs, turtle watching at Maho, lunch at the floating taco bar Lime Out, plus any secret coves your captain favors, no customs lines, more water time.
Golden Hours Charter
2 ½ – 3 ½ hrs (seasonal) — from $645 on Cheshire | from $795 on Gato Mundo. Slot this mid-afternoon run between beach mornings and dinner: one snorkel stop, sand-bar lounging, and the mellow light photographers love.
Sunset Cruise
1 ½ hrs — $350 on Cheshire | $450 on Gato Mundo. Dash past St. John’s north-shore cliffs, then idle engines for the final color show. Cooler and Bluetooth sound system are ready, just bring your own bubbly.
Last-Day Blues Cruise to St. Thomas
Full day — $845 on Cheshire | $945 on Gato Mundo. Turn departure day into bonus vacation hours: snorkel and lunch en route, then finish at Sapphire Marina or Crown Bay on St. Thomas, skip the ferry shuffle and head straight to the airport.
Rates cover up to six guests; add $85 per extra person on full-day charters. Fuel, BVI customs fees, dock charges, and gratuity are additional. Extra hour: $150.
Additional Details
Standard pick-up is the National Park Visitor Center dock in Cruz Bay, St. John, right across from Morgan’s Mango; plan to arrive by 8:45 a.m. Optional pick-up at Sapphire Marina on St. Thomas is available, but the marina charges an extra $150 cash at the dock.
The Caribbean sun is very strong, so bring lotion-style, reef-safe mineral sunscreen (non-nano zinc or titanium). Spray cans are discouraged by the operator, and USVI Act 8185 bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, or octocrylene, so plan accordingly or cover up with a rash-guard instead.
Each trip’s Itinerary is customized, but crowd-pleasing stops can include the Baths on Virgin Gorda, the Caves & Indians plus the floating Willy T. at Norman Island, and White Bay or Sandy Spit off Jost Van Dyke; closer to home you might snorkel Waterlemon Cay, spot turtles at Maho Bay, or grab tacos at the floating bar Lime Out. Captains will mix and match based on weather and your wish-list.
Don’t forget your passport and $65/person (cash) for customs if you are planning a BVI trip.
Charter rates cover the boat and gear only. Expect additional fees to cover:
- Fuel ($75-$500 depending on distance),
- BVI customs/immigration (~$85 pp; +$5 on peak-holiday weeks, and don’t forget your passport)
- Each-person over six on full-day trips ($85 cash)
- Optional extra hour extensions ($150)
- Dock fees such as Sapphire Marina ($150)
- Customary crew gratuity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK ON THE SEA CHARTERS, PLEASE CALL (850)-339-8113 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
ONTHESEACHARTERS.COM
Island Explorer Charters
About the Boat
Island Explorer runs a single flagship, a 35-ft Scout 350 LXF that was recently stripped to bare glass and rebuilt for charter duty. The refit added fresh upholstery, top-shelf electronics, and a JL Audio sound system powered by twin Yamaha 300-hp outboards. The hull is rated for twelve guests, but they cap head-count below that to keep the ride comfortable and fast.
Onboard, the crew stocks a full-size cooler with ice and drinking water, lays out quality snorkel sets (masks, fins, snorkels) plus flotation noodles, and lets you sync your own playlist to the stereo. A USCG 100-Ton Master captain runs the show, tailoring the day and pickup location to your group. All safety gear is aboard; you bring towels, reef-safe lotion sunscreen, and anything you want in the cooler, everything else is handled.
Rates - Full Day Charters Start at $995
Full Day USVI Charter
Spend a fantastic day on the water without the hassle and cost of going through customs. Explore the beautiful beaches and Snorkeling of the VI National Park. Get lunch along the way at world famous spots like Limeout or PizzaPi!
Full-Day BVI Charter
EXPLORE the BVI, Snorkel the caves, grab lunch at the Pirates Bight, jump off the Willy T, and finish off the day with a painkiller at the world famous Soggy Dollar! You chose your own adventure with the help of your Captain.
Full-Day Just Van Dyke/Soggy Dollar Charter
Cruise through US waters across the Sir Francis Drake Channel, check in to the BVIs at Great Harbour, JVD. After that, you choose how you want to EXPLORE Jost!
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK TIME WITH ISLAND EXPLORERS, PLEASE CALL (301) 648-2182 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
ISLANDEXPLORERVI.COM
Midnight Sun Boat Charters
About the Boats
Midnight Sun runs four custom Midnight Express open-class powerboats, two 37-footers (Obsidian and Opal) and two 43-footers (Onyx and Oro). Every hull is built for speed and stability, then outfitted with shade from a hard- or arch-top, built-in coolers, a marine head, freshwater showers fore and aft, a side dive door, top-tier snorkel gear, and full USCG safety kit. Sound is handled by an overkill JL Bluetooth system, so your playlist carries from bow loungers to the stern bench without distortion.
The 37-ft sisters are the nimble crowd-pleasers. Obsidian adds twin lie-flat sun loungers up front and a deep horseshoe bench aft for cushy ride comfort, while Opal swaps that for an L-shaped aft settee and dual sunbeds with headrests forward. Both carry 14 JL speakers, plenty of shade, and the same quick-entry dive door that drops flush at water level, handy when the captain says “snorkel time.”
Step up to the 43-footers for more room and toys. Onyx and the black-and-gold Oro share the larger open hull: arched hard-top, removable bow or stern shade, a cabin with sink and shower, and a forward sun-bed that converts into a dining table for lunch stops. Onyx packs the same 14-speaker JL array; Oro one-ups it with eighteen subs and drivers. Both boats seat up to 12 guests, move fast between islands, and still let you rinse off before heading back to the dock.
Popular Trips
Full-Day USVI Charter — Base rate $1,600 on a 37-ft (Obsidian / Opal) or $2,000 on a 43-ft (Onyx / Oro) for up to six guests; add $50 pp to a max of 12, fuel and gratuity extra. Spend seven hours reef-hopping around St John or St Thomas, turtles at Maho, beach time at Magens or Waterlemon, lunch on the water at Pizza Pi, Lime Out, or the Lovango Beach Club, and a music-filled cruise home via Christmas Cove or Water Island.
British Virgin Islands Explorer — Same day rates as above plus $65-$75 pp BVI customs and a typical $400-$625 in fuel. Your eight-hour loop can thread the Baths on Virgin Gorda, snorkel the Indians or Norman’s Caves, and end with painkillers in White Bay. Optional detours include Necker Island’s wildlife tour, Sandy Spit, or lunch at Cooper or Oil Nut Bay.
Anegada Adventure — A remote, all-day (or overnight) run to the BVIs’ far-north atoll: Loblolly’s reefs, Cow Wreck’s beach bars, fresh-caught lobster for lunch, and a flamingo photo stop. Price quoted individually when you book.
Spanish Virgin Islands Run — Cross west to Culebra or Vieques for deserted beaches and waterfront seafood shacks such as Mamacita’s or the Dinghy Dock, then cruise back toward a sunset over St Thomas. Contact the office for current pricing.
Sunset + Dinner Trip — A late-afternoon cruise timed for golden light, with a captain-chauffeured drop-off at Morgan’s Mango, Extra Virgin, Lovango Cay, or ZoZo’s; the boat waits to bring you home. Charter fee as for USVI half-day, dinner cost and reservations are yours.
Luxury Water-Taxi — Point-to-point transfers (e.g., STT airport to a resort or private island) that cut out the ferry shuffle. Pricing varies by distance and pickup, please note that BVI pickups add $500.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK MIDNIGHT SUN BOAT CHARTERS CONTACT THEM THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE
MIDNIGHTSUNBOATCHARTERS.COM
Black Sails VI - Kekoa
About the Boat
Kekoa is Black Sails VI’s sole platform, a striking 50-foot, custom-built sailing catamaran engineered for steady, quick passages among the Virgin Islands. The twin-hull design gives her a broad deck plan and a smooth ride that’s as comfortable for a laid-back sunset spin as it is for a fully booked wedding charter.
Guest comfort is the headline. A shaded cockpit and open sun-lounging areas let you move between breeze and shade at will, while a wide stairway drops to water level for easy swim starts. Every trip comes with high-quality snorkel gear, and on the guided snorkel sails the crew adds instruction, plus an open bar that keeps cocktails and island-style snacks flowing; full-day runs layer in a deli lunch spread.
The operators cap most shared excursions at roughly 12-18 guests to preserve elbow-room. An experienced US-licensed captain and crew handle navigation, service, and safety, freeing you to enjoy the reefs and rum without worry. Reef-friendly lotion sunscreen (no aerosols) is required on board, another nod to the boat’s eco-conscious ethos.
Popular Trips
Jost Van Dyke Day Sail
$200 per person + tax/fees, plus an $80 BVI customs charge. Depart 8 a.m., return 3 p.m. After a snorkel off St John’s north shore, Kekoa sets sail for White Bay, home of the famed Soggy Dollar Bar, for beach time and painkillers, with island-style snacks and an open bar keeping everyone fueled on the way out and back.
St John Full-Day Sail
$195 per person + tax/fees. 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Two snorkel stops (think Lovango Cay or the St James islands) and a swim break book-end a deli lunch from North Shore Deli. Open-bar service, fruit trays, banana bread, and hummus come standard, so you never have to leave the water hungry or dry.
St John Half-Day Sail
$165 per person + tax/fees. 12:30–4:30 p.m. One snorkel, one swim, same premium gear and open bar as the longer runs, plus light fruit-and-veggie snacks to keep the energy up between reef hops. Perfect when you want the Kekoa experience without giving up a whole day.
Sunset Sail
$125 per person + tax/fees. A 1½-hour glide through protected Pillsbury Sound timed for the golden hour. Sip cocktails and nibble hors d’oeuvres while the sun drops behind St Thomas and the out-islands, no snorkel gear needed, just a camera and a relaxed mindset.
Bundle deal: book any day sail and you automatically score 10% off a Sunset Sail added to the same reservation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK THE KEKOA CONTACT THEM THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE
BLACKSAILSVI.COM
Southern Hospitality
About the Boat
Southern Hospitality is a 2004 46 foot Sea Ray Motor Yacht. She is a beautiful Boat with gorgeous accommodations, a large galley and covered indoor seating area and two full bathrooms.
There is comfortable seating above on the aft deck for several guests as well as a large bow with sun pad. We have air conditioning above and below deck as well as three refrigeration units and a large cooler. A routine charter consists of snorkeling, sight seeing, island and bar hopping and swimming with limitless tropical fish, marine and reef life, and occasionally with DOLPHINS! Our Captain and crew have an incredible knowledge of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and will ensure your day with us is one to remember always! We look forward to seeing you on board in the future, and thank you for your patronage in the past.
Our Rates
Full Day Boat Charters (1-6 guests) $1,500.
Additional guests (7-12 guests) $75 per person
(under 4 years old free.)
Our Charters Include:
Beer, Rum, Juice, Soda, Mixers, Bottled Water & Ice
Morning fruits and muffins and afternoon fruits, cheeses and crackers
Several sets of high quality snorkel gear, floatation noodles
Suntan lotion (no aerosol)
Guests are Recommended to Bring:
Towels Bathing Suits
Suntan Lotion Hats
Cameras Sunglasses
iPod for personal use with our docking station
Passports (if traveling to the British Virgin Islands)
Area Destinations:
Hans Lollik Island, Jost Van Dyke (Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar Bar, Foxy’s Taboo and the bubbly pool), Tortola (Smugglers Cove and Brewers Bay), Guana Island (Monkey Point), Norman Island (The
Indians, The Caves, Willie T, Pirates Bar), Marina Cay, Sandy Cay, Peter Island (Tradewinds restaurant), Cooper Island (Manchioneel Bay “sea grass” Jimmy Buffet’s inspiration, Cistern Point – great snorkeling!), Ginger Island, Virgin Gorda (The Baths), Salt Island (The Rhone), Sandy Spit
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY, PLEASE CALL (340) 998-4399
STJOHNCHARTERS.COM/SOUTHERN-HOSPITALITY
Want some help?
Not sure what is the best option for you or your group?
Feel free to contact us and our experienced team will be happy to assist!