Compass Point → Water Island
Take the yacht briefing seriously, make a short shakedown sail and settle behind Water Island without racing sunset.
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The USVI charter-planning guide
Sailing
the USVI
A St. Thomas base. Protected St. John waters. A week that can stay beautifully simple.
Bareboat · Skippered · CrewedReviewed July 27, 2026
Best seasonDecember–April
Ideal charter7 nights
BaseCompass Point · St. Thomas
StyleEasy passages · reef care
Why charter here
The Virgin Islands—with one border removed from the first week.
St. Thomas gives crews an airport, provisioning and a major charter base; St. John supplies the quiet coves, park moorings and short passages. An all-USVI route avoids international clearance and leaves more time in the water. Add the BVI only when the crew has passports, extra days and current customs instructions.
01
Arrive early
Protect the yacht briefing from airline delays and provision before boarding day becomes frantic.
02
Use park moorings
Virgin Islands National Park limits anchoring and protects coral and seagrass with designated moorings.
03
Keep daylight
Reefs, ferry traffic and unfamiliar bays reward conservative arrivals.
04
Hold a fallback
North swell or strong trades can make the prettiest bay the wrong bay.
Charter base & provisioning
Compass Point is the practical starting line.
The Moorings base
Current Moorings information places its St. Thomas operation at Compass Point Marina on the east end, close to Red Hook and a short sail from St. John. Fleet, boarding times and skipper requirements vary; verify the exact booking details directly.
Current base information ↗Provisioning
Order ahead or shop on St. Thomas, where selection is much stronger than in St. John’s small markets. Red Hook and the east end are best for a final fresh-food run; confirm marina delivery, ice, fuel and storage before arrival.
A calm seven-night circuit
Spend the mileage budget on swimming.
Water Island → Caneel or Lind Point
Cross Pillsbury Sound and use a park mooring near Cruz Bay for an easy dinner ashore.
North Shore St. John
Choose Maho, Francis or Leinster by swell and mooring availability; snorkel without anchoring on reef or seagrass.
Coral Bay & Salt Pond
Round the east end only in suitable conditions, then hike Ram Head or spend a quiet afternoon in the south-shore bays.
Lameshur or return north
Use the forecast to choose the remote south shore or a second north-shore night.
St. John → Magens / Christmas Cove
Return toward St. Thomas with time for a swim stop and a conservative final-night position.
Base return
Refuel if required and be inside the marina before the contracted return time.
Route note: This is inspiration, not navigation. Your charter contract, chart briefing, current charts, weather, mooring status and skipper judgment control every leg.
Moorings, anchoring & reef health
Look below before you throw.
Inside the park
Use designated moorings where available. NPS currently allows anchoring only in designated areas off Francis Bay and Lind Point, and only in sand with no anchor or chain touching coral.
Overnight fees
Overnight park use requires payment and is subject to stay limits. Fees and payment methods can change, so check the park immediately before the charter.
Hurricane Hole
Day-use moorings are not permission to occupy the storm refuge. Seasonal, emergency and wind restrictions are governed by current NPS rules.
Dinghy etiquette
Use designated channels and docks, lock the dinghy where advised, slow near swimmers and never drag gear across coral.
Adding the British Virgin Islands
Close on the chart. International in the paperwork.
A BVI extension can be excellent, but it is not an informal day sail. Every traveler needs appropriate documents; the skipper must follow current U.S. and BVI entry and exit procedures; charter-company cruising limits and fees apply. Build in time for clearance and do not assume an app replaces a legal port of entry.
When to add it
Nine to ten nights is more comfortable than seven. That keeps customs, weather and a favorite anchorage from turning the week into a checklist.
When to stay in the USVI
Choose the domestic loop for a first charter, a mixed-experience crew or anyone who values long swims and short moves over collecting flags.
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