US Virgin Islands Voyage
Dates: Nov – June | Departure: St Thomas, USVI | Group Size: Flexible | Price: Starting at $2450 per person
Join MountainSea for a one week sailing adventure through the beauty of the US Virgin Islands!
The USVIs consist of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island and many smaller islets and cays. This group of Caribbean islands was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and settled by Spain, England, France and Denmark. In 1917, the islands became a United States territory and while the islanders speak English, the culture is a unique blend of European, American and Caribbean influences, with traces of the indigenous Taino culture.
When it comes to things to do in the US Virgin Islands, you are in luck if you love snorkeling or diving. Sail to the nearby island of St. John which has some of the most beautiful and well-protected beaches in the world. The island is a favorite destination thanks to its lush surroundings, national park and clear waters brimming with turtles and rays. You can even hike to the restored Annaberg sugar plantation.
Popular choices for beaches include Honeymoon Beach, Caneel Bay Oppenheimer Beach, Maho Beach in Francis Bay (visit Maho Crossroads pop-up village for tasty food), Salt Pond and Lameshur. Leinster Bay and Watermelon Cay offer awesome opportunities for snorkeling too with abundant coral. For seafood, try the Mahi Mahi and fresh tuna when dining out. You can also have fun visiting floating restaurants, from pizza to tacos!
Create Your Own Adventure…Do as much or as little as you would like throughout the week. If you are interested in learning how to sail, your captain is a certified sailing instructor and can give you a certification through the American Sailing Association. If you want to relax and enjoy the sights only, thats okay too! You may decide to help sail the yacht one day, but not the next. It is all completely up to you.
This voyage is led by MountainSea head crew Captain Colin and Chef Sarah. They bring years of experience leading yacht charters all over the world, and can’t wait to share their love of the Virgin Islands with you!
US Virgin Islands Voyage Highlights
- Explore the USVI National Park
- Sail to secluded bays and swim in crystal blue waters
- Discover the mile-long beach at Magen’s Bay
- Snorkel at Watermelon Cay
- Visit the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins
Day 1 – St Thomas
We’ll meet at the Compass Point Marina, taking a drink at the nearby Dive Bar or head into Red Hook for the evening.
Day 2 – Magen’s Bay
Our first sail is around the island to the wonderful beach at Magen’s Bay to explore the area.
Day 3 – St Johns
Today we head over to the north shore of St. John. We’ll stop for lunch at Maho Crossroads – a pop up village with food and bar. Enjoy a snorkel at Hawksnest before sailing to Francis Bay for overnight.
Day 4 – Watermelon Cay
Discover Waterlemon Cay and Leinster Bay, taking time to enjoy the clear waters. For the evening, we’ll make way to Salt Pond or Lameshur.
Day 5 – Water Island
Take the helm and trim the sails on a passage to Water Island, where we will get out the paddleboard. We’ll overnight in Lindberg Bay and dine at the beachfront Emerald Bay Resort.
Day 6 – USVI National Park
Today is a sail back to St John to hone those sailing skills or enjoy the breeze and scenery along the way! We’ll hop in the dinghy at Cruz Bay and spend time exploring the USVI national park. Visit the Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins. This evening we’ll end up back at the Marina. We’ll have dinner ashore and recount all the fun stories from the week!
Day 7 – Farewell!
Unfortunately, today we must leave our beloved yacht and head off to new adventures. It was a pleasure having you all onboard and we look forward to sailing with you again in the near future!
This is a sample itinerary and is subject to weather, captain’s assessment and group preferences.
What’s Included:
- Captain
- Chef
- All breakfasts, lunches, and snacks
- 3 Dinners onboard
- Water and all non-alcoholic beverages onboard
- 6 Nights in double stateroom with ensuite lavatory
- Snorkeling equipment
- Water toys
- Kayak/Paddleboard
- Yacht fees, fuel costs, marina fees
- MountainSea hat
Optional Services:
- American Sailing Association Certifications
- ASA 101 – Basic Keelboat Sailing
- ASA 103 – Coastal Cruising
- ASA 104 – Bareboat Chartering
- ASA 114 – Cruising Catamarans
- Scuba Diving
- Airport transfers
Not Included:
- 3 Meals onshore
- Attraction entrance fees
- Alcoholic beverages (Many places to buy throughout the voyage)
- Airfare
- Travel insurance
- Crew gratuity
“Taking our family, including two children, on a yacht for the week was daunting, as we all had very limited experience on large boats. But every detail and every comfort was taken care of by Captain Ted. We were able to learn a tremendous amount, and the way in which Ted worked with our kids was as gentle as it was effective. His demeanor imparted a sense of confidence that allowed our kids to comfortably take on tasks they might not otherwise have tried, from taking the helm to learning to flambé shrimp for dinner. We all came away appreciative that our week had been as relaxing as educational. The unbelievable beauty of the Caribbean was perhaps the least impressive part of our trip, and that is saying a ton about Ted and the trip. Can’t wait to head South again.”
Keith, Krista, Walker and Grey Davis