The Best Ways to Get on the Water in the Virgin Islands~From Budget to Luxury Options

One of my favorite reasons for living here is the access to the ocean! I majored in Marine Biology and feel that I have finally ended up in a place that I can explore and appreciate everything that I love the most in terms of nature! That being said, I'm guessing that being on or in the water is at the top of your list as well when you visit the Virgin Islands. Here we will discuss the varied ways that you can experience our home as if it were yours for the week! From economical choices to those with a few more amenities, there are countless ways to enjoy and no reason why you can't do more than one!

1.) Shore Based Exploration: There are countless beaches and tons of resorts or properties that offer access and gear rental to explore the waters right in front of you. Some great options on St. Thomas include: Sapphire Beach (rentals, food and drinks), Secret Harbour (rentals, food and drinks), Coki Beach (food, drinks and rentals) Emerald Beach Resort (rentals, food and drinks), Brewers Bay (known for turtles), Magens Bay (rentals, food and drinks), Lindqvist Beach (less crowded) and Honeymoon Beach (on Water Island...accessible via Water Island Ferry in Crown Bay). Popular beaches in St. John include Maho Bay (rentals, food and drinks...turtles), Trunk Bay (rentals, food and drinks, top 10 beach in the world), Honeymoon Beach (rentals, food and drinks), Leinster Bay and Hawksnest. The South side offers access to Salt Pond (a huge favorite of mine for snorkeling) and Great and Little Lameshur. You can check out my favorite snorkeling spots here.

Shore based snorkeling in the Virgin Islands

2.) Experienced Boater Option: Rent your own boat for the day to explore the Northside beaches of St. John, Lovango Resort & Beach Club and Great and Little St. James, home to Pizza Pi VI. If you're staying on St. Thomas, you can rent from GoMojo Tender Rentals and just cross the sound and follow the shoreline...they have 15'-20' center console RIBs with tons of amenities and a cruising book that you can use to guide you along your day. If you're staying of St. John, there are 3 companies to choose from, Wharfside Watersports, OceanRunnerUSVI and St. John Dinghy Rentals. OceanRunner and STJ Dinghy Rentals both allow just the North shore of St. John while Wharfside lets you circumnavigate around the island if the weather is decent.

Experienced boaters can rent their own boat for the day...GoMojo Tender Rentals pictured here.

3.) Make Some New Friends with a Per Person Boat Trip: There are a handful of companies that offer per person trips to both the British Virgin Islands and just the US side. Companies such as Ocean Surfari offer a "Do it All" trip with turtles, pizza and sunset options starting at $99/pp. You also have Stormy Pirates that does a USVI trip (Lime Out, Pizza Pi, Lovango) and also to White Bay and The Baths in Virgin Gorda! Both of these under $400/pp.

The famous Lime Out in Coral, Bay, St. John.

4.) Private Boat Trip in the Virgin Islands: If crowds and new friends are not on your list, you can always charter your own boat for the day and explore our favorite snorkeling and lunch spots here or craft your own day with trips to the BVI which can include White Bay/Soggy Dollar, Willy T and The Indians or The Baths at Virgin Gorda with Saba Rock and the North Sound as your playground. There are endless options for these trips and you can expect to pay a min. of $1500 plus fuel and gratuity for US trips and upwards of $3-4000 for BVI options. Please reach out to me for customized guidance as there are tons of options and it's easier if I know what you require. Contact GG.

OceanRunner USVI...one of the MANY options for private boat charters in the Virgin Islands.

5.) Luxury Yacht for a Day in the Virgin Islands: Pamper yourself and your group with a little extra attention with your own yacht for the day. In these scenarios, the yacht is the destination. Of course, you will be taken to beautiful beaches and explore the best snorkeling spots but the true value of this trip is in the service and relaxation you experience as you enjoy three levels of a 65' yacht to call your own. Custom open bar, meaning anything you want, catered breakfast, destination lunch spot, snorkel gear, JL Audio system, flybridge daybeds, bow lounge and huge back deck and swim platform to access the water...not to mention your own private floating pool behind the boat. This is a true luxury experience headed up by professional crew and one where you literally don't lift a finger! NOVA Luxury Charters out of Sapphire Marina on St. Thomas does this trip very well for $4900/day.

NOVA Luxury Charters ups the experience with professional crew and full luxury amenities.

Honorable Mentions at Hourly Rates! Jet ski rentals, Parasail Adventures, Seabob rentals, nighttime kayak trips and eco island exploration. Please reach out to me for any of these options and I can point you in the right direction!

These are just a few of our favorite suggestions and we definitely want to show off our love of the water to visitors. Let us help you find that perfect vacation day enjoying the best parts of our home! ~GG