STT · Boat Day
Boat Day 101
Everything You Need to Know
Your guide to spending a perfect day on the water in the U.S. Virgin Islands — no license required.
Ask anyone who's spent time in St. Thomas what the highlight of their trip was, and there's a good chance the answer involves a boat. Not a cruise ship, not a ferry — a true boat day: open water, calm anchorages, and a few hours where the only plan is "wherever the captain takes us." It's the activity nearly every USVI guide and every local will tell you to build your trip around.
Here's everything you need to know before you book one — the types of trips available, where they actually go, and how to pack for a day that's equal parts swimming, snorkeling, and doing absolutely nothing.
What Exactly Is a "Boat Day"?
At its core, a boat day means chartering a boat — with a captain and crew — for several hours or a full day, with stops built around swimming, snorkeling, sandbars, and the occasional floating restaurant. There's no driving required and no boating license needed; you're a guest, not the captain.
Most boat days out of St. Thomas run somewhere between 4 and 8 hours, departing from Red Hook or the Charlotte Amalie/Frenchtown area, and include stops at one or two snorkel sites plus a lunch or sunset leg. Drinks and snorkel gear are almost always included — you really just need to show up.
Choose Your Boat Day Style
Private Charter
The whole boat is yours — just your group, a captain, and a custom route you help choose. Best for families, groups celebrating something, or anyone who'd rather not split a boat with strangers. Pricing is typically structured for a set group size (often up to 10–12 people) with a per-person rate for any additional guests on larger vessels.
Shared (Group) Charter
You book a seat, not the whole boat, and join other travelers for the day. It's the most budget-friendly way to get out on the water — many run in the $75–$110 per person range for a half-day with snorkeling, lunch, and an open bar on the way back in. Great for solo travelers, couples, and anyone who likes meeting fellow vacationers.
Catamaran Trips
A slower, breezier version of a boat day — powered partly or fully by sail rather than engine. Catamarans in particular offer more deck space and a smoother ride, which makes them a solid pick for anyone prone to seasickness or traveling with kids and older relatives.
Half-Day Trips
Not every boat day needs to be an all-day open-water adventure. Shorter trips (2–4 hours) to calm, shallow snorkel spots are widely available and easier on younger kids or first-time snorkelers — look for trips that explicitly mention shallow, protected anchorages rather than open-water sites.
Where Boat Days Actually Go
Maho Bay & the National Park waters (St. John)
Calm, shallow, and one of the most reliable spots in the territory for spotting sea turtles. A favorite first stop on most snorkel-focused boat days.
Honeymoon Beach (Water Island or St. John)
There are actually two Honeymoon Beaches in the USVI — one on Water Island, just a short hop from Charlotte Amalie, and another inside Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Both are calm, easy swimming beaches and a favorite stop for boat days with kids or first-time snorkelers aboard.
Great & Little St. James
A short hop from Red Hook, with reef structure that draws a wide variety of marine life. Often paired with a stop at Christmas Cove.
Christmas Cove
A protected anchorage that's home to a beloved floating restaurant — including a wood-fired pizza boat that delivers lunch directly to your boat. It doesn't get more "only in the USVI" than this.
Coral Bay & Lindbergh Bay
Another spot built around eating on the water — this is where you'll find Lime Out, the floating taco bar that's become a bucket-list stop in its own right. Worth timing your boat day around if tacos-on-the-water sounds like your kind of lunch.
Trunk Bay (St. John)
Famous for its underwater snorkeling trail. Gorgeous, but can get busy with day-trippers arriving by land — arriving by private boat usually means beating the crowds.
Buck Island
A go-to for sea turtle sightings, with the added bonus of a sunken ship you can snorkel right above. A great pick if your group wants a bit more adventure built into the day.
British Virgin Islands day trips
Some full-day charters cross into the BVI to visit spots like the Baths, Soggy Dollar Bar known for its painkillers, or The Willy T a floating boat bar. Important: this requires a passport and clearing customs both ways — confirm with your charter operator whether this is included before you book.
The North Drop (fishing charters)
If your "boat day" is really a fishing trip, this offshore drop-off is the area's best-known spot for marlin, tuna, mahi, and wahoo.
What to Pack for Your Boat Day
- Reef-safe sunscreen — many operators won't let regular sunscreen in the water, and you're out in direct sun for hours. Also, please no spray sunscreen on boats. It makes the deck slippery.
- A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch — for your phone, wallet, and anything else that can't get wet.
- Cash & Card — floating restaurants and some crews run on cash tips, customs fees are paid in cash, plus the Soggy Dollar Bar didn't get it's name with credit card purchases. Credit cards for lunch and souveniers off the boat.
- A light cover-up or rash guard — sun exposure on the water is more intense than it feels.
- Water shoes or sandals with a strap — for rocky entry points. Not required, but many people are glad they brought along.
- Seasickness remedy — if you're at all prone to it, take it before you leave the dock, not after you feel it.
- A towel — some boats provide them, many don't.
A Few Local Tips
Book before you arrive, especially in winter and around holidays. Popular boat days sell out days or weeks in advance during peak season (December–April).
Morning departures mean more time on the water. Busy days often leave fewer mooring locations in popular bays.
Ask about the weather/cancellation policy before booking. Most reputable operators offer a reschedule or refund for genuinely unsafe conditions — but make sure to read the fine print before booking, most cancellation windows are 24-48 hours for a full refund minus small processing fees.
Ready to Book Your Boat Day?
Whichever style fits your group, the best boat days book up fast — especially in high season.