Sailing in the U.S. Virgin Islands – comprising St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix – offers year‑round tropical sailing under steady trade winds. Easterly trades of 10–20 knots prevail most days, providing excellent conditions for cruising.
Winter (December–March) is the busy season: winds may surge into the 15–30‑knot range (the “Christmas Winds” noted by sailors) but rain is minimal. Spring (Apr–June) brings warm settled weather and 10–15 knots winds from the east, with only an occasional shower.
From July through October the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes rises – winds often back off to 5–15 knots and squalls are more frequent.
November is a quiet shoulder month as trade winds pick up again (15–20 knots E–NE) and crowds are still light. Sea temperatures stay around 26–29 °C year‑round, and tidal ranges are small.
The islands enjoy gentle trade winds and protected bays under clear skies. Surprising bursts of squally rain are usually short-lived in summer, and chart updates always help avoid sudden weather changes.
Hurricanes are rare but possible (peak risk Aug–Oct), so most charterers avoid that period. In all seasons, sheltered anchorages behind the barrier islands keep seas calm, and coastal passages are well charted. Squalls can arise quickly, so keep good forecasts and be prepared to reef sails.
Regional Highlights
Each USVI island has a distinct character and sailing style. St. Thomas is the bustling hub (Charlotte Amalie, Red Hook) with deep harbours and many marinas (e.g. Yacht Haven Grande, Crown Bay, American Yacht Harbor). It offers full provisioning, marine services and plenty of nightlife ashore. Traffic can be heavy in main harbours, so a good berthing plan is needed.
By contrast, St. John (mostly national park) is peaceful and undeveloped. Visitors anchor out or tie to NPS mooring buoys in bays like Maho, Francis, Cinnamon and Hawksnest – all sandy, protected and swim-friendly. No docks are available (the park forbids mooring except on buoys), so bare-boat sailors must bring their own anchors and fenders. St. John’s lee also shelters the north side of St. Thomas from swell. St. Croix lies about 35 nm south; it’s a larger, flatter island with its own marinas (Green Cay/Christiansted, Salt River, etc.) and dual harbours in Christiansted and Frederiksted.
The sail to St. Croix is longer (often overnight), so skippering here suits sailors with open‑water experience. St. Croix rewards the effort with rich history (forts, plantations), excellent diving (Buck Island reef) and scenic anchorages like Teague Bay and Great Pond.
Skill level
The USVI are generally benign compared to the open Atlantic – sheltered channels and predictable winds make them accessible to intermediate sailors. Bare-boat charters are common, but beginners should consider a skippered or flotilla approach first. Novices will appreciate the calm anchorages of St. John and protected mooring fields, whereas St. Thomas’s crowded marinas and St. Croix’s long passages are better for experienced skippers. The well-charted waters and regular regattas attract sailors of all levels, but everyone should practise reef protection and local regulations.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas – the main entry point – has a well-equipped harbour and is the base for most charters. Charlotte Amalie’s long fuel piers and nearby marinas (Crown Bay, Yacht Haven) make provisioning easy. From here you can day-sail to nearby anchorages (e.g. Christmas Cove and Secret Harbour) or overnight to St. John.
St. John
St. John is all anchorage and mooring balls in clear blue bays. There are dozens of NPS moorings for 35–100′ boats (white buoys with coloured stripes) – stern lines through the buoy thimble and cleated bow lines are required for catamarans. A nightly park fee (currently $26) is collected at floating pay stations if you stay onboard overnight.
St. Croix
St. Croix – 30+ nm south – is more isolated. Christiansted Harbour (east) is deep and busy, with docks and anchorage, while Frederiksted (west) is small and quieter. Day-anchors and moorings exist in Chenay Bay, Teague Bay and offshore cays. St. Croix’s unique hazards include very deep drop-offs (the Puerto Rico Trench) nearshore, so anchor wisely and keep extra scope.
Marinas, Anchorage and Moorings
The USVI has modern marinas on St. Thomas and St. Croix, but very few in St. John. On St. Thomas, Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay Marina (Charlotte Amalie) plus American Yacht Harbor (Red Hook) cater to yachts, offering fuel, water, electricity, laundry, marine supplies and restaurants. St. Croix’s largest marina is Green Cay Marina (Christiansted); there are also smaller clubs/docks at Sunny Isle and Salt River Bay. In St. John and many smaller cays, no docks exist – boats anchor or use mooring buoys exclusively. The National Park Service provides hundreds of mooring buoys in St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park (Maho Bay, Caneel Bay, Rendezvous, etc.) and around nearby cays. Buoy moorings protect coral – anchoring is strictly prohibited over reef. Catamarans must rig dual stern lines through the buoy eye as instructed to avoid chafe.
Natural anchorages abound in each sheltered bay. Popular sandy anchor spots include Brewers/Coconuts Bay (St. Thomas), Lime Kiln Bay (St. John), Christmas Cove and Teague Bay (St. Croix). Mooring balls are free to use with the park fee, but be sure to anchor only on sand (anchors or chains must never touch coral). Outside park waters, anchoring is generally allowed except in marked no-anchor zones. Med-style (stern-to) mooring at a dock is rare – most charter yachts simply bow-anchor or tie to mooring buoys, using their anchor and/or stern lines as needed. In harbours, you’ll see both alongside berthing and bow-in on moorings.
Yacht Chartering in the USVI
Chartering is the usual way to sail the USVI. St. Thomas is the charter hub, with dozens of companies operating fleets of monohulls and catamarans (often based at Frenchtown or Crown Bay). Brands include Sunsail, The Moorings, Dream Yacht, Horizon, Waypoints and local firms. Typical bareboat yachts range from 36–45 ft monohulls (3–4 cabins) up to larger catamarans (45–50 ft, 4–5 cabins). Price ranges: a mid-size 3‑cabin monohull might rent for roughly $4,500–7,500 per week (off‑season vs high-season rates). A 4‑cab catamaran often starts ~ $7,000–9,000/week, with larger luxury cats $12,000+/week. Lower-season bargains can approach ~$1,800–2,500/week for small boats, while crewed catamarans often run $10–15K+/week plus expenses. Pay attention to mandatory extras: fuel is not usually included (you pay for diesel used), and there’s often a damage waiver (“collision/loss”) fee ($20–100/day). Typical charters include basic linens, safety gear, chart plotter and dinghy, but provisioning and charter insurance are extra.
A charter “turnaround” service usually checks you in/out with paperwork and a boat tour. Crewed charters (with skipper/chef) are available for monohulls and especially cats if you prefer no sailing responsibility. Skipper rates run ~$250–300 per day (plus meals/gratuity). Crewed catamarans often include the crew’s costs in the high charter price. Many charters offer add-ons like satellite comms, water toys or catering. Advance booking is wise, especially for Christmas–March. Popular companies include Sail Caribe, Barefoot Yacht Charters, St. Thomas Yacht Club Charters, as well as global brands (Moorings/Sunsail/Dream).
Qualifications and Regulations
Legally, the USVI (being U.S. territory) does not require a sailing license to bareboat, but charter firms do require proof of competence. In practice you’ll be asked for an ASA (American Sailing Association) or RYA certificate, or a comparable qualification (e.g. ICC/International Certificate). Many charterers insist on ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) or RYA Coastal Skipper for larger yachts, or a sailing resume demonstrating your sea time. Catamaran experience is particularly scrutinized (some advise beginners to start on a monohull). There’s no USCG license needed for charters under 12 m, but the boat will carry basic US safety gear and VHF radio. (Note: Unlike the Bahamas, no VHF operator’s license is required in U.S. waters.)
Customs/Immigration: All arriving yachts from outside the US must clear in by phone/online before entering USVI waters. If your charter starts in Puerto Rico or elsewhere outside the US-Virgin islands, you’ll check in with Customs in St. Thomas or St. Croix. Clearance is straightforward. Check-out (on departure) also requires a quick radio call. If you plan to visit the neighboring British Virgin Islands, passports are needed on both sides.
Anchoring/mooring rules: USVI National Parks (St. John NP and Buck Island) generally require use of the provided mooring buoys and forbid anchoring except in designated “sandy anchorages” (nps.gov) . There are floating self-pay stations for the park fee ($26/night, $13 for seniors) if overnighting inside park waters (nps.gov). Outside park waters, anchoring is allowed anywhere not marked off. Do not anchor on coral reef anywhere – charts show numerous shallow areas to avoid. Observe all posted speed limits and swim-area “no-wake” zones (typically 5 knots) near beaches and harbours. Garbage must be kept onboard and disposed of on land (do not throw plastics or sewage overboard).
Local Sailing Etiquette
Caribbean “seamanship etiquette” applies: greet fellow sailors (a wave or horn) and keep a courteous distance. When underway, mind the right-of-way rules (sails vs motor, starboard tack, etc.) and pass slowly near others.
In crowded anchorages or harbours use stern/anchor lights and a careful anchor watch. Avoid loud music or wakes after dark to respect resorts and other crews. On mooring buoys, approach slowly (turn into the wind if possible) and hand-line to the buoy – don’t snag someone else’s pennant.
When sharing a bay or bay/beach with fishermen or swimmers, steer wide and idle engines. And importantly, protect the reefs: always use moorings if available, and dive/anchor only in designated sandy spots. No anchoring is allowed in coral-protected zones – check charts and park guides. Finally, be socially respectful: the USVI blend U.S., Caribbean and African cultures, so shoreside dress casually but tidily, and accept local customs like paying at anchored bars by cash or local transit tokens.
Safety and Navigation
The USVI are relatively safe waters, but care is still needed. Reefs and shoals abound just offshore – never night-anchor far from shore, and use spotlights near coral heads. Currents are usually mild (0–1 knot) except through some channels (e.g. Gut of St. John, Red Hook channel) where tidal flows can speed up. Tidal range is under a foot, so anchoring depth change is negligible. Chartplotter and paper charts should be carried; make note of local hazards such as Johnson’s Reef (north shore St. John) and the Caneel Bay shallow reef. A good rule is “look below before you throw”: ensure clear bottom before dropping anchor.
Weather is stable, but you should still check forecasts daily (apps like PredictWind or NOAA are recommended). Squalls can roll through from the east; brief heavy rain is common. If a squall or storm approaches, reduce sail early and head for shelter – many coves offer space to heave‑to. Remember that westbound passages (St. Thomas → St. Croix) are slightly windier and may roll, whereas eastbound is typically upwind.
Medical facilities are available in St. Thomas (major hospitals) and St. Croix; medevac by boat or helicopter is possible in remote areas but plan to carry a basic first-aid kit. Always carry sufficient fresh water (some anchorages have no dock water), and be mindful of strong sun and heat. Finally, have a plan for hurricane season: most charters will not operate in late August/September, but if there is threat, know the closest safe harbor.
FAQ
Sources
- Yacht Warriors – “US Virgin Islands Cruising Conditions” (sailing seasons and winds) yachtwarriors.comyachtwarriors.com
- The Hills St. John (David Adams) – “Sailing Guide to the USVI Waters” (trade winds, seasons, regional highlights) thehillsstjohn.comthehillsstjohn.com
- St. Thomas Sailing Guide – “Ultimate Guide to USVI Sailing” (best months, license/certification) yacht4less.comyacht4less.com
- Virgin Islands National Park (NPS) – “Boating and Mooring Information” (mooring rules, fees, anchor zones) nps.govnps.gov
- Vacation VI/VI Sailing – “Charter Rates – Waypoints Yacht Charters” (pricing examples) virginislandsailing.com
- 12knots Yacht Charter – “USVI Yacht Charter & Boat Rental 2025” (market rates) 12knots.com
- American Sailing Association (ASA) – Bareboat Charter FAQs (licensing norms in Caribbean) boatbookings.com
- NOAA/NPS Publications – Tide/current data and coral-protection guidelines (for safety)
