Boat Rental in St Thomas

The best way to maximize your time discovering St. Thomas is by renting a boat. The island is renowned for its snorkelling and immaculate beaches, so it comes as no surprise that boat rentals are the best way to experience this beautiful Caribbean island. St. Thomas is the gateway isle to the rest of the US Virgin Islands, including St. John and St. Croix. It is a top yachting destination in the Caribbean, where marinas are found on both sides of the island, allowing you to explore different areas of St. Thomas, as well as the nearby isles.

There is a boat charter on the island for every kind of need, itinerary, and price. Whether you're looking for a powerboat that can host four guests, to a sailing catamaran, to a mega yacht, you can find the perfect boat for your needs and preferences. St. Thomas is situated in an area with steady trade winds and sheltered waters almost all year round. This makes for the perfect conditions for cruising; either you're sightseeing for a sunset cruise, heading to Magen's Beach, or hopping from one islet to another, you get to enjoy an adventurous or relaxed boat rental experience.

Boat rental prices in St. Thomas vary depending on the kind of boat you charter, duration, as well as inclusions, such as diving equipment and snacks. You can choose from a wide variety of private boats, from powerboats, catamarans, and motor yachts. For sailing catamarans chartered for 2 hours, rates can start at $600 for a group of 4 to 6. For a half-day rental, anywhere from 3 to 4 hours, rates can go for $1,170 for a group of 4 people on a luxury catamaran, complete with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. For a full day boat rental on board a 31' powerboat that hosts up to 12 people, rates average at $1000. For an overnight charter for four people onboard a motor yacht, prices can start at $1,295.

A private boat charter in St. Thomas for 4 hours is considered a half-day rental, and guests usually rent a catamaran that's ideal for the island's calm waters. One of the most popular half-day boat charters on the island is sunset cruises. Your boat can depart from the port or marina in mid-afternoon, then you head your way to a nearby bay, sightseeing the waterfront on St. Thomas. Inclusions for half-day cruises usually include an open bar, where drinks are free-flowing and served by the crew, as well as hors d'oeuvres. You and your party will experience a Caribbean sunset as you enjoy a relaxing and romantic sail along calm waters.

You can also rent a boat on the island for an afternoon snorkelling session. These rentals usually range from 3 to 4 hours starting at noon, where you can head to the Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge, swim with green sea turtles at Turtle Cove, or snorkelling around Little Buck Island. Another half-day boat rental option would be to head out to nearby Christmas Cove and have your taste of pizza from Pizza Pi, the only floating pizza boat in the US Virgin Islands.

For a full-day boat rental itinerary, you can reach Magens Bay Beach as your primary destination. Magens Bay Beach has been hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is picturesque with its protected Bay, pristine soft white sand, and blue, azure waters. You can depart from Red Hook in the morning, then cruise your way to Coki Point Beach for the best snorkelling in St. Thomas. It is the only area on the island that matches St. John's reef system, and with a sandy bottom, divers can begin their dive from the beach. It is a lively beach with lots of restaurants and shops nearby and the Coral World Ocean Park. If you're a beginner snorkeler, Coki Point Beach is a great way to get started.

After a couple of hours, you can make your way to Magens Bay Beach. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch on the deck, prepared by your crew, and anchor on the Bay. Magens Bay Beach is the best spot in St. Thomas for watersports so take out your kayaks, wakeboards, paddleboards, and jet skis to enjoy the beautiful waters of the Bay. Head your way back to Red Hook before the sun sets so you can experience a Caribbean sunset as you dock at the port.

An overnight boat charter in a private boat in St. Thomas allows you to visit more places, even as far as St. John. Get to sleep in your very own private boat as you are lulled by the soft waves beneath you and wake up to a spectacular Caribbean sunrise on the horizon. Most boat rentals include food and drinks with charters in the price, but you can also opt to pay for the boat rental only and pay for any additional expenses. Here is a sample itinerary for an overnight boat charter in St. Thomas:

Day 1: Cinnamon Bay in St John

From Red Hook, on St. Thomas' west side, make your way to Cinnamon Bay on the island of St. John. Have lunch on board as you cruise on the calm waters and snorkel at the nearby reefs after. After lunch, make your way to Maho Bay and enjoy an afternoon swimming with turtles. Enjoy the beach, paddleboard or kayak around the Bay. Spend your evening anchored on the sheltered waters.

Day 2: Watermelon Cay

Before heading out to Watermelon Cay, get on a dinghy and explore Mary's Point or Whistling Cay. Enjoy a guided snorkelling tour, where you will learn about the unique coral reef and marine ecosystem. After, return to the yacht and enjoy your lunch on board. You will then sail to Watermelon Cay, enjoy the beach or head inland and visit the famous ruins of St. Thomas' most extensive sugar plantation, the Annaberg Ruins. Head back to the yacht and sail back to St. Thomas.

A party boat in St. Thomas is one of the most exciting ways to celebrate any special occasion. Whether it's for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, or business event, a party boat is a unique venue and excursion all in one. Large boat charters can cater to up to 30 people on board, serving food and drinks all day while a live band or DJ entertains guests. Watertoys can also be included, such as inflatables, jet skis, paddleboards, and more.

Start in the morning and enjoy a full day sightseeing or visiting one beach after another on the coast. A party boat rental is also an attractive option for a wedding. The Caribbean horizon is your backdrop, with the beautiful beaches behind you. Say your "I dos" on the deck with your close family and friends on board, and enjoy lunch or dinner prepared by the dedicated crew. Hire live music and experience an intimate wedding while cruising over the bluest waters in the world.

St. Thomas is known for being a diving destination. Many private boat charter operators offer rentals that are specific for diving itineraries, where they take you to the island's top dive spots. If you've never dived before, you will learn with the island's top diving instructors. They'll take you to the most accessible spots, where you can snorkel and discover the beautiful world underneath the waters. These more accessible dive spots include Coki Beach, immaculate and calm waters, Thatch Cay, and other areas. For the more experienced diver, you will take delight in the fact that St. Thomas is a diver's paradise. Congo Cay, one of the most talked-about sites on the island, Carval Rock, and Wreck of the Rhone in the British Virgin Islands are just some of the most intriguing dive spots you'll be able to reach from a dive boat charter in St. Thomas.

Boat rentals in St. Thomas can range from an hour cruising along the coast to half-day and sunset cruises to full-day and overnight boat charters. A diver's paradise, there are wrecks, tunnels, arches, and passes that will delight your senses underwater. For a truly unforgettable St. Thomas holiday, renting a private boat on the island is one of the best ways you can experience an actual Caribbean vacation.