The USVI is an often-overlooked sailing destination with many first-time visitors deeming it a mere gateway to the BVI. Given that this gorgeous sailing destination abounds with natural beauty and lesser-known highlights, it really does stand alone, in its own right. The snorkeling/scuba is excellent, hiking trails abound, the beaches are gorgeous, and there’s a sprinkling of beach bars to sate the quest for shoreside libations. Due to the current COVID crisis, sailing vacations will become more yacht-centered this summer – that means less time spent ashore in large groups (due to social distancing) and more time spent with family and friends enjoying watersports around the yacht. On USVI catamaran yacht charter itineraries, there’ll be a unique opportunity to explore some of the wonderful but usually overcrowded bays that we normally avoid. Magen’s Bay on St. Thomas is one such example. Normally, we never visit this gem of a place, given it’s made so many Top 10 Beaches in the World lists that overcrowding has become an issue – yet with the cruise ships and mass tourism gone, we can enjoy it in its natural pristine state this summer. Here’s a taste of what you can experience on a week-long USVI catamaran yacht charter itinerary and note this is just a suggestion – the USVI boast a crazy array of fantastic anchorages, secluded bays and deserted isles, with a bevy of options for snorkeling, diving beachcombing and indulging in water-sports – there’s simply no limit to the ways you can personalize your itinerary!

• Day 1 Day 1, St. Thomas to Maho Bay, St. John

  Enjoy a meet-and-greet with your crew and yacht in St Thomas’ American Yacht Harbor dock and take your time settling into your home on the water. After your first delicious on-board lunch, you can dive in for a spot of snorkeling in St John’s Caneel Bay, before meandering to Maho Bay where you may just have tome for a frolic with sea turtles and stingrays. We’ll find a strategic place to anchor for the night so you can enjoy a glorious sunset, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and an evening filled with chit-chat, games, laughter and glorious food.

• Day 2 Day 2, Watermelon Cay

  This morning, we’ll take you on a guided snorkel tour so you can learn more about the unique ecosystem that defines St John’s prized coral reef system. We’ll head off straight after breakfast to nab marvelous places like Whistling Cay, Mary’s Point or Cane Bay all for ourselves. Crystal clear waters, gentle currents and an abundance of marine-life will surely leave you awe-struck, with St John’s best snorkeling spots home to over 400 distinct species of reef fish (like angelfish, parrotfish and damselfish) an abundance of crustaceans (lobsters!) and larger species like moray eels. Flourishing brain and elkhorn coral hide a myriad of colorful fish and are visited by turtles, rays and harmless reef sharks too. After an onboard lunch, we’ll move on to resplendent Waterlemon Cay, a stunning spot that offers both on-land hikes through the national park to visit the ruins of Annaberg, one of St John’s most prolific sugar plantations, (which also boasts jaw-dropping views to boot) and plenty of snorkelling. If you’re seeking a rewarding place for a night-dive, you’ll definitely want to include Waterlemon Cay in your USVI catamaran yacht charter itinerary.

• Day 3 Day 3, Coral Bay or Hurricane Hole

  If you can’t get enough of Waterlemon Cay (who’d blame you?), we can spend the whole morning snorkeling its turquoise waters and meeting more marine critters – but, if you’re ready to explore further, we can leave early to enjoy a breakfast stop at Lovango Cay, where you can snorkel at nearby Carvel Rock, revered for its a magnificent schools of Tarpon. We can then move on to Newfound Bay on the East End mid-morning, where you can try your luck at catching a lobster whilst the kids give the SUP boards a whirl. If Lime Out in Coral Bay is open for business during your USVI catamaran yacht charter, we’ll scoot over for a lunchtime feast of their famous tacos. At Coral Bay, you can hop ashore or, if you still fancy some social distancing, head over for a secluded snorkel at Hurricane Hole, where coastal mangroves attract an abundance of colorful fish.

• Day 4 Day 4, More of St. John to Megan's Bay

  We usually enjoy a leisurely start to our day 4, giving you the chance to tackle that hike, snorkel or dive excursion at Coral Bay. A late-morning sail will see us reach the northern cays between St John and St Thomas, just in time to enjoy a splendid lunch of fresh seafood, cooked to perfection. Options abound here for the afternoon – enjoy a relaxing siesta on deck, an exhilarating dive at Carvel Rock or, perhaps, a stint of surfing at Mingo Cay. If the weather-gods are on our side, we’ll take a marvelous sunset sail to Magens Bay, one of the most famous destinations in the USVI. The longest beach on St Thomas, normally overrun with tourists, should be blissful quiet. Enjoy a long walk along the pristine shores, a refreshing swim or whip out those water toys whilst the sun still shines.

• Day 5 Day 5, Magen's Bay

  a water-sport haven and, given we don’t usually visit on USVI catamaran yacht charter itineraries, we’re be crazy if we didn’t spend the entire day here, squeezing every bit of fun into our day. The beauty of Magens is that, alongside ample chances for water-skiing, paddle-boarding and wakeboarding, you can also hop ashore to enjoy one of the many deserted beaches – set up a game of volleyball with your crew, comb the beach for shells with the kids or enjoy a few relaxing hours devouring a good book on outer deck. The one day to do it all, or nothing at all – in one of the most beautiful places on earth! It’s not often you’ll get to spend an entire day soaking up the splendors of a quiet and contemplative Magens Bay so we’ll be intent on making the most of it.

• Day 6 Day 6, Little St. James/Buck Island

  After a leisurely breakfast, we will head to Little St. James so you can dive right in for a morning snorkel or SCUBA dive. If crowd-favorite Pizza Pi is taking orders, we’ll have piping hot pizzas delivered to our catamaran for lunch Late in the day, we’ll we move on to Buck Island[GU1] [LP2] . This historic, uninhabited isle is part of a protected marine reserve and boasts impressive biodiversity. Here, you can snorkel around a wrecked freighter, hike to an old lighthouse for spellbinding views and enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent sunsets in the USVI.

• Day 7 Day 7, Water Island

  We’ll drag our heels this morning so you have another chance to snorkel the Catanza freighter or perhaps meet resident turtles at the aptly-named Turtle Cove. Before lunch, we’ll set course for Water Island, the smallest of the USVI and a compact, residential island that’s home to only 200 people. Explore the shoreline on kayaks, polish your fishing skills or enjoy a relaxing hike around the island on a guided historical tour. Tonight, we can anchor in the calm harbor so you can cherish your last exquisite on-board dinner with fantabulous views. Depending on social distancing restrictions here, we may even be able to hop ashore for a drink in the marina, a wonderful way to celebrate the last night of your USVI catamaran yacht charter itinerary.

• Day 8 Day 8, Disembarkation

  You can either enjoy your last morning exploring Honeymoon Bay or take a quick trip ashore to Charlotte Amalie for some last-minute shopping duty free shopping. We’ll arrange transport to the airport (or your hotel, if staying an extra night) and look forward to welcoming you on-board again soon!

• Day 4 Alternative Option for Day 4/5, St. Croix

  For those who want to cast off on an exhilarating sail, we can set course for St Croix on Day 4 instead. This lesser-known ‘Virgin’ is actually a big player in the region, nearly twice the size of St Thomas and an island that boasts a fascinating history, outstanding snorkeling, a luscious rainforest and ample options for hiking. On land excursions, you can admire the beautiful Victoria-era architecture of Frederiksted and visit the Christiansted National Historic Site, in the former Danish West Indies capital; head up the peak of Mt Eagle (on a relatively easy half-hour hike) for astonishing views or, if sailing outside leatherback turtle nesting season and over a weekend, you can enjoy a glorious two-mile stroll along the powdery sandy beach of the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. Just a “beam reach” sail away from St John, St Croix can be reached on a 4-5 hour sail.