St. Thomas, USVI Sample Itinerary by Luxury Yachts

S T. T H O M A S P R I VA T E YA C H T VA C A T I O N

ITINERARY

USVI

WELCOME Comprised of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, the US Virgin Islands contain an abundance of natural Caribbean beauty to soak up from the comfort of a superyacht. Enjoying an inviting climate the whole year round, the calm ocean waters and gentle winds make it a hotspot for discerning travelers. With state of the art spas, golf courses and fine restaurants, there’s more than enough to inspire visitors enjoying a week long private yacht charter vacation.

DA Y 1: ST. TH OM A S

DA Y 2: MA GE N S BAY BEACH

DAY 5: WATERMELON CAY, ST. JOHN

DA Y 6: C ORA L B AY

DAY 3: CRUZ BAY

DAY 4: CRUZ BAY NATIONAL PARK

DAY 7: ST. CROIX & CHRISTIANSTED

DAY 8: BUCK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

DAY 1: S T. T H O M A S Setting out from Yacht Haven Grande, the first day of a U.S. Virgin Islands yacht charter is best spent enjoying an alfresco lunch prepared by your chef, before cruising over the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Once in Charlotte Amalie, it’s time to drop anchor and enjoy a swim. Getting to know the marine life which surrounds this hotspot, you might also consider getting out on a tender to get a closer look at the coastline.

Take a visit to Black Beard’s Castle rumored to have been home to a famous pirate back in the 1600’s. Originally used as a watchtower, take a guided tour and learn the history of the port. Check out Emancipation Gardens, the 99 steps, and the landmark Fort Christian. Take advantage of duty-free shopping at the vendor’s plaza or in any of the downtown boutiques.

DAY 2: MAGENS BAY BEACH

Setting out for Magens Bay Beach in the morning, those on board will be treated to an array of sublime landscapes as they approach one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Ideal for watersports as well as relaxation, Magens Bay Beach is fringed by calm ocean which also boasts outstanding visibility. For this reason, it’s a popular spot for charter guests to equip their snorkeling gear to get acquainted with the underwater scenery. Offering a good taste of local life, there is also a Magens Bay Bar and Grill which serves up traditional Caribbean cocktails.

At an impressive height of 1,500 feet above sea level, Mountain Top offers a spectacular panoramic view of both the US and British Virgin Islands, a total of 20 islands in all. In fact, National Geographic has rated this view of Magens Bay as one of the 10 best views in the world.

Dive the legendary Carvel Rock, making sure to look for old cannonballs and other relics. You may even get lucky and see some local blacktip reef sharks. Not a diver but still looking for an adrenaline rush? Ask your captain about local cliff jumping options or try to surf the cut at Mingo Cay. One of the island’s best view points, Drake’s Seat affords a panoramic picture of Magens Bay and the United States and British Virgin Islands strung out to the east.

DAY 3: CRUZ BAY 8

Leaving Magens Bay behind for Cruz Bay, those on board a superyacht will have the opportunity to experience turquoise blue waters and colorful coral reefs once they’re done sunning themselves on a white sand beach. On the nearby mainland, a number of sea-side cantinas serve fresh and traditional dishes sure to entice those in search of something new. The colorful buildings hugging the hills around the port house relaxed restaurants, a few bustling bars, and numerous pleasant shops, all within easy walking distance of each other. With two thirds of the island belonging to a national park, there are many nature trails to explore as well the famous Mongoose Junction.

Easily accessible and idyllic, Maho Bay Beach offers travelers a calm, pristine escape from the crowds.

DAY 4: CRUZ BAY NATIONAL PARK Devoting an entire day to the national park of Cruz Bay, a good recommendation is to rent a jeep and set out on a self-directed safari. Taking in all of the flora and fauna which defines the natural surroundings, visitors can also take advantage of experienced tour guides who are always on hand to explain the fascinating history of the island. Following on from this trip into nature, those who arrived via superyachts can enjoy an evening cruise to the equally beautiful Francis Bay.

DAY 5: WATERMELON CAY

Later in the afternoon, you will set off on another leisurely sail to Waterlemon Cay, St. John. Here you can enjoy a short hike to the Annaberg ruins for a fascinating historical tour. You can also visit the Annaberg sugar plantations or check out great snorkeling, world-class fly fishing in the salt flats or simply to enjoy the calm of the afternoon. Watermelon Cay is a great spot to take in a night dive around 8pm.

DAY 6: CORAL BAY

Shoot over to Coral Bay to enjoy fresh cocktails, tasty tacos, and a fun, festive atmosphere at Lime Out OR sail on to the tranquil Salt Pond Bay where you can enjoy a quiet afternoon on a gorgeous white sand beach surrounded by breathtaking views. Other options include snorkeling at Booby Rock, a dive excursion. Hike Rams Head for an epic sunset view!

Following a morning spent in the water, it’s well worth taking a short cruise over to Christiansted just four hours to the south. Here, visitors are able to immerse themselves in a world of arts, music, festivals, and many other cultural activities. Very much the heart of the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are also numerous beaches to unwind on. In order to get a firm grasp of the magnificent history of the island, the two towns of Arawak and Caribe are absolute must-visit destinations.

D A Y 7 : S T. C R O I X

After arriving at St. Croix, the priority will naturally be to get amongst the open sea to enjoy some unforgettable sights and surroundings.

Located on the very East End side of St. Croix, take the hike to Jack and Isaac Bays. Once you do get there, you will find picturesque beaches of soft, white sand, surrounded by the turquoise Caribbean Sea and a barrier reef teeming with marine life. Even better, the remote nature of these bays provides seclusion which can make you feel like you have the entire beach to yourself.

The Christiansted Boardwalk is right along the stunning Caribbean Sea in St. Croix and is home to tons of shops, restaurants, and spectacular views. It is especially known as a haven for foodies because of the vast diversity in restaurants and bars. Some of the most popular restaurants and bars to check out along the boardwalk include the Breakers Roar Tiki Bar, Caroline’s Breakfast, and Shupe’s on the Boardwalk.

Hike to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools. The tide pools are a series of large, naturally formed pools found on St. Croix’s beautiful North Shore. While accessing these pools is a bit of a challenging hike, it is worth every single step. On your way to the tide pools, you will hike through a portion of the island’s rainforest and enjoy breathtaking views of Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort, Davis Bay, and the seemingly endless Caribbean Sea.

DAY 8: BUCK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK Following a fun-packed day at St. Croix, a superyacht charter vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands should then set course for the Buck Island National Park. Considered one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean, the monument protects a pristine underwater environment and habitat for rare and threatened species, including endangered leatherback and hawksbill turtles. Snorkelers can enjoy an interpretive underwater trail, one of only three such trails in the country. Populated by some truly spectacular wildlife, this national park spans almost 6 acres of ground. After enjoying their time here, head to the St. Croix Yacht Club for some refreshments. A perfect location for enjoying a sunset, the clear skies here are ideal for stargazing.

A marked hiking trail from either Diedrichs Point or the West Beach picnic area crosses the island (45 minutes at a walking pace); please note that this trail is fairly strenuous. From West Beach the trail goes through a low-lying beach forest and over gentle hillsides covered in turpentine and pigeon-berry trees up to the island crest. A side trail to an observation point provides a stunning overview of the coral reefs and darker, deeper waters farther out, as the island’s underwater shelf falls in the Puerto Rican trench, 5,000 feet deep. The main trail continues down the southern side of the island, with several switchbacks through frangipani trees, organ pipe cactus, and bromeliads. It ends at Diedrichs Point, with an easy walk back along the shoreline to West Beach.

For those wishing a gentler stroll, the West Beach trail offers an easy hike through a manchineel forest to giant tamarind and sandpiper trees.

U S V I - S T. T H O M A S

Returning to St. Thomas, charter guests have a last opportunity to explore the beautiful island which has won the affections of many discerning travelers.

Disembarking from their superyacht for the final time, guests have the option to soak up an altogether unique environment against a simply stunning backdrop. Of course, there’s no doubt that sat amidst the beautiful town surroundings charter guests will find themselves planning their next U.S. Virgin Islands yacht charter vacation.

USVI YA C H T C H A R T E R ITINERARY W O R T H AV E N U E YA C H T S