Frequently Asked Questions About St. Thomas & USVI Boat Charters
I have more than 12 people in my group; can you accommodate more than 12 on the charter?
No, per U.S. Coast Guard regulations, you will need two boats to accommodate more than 12 guests, regardless of age or weight. Yes, infants count towards the guest count on each vessel with no exceptions. Please contact us directly at 340-642-3895 to see what options we have for a tandem charter.
What is a tandem charter?
Great question! A tandem charter is two of our similar vessels (such as our twin 50-foot luxury catamarans S/Y Sirena and S/Y Leviathan) that travel together on the water. We depart from the same marina, sail to the same destinations, and anchor side-by-side so your entire group can swim and snorkel together.
Do all ages count; my child is an infant?
Yes, once a person is born, they count towards the guest count—also known as a “soul” under U.S. Coast Guard rules. Our vessels can accommodate up to 12 souls per vessel. No exceptions.
Do you have life jackets on board?
Yes, per U.S. Coast Guard regulations, we provide life-saving jackets for all souls on board. If you have a recreational swim vest or puddle jumper for your little ones, you are welcome to bring it with you to ensure a proper fit for fun in the water.
What should we bring on our boat charter?
The climate in the Virgin Islands stays relatively constant year-round with temperatures ranging from 75–85 °F. To prepare for your boat charter tour in the USVI and BVI, we recommend wearing a bathing suit, a cover-up, sunglasses, towels, flip-flops, and a good hat. To help preserve the marine life of the Virgin Islands, please bring non-aerosol, mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen.
What about footwear on board?
Throughout your half-day or full-day boat charter, we ask that you remove your shoes when boarding the vessels; we will happily store them for you during your trip. Swim shoes or flip-flops are great to wear when visiting beaches or ashore.
Do you provide snorkeling gear?
Yes, we provide sanitized fins, masks, snorkels, and flotation devices for your snorkeling adventure. If you have personal equipment that you prefer to bring on board, by all means, please do.
Should I be worried about getting seasick?
The motion on our catamarans is very easy, and we aim to stay in smooth, sheltered waters near the cays, bays, and beaches of St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island. The catamaran design is very stable and there is none of the “heeling” (tipping) you may have experienced on monohull sailboats. If you choose a powerboat charter, M/V Aquarius, M/V Poseidon, M/V Island Flyer, and M/V Hydra are also very stable twin-hull and deep-V boats. If in doubt, modern over-the-counter seasickness remedies taken an hour before boarding are very effective.
Will we get cell phone service?
Depending on your carrier, you will have reliable cell service in our USVI sailing locations (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are reliable in the USVI). If you are enjoying a BVI boat charter, as you enter British Virgin Islands waters your phone service typically switches to an international provider and roaming charges may apply.
What if I am not a great swimmer?
You will need to be at least a novice swimmer to snorkel, and our crew is always there to ensure your safety in and around the water. On board, we have swim floats, belts, and noodles for guests to use and float around on if you choose.
What does the cost of the day charter include and not include?
Our day boat charters include captain/crew, all snorkel equipment, and water floats. All vessels offer water, ice, sodas, beer, and our signature Seas the Day Rum Punch. We do not include taxi transfers to and from your hotel or cruise ship, lunch ashore, or crew gratuity. Fuel is included on sailing catamarans; fuel on private powerboat charters is billed based on usage. BVI customs fees apply only on trips to the British Virgin Islands and are paid directly to BVI Customs.
Do I have to tip the captain/crew, and if so what is the normal amount?
Gratuity is optional for the crew and is not included in the base rate. However, it is customary based on your satisfaction and service level to offer a gratuity anywhere from 15–20% of your charter fee.
Do I need a passport for my private charter to travel to the BVI?
Everyone, including U.S. citizens, must have a valid passport to enter the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Traveling strictly within the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, Water Island, and Lovango Cay) does not require U.S. citizens to carry a passport.