Looking to do a day trip to the British Virgin Islands? Joining one of the many St John Boat Charters is a great way to explore the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding BVIs. These charters not only offer a quick way to visit destinations like the Baths and Jost Van Dyke, but some can also offer a personalised exploration of the area, discovering hidden beaches and unique snorkeling spots. If you’re visiting the USVI, going on a boat charter to the BVIs is definitely worth the trip.
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1. Bad Kitty USVI Charter Experience
We did a full day boat trip with the Bad Kitty BVI charter boat and loved it. It’s the local power catamaran that flies between islands while serving rum cocktails. Running 3 times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, the trip costs USD $195 for adults, and $130 for children aged 2-11 years old, and includes:
- Continental breakfast
- Open bar after snorkeling
- Snorkel gear
The boat was fast. The crew was exceptionally accommodating and the drinks were strong. It was a medium sized group (20 of us) and a big enough boat to not feel like an ‘organized tour’.
With a small upper deck, you could kick-back with the captain and sip away as the Bad Kitty charter boat pierced its way through the Sir Francis Drake Channel (between US and British Virgin Islands).
It’s not the most relaxed or quaint way to see the islands (there are also sailboat St John boat charters), but if you want to cover some ground in a day and see a variety of locations, it’s the way to go. Bad Kitty’s first stop is The Baths at Virgin Gorda, then you visit Norman Island for snorkeling, and then White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.
Please note, when visiting the BVIs there is an additional cash fee of USD $85 per person for the BVI customs.
2. Pirates Penny St John Boat Charter
The Pirates Penny Boat Charter offers a more intimate tour, ideal for those preferring a smaller group dynamic. With a cozy setup, this charter limits its capacity to 12 guests, ensuring personalized attention from the crew as you explore the Baths and the beautiful White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. The journey not only promises exploration of these iconic destinations but also includes snacks and alcoholic drinks to keep you buzzed throughout the day.
- Cost: From $395 USD per person
- Time: 9 hours
3. The Gorda Pirate Boat Charter
Want a full-day adventure at Virgin Gorda and The Baths? The Gorda Pirate is your best bet. Leaving from St. Thomas and St. John, USVI, this boat charter offers a scenic trip to Virgin Gorda, BVI, and once you arrive, it’s yours to explore at leisure—whether you want to walk the trails at the Baths National Park, or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, or indulge in a lunch at Hogs Heaven. It’s a day designed around your pace.
- Cost: From $350 USD per person
- Time: 9 hours
4. Midnight Sun Private Boat Charters
Are you travelling in a group and want something luxe? You can charter your very own 37ft boat, perfect for groups of 2-6. Your private captain will help you customize your own sightseeing itinerary so you can visit the Baths, Jost Van Dyke, or find your own hidden beach of one of the stunning islands.
- Cost: From $2000 USD per group of 6
- Time: 5-8 hours
Which British Virgin Islands will you visit when going on a St John Boat Charter day trip?
When going on a St John Boat Charter day trip, the British Virgin Islands you’ll explore can vary based on whether you choose an organized group tour or a bespoke private charter. Here’s a glimpse of the beautiful destinations we visited during our trip with Bad Kitty.
Virgin Gorda Baths
“The Baths” is an area of monolithic granite structures towering above the white sandy beach.
It is a wonder of stacked, smooth boulders that have created a series of caves and shallow “baths”. Apparently pirates observed locals bathing in the shallow pools (before they overtook the island as pirates did). Settlers continued to bath there over the years until the island received running water (it is said to have health benefits).
The supermodel Tyra Banks famously did a photoshoot inside the caves during the 90’s and many people have tried to imitate the photo ever since. I’m telling you, it’s not easy to get the lighting right, those Sports Illustrated photographers really knew what they were doing.
The whole area is stunning. It’s like a mockup of the Seychelles, just sitting there, waiting to be photographed. Luckily, when we visited there were very few other people around. Large tours from cruise ships can frequent the Baths and can hold up the single file walking line (between rock caverns).
We could have spent the whole day there, just wandering around and swimming in the crystal clear water.
Snorkeling in the BVI’s
Our boat parked off Peter Island and was our snorkeling spot for the day. There was a lot of damage to the reefs around there and most of the coral was gone. The remaining fish seemed surprised to see us. We think that the snorkeling on St John is actually much better. Regardless, the water was beautiful and it was nice to swim in the clear, blue water.
Another popular spot for St John boat charters, is Norman Island where you can explore the Caves, the Indians, or the Aquarium. This island is famous for inspiring Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Treasure Island, and is home to the infamous Willy T’s floating bar and restaurant.
Jost Van Dyke day trip
Our last stop was Jost Van Dyke and it is what you’d expect a Virgin Island beach to look like. It was long, with white sand, palms trees, a couple of beach bars, and a bunch of catamarans parked offshore.
There was a mix-bag of people on the beach, some playing volleyball, most were drinking, but overall everyone was having the time of their lives.
By this point, the Bad Kitty crew were really loading the Painkiller cocktails on us (rum, orange and pineapple juice, coconut cream topped with fresh nutmeg). They’re sweet, but you’re in the Caribbean, so it works.
There’s also a local favorite bar called the Soggy Dollar. It’s everything that you want in a beach bar. Nautical themed and filled to the brim with rum.
Tips for Responsible Chartering
- Sun Protection: Opt for reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life.
- Stay Hydrated: Bring a large reusable water bottle to minimize plastic use.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe marine life without disturbing their natural behaviors – don’t touch!
- Leave No Trace: Take back everything you bring, leaving beaches and waters as pristine as you found them.
- BYO reusables: Bring your own insulated reusable cups for drinks (when we visited, most of the charters/beach bars used plastic cups).
- Sail the seas: Sailing is the most sustainable way to visit the surrounding islands, however if you don’t have the time, then check which company aligns with your environment values most.
St John Boat Charters – Do it!
We had a blast on the boat trip. Leaving Cruz Bay on St John at 7:30am we didn’t return until nearly 6pm. So it was a long day. The sun and rum do take it out of you, but that’s nothing to complain about.
The Baths at Virgin Gorda is probably one of the nicest beaches we have ever been to. It’s uniquely picturesque and riddled with interesting hearsay history. If we were to go again, we would choose a charter that allowed us to spend more time at the baths, ideally being able to check if a cruise ship tour was going to be there, so we could avoid the crowds.
Overall it was an expensive day, but one that we will remember for a very long time (despite the rum’s side effects).
FAQ
Q: How long is the ferry from St John to Virgin Gorda?
A: Inter island boat services offers a round trip ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay, to Virgin Gorda on Thursdays. The journey is approximately 90 minutes and costs $150 for a roundtrip.
Looking for tips for St John USVI?
We spent a few months living in St John and discovered some unique attractions and things to do. Here are some of our tips for your stay:
- Best things to do in St John USVI
- Guide to Coral Bay St John
- 15 best St John Beaches
- Driving on St John
Want to visit Puerto Rico?
- 5 Best Sunset Sailing in Puerto Rico Tours
- 15 Best Bars in Old San Juan Puerto Rico
- 15 Best things to do in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Where to stay in St John USVI
Looking for some unique accommodation options in St John? Here are some highly rated stays to choose from.
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Aaron is one of the co-founders of The Dharma Trails. His background in marine eco tourism and writing have blended together to create the eco travel platform read by users around the world.
Do you have availability for 7 for a day trip to the Baths and Soggy Dollar between March 8-11?
Thank you for this! Scheduling our trip this week and was considering Bad Kitty, you may have just sealed the deal. Much appreciative. Warm Regards, Darlena
Are you still taking boats to BVI from STJ?