Set sail from St. Thomas and chart a course to the enchanting islands of Culebra, Culebrita, Vieques, and St. John. This itinerary offers sailors a voyage through crystal-clear Caribbean waters, exploring secluded beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and lush landscapes.
Day 1St. Thomas
Provisioning and overnight at Marina. Upon arrival, take a moment to provision your vessel for the journey ahead. Afterward, unwind with a refreshing drink at the nearby Dive Bar or venture into Red Hook for a taste of local ambiance.
Day 2Magen’s Bay
17 nm4 hours
Embark on a scenic sail around the island to reach the renowned shores of Magen’s Bay. Spend the day exploring this picturesque area and indulging in the natural beauty it offers. Located on the north shore of St. Thomas, the bay is well-protected by land on three sides. It is one of the most popular beaches on the island.
Night at anchor
Day 3Culebrita
18 nm5 hours
Set sails to Culebrita, specifically Bahia Tortuga, hailed as one of the Caribbean's top ten beaches. Beyond its pristine sands and crystal-clear waters, Culebrita boasts a historic lighthouse and natural tide pools known as "pozitas" along its northern shore.
Night at anchor
Day 4Culebra
8 nm2 hours
Following an overnight stay in Culebrita, enjoy a leisurely downwind sail to Ensenada Honda, Culebra's main harbor. Drop anchor near Cayo Pirata and venture ashore to dine at the Dinghy Dock Restaurant. Explore the quaint town of Dewey or opt for a scenic drive around the island before settling in for the night at Dakiti or Bahia Fulladoza.
Provisioning at Ensenada Honda main harbor.
Night at anchor atDakiti or Bahia Fulladoza
Day 5Vieques
17 nm4 hours
Sail southbound towards Vieques, relishing the journey along the island's eastern coast. Discover the secluded beauty of Bahia de la Chiva, with its horseshoe-shaped harbor and pristine beaches perfect for snorkeling.
Night at anchor
Day 6St. John
34 nm9 hours
Early morning set up sails to Honeymoon Beach in St. John is a pristine and picturesque stretch of coastline that embodies tranquility and natural beauty. Nestled within the Virgin Islands National Park, this secluded beach offers soft white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush greenery along the shoreline.
Night at anchor
Day 7Water Island
11 nm3 hours
On your way back to the marina you may visit water Island is a hidden gem nestled just off the coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Despite its small size, this charming island boasts pristine beaches, lush tropical vegetation, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a peaceful getaway.
Anchor at Honeymoon Beach or Elephant Bay.
Optional Stops Along the Route
Frederick Sberg Cove
Anchorage
Many sailors value the well central location, proximity to shopping, restaurants, and the convenience of provisioning or crew changes. It's well suited for short stops, resupplying, or picking up/ dropping off visitors. However, frequent complaints cite persistent city noise—loud vehicles, music from bars and restaurants (sometimes through the night, especially during festivities like Carnival), and a generally busy urban environment.
Sailors hold a view of this marina, calling it a perfect stop in St. They appreciate the marina’s convenient location near the airport and the city, straightforward booking, and the presence of basic amenities. Some regret the loss of a local bar and market, which might have enhanced the vibe, but the marina is still valued for its organization, efficiency, and support for customs procedures.
Sailors view this anchorage as a beautiful, peaceful place that offers relaxed atmosphere and preserved natural surroundings. The long sandy beach is a highlight, with calm nights and lively but pleasant activity during the day from beachgoers. Skippers may find a beach restaurant/bar and amenities like garbage bins, adding convenience ashore.
Sailors view this anchorage as a beautiful and peaceful spot, ideal for relaxing. Sailors appreciate the natural beauty, tranquil environment, and the convenience of having a lively beach bar nearby. Many sailors return here often, appreciating the night views of Charlotte Amalie and the authentic, non-urban feel compared to other city anchorages.
Sailors rate this anchorage as one of the best in the Caribbean, with natural beauty, a clean beach, and a remarkable setting. Skippers may also see turtles, rays, and other marine life, adding to the appeal.
Sailors describe this anchorage as exceptionally peaceful, surrounded by mangroves and pristine nature. The tranquil atmosphere, protected from swell and noise, is well valued by those seeking calm. There is essentially no real beach, which further enhances the sensation of a preserved natural setting.
Sailors are generally about the anchorage, often citing its tranquil setting, convenience for going ashore, and its suitability as a stopover for supplies and formalities. The town is friendly and accessible, with easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, and sites such as Flamenco Beach. Some note that parts of the island are run down, but, experiences highlight a safe, welcoming environment well suited for cruisers seeking rest or exploration.
Sailors view this anchorage as a beautiful spot with crystal-clear water, preserved underwater scenery, abundant coral, and marine life. It becomes quiet at night after day-trip boats leave and offers excellent snorkeling from the boat. Beach access is possible by a 20-minute walk, though the path can be overgrown.
The anchorage receives consistently good impressions from sailors for its peaceful atmosphere, breathtaking scenery, and tranquil environment. Sailors appreciate the anchorage as a serene and peaceful spot, with beautiful sunsets and easy access when following the worth considering charted route. The absence of onshore services is noted, but does not detract from the experience, which is valued for relaxation, natural beauty, and calm waters.
This anchorage is a beautiful, calm, and pleasant bay with a lovely beach and direct access to Mosquito Bay. Sailors appreciate the peaceful environment, suitability for relaxing after a sail, and unique natural attractions like the nearby bioluminescent bay as key highlights.
Sailors generally view this anchorage favorably, highlighting its beautiful bay, calm atmosphere, easy access to town, and proximity to lovely beaches. The environment is reported as safe and relaxing. Some recent Sailors hint at a lack of tourist-friendliness or local engagement, though most agree restaurants and bars are enjoyable and people are generally amicable.
The proximity to popular beaches such as Honeymoon Beach and Caneel Bay, as well as beachfront bars and a small shop, adds to the appeal. Frequent drawbacks mentioned include daytime rolling caused by constant boat and ferry traffic, which can affect comfort. However, the anchorage is considered peaceful in the evening when traffic subsides.
This anchorage is valued for its natural beauty, daytime tranquility, and proximity to renowned beaches such as Trunk Bay. The anchorage offers opportunities to observe marine life, especially turtles, and features a picturesque coral reef nearby. While calm during the day, several skippers note increased rolling or motion at night, likely due to swell or passing powerboats, which can affect comfort.
Sailors describe Lovango Bay as an extremely pleasant anchorage that offers a blend of luxury and natural beauty. The environment is considered relaxing and scenic, with stunning views of the bay between St-John and St-Thomas. Sailors appreciate the availability of very convenient dinghy taxis and easy access to beach club amenities.
This anchorage is an excellent, enjoyable, and picturesque spot, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and beach exploration. Hikers appreciate the access to nearby trails, and the atmosphere is known as very peaceful, especially at night. The waters are considered safe for swimming but can be murky at times, which does not detract from the experience, as the spot is valued for frequent turtle sightings and rich marine life.
This anchorage is well regarded. Sailors consistently highlight the beauty and tranquility of the bay, especially at night when most of the daytime crowd leaves. The anchorage offers a natural environment, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays, tarpons, and starfish, as well as the opportunity to snorkel directly from the boat near rock formations.
Share your thoughts & ideas about sailing from St. Thomas
We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions! Share with fellow sailors recommended marinas or coordinates of anchorages to stay for the night or even your favorite restaurant, winery or oyster farm.
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12 Knots
United States
“Clearance into Puerto Rico and Spanish VI from the USVI is required”
1)You’ll have to clear in to Culebra and/or Vieques when sailing from St. Thomas. This should be done using the CBP ROAM app (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats/pleasure-boat-overview/roam). The primary charterer should download the app and create an account.
2)Do not register or sign in until the vessel is anchored in the Spanish Virgin Islands. Only when you are safely anchored can you sign in.
3)You will be prompted to upload the passport pages or legal ID of each passenger in one submission.
4)The app will ask for the vessel registration number, which can usually be found in the ship's papers binder and on a sticker on the boat's companionway or door. The yacht should be CBP registered and have the necessary documentation. Please check with your manager to ensure all these papers are in order before the charter, as not all boats may have CBP registration. In some cases, especially with foreign guests or a foreign-registered boat, CBP will initiate a video call with the vessel.
Grigory
United States
“Clearance into BVI”
It is required to check in / out the boat when you sail to BVI from USVI. Now this procedure can be done online via www.sailclear.com website.
On the way back to USVI you may use CBP App to check the vessel to USVI.
Grigory
United States
“Kite and eFoil rentals”
If you’re planning kite surfing activities during your charter in the USVI, virginwakes.com is a great place to rent equipment. They offer wings, eFoil boards, and even lessons if needed.
Grigory
United States
“Scuba Diving equipment rent”
f you plan to go scuba diving during your sailing vacation in the USVI, you can rent all the necessary equipment at admiraltydive.com. Please note that it’s always a good idea to check with the base manager to confirm if bringing dive tanks on board is permitted. In some cases, this equipment may be restricted as it could potentially damage the boat’s deck.
12 Knots
United States
“Sailing to Puerto Rico”
On most charter boats, you may sail to the Spanish Virgin Islands (SVIs) including Vieques and Culebra, as well as sail to Fajardo (Puerto del Rey Marina) and San Juan Harbor. However, these are long distances even for a 2-week charter. There isn’t much to do or see in Fajardo unless you want to take a 30-minute Uber ride into San Juan.
