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USVI Yacht Charters
The
US Virgin Islands
are a
nautical adventure for both novice and experienced yacht charters.
The typical Virgin Islands cruising area extends from St Thomas
in the west to Virgin Gorda to the east. The islands are outlined
by the Atlantic Ocean on their north side; the calm Caribbean
Sea laps on their southern shores. The Virgin Islands consist
of hundreds of islets and cays which make it ideal for plenty
of privacy during your yacht charter vacation. While aboard
your private yacht you can visit many of the picturesque and
breath taking islands - Culebra and Vieques ( the Spanish
Virgins), St.
Thomas, St. John and St. Croix in the US Virgins.
The Virgins Islands
are famous for year round cruising. The temperature ranges
from 80's in winter to 90's in summer, water temperatures
range from the mid 70's in the winter to the mid 80's in the
summer.
St.
John -- St.
John is located approximately 1 mile due east from St. Thomas,
and is the U.S. Virgin Island closest to the British Virgin
Islands. About 70% is National Park, the donation of this
land by the Rockefeller family guaranteed that the beautiful
hillsides will stay green instead of being developed, and
the coral reefs will be protected from damage not only now,
but for generations to come. Numerous sites around St. John's
National Park are under active archeological excavation.
Not
only the period of European colonialism with its sugar cane
economy and slave holding plantations are being explored, but
also pre-Columbian artifacts of the Taino, Arawak and Carib
Indian tribes are found. Annaberg Plantation contains a well-marked
tour of the remnants of an old sugar plantation, including the
sugar mill, boiling vats, slave houses, and other buildings.
The Reef Bay hiking trail, maintained by the Park Service, passes
by ancient petroglyphs on its way to more sugar mill ruins and
a beach. These ancient symbols were carved into the rocks in
the mountainside, and the identity of the authors and an explanation
of why and what they mean is still debated to this day.
In the park, Trunk Bay
has an underwater snorkeling trail with signs indicating fish,
corals and other critters that you might see as you go along
both there, and in your other snorkeling adventures on St.
John. There are also several other hiking trails ranging from
novice to challenging, especially when you factor in the bright
Caribbean sun! There are often park activities going on, such
as guided hikes, lectures and tours of the archeological sites,
or beach nature walks. A schedule is available at the activities
center in Cruz Bay.
Cruz Bay Virgin Islands
is on the west side of St. John, facing St. Thomas, and is
the main city of St. John. St. John boasts a total population
of about 5,000, so this means everyone knows everyone else,
and friendships are close and lasting there. In fact, the
nickname of Cruz Bay is 'Love City' by its friendly residents.
St. John does have a large population, which consists of more
than just people! As you will undoubtedly see, the wild donkeys
of St. John aren't all that wild, and are a problem for the
Park to control their numbers, so suited are they to the habitat.
Left over from the Plantation economy, these donkeys wander
freely and you are likely to see them munching by the side
of the road on tasty vegetation, and occasionally wandering
through Cruz Bay itself! Also keep a keen eye out for the
mongoose, St. John's unofficial mascot. Brought to control
the rat population that went along with the large sailing
vessels of the 17th and 18th century, they too have flourished
in their adopted ecosystem.
St. Thomas --
Is
the starting point for most yacht charters, the only Virgin
Island with an airport to handle large airplanes as well as
having the most daily flights from the mainland. St. Thomas
combines the natural beauty of the islands with a cosmopolitan
atmosphere. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin
Islands, is one of the most beautiful harbors in the world
and the most visited port in the Caribbean with a port that
accommodates up to eight cruise ships ata one time. Dining,
nightlife, and world-class duty-free shopping are all within
walking distance in Charlotte Amalie. Charlotte Amalie's reputation
as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean draws visitors from
all over the region and around the world. Bargin with shop
owners for the finest jewelry from emeralds to diamonds to
watches, its all here.
St.
Thomas also provides natural wonders such as the indescribably
beautiful Magens Bay one of the most photographed beaches
in the world and stunning views of the Caribbean from 1,500
feet above sea level. Drake's Seat is particularly famous
for its vistas. Before starting your yacht charter vacation
get a round of golf in at Mahogany Run course designed by
famous course designers George and tom Fazio. Beaches, sports,
shopping St. Thomas has it all.
Spanish Virgins
-- A yacht charter
in the Spanish Virgin Islands takes one on a journey back
in time. Until recently the islands were off limits to charter
yachts as they lie within the territory of the United States
Navy. The military used this area as a bombing grounds for
their aircraft. Now days, the passage is safer and the islands
still hold the charm, of yesteryear. The Spanish Virgin Islands,
lie 15 miles to the east of Fajardo on Puerto Rico. The island
of Culebra in the Spanish Virgin Islands is an untouched Caribbean
bliss boasting spacious white and mostly deserted beaches.
If you're expecting the glitzy nightlife of St Maarten or
Antigua though, the Spanish Virgin Islands is not the right
yacht charter destination. Culebra is spotted with local cafes
and restaurants which may be open, or they may be closed,
depending on the proprietor's whim - it's all part of the
enchanting island way. A brilliant anchorage by night is Mosquito
Bay on the island of Vieques. The water around your charter
yacht is filled with glowing organisms turning the entire
bay into a luminous 'twighlight zone' at night. You'll also
find a more active nightlife in Vieques as the island is two
thirds owned by the US Navy. If you're searching for the incredible
beauty of the Caribbean, without the crowds and commercialism,
the Spanish Virgin Islands are the ideal yacht charter destination.
Here is a sample itinerary from one of
the many yachts that now escape to the Spanish Virgins.
Day
1: Fly into St. Thomas, and board your yacht at Crown
Bay Marina. Spend a relaxing afternoon in Honeymoon Bay on
Water Island swim, snorkel or walk along the beach before
enjoying an appetizer and the Captain's cocktail of the evening.
Watch the sun set behind the Spanish Virgin Islands in the
near distance, with a passion fruit daiquiri in hand.
Day
2: Following an early breakfast, l set sail for Vieques
(approximately 4 hours), making Ensenada Honda, a secluded
mangrove anchorage, our stop for the night. Have lunch, and
then spend the afternoon in the kayak disappearing down hidden
waterways in the mangroves. You'll see a variety of bird life,
as well as various marine creatures just under the surface
of the water, such as upside-down jellyfish, crabs and trunkfish.
Day
3: After waking up to the sound of gentle waves lapping
the side of the hull and an occasional bird calling from the
mangroves, sit back in the cockpit and enjoy a breakfast of
coconut muffins w/guava jam and a plate of fresh pineapple,
accompanied by a pot of hot coffee or tea.When you're ready
for some adventure, your captain will take you in the dinghy
to spend the morning exploring the various beaches or sandy
spits in the area and then unwind by spending the afternoon
lounging on the deck with a good book, and a bottle of sunscreen!
Day
4: The next day, make a short sail to Sun Bay, located
next to the fishing village of Esperanza. Following afternoon
activities of your choice (possibly a rendezvous dive with
Blue Caribe Dive Center or a snorkel) sit back and relax while
your captain and chef whip up a batch of cocktails and an
appetizer. After dinner and the when the sun has set, we will
take a drive in the dinghy to Puerto Mosquito, which is one
of the best bays in the world for bioluminescence don't forget
your swimming suits. Watch the glowing green wash of the dinghy
streaming behind the boat, once we've turned off all our lights…stare
in fascination at the phosphorescence as illuminated fish
zoom past us in all directions like comets streaking through
the sky jump into the black water and light up like Peter
Pan or Tinkerbell raise your arms to the sky, and be mesmerized
by the water as it rolls off your skin like liquid diamonds!
Day
5: In the morning, sail to the westernmost tip of
Vieques, Punta Arena, for a lunch of barbequed Jamaican Jerk
chicken Caesar salads, with fresh mango and homemade croutons.
And don't forget the cold Carib beer. Next, continue across
to the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, and check into the Puerto
Del-Ray Marina for the evening.
Day
6: The next day, you can rent a car and explore the
El Yunque national forest, the only tropical rain forest in
U.S. jurisdiction of 28,000 acres, 240 species of trees, and
a 3,532 foot peak, El Toro. Have you worked up an appetite?
Savor a delicious appetizer of freshly made Basil and Olive
Tapenade served with crudites and crackers and a Pina Colada.
Day
7: In the morning, cruise to Culebra (approximately
3 hours) - making our way into the harbor and main port of
Dewey. Want to stretch your legs? Rent a bike and following
a 30-minute ride, spend the afternoon on the spectacularly
beautiful long white sand beach - Flamenco. If you'd like
to experience some local cuisine have dinner at Mama Cita's,
which offers an eclectic mix of Caribbean influenced dishes.
Still have energy after dinner? Sign up as a volunteer and
help the Culebra Leatherback Project. Playa Resaca and Playa
Brava, on the north coast, east of Flamenco Beach, are turtle
nesting beaches. Nightly from April 1 to August 30th, researchers
along with volunteers check the beaches and catalog any leatherback
turtles as they come ashore to lay and bury their eggs.
Day
8: Following breakfast the next morning, make a short
sail to Cayo Norte, where you can be put ashore to wander
an isolated beach and gather coconuts. Then have a swim followed
by lunch with your yacht sitting comfortably in the reef off
of the island of Culebrita. If you feel like stretching your
legs hike up to the lighthouse to enjoy a spectacular panoramic
view of Culebrita Reef.
For a night
anchorage, motor around the corner to the still waters of
Bahia de Almodovar. That evening, as you gaze upon the twinkling
lights of St. Thomas in the distance, enjoy a dinner of grilled
Moroccan mahi mahi, served on a bed of gingered mashed potatoes,
broccoli spears, and finished with a curried passion-fruit
butter. Have a craving for something sweet? Try your Chef's
Chocolate Creme Brulee.
Day
9: In the morning, your yacht will move to another
bay on Culebrita, where you can walk the gorgeous sand beaches
of White Bay, bask in her turquoise waters (keep an eye out
for sea turtles, who love this bay), or explore and swim in
the seaward pools known locally as "the Jacuzzis".
Following lunch, head back to St. Thomas for the night.
Day
10: Have a lazy breakfast and a swim the next morning,
and if you have the desire and time before your charter ends
at noon, take a taxi downtown to do a bit of last minute shopping
in St. Thomas at the duty free port.
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