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Sample itinerary

A SAMPLE ITINERARY

This gives you an idea, not a timetable. No clock times, and no promise that a day does all of it — your captain picks from these on the morning, to suit you, the wind, and the swell. That is the point of a private boat.

1. 01

   Maho Bay

   The gentlest entry on St John and the best odds anywhere of sharing your swim with turtles. The seagrass starts a few feet off the sand, which is exactly where they graze — no scramble over rock, no long swim out. Rays come through the shallows too, and nobody on the boat has to be a strong swimmer to see any of it.

   
2. 02

   Waterlemon Cay

   Ask ten people for the best snorkel spot on St John and most of them say this one. Turtles and conch over the grass on the way in, then coral and sea fans and an array of fish on the deeper far side, with octopus hiding in the shell piles if you know where to look. With a current around the west side, the captain puts you in on the right side of the cay and picks you up on the other, which is the whole advantage of arriving by boat.

   
3. 03

   Coral Bay & Lime Out

   Coral Bay and nearby Hansen Bay offer a quieter, more laid-back side of St. John. No visit to this side of the island is complete without a stop at Lime Out, the famous floating taco bar in Coral Bay, where you can enjoy creative tacos and a cold drink while relaxing right on the water or Skinny Legs, a Coral Bay institution - a colorful, laid-back island bar.

   
4. 04

   Salt Pond

   Salt Pond Bay is one of St. John’s quieter treasures, with a beautiful crescent of sand, calm clear water and snorkeling, all surrounded by the wild, unspoilt landscape of the Virgin Islands National Park. Two trails go from here: a few minutes over to Drunk Bay, where the wind-battered shore is covered in little figures people build out of coral and driftwood, or the Ram Head trail, about two and a half miles there and back - out to the southern tip of the island, where on a clear day you can see St Croix.

   
5. 05

   Caneel Bay & Honey Moon Beach

   Caneel Bay and nearby Honeymoon Beach showcase St. John’s beautiful coastline. Once home to the iconic Caneel Bay Resort, the area still has a wonderfully peaceful and timeless feel, while Honeymoon Beach with hammocks strung in the sea grapes is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, paddle-boarding or simply relaxing beneath the palms.
   This is the long, slow middle of the afternoon - the part people actually remember, and the part a schedule would ruin.

   
6. 06

   Christmas Cove

   Flat water tucked in behind Great St James, five minutes from St Thomas, and the sort of anchorage people mean to leave and then do not. Parrotfish, trunkfish and snapper over the coral, rays and turtles over the grass. In season it is also home to Pizza Pi, the floating pizza boat you order from by text and collect by boat — it closes out of season, so ask when you book if that is the bit you came for.

   
7. 07

   Buck Island

   Buck Island is a favorite stop for snorkeling and diving. Turtle Cove is known for its sea turtles while the Cartanser Senior shipwreck adds another dimension to the underwater experience, with the wreck now providing habitat for colorful tropical fish and marine life. It’s a great place to jump straight off the boat and explore both reef and wreck beneath the surface.

   
8. 08

   Water Island, Honey Moon Beach

   Water Island offers a wonderfully laid-back escape just off St. Thomas, with Honeymoon Beach at the heart of its easygoing island atmosphere. The calm, clear water and sandy shoreline are perfect for swimming and floating, while Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill serves up cold drinks, casual island food and plenty of beachside fun, including volleyball. The new Lime Out adds another reason to visit, bringing its popular floating taco-bar experience to Water Island - making this a great stop for tacos, tropical cocktails, a little beach volleyball and a relaxed afternoon in the sun.

   
9. 09

   Magen's Bay

   Magen’s Bay is one of St. Thomas’s most iconic beaches, with nearly a mile of soft white sand curving around a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay. It's ideal for swimming, paddle-boarding or simply floating in the water, while the beach bar and casual amenities make it easy to spend a few hours. Arriving by boat gives you a particularly beautiful view of the bay and its long, sweeping shoreline.

   

This is a sample, not a schedule. These are the places we know and love out here — a real day takes in some of them, in whatever order the weather makes sense of. Tell us the ones you have your heart set on when you book