If you're planning a boat trip in the US Virgin Islands, the first question is almost always the same: how much does it actually cost? The honest answer is "it depends" — but it depends on a small, predictable set of factors. This guide breaks down the real numbers we see on CharterBid so you know what a fair quote looks like before you book.
The short answer
For a private boat charter in the USVI in 2026, expect to pay roughly:
| Trip type | Typical price (up to 8–10 guests) |
|---|---|
| Half-day (4 hours) | $500 – $1,200 |
| Full day (8 hours) — powerboat/center console | $800 – $2,500 |
| Full day — catamaran or larger yacht | $2,000 – $5,000+ |
| Sunset cruise (2–3 hours) | $400 – $900 |
| Overnight crewed charter (per day) | $3,000 – $10,000+ |
Those ranges assume a private charter (you pay for the whole boat), not a shared-seat day trip. Shared day trips are cheaper per person but you're on someone else's itinerary.
What's usually included — and what isn't
The quoted price is rarely the all-in price. When comparing bids, pay attention to whether these are included or extra:
- Fuel. On a full day in the BVI, fuel can easily run $200–$500. Some operators include it; many quote fuel separately as a flat fee or hourly rate.
- Captain gratuity. 15–20% of the base rate is standard. Never included.
- BVI entry fees / customs. If you're day-tripping from St. Thomas or St. John into the BVI, expect a flat $85 per person in customs and entry fees on a private charter (kids included), with weekend/holiday overtime adding another $10–$30. Ferry passengers pay a flat $30 per person. See our BVI customs and entry fees guide for the full breakdown.
- Lunch / drinks. A few operators include catered lunch and an open bar; most don't. Budget $50–$100 per guest if you want the all-inclusive experience.
- Snorkel gear, paddleboards, floats. Usually included on catamarans and nicer powerboats; sometimes rental on budget boats.
- Dock / mooring fees. The Baths, Bitter End, Soggy Dollar mooring balls all have fees. Most operators bake these in — ask.
What drives the price up or down
1. Boat type and size
This is the biggest single factor. A 28–32 ft center console with a single captain might charter for $1,200 a day. The same group on a 45 ft catamaran with a captain and mate is closer to $3,500. Yachts over 50 ft with an onboard crew start at $5,000/day and go up fast.
2. Season
USVI/BVI charter pricing is strongly seasonal:
- Peak (mid-Dec through mid-April): highest prices, hardest to book last-minute. Plan 2–3 months ahead.
- Shoulder (late April–June, late Nov–early Dec): great weather, prices 10–20% below peak.
- Off-peak / hurricane season (August–October): 20–35% below peak. More weather risk but often lovely days between systems.
3. Route and distance
A trip from Red Hook (St. Thomas) to Jost Van Dyke and back covers more fuel and more customs than a loop around St. John. Long-distance routes — Anegada, for instance — often cost 15–30% more because of fuel and the longer crew day. If you want to skip BVI fees entirely, stick to a USVI-only day trip.
4. Inclusions
A $1,500 bid with fuel, gear, BVI fees, and lunch included is often a better deal than a $1,100 bid with all of those as add-ons. This is exactly the kind of thing CharterBid makes visible — operators spell out what's included in each bid.
5. Weekday vs. weekend
Saturdays and Sundays book out first and often command a 5–15% premium during peak season. Midweek trips, especially Tuesday–Thursday, are frequently the best value.
Sample real-world quotes
Here are rough examples of quotes we've seen on CharterBid for typical trips (prices vary by operator — these are representative mid-range bids):
- Red Hook → St. John loop (6 guests, full day, center console): $1,100–$1,500 all-in.
- Red Hook → Jost Van Dyke (8 guests, full day, 32 ft power cat): $1,800–$2,400 before BVI customs.
- St. Thomas → The Baths → Jost Van Dyke (10 guests, full day, 40–45 ft catamaran): $2,800–$3,800.
- Sunset cruise out of Charlotte Amalie (up to 12, 2.5 hrs): $650–$900.
- Crewed catamaran, 7-day bareboat-plus with captain: $12,000–$25,000 depending on boat and season.
How to get a fair price
- Get multiple quotes. This is the single biggest thing you can do. Two operators can quote the same trip 40% apart.
- Compare on inclusions, not base price. A lower base rate can end up more expensive once fuel and gear are added.
- Be flexible on date. Midweek and shoulder-season dates open up significantly better pricing.
- Book a few weeks out in peak season. Last-minute in January/February often means only premium boats are available.
- Check reviews, not just price. A cheap charter with a grumpy captain is worse than a mid-priced one with a great crew.
Get real quotes for your USVI trip
On CharterBid, you describe your trip once and verified USVI & BVI operators bid against each other. It's free, takes ~2 minutes, and you see exactly what each operator includes.
Request a Charter →Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to charter a boat in the USVI?
Go midweek in shoulder or off-peak season, stick to a shorter route (e.g. St. Thomas to St. John), avoid BVI entry fees, and bring your own lunch. A group of 6 can often share a center console for under $200/person all-in.
Do I need to tip the captain?
Yes. 15–20% of the base rate is standard and expected. On a $1,500 charter, plan $225–$300 for gratuity, more if the crew went above and beyond.
Is a catamaran worth the extra cost?
For larger groups (8+), usually yes — more deck space, shade, a trampoline, and a gentler ride. For smaller groups (4–6) on a short route, a powerboat is often a better value and lets you cover more ground.