US Virgin Islands · British Virgin Islands

US & British Virgin Island
Day Charters

Real pricing for private boat charters across the Virgin Islands — by group size, route, and season. Browse what trips actually cost, then get bids from vetted local captains.

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Sample day-charter prices

Tap an island to see the day charters leaving it and what they start at.

ST. THOMASST. JOHNTORTOLAJOST VAN DYKEVIRGIN GORDAST. CROIXANEGADASt. ThomasSt. JohnJost Van DykeTortolaVirgin GordaSt. CroixAnegada$950$650$800$1,100$700$1,450$1,800$950$1,600

Tap an island to zoom in and price its day charters

Charter prices by group size

The biggest driver of what you'll pay is how many people you're bringing — it sets the boat you need. Typical private day-charter starting prices in the USVI & BVI:

1–6 guests
Center console / small powerboat
Full day$650–$1,200
Half day$500–$800
7–12 guests
Power catamaran
Full day$950–$2,200
Half day$700–$1,400
13–20 guests
Large catamaran / motor yacht
Full day$1,800–$3,800
Half day$1,200–$2,400
20+ guests
Crewed yacht
Full day$3,800+
Half dayCustom

Prices by trip length

How long you're on the water matters almost as much as group size. Rough starting ranges across boat sizes:

Half day (≈4 hrs)
$500–$1,400
One or two nearby stops — snorkel, a beach, a bar. Great for St. Thomas / St. John locals and smaller groups.
Full day (≈6–8 hrs)
$650–$3,800
The classic island-hop. Multiple stops, BVI day trips, and time to actually relax. The most-requested option.
Sunset cruise (≈2 hrs)
$400–$1,000
A short evening cruise with drinks. Popular for couples, birthdays, and anniversaries.

Popular USVI & BVI destinations & what they cost to reach

From the white sand of Jost Van Dyke to the granite boulders of The Baths — here are the most-requested stops, with estimated full-day starting prices to get there.

British Virgin Islands

Jost Van Dyke

Legendary beach bars, calm anchorages at Great Harbour and White Bay, and an easy sail from Tortola or St. Thomas.

Full-day charter from~$800
White Bay, Jost Van Dyke · BVI

Soggy Dollar

The iconic swim-up beach bar where the Painkiller was invented. A must-stop on any BVI island-hopping charter.

Full-day charter from~$800
Virgin Gorda · BVI

The Baths

Giant granite boulders forming sea caves and grottos at Virgin Gorda — one of the most photographed spots in the Caribbean.

Full-day charter from~$1,450
Coral Bay, St. John · USVI

Lime Out

The floating taco bar anchored in Coral Bay — swim up for a margarita, then continue on to Salt Pond or Hurricane Hole.

Full-day charter from~$650
St. Thomas · USVI

Mermaid's Chair

A dramatic sandbar on the west end of St. Thomas where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean — accessible only by boat.

Full-day charter from~$650
Tortola · BVI

Cane Garden Bay

A sweeping crescent of white sand on Tortola's north shore — classic Caribbean anchorage with beach bars and live music.

Full-day charter from~$1,100
North Sound, Virgin Gorda · BVI

Bitter End Yacht Club

A legendary sailing destination in North Sound — protected anchorage, restaurants, and the gateway to Anegada.

Full-day charter from~$1,450
Norman Island · BVI

The Willy T

The infamous floating bar and restaurant anchored off Norman Island — rowdy, photogenic, and a rite of passage on any BVI charter.

Full-day charter from~$1,000
Cooper Island · BVI

Cooper Island

Manchioneel Bay anchorage, a low-key beach club, rum bar, and some of the best snorkeling in the BVI at Cistern Point.

Full-day charter from~$1,200
Great St. James · USVI

Christmas Cove / Pizza Pi

Protected anchorage off Great St. James with the famous Pizza Pi — a wood-fired pizza boat you order from by VHF or app.

Full-day charter from~$650

Estimated starting prices for a typical private day charter departing St. Thomas or St. John. Actual pricing depends on your group size, boat, and season — check the live price map above, or request a charter for real bids on your exact trip.

What's included — and what moves the price

Knowing what a quote covers is the difference between a fair price and a surprise at the dock.

Usually included

The boat and a licensed local captain
Fuel for a standard day within the islands
🤿Basic snorkel gear and safety equipment
🧊Ice, cooler, and often water / soft drinks

Often extra

🛂BVI customs, immigration & national-park fees
🍽️Food, alcohol, and restaurant stops
💵Captain / crew gratuity (15–20% is customary)
Fuel surcharge on long open-water crossings
Heading into the BVI? Budget a little extra.
Any trip crossing into the British Virgin Islands — Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, The Baths, Norman Island — requires a valid passport for every guest and adds roughly $50–$100+ per person in customs, immigration, and park fees on top of the charter. USVI-only days (St. Thomas, St. John, Christmas Cove) need no passport and skip those fees.

When to book for the best price

💸 Best value

📅Shoulder season and late summer / early fall
🗓️Midweek trips (Tuesday–Thursday)
👥Filling the boat — price is per charter, not per person

📈 Premium pricing

❄️High season (roughly December–April)
🎉Holidays, spring break, and weekends
Last-minute — the best boats book out early

Charter pricing FAQ

The questions we hear most about what a Virgin Islands charter really costs.

How much does a boat charter cost in the USVI & BVI?
Most private full-day day charters run about $650–$2,500 depending on boat size and group, with larger catamarans and crewed yachts reaching $3,800–$5,000+. Half-day trips are typically $500–$1,400. BVI trips cost more than USVI-only days because of the distance and customs clearance.
What's included in the price?
A standard day charter usually includes the boat, captain, fuel, and basic snorkel gear. Food, drinks, and BVI customs/park fees are often extra, and gratuity (15–20% is customary) is not included. Always confirm exactly what's covered in each captain's quote.
How much are BVI customs and entry fees?
Budget roughly $50–$100+ per person for BVI customs, immigration, and national-park fees on top of the charter price. A valid passport is required for every guest on any trip that crosses into the British Virgin Islands.
Do I pay for the captain's fuel?
Fuel is normally included in the quoted price for a standard day charter. Long open-water crossings (for example St. Thomas to St. Croix, or far-BVI runs to Anegada) may add a fuel surcharge — it's worth asking up front.
When is it cheapest to charter?
Shoulder season and midweek trips (Tuesday–Thursday) are usually the best value. High season (roughly December–April) plus holidays and spring break command premium pricing, and the best boats book out early.
How do I get an exact price for my trip?
Post your trip on CharterBid — it's free and takes a minute. Vetted local captains send you real bids for your exact date, group size, and route, so you compare actual prices side by side with no obligation.

Recent trips & what they're going for

A live read on real charter requests posted on CharterBid across the USVI & BVI.

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