Captain’s Favorites: Hidden Gems in the USVI
There’s a certain kind of magic in sailing that you won’t find in any guidebook. It’s the kind that’s passed quietly from captain to crew, over the whistling of the wind and the rhythm of the water. All of our sailing captains have mental maps of “hidden gems” in the Virgin Islands. They are those special secluded anchorages, tucked-away beaches, and lesser-known harbors that never quite make it onto the typical itineraries.
But here’s the truth: some of the best spots aren’t written down anywhere. They’re shared in person, at just the right moment, often reserved for students who’ve come aboard. In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain just a bit. Not every secret has to stay locked away, even if the best secrets will remain that way until you’re out on the water with us!
Captain JT’s Hidden Gem in the USVI:
For Captain JT, the beauty of sailing isn’t the destination. It’s the act of sailing itself. His VI hidden gem is hiding in plain sight. The open waters just north of Lovango Cay!
“Nobody goes over there and it’s wide open beautiful sailing,” JT explains about the area outside of the busy shipping and travel lanes but still close to land. “People are so busy going from bay to bay they don’t spend time in the sailing spots.”
This area is one of Captain JT’s favorite places to teach tacking, jibing, man-overboard drills and more. “You have all the room in the world and no one to worry about,” he said.
Corey’s Hidden Gem in the USVI:
One of the best ways to find hidden gems in the Virgin Islands is to go where the locals go. That’s why Corey loves Brewer’s Bay on St. Thomas. You won’t see many charters there but you’ll still have access to a beautiful beach, great snorkeling, and even dolphin sightings!
“It’s really, really protected— it doesn’t matter if the sea conditions are bad from any direction,” Corey explained. He says it often gets overlooked though because “most of the people are trying to work their way eastward to St. John.”
Another favorite for Corey is Leinster Bay in Waterlemon Cay. “It’s deep in the national park,” he said. Take a short hike and you’ll find: “there is an old fort from the 1700s with beautiful flowers and a view of the anchorage plus views of BVI and USVI.”
Captain Jalil’s Hidden Gem in the USVI:
Captain Jalil’s favorite hidden gem in the US Virgin Islands isn’t a secret but the best timing to stop there seems to be! Buck Island is frequently visited by Virgin Island day charters that do two charters a day. However, between their morning and afternoon charter, you’ll have the whole place to yourself!
He recommends stopping for lunch on the north end of the island by Turtle Cove or the west side by Shipwreck Cove which both have great snorkeling! The seagrass sandbed in Turtle Cove is home to turtles, rays, hermit crabs, and more. Shipwreck Cove is home to a sucken ship in about 30-45 feet of water. “[It’s] easily visible for snorkelers and fringes have lots of good reefing fish and wildlife hanging out in them as well,” Captain Jalil said.
First Mate Claire’s Hidden Gem in the USVI:
The best kept secret in the Virgin Islands has the namesake to match: Secret Harbor! It doesn’t have many moorings, few good anchorage points, and is out of the way so Claire defines it as, “one of those places where you really have to want to go there.” However, she says it is well worth it for the beautiful snorkeling right off the beach (which she says is also one of the best beaches in the Virgin Islands). She says this spot is best to visit for a day trip because the moorings are quite “rolly” at night.
Discover More Hidden Gems in the USVI!
The best locations in the Virgin Islands are kept close to the hearts of our captains. To find out the USVI’s best kept secrets, you’ll just have to come out for a weeklong sailing course! Find all the course options here. Learn more about our captains and their sailing experiences here.