Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Discover Go Sail Virgin Islands Posts

Your First USVI Bareboat Charter: A Beginner-Friendly Sailing Route

Illustrated map with sailing route titled 'Your First USVI Bareboat Charter'.Chartering a bareboat for the first time? Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Sailing around the Virgin Islands allows you to explore areas you can only reach by boat, access some of the best diving spots and beaches in the Caribbean, and—most importantly—continue to improve as a sailor. 

But before you set sail on your maiden voyage, you should take some time to learn more about the best bareboat sailing destinations in the USVI. Here’s a look at a beginner-friendly sailing route in the US Virgin Islands.

Why Plan a USVI Sailing Route For Your First Bareboat Charter

If it’s your first time sailing without an ASA instructor, the US Virgin Islands make a lot of sense as a starting point. You can plan shorter passages between popular stops, enjoy champagne sailing conditions many months out of the year, and go island-hopping without needing to go through international customs. 

A USVI bareboat charter vacation allows you to get to know the beautiful Virgin Islands a lot better while continuing to develop sailing skills that you can use on future trips to other parts of the world.

Your First Bareboat Charter Sailing Route in the USVI

A simple sailing route through the US Virgin Islands can make the transition from student to captain much easier. Stick to manageable passages, use well-known anchorages over more challenging spots out of the way, and focus on handling the boat and making key decisions to make your first bareboat charter easier to manage. 

The US Virgin Islands are full of gorgeous sailing routes and destinations along the way. Here are a few of our favorites that a beginner-friendly route may include:

    • St. Thomas: Take your time in the marina to gather supplies, do an in-person boat safety review with Go Sail VI, and make sure you are ready to sail before you leave the dock and head to St. John.
    • Leinster Bay: This beautiful bay is an easy way to explore Virgin Islands National Park, with established moorings and easy access by dinghy to shore. There is also good snorkeling near Waterlemon Cay. 
  • Coral Bay: Sail around the northeastern tip of St. John to the gorgeous Coral Bay. The bay itself is a large protected harbor, and there are plenty of restaurants on shore and a floating taco restaurant right in the water. 
  • Lameshur Bay: Head to the southern side of the island, where you can visit the quieter Lameshur Bay. There is excellent snorkeling and access to Virgin Islands National Park attractions here.
  • Cruz Bay: Spend an afternoon and evening shopping and dining during your last day in St. John.
  • Christmas Cove: A scenic stop between St. John and St. Thomas just off Great St. James Island, Christmas Cove has excellent snorkeling and Pizza Pi, which delivers pizzas by dinghy.

Take Your First Bareboat Charter Through the US Virgin Islands

Ready to see why the USVI is one of the best places to bareboat charter for beginners? Charter a bareboat with Go Sail VI or take ASA sailing courses to build your skills so you can set sail through the US Virgin Islands on a sailboat with your family and friends! 

Previous Post Next Post