FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ST. JOHN BOAT CHARTERS AND WATERSPORTS
ST. JOHN LOCATIONS: National Park Service Dock, VI Port Authority (International) Dock, Cruz Bay Beachfront, Low Key/Ocean Runner Dock, Westin Beachfront (Guests only), Coral Bay Dinghy Dock, and locations upon special request.
ST. THOMAS LOCATIONS: American Yacht Harbor ($100 additional fee), Sapphire Beach Marina, Ritz Carlton Resort (Guests only), Compass Point Marina, Oasis Cove Marina, Crown Bay Marina, Havensight Cruise Ship Dock (additional fee), and locations upon special request.
LOVANGO CAY: Lovango Resort & Beach Club Dock
Most all vessels on St. John pick up Guests from the National Park Service Dock or the VI Port Authority (International) Dock in Cruz Bay.
Some charters will pick up Guests on beach in Cruz Bay in front of High Tide Restaurant. Located on this beach is also the Low Key Watersports/Ocean Runner Powerboat Rentals Dock.
For the Charters leaving out of Coral Bay, the Coral Bay Dinghy Dock is located behind the Coral Bay Fire Department and next to Skinny Legs Restaurant.
YES! Below are PRIVATE CHARTERS offering an incredible day in the BVI sailing or cruising to incredible DESTINATIONS including Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Spit, Norman or Cooper Islands, The Indians & the Caves, Willy T, Virgin Gorda & the Baths and much more! Also check out our BVI GROUP CHARTERS!
MOTORBOATS: MAX’D OUT, VIBIN’, GYPSEA KING, NEW MAGIC, OCEAN BREEZE, AIKO, and ISLAND ESCAPE.
Please call us to book at (340) 474-1022 and we will SAVE you the 6% online booking fees if you book over the phone for most all charters.
Yes, all Guests must sign a liability waiver before the beginning of their boat charter. After booking, the boat charter will have your group sign waivers either online or the day of charter.
There is a small parking lot next to the National Park Service Dock for loading and unloading Guests by car or taxi. This lot is usually full and we do not recommend you parking here.
The closest paid parking to the National Park Service dock is located at the Lumberyard Parking Lot. If you book your Charter with us, you will be given a complimentary 10% off Discount Code and you can use our code anytime during your vacation.
Slim Man’s Parking offers two paid lots, one across from Wharfside Village, and the other is located next to the Tap & Still in Cruz Bay.
There are free parking lots across from the Post Office, as well as the lot down from the circle next to the Tennis Courts at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
There is a Gravel Parking Lot near the Car Barge and this lot is the most economical parking in Cruz Bay.
Because it is now the law in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the residents could not be prouder of such a monumental movement toward the preservation of our beautiful Coral Reefs. We want our Coral Reefs to be happy and healthy and using the proper Sunscreen, non-aerosol, is key to making sure each of us is taking our responsibility for the ecological preservation of the Virgin Islands Coral Reefs. Read more REEF SAFE SUNSCREEN.
LIST OF INGREDIENTS IN A SUNSCREEN TO AVOID:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- PABA
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium (if it doesn’t explicitly say “micro-sized” or “non-nano” and it can rub in, it’s probably nano-sized)
- Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”
Thank you so much for playing your role in creating a healthy environment for the beautiful Coral Reefs you will enjoy throughout your vacation!
If you need a taxi, you need to secure your taxi in advance of your boat charter. Click here for TAXI information.
It is much easier to get a taxi in Cruz Bay near the ferry, although we suggest always scheduling in advance.
If you are going to be picked up/dropped off in Coral Bay, you will definitely need to schedule a taxi. There are NO taxi drivers hanging around Coral Bay at the end of your charter.
The following is a list of items you should consider bringing for your boat charter.
- If traveling to the British Virgin Islands (BVI), please bring a VALID PASSPORT, and for children under five please bring their birth certificate.
- CUSTOM FEES: Bring Cash the day of charter to pay your customs fees for BVI trips.
- Towel, hat, sunglasses, extra T-shirt or Rashguard shirt, dry storage bag
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen – NO SPRAY SUNSCREENS
- Your Music Playlist (for charters with Bluetooth Stereos)
- Cash and Credit Cards – For lunch, shopping for souvenirs, and gratuity for the crew (20% customary). MasterCard/Visa preferred in the BVI.
- Cameras or Go Pros
- Any food or drink you would prefer on board (no glass).
Absolutely! Give us a call at (340) 474-1022 to make arrangements for special occasions or catered meals.
Guests visiting the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are required to pay a Customs Fee of approximately $75+ CASH per person paid the day of charter. Each Guest must bring this fee with them along with a Valid Passport. For children under 5, please bring a birth certificate.
Every boat charter has a different policy for fuel. Some boat charters include fuel in the booking price, but not all. If fuel charges are additional, fuel prices range from approximately $125 – $700 depending on which boat you charter and where your travels take you for the day in the USVI or BVI.
Please let your Captain and First Mate know what a wonderful day you had and a great job they did by leaving them a gratuity.
Your Captain and Crew have a lot of responsibility for showing you a good time and making sure you are safe. If you would like to show them your appreciation, a customary gratuity is 20%.
The amenities vary depending upon the type of boat charter you choose. Below is a list of possible amenities. If you do not see something on the list that you might like on your charter, just let them know at booking and we are sure they would love to accommodate your special request if possible. They are always willing to work with you to make sure you have the most incredible experience cruising around the Virgin Islands!
- Open Bar (special requests welcome)
- Light Fare or Continental Breakfast (Special Provisions Available)
- Cooler with water and ice
- Lunch Stop
- Snorkel Gear
- Stand Up Paddleboards
- Scuba Gear
- Sun Shade
- Swim Platform/Ladder
- Rest Room
- Noodles and Floats
- Loungers
- Satellite Radio
- Bluetooth Sound System
- Go Pro (Sim cards for purchase)
- Phone Chargers
- Fresh Water Rinse Hose
- Towels
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (no spray)
- Merchandise for purchase
Please make sure you understand the cancellation policy at the time of booking your Boat Charter.
Most charters will not cancel a boat charter due to rain. Passing rain showers are notorious in the Virgin Islands (and they can feel really good). Some of the greatest memories happen on a rainy day on the water!
If you need to cancel, each boat charter has a different policy regarding refunds or rescheduling your charter. With a two week notice, most all charters will refund 100%. If you cancel within a 48 hour period of your boat charter and they are not able to rebook your charter, you will be responsible for full payment.
Yes, Saint John Boat Charters, LLC is a woman-owned licensed business in the Virgin Islands as a Tour Broker, as well as Internet Sales and Advertising. We are also a member of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association.
All prices are OUR PARTNERS. Saint John Boat Charters is very diligent to reflect the correct price on OUR PARTNERS Listings, although sometimes OUR PARTNERS may change their prices without notice. Which means the FareHarbor online booking prices are correct and honored.
If our Listing prices are lower than the FareHarbor online booking price for OUR PARTNERS, the FareHarbor online booking price will be the price charged to the Guest. We apologize for any inconvenience and we will update OUR PARTNERS Listing prices ASAP.
