United States Virgin Islands

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) form a compact cruising area with short passages between islands. Movement between St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix gives access to distinctly different cruising environments from busy harbours to serene anchorages, all supported by well-developed yachting infrastructure.

St. Thomas is known for yachting facilities ranging from full-service marinas to good provisioning locations, with activity centered around the capital, Charlotte Amalie.

St. John is appreciated for its natural landscapes, numerous protected anchorages and many hiking trails. Visitors to St John often visit the Annaberg Sugar Plantation, a well-preserved historic site that illustrates the island’s plantation history. The Reef Bay Trail walk combines an easy forest hike with time to linger at one of the island’s most distinctive archaeological sites where petroglyphs, carved rock symbols, sit beside a shaded waterfall and pool in a natural rock amphitheatre.

St. Croix, the southernmost island, is less visited and has a quieter feel.

Places to stay

Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Anchorages

	Buck Island Anchorage	5.0 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Buck Island attracts visitors for its exploration opportunities with beaches and reefs. Reports indicate anchoring conditions held well under 15-20 knot winds in January. An anchoring permit is no longer required for visiting Buck Island Reef National Monument.
	Pelican Rock South	4.6 ★	Review summary: Sheltered from swells, this anchorage provides calm waters ideal for anchoring. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling at Pelican Rock, where living coral and a variety of marine life, including turtles, are commonly observed. The anchorage is less busy, enhancing the tranquility of the stay.
	Brewers Bay	4.5 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at Brewers Bay involves navigating around coral and submerged cables. The location is known for a calm setting due to the airport runway acting as a breakwater. Sea turtles are a common sight, and opportunities for shell collecting on the beach are highlighted.
	Magens Bay, St Thomas	4.1 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Magens Bay offers convenience with ample space and good holding in sandy bottoms. The area is popular for its quiet and secluded atmosphere, though larger yachts may occasionally visit. Availability of amenities includes a restaurant open until 5 PM.
	Christiansted Harbor	4.1 ★	Review summary: Access to Christiansted Harbor offers easy dinghy dock access and beautiful views. The anchorage provides a comfortable experience behind the reef with effective shelter from swells. A minor challenge is frequent seaplane activity near anchored boats, which some find characteristic of the location.
	Christmas Cove	3.8 ★	Review summary: Christmas Cove is a popular anchorage with good sandy holding and several mooring balls. It experiences significant daily boat traffic, which subsides in the evening, offering quieter conditions. Swimmers should exercise caution due to the frequent boat movement throughout the day.
	Frederiksted Anchorage	3.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring near the Frederiksted Pier offers very good holding due to grass and sand bottoms. The area features excellent snorkeling and diving with abundant marine life. However, music from the shoreline can become quite loud, especially during festive seasons, impacting overnight stays.
	Red Hook, St Thomas	3.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring around the private moorings at Red Hook, St Thomas can be rolly due to ferry wakes. Visitors often anchor to the east among large yachts. Mooring availability is limited, pushing anchoring to less congested areas.
	Jersey Bay	3.7 ★	Review summary: Anchoring at this location offers good holding in sandy areas, though visitors should beware of ample grass patches. Daytime boat traffic is notable, yet the area settles to calm conditions at night.

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Marinas

	Crown Bay Marina	3.3 ★	Review summary: Staying at Crown Bay Marina offers easy access to a well-stocked supermarket within walking distance, noted by several visitors. Its convenience for airport connections is also highlighted, though it is considered expensive by multiple Reviews.
	American Yacht Harbor	3.3 ★	Review summary: Access to American Yacht Harbor includes helpful staff on docking and line handling. While the marina's price is high, it offers nearby restaurants and provides water and power at each slip. Visitors appreciate the friendly assistance, although amenities are limited.

Moorings

	Little Lameshur Bay	5.0 ★	Review summary: With good shelter and access to mooring buoys, the bay provides a peaceful setting for visitors. They enjoy easy beach access and exploring local features like a sugar mill. Reports describe very good protection, contributing to a pleasant and undisturbed stay.
	Maho Bay, St John	5.0 ★	Review summary: Mooring in Maho Bay presents a well-maintained environment with clear, shallow waters. Visitors enjoy the abundance of marine life, including turtles and fish, in a setting that offers minimal current. The bay provides easy access to mooring balls, enhancing the experience.
	Waterlemon Bay	4.8 ★	Review summary: Anchoring in Waterlemon Bay offers minimal water movement inshore, providing a relaxing stay. Freediving and snorkeling are popular activities with sightings of marine life such as turtles and rays. The bay is well-sheltered from the east, featuring a nearby trail to Annaberg Plantation ruins.
	Great Lameshur Bay	4.7 ★	Review summary: Great Lameshur Bay is well-protected with mooring balls available, offering calm and clear waters. Visitors appreciate the easy access to shore and hiking trails with visible squid when snorkeling. A dinghy dock allows for convenient shore excursions and waste disposal.
	Buck Island	4.7 ★	Review summary: Arriving around lunchtime may offer visitors ample day-use moorings at Buck Island. Snorkeling enthusiasts can enjoy clear water, exploring large boulders. Reviewers highlight the underwater landscape, which includes diverse sea life and occasional coral like fire coral.

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Boatyards and services

Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:

Chandlers

	Budget Marine St. Thomas	4.0 ★	Review summary: Budget Marine in St. Thomas features a good supply of essential items like paint and sandpaper for yard work. Electronics are available for order but often not in stock. Prices are typical for the Caribbean, albeit higher than some U.S. locations for specific goods.
No image	Quantum Sails	4.0 ★	Review summary: Genoa sail repairs are available, with timely completion being a highlight.
No image	Island Marine Outfitters	3.0 ★	Review summary: This chandler offers helpful staff but has limited inventory, with suggestions for more stock. It is noted for having more variety than its west location but less than Budget. Overall service includes helpful assistance, though inventory limitations are apparent.
	Island Marine Outfitters	3.0 ★	Review summary: Island Marine Outfitters has a limited selection of items, as noted in the single Review available. Visitors should seek additional information about the store's offerings before planning a visit.

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This table summarizes first-hand reviews from sailors who have checked in to United States Virgin Islands .

Useful yacht clearance links

Navigation is mostly line‑of‑sight between the main islands, but reefs and shoal areas mean careful navigation is required.

In the quieter months there is less general visitor traffic in the USVI, but harbours, fuel docks, and key marine services remain available to yachts using the islands as a base or stopover. Most cruisers move their boats to boatyards further south for storage, while others stay in the territory on haul‑out or secure moorings.

• Best times of year to sail here: December to March
• Most common type of shore power: 120/240 V V, 60 Hz
• Cost for provisioning: High. Local markets offer reasonably priced staples but imported goods are noticeably more expensive than in the USA
• Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Personal security: Generally safe with standard precautions recommended in urban areas
• Emergency phone numbers:
  • Police: 911
  • Ambulance: 911
  • Fire Service: 911
• International dialing code: +1 340
• Time zone(s): UTC -4

The maritime history of the United States Virgin Islands is shaped by their sheltered harbours and position along key Caribbean sea routes. Before European contact, Indigenous communities used the surrounding waters for fishing and inter-island travel. European interest followed quickly after Columbus passed the islands in 1493, driven less by agriculture and more by their value as ports and waypoints.

Under Danish rule from the 17th to 19th centuries, St Thomas developed into one of the Caribbean’s most important free ports. Its deep, protected harbour attracted merchant shipping, naval vessels, and privateers, making it a focal point for regional trade rather than plantation output. Maritime infrastructure, fortifications, and customs systems were built to support constant ship traffic and transshipment.

The transfer of the islands to the United States in 1917 reinforced their strategic maritime role. Naval facilities were expanded during the 20th century, particularly around Charlotte Amalie, while commercial shipping declined relative to neighbouring hubs. Recreational sailing grew steadily after World War II as cruising yachts began using the islands’ short passages and sheltered bays.

Today, the USVI’s maritime identity is dominated by recreational boating. Mooring fields, protected anchorages, and national park waters define how visiting yachts use the islands, with cruising routes centred on short hops between St Thomas, St John, and St Croix rather than long-distance trade. The modern sailing landscape reflects centuries of harbour-focused maritime use adapted to contemporary cruising patterns.