Half the magic of staying on St. John is that the British Virgin Islands are right there. From Cruz Bay you can be at the Indians by 10 a.m., the Baths at Virgin Gorda by lunch, and home for a rooftop sunset on the same day. Here's how a BVI day sail actually works out of St. John, and the four classic routes people pick.
Customs and paperwork
BVI is a separate country. You need a current passport (everyone on board), and the captain handles BVI customs entry — typically at West End, Soper's Hole on Tortola. Allow 45 minutes for entry and another 30 on the way back into USVI. Bring some BVI dollars (US dollars are accepted; cash tip the customs agents).
Route 1 — The Baths + Cooper Island
The signature day. Cruz Bay departure around 8:30 a.m., customs at West End, snorkel the Indians, mooring at the Baths for a granite-boulder swim-through, lunch at Cooper Island Beach Club. Home by 6. Best with calm trades — Baths moorings get rough on big swell days.
Route 2 — Jost Van Dyke (Soggy Dollar / White Bay)
The party day. Foxy's at Great Harbour for a Painkiller, swim from the boat to the beach at White Bay for another Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar (no dock — that's the joke). Add Sandy Spit or Sandy Cay for a last snorkel. Easy 30-minute crossing from St. John.
Route 3 — Norman Island caves + Pirates Bight
Lower-key. Snorkel the caves at the Bight (the original "Treasure Island"), then lunch and a swim at Pirates Bight on the beach. Shorter day, good for first-time sailors or smaller kids.
Route 4 — Anegada (advance only)
The remote outer island. Lobster lunch at Anegada Reef Hotel, Flash of Beauty beach, the whole sea-turtle scene. Long day — plan it as a 12-hour outing or stage from a closer mooring the night before. Not every day-charter operator runs it; ask early.
What a private day actually costs
A private captained day on a 50' catamaran like Stella Blue runs roughly $3,500–$5,500 for the boat (not per person) including captain and fuel, with food, drinks, BVI fees, and gratuity on top. Spread across 8 guests, that's $500–$750 per person for what is genuinely the best day of most people's trip.
How to book one
If you're staying with us, ask about Stella Blue when you book the villa — winter dates fill 3–6 months out. If you're staying elsewhere on St. John, Captain Frank's, Sadie Sea, and Cruz Bay Watersports also run shared and private days. For the full rundown, see our guide to private sailing charters from St. John.
Part of the Things to Do in St. John, USVI: The Insider's Guide.
Frequently asked
›Do I need a passport to day-sail from St. John to the BVI?
Yes. You're crossing into a different country (British Virgin Islands). A valid US passport is required, plus current BVI entry fees and any seasonal health forms.
›How long is the sail from St. John to the BVI?
From Cruz Bay to Jost Van Dyke is about 45 minutes by power catamaran, 90 minutes by sail. Norman Island and The Indians are a similar ride southeast.
›What's the best BVI day trip from St. John?
Jost Van Dyke (Soggy Dollar, White Bay) for atmosphere, or Norman Island and The Indians for snorkeling. Most charters combine the two over a full day.
Keep reading
Things to Do
Private Sailing & Day Charters from St. John, USVI
How private sailing charters from St. John work — pricing, what's included, where you'll go (BVI, Christmas Cove, Norman Island), and how to pair a villa stay with a private day aboard a 50' catamaran.
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Villa + Yacht: The Best Way to See the Virgin Islands
Why pairing a St. John villa with a private day-charter catamaran beats either format alone — costs, logistics, and a sample week-long itinerary.
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