Just imagine this: lying on your back in crystal-clear waters, your eyes closed and head tilted toward the sky, the sun beams down on your body enriching you in Vitamin D and the only sound you can hear are the waves gently washing on shore. You dive down into the sea again and resurface, wiping the salt from your face, and what do you see: Trunk Bay in all its glory. This is a common scene on a sailing charter in the US Virgin Islands.
With Sail LUNA, not only do you have the opportunity to visit famous beaches like Trunk Bay but you also get introduced to hidden gems such as Maho Bay and Waterlemon Cay. Their week-long trips in the US Virgin Islands are legendary – six nights of sailing, swimming and snorkeling while aboard the luxurious LUNA catamaran with your hosts Captain Nim and Chef Fabiola. It’s the perfect Caribbean getaway for four guests.
The yacht itself, LUNA as she is called, is a brand new 2019 Lagoon 450S which oozes grace and style. Three cabins are available for guests, each one featuring queen-sized beds and an en suite. Chef Fabiola, your private chef for the trip, cooks up a storm with gourmet meals like ceviche served in the dining areas. The outside has several areas designated for lounging and sunbathing, so you can take in those beautiful views in comfort.
Being out on the water offers a truly unique experience during every waking hour. Mornings are best enjoyed right before dawn as you watch the sun slowly creep up over the horizon with a coffee in hand. Nights are ideal for stargazing from the bow. In between these indelible moments, you will be sailing off to another stunning island, beach, snorkel or port – all under the splendid sunshine that the US Virgin Islands is famous for.
Whether you are a family of four, a group of friends or a couple of lovebirds on your honeymoon – this sailing charter is a journey that you will cherish forever. Each sail can be tailored to suit your preferences. Friends may want to go on adventures, be it hiking nature trails or stopping by beach bars and rum distilleries. Couples, on the other hand, might not be able to resist the temptation to go island and beach hopping the entire time.
Even if you want to go for longer than a week (say 10 days), Sail LUNA can cater to your requirements on a prorated basis. Remembering too that their charters are all-inclusive and don’t have any hidden costs. The main thing to consider before booking is what type of itinerary you would like to have. Below we will share a few ideas on how, together with Nim and Fabiola, you can create your dream charter through the US Virgin Islands.
10 Things To Do on a Sailing Charter in the US Virgin Islands
A few weeks prior to your charter, Sail LUNA sends you a questionnaire where you can share what type of experiences your group prefers. Based on this info, an itinerary will be designed. Perhaps there are a couple of places or activities that you want to tick off your bucket list but the rest should be enjoyed spontaneously along the way. For those who aren’t well versed in the islands, here are some of the best experiences you can enjoy:
1. Try NY Style Pizza on a Floating Restaurant, Pizza Pi
A sailing charter in the US Virgin Islands with Sail LUNA starts in St Thomas and the first port of call is usually Christmas Cove, located just a short sail from Charlotte Amalie but only accessed by boat. Alongside snorkeling in Christmas Cove, you will get the chance to swing by a floating restaurant called Pizza Pi. This pizzeria dishes up delicious New York style pizza in the middle of the bay. It’s regarded as the best pizza in the Caribbean.
2. Visit the World’s Most Beautiful Beach, Trunk Bay
Not many beaches in the world compare to the natural beauty on offer at Trunk Bay. Situated on the island of St John in Virgin Islands National Park, this heart-shaped beach is so photogenic that you won’t be able to stop marveling at it or taking photos. But of course, the only way to immerse in the beach is to walk along its soft sands and dive into its turquoise waters. There is no better way to do this than on a sailing charter with Sail LUNA.
3. Enjoy Family-Friendly Moments at Maho Bay
Another fantastic beach in St John is Maho Bay. This one is a favorite with Nim and Fabiola at Sail LUNA because it’s blessed with coconut trees, white sand and gorgeous waters. The bay is quite shallow, making it the perfect place for children to play while they build sandcastles on shore. Green sea turtles can also be found in the shallow sea grass beds – even the adults will love searching for these awesome little creatures at Maho Bay.
4. Go Snorkeling at the Stunning Waterlemon Cay
Waterlemon Cay is the best snorkeling spot on St John, if not in the whole US Virgin Islands. The cay is home to interesting marine life species such as green sea turtles, starfish, parrot fish and coral. The most ideal conditions are found on the western edge of the cay as it is protected from the wind. Arriving at Waterlemon Cay on a Sail LUNA charter is the better option, otherwise you have to do a bit of walking and swimming to get there.
5. Hike the Lovely Annaberg Historic Trail
Waterlemon Cay is in Leinster Bay. As soon as you have finished snorkeling, you could head ashore to go on a little hiking adventure with Sail LUNA. The Annaberg Historic Trail is nearby and set in the Virgin Islands National Park. The hike is a leisurely stroll taking you along the water’s edge with beautiful views throughout. Highlights of the walk include seeing ruins of an old Danish sugar factory and panoramic vistas from the top.
6. Check out the Beaches of Coral Bay
Coral Bay is a charming little town of St John – home to sailors who live in their boats and residents on the hills overlooking the Caribbean Sea. With Sail LUNA, you can cruise over to the southeastern side of the island where Coral Bay is located and explore the beaches that make this place so idyllic. Places like Hansen Bay and Salt Pond are worth checking out as well as hiking trails taking you to fascinating petroglyphs carved into rocks.
7. Walk along Reef Bay Trail to See Petroglyphs
For those who want to continue their adventures in Coral Bay, rather than head back to the yacht, you can hike the Reef Bay Trail. It’s a strenuous walk (7km return), so only those prepared for the challenge should go. The trail features waterfalls in the rainy season, massive old trees, sugar plantation ruins and petroglyphs carved in rocks by the pre-Columbia Taino Indians who were living on the island of St John hundreds of years ago.
8. Relax at the Pristine Honeymoon Beach, St John
Honeymoon Beach is just as seductive as it sounds. The water here is calm like a pool and warmed up by the Caribbean sun that beats down endlessly. You could easily spend the whole day at the beach sunbathing on the sand, reading a book in the shade under a tree and wading through the soothing waters. During this relaxing experience, views of St Thomas and other islands will keep the eyes busy fixated on the breathtaking vistas on offer.
9. Anchor Overnight at the Magnificent Magens Bay
Much like Trunk Bay, Magens Bay is another one of those globally celebrated beaches. It has been featured on lists of the “most beautiful beaches in the world” by publications like National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler. Magens Bay is characterized by a mile of white sand beach combined with lush hilly landscapes surrounding it. On a sailing charter in the US Virgin Islands with Sail LUNA you can even anchor overnight here.
10. See the Smallest US Virgin Island, Water Island
Small in size but large in stature, Water Island is a must-visit on every sailing charter in the US Virgin Islands. Typically this is one of the last spots visited by Sail LUNA on their circumnavigation of the territory. The island gets its name from the fact that the European settlers discovered lots of fresh water on the islet. Another “Honeymoon Beach” is where Sail LUNA anchors for the night, a slice of paradise offering superb snorkeling.
Tips for your Sailing Charter in the US Virgin Islands
There is simply no better sailing charter in the US Virgin Islands than Sail LUNA. Captain Nim and Chef Fabiola are the friendliest of hosts who care deeply about the experience guests have aboard their catamaran. They want each trip to be special in its own way, and they always make room for a bit of spontaneity and surprise along the journey. To finish up, we are going to provide you with some tips to help you make the most of your sail.
For starters, you don’t have to think too much about planning all the little details around your USVI charter. There is no need to meticulously study a map of the islands or have a rigid plan of how you are going to spend each hour of your vacation because that is what Sail LUNA is here for. Nim is an experienced captain who has sailed extensively throughout the Caribbean, while Fabiola is an award-winning chef who grew up on sailboats.
By all means fill out their questionnaire with any preferences you have but don’t get bogged down in the details, let Nim and Fabiola work their magic to create a bespoke itinerary that is perfect for you. Secondly, all dietary requirements can be tweaked to match your needs. Vegetarians and vegans can be accommodated as well as pescatarians and those who can’t eat gluten. Fabiola is a creative chef who can whip up a variety of dishes.
Finally, US citizens should note that no passport is required to enter the US Virgin Islands as this is a territory of the United States. This applies to every island under the territory. Of course, if you wish to explore other Caribbean destinations then you will need to do some research to check the visa rules. US Dollars are used on these islands too – and it’s a good idea to have cash on you for things like taxi rides to the airport and shore excursions.
