Yacht Charter Itinerary St. Thomas to St. Martin, Motor Yacht
Aerial View of St. Thomas
Day 1: Start this yacht charter itinerary in St. Thomas by boarding your charter yacht to enjoy lunch alfresco with lovely water views while cruising to an anchorage on nearby Water Island for a first swim in the beautiful Caribbean blue green waters.
After lunch head to Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas, located on the northern side of St. Thomas. This bay is well protected by land on three sides and is an excellent overnight anchorage location. This is the perfect location for water sports fun. Perhaps go ashore to Magen’s Bay Bar and grill, which is a fun location for a before dinner drink. Overnight on anchor.
Ruins of Annaberg Plantation
Day 2: In the morning depart for Cruz Bay, the heart of St. John Island, which is just a short cruise away. Head ashore for a short walk to Mongoose Junction to visit the local shops and galleries for the morning, and perhaps pick up a bit of the Caribbean to bring home. Return back on board to cruise to Waterlemon Cay to anchor for lunch.
60% of the land of St. John, which is one of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, is part of the Virgin Islands National Park. St. John is the smallest and least populated of the three United States Virgin Islands and has white sand beached, beautiful bays, and virgin forests.
Waterlemon Cay is a top location for snorkeling, with a diversity of marine life and coral including purple sea fans, Boulder and Grooved Brain Coral, Mustard Hill Coral, Elkhorn, and Pillar Corals. the variety of fish is also extraordinary including Atlantic Blue Tangs, Bluehead Wrasses, an assortment of Parrotfish, blennies, grunts, damsels, and Squirrelfish.
Located at on the eastern end of Leinster Bay, along St. John’s north shore, this part of St. John was a favorite spot in Colonial days, with the ruins of Annaberg Plantation close by and accessible by a late afternoon hike for anyone that wants to stretch their legs. This Plantation was one of several St. John’s plantations owned in the 1720s and 1730s by Frederick Moth, the first Danish Governor of St. Croix and, later, the Governor General of the Danish West Indies. In the early 1800’s, Annaberg, was one of St. John’s biggest sugar producers, also producing molasses and rum for export. By 1808 Annaberg Plantation covered nearly 1,300 acres and included Mary’s Point, Betty’s Hope, Munsbury, Leinster Bay and Brown Bay. By 1871, the plantation went into decline and was eventually abandoned.
Cannons on the Roof of Fort Christiansvaern
Day 3: In the early morning cruise the 35 nautical miles to St. Croix, the furthest away and largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Stop at Buck Island National Park to play in shimmering blue water and explore spectacular coral reefs. The island boasts exceptional wildlife. Anchor here for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.
Arawak and Caribe inhabitants were the original natives of this island, and after with the advent of European settlement, control shifted between Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, the Knights of Malta, Denmark, and the United States, with all nationalities leaving a mark on the island. Visiting just the two main towns of Saint Croix will give you a glimpse of the island’s incredible history, from regal 18th and 19th-century homes in Christiansted to a tropical rain forest in Frederiksted. The island was developed with sugar and cotton plantations.
After lunch cruise to Christiansted and head ashore to explore this town. The town was founded by Frederick Moth after he was made the Danish governor of St. Croix in 1733. The people of Christiansted have done an excellent job in preserving the 18th-century Danish-style buildings which, along with the fort, were constructed by African slaves. Solid stone buildings painted in pastel colors with bright red tile roofs line the cobblestone sidewalks, giving Christiansted a feel of 18th-century European/Danish architectural style. Because the town was constructed by African slaves, there are felt to be many African influences in Christiansted’s design as well, making it today, one of the few “African-Danish” towns in the world.
Visit historic Fort Christiansvaern in town on 7 acres for a self-guided tour. Fort Christiansvaern, built when St. Croix was under control of Denmark, was started in 1738 to protect the harbor from foreign invaders, privateers, and possibly pirates, The original fort remains largely unaltered and served as the focal point for Danish control of the island. Today, Fort Christiansvaern is one of the best-preserved colonial forts in the Caribbean and features exhibits of the history of Christiansted and life on the island of St. Croix.
If weather permits, anchor just outside of Salt River Bay National Park for the night. Salt River Bay is a living museum on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Prehistoric and colonial-era archeological sites and ruins are located here in a 1,015-acre park created in 1992 and today jointly managed by the National Park Service and Government of the United States Virgin Islands.
Salt River Bay is one of the Caribbean’s rare bioluminescent bays. St. Croix is home to not one, but two of these rare bioluminescent bays, the other being Altona Lagoon. The crew will rent sea kayaks for all that want to experience the thrill of being surrounded by nature’s “living lights” at night, as no motorized boats are allowed into the nature preserve, only those paddled by hand. Paddle into the bay after dark, to see the swirl of bioluminescence with every movement of the water. During the night leave to cruise to St. Barths.
Gustavia, St. Barts
Day 4: Wake up in St. Barts the San Tropez of the Caribbean anchored in Anse de Colombier. Scenic and well protected, this horseshoe-shaped bay at the western tip of St. Barts is popular for its beauty, beach, and snorkeling. On the southern side is a house built by the Rockefeller family, which once owned Anse de Colombier. Now it’s part of the St. Barts Marine Reserve. Relax and enjoy the beauty of this bay, perhaps water sports, and scuba diving.
After lunch cruise into the Port of Gustavia St Jean where café’s, fine shops, exclusive wine stores, galleries and unique boutiques line this harbor, to dock overnight. A regular hangout for celebrities, you might happen upon an impromptu concert by Jimmy Buffett at LeSelect. Nightlife abounds in St Barts. There are lovely beaches and anchorages around St. Barts, and chic dining locations as well in and outside of Gustavia.
St. Barts, also known as St. Barths and St. Barthelemy, is located in the French West Indies and, at eight miles long, is one of the tiniest islands in the entire Caribbean. St. Barts is a duty free port, and shoppers will be delighted with the range and number of shops. Perhaps this is the night to make a dinner reservation at one of the top St. Bart’s restaurants. Stroll the streets of Gustavia after dinner, perhaps stopping for an after dinner drink in a street side café. Overnight dockside.
Anguilla
Day 5: Cruise from St. Barts towards Anguilla, stopping at Ilse Fourchue, a small islet for lunch, swimming, relaxing and using the water toys for the afternoon. There is great snorkeling around this privately owned islet inhabited only by goats. Late afternoon, continue on to Anguilla to overnight.
Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory, 16 miles long and 3 miles at the widest point. Boasting 33 white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, a contemporary international style, and extraordinary vistas, Anguilla may be the highlight of your cruise after you drop anchor to explore this idyllic tropical island. Slower than St. Barths with a more tranquil feel, Anguilla is still a very chic island visited by the world’s Famous Names.
Nightlife in Anguilla has come a long way in the last few years. While perhaps not the chic St. Barts nightlife, the local Anguillan bands will keep you on your feet dancing to Reggae. And who knows who you might spot in the crowd and this island is a popular island for the “in- crowd” to blend in casually for fun in the sun.
Spend the afternoon anchored in the national park, enjoying the lovely water and many coral gardens. Overnight on anchor.
Anguilla Beach
Day 6: In the morning head ashore. Visit art galleries, tour historic sites and museums, go horseback riding, dance to island beats, snorkel, or simply bask in the sun and enjoy quiet sunset strolls. The pinnacle of gastronomic delights include over 70 dining experiences presented by a cadre of world renowned international and award-winning local chefs. For pampering, resorts and independent spas offer the latest in spa and wellness facilities, services, and treatments.
In the afternoon, snorkel off beautiful reefs looking for sea turtles and shy rays. Sample the world-class resort of Cap Jaluca or Malliouhana and then relax in the seclusion of Mead’s or Barnes Bay.
St. Martin Beach
Day 7: Cruise to Tintamarre a little small island between Anguilla and St. Martin for a private picnic lunch on the beach.
Sixty percent of St. Martin or Saint-Martin is owned by France and forty percent of St. Martin or Sint Marteen is owned by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. For this little tropical island is an island owned by two countries, and life ashore reflects the life, culture, traditions and even the languages of these two parent nations.
In the afternoon head to Orient Bay. Situated on the northeast coast of French St. Martin, the bay is known for its beautiful white sandy beach. While the bay is also known for many restaurants and boutiques there is a quieter side as well to enjoy a relaxing evening in a scenic anchorage. Overnight on anchor.
Day 8: Disembark in St. Martin.