What is a Bareboat Charter?
A bareboat charter means that you bring the crew and we will bring the boat. Bareboat sailing is one of the best ways to enjoy sailing. Unlike a traditional fully-crewed yacht vacation, bareboating allows qualified sailors to act as their own captains while creating custom itineraries around the islands.
With bareboating, you have the opportunity to visit where you want and spend as much time as you wish exploring, which allows for a more personalized experience. Whether that means exploring uncharted beaches, snorkeling in undiscovered coves, or simply taking your time to find your own perfect sanctuary.
A bareboat charter in the Virgin Islands provides an unique and entertaining opportunity to experience adventure. If you are looking for an opportunity to be in charge and create your own style vacation while sailing throughout the Caribbean, then a bareboat charter would be one of the best options for you!
Bareboating allows experienced sailors more control and room to cruise based on their own schedule and preference, rather than having a predetermined itinerary. When you charter a bareboat in the Virgin Islands, you decide how long to stay in a certain location or anchorage, and also where you want to sail each day whether it is one place or multiple beaches or stopping points while sailing in the Virgin Islands. You can personalize your sailing experience while enjoying time spent in the Caribbean.
Bareboat and Captain Only Yacht Charters in the U.S. & US/Spanish Virgin Islands!
Our fleet of 32′ to 50′ yachts, designed and constructed by Island Packet Yachts, Tartan Yachts, and Blue Jacket are known for their excellent quality of construction and commodious interiors. We take pride in the unique niche we have established in the bareboat industry primarily guided by the quality of our boats, our personal attention and the ideal fleet location in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Unequaled Attention to Detail
Unlike many other larger bareboat companies whose offices and owners are stateside, IYC owners lead a full staff of on island marine industry professionals. This means that the people who answer your initial inquiry will also be the same greeting you upon your arrival to board your yacht, allowing for a great deal of accountability for our product from the start.
Why Charter with IYC vs Others?
We are on island, owner operated, and committed to delivering a more personal charter experience. Island Yacht Charters is a private and family owned operated business that strives to make every charter out to the Virgin Islands personal. We have been providing guests with the opportunity to visit the Virgin Islands since 1977.
As opposed to larger charter companies that operate at a distance from the islands, we take a hands-on approach, with the goal of ensuring that every charter feels personal. Our team works with guests to choose the best yacht available from our fleet of quality monohulls and share local suggestions while providing assistance with charter details, with the objective of creating a seamless experience from start to finish.
Our goal is not simply to provide a yacht for your trip, but to help create an experience tailored to your sailing plans and preferences. Whether you want to complete a short weekend escape or a long bareboat charter vacation in the US Virgin Islands, our local knowledge and support from your arrival to your departure will make your charter experience as seamless as possible.
In the US Virgin Islands, guests that are looking to charter a bareboat generally desire direct contact with their charter company and local knowledge, including assistance in planning routes, determining where they should go, and preparing for their time on the water. Our staff enjoys being able to provide our customers with the tools necessary for them to feel comfortable and prepared before they go out to sea.
Ideal location + Destinations List
Located in Red Hook on the island of St. Thomas, we refer to our location as “the front door” to primetime cruising grounds throughout the Caribbean. Our base provides guests with an ideal starting point for a bareboat charter in St Thomas, along with convenient access to some of the best sailing destinations in the Caribbean.
- St John, USVI – Approximately 45 minutes by boat, quick access to beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and some of the most popular destinations in the Virgin Islands.
- St Croix – About a 6 hour sail at a comfortable angle of reach, leading to a historic island known for its unique charm, culture, and scenic coastal views.
- Culebra – Approximately 5.5 hours away, offering a relaxed island scenery, beautiful anchorage, and a laid back Caribbean atmosphere.
- Culebrita – Easy access from Culebra which allowed for additional exploration, with quiet beaches and striking spots that are perfect for enjoying time on the water.
- Vieques – The Spanish Virgin Islands are farther into the cruising grounds, providing additional opportunities to explore stunning coastlines and island destinations.
Red Hook will provide you with an easy and convenient access point for your USVI bareboat sailing charters, Spanish Virgin Islands sailing charters, and any other customized bareboat charter itinerary.
If you are planning extra time on St. Thomas before or after your charter, consider staying at Villa Nathalie to continue your island experience before setting sail.
Nearby conveniences
Provisioning is available and reasonably priced at Moe’s Market, an excellent, full service market located directly across the street from our IYC base. Also conveniently located in Red Hook are ATM’s, a dive shop, a postal service, a pharmacy,
a full-service medical center, and many excellent restaurants.
Bareboat Charter Requirements
When planning to bareboat sail in the Virgin Islands, it is important to have previous sailing experience and be an experienced sailor before chartering, since the bareboat charter is total yacht control. The capability to navigate a boat through different conditions can greatly influence the enjoyment and safety of your chartering experience on the islands.
If an individual is interested in chartering a bareboat in the US Virgin Islands and has optimal sailing experience it can help create a smooth and enjoyable experience on the water. When someone is new to sailing or never chartered before, Island Yacht Charters will provide the appropriate yacht and charter option for an individual or family with respect to their sailing experience and level of sailing experience. Charterers who want to enjoy their Virgin Islands bareboat vacation will need to select a yacht that is appropriate for their individual sailing experience as well as their character and expectations from their boat trip experience.
IYC Specials
| 10 day for the price of 7 special! | Sail 10 nights for the price of 7 nights, from 11/15/25 - 7/31/27 |
| IYC is offering daysails with a captain for the 2025/27 season! | Please inquire for high season rates for charters less than 7-10 days |
Rates and Fees (all rates in USD)
| IYC Fleet | High Season | Mid Season | Mid Daily | Low Season | Low Daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP 440 | $6,900 | $6,400 | $640 | $5,900 | $590 |
| IP 460 | $7,800 | $7,300 | $730 | $6,800 | $680 |
| IP 465 | $8,500 | $8,000 | $800 | $7,500 | $750 |
| IP 485 | $9,500 | $9,000 | $900 | $8,500 | $850 |
| Blue Jacket 40 | $10,950 | $9,350 | $935 | $7,800 |
Mandatory Insurance - $60/day. Security Deposit - $1,000 to be held & refunded after charter, upon inspection of vessel.
Overnights - Optional overnights are offered the evening prior to charter commencement and are subject to availability. Contact us for availability and rate.
Dinghy Fee: $250.00 flat rate (for charters of longer duration, this fee is charged each time a guest should return for dinghy fuel/oil)
Optional Freelance Captains available. Rates: $350/night plus meals and customary 15-20% gratuity. Contact us for availability.
Generator Surcharge: $60/day. Shoreside AC on available vessels: $125/day
Captained day sails available on several IYC vessels for the 2025-2027 season - please inquire
Rates and Fees (per day)
| High Season | Rates are for 10 days | December 15 - April 30 |
| Mid Season | Rates are for 10 days | November 1 - December 14, May 1 - July 10 |
| Low Season | Rates are for 10 days | July 10 - August 10 |
IYC is closed for hurricane season August 11- October 31.
Mid and low season day rates are for charters less than 7 days.
Saturday starts allowed with arrival on board no later than 12pm. IYC is closed on Sundays, no start or returns allowed unless pre-arranged w/ IYC management. Overnights allowed any night but Saturday.
IYC Charters are for a full 10 full nights aboard.
Christmas & New Year week - add 10% to the 10-night rate.
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
What certifications do I need to bareboat charter in the USVI?
No certifications are required but are of course helpful. IYC looks for a minimum of 5 years of hands-on captain experience, with details to be shared via a sailing resume.
How far in advance should I book a bareboat charter in St. Thomas?
Winter charters should be booked 3-5 months in advance. Mid and low season 2 months in advance
Can I add a captain if I'm not confident sailing solo?
Yes, a captain can be reserved through IYC management. Captains run $375 - $450/day
What's included in the bareboat charter rate?
The sailboat itself, an inflatable dinghy w/ outboard, and fuel, 1 tank of water, linens and towels, basic cleaning supplies, full vessel inventory.
Can I sail to the BVI on a USVI bareboat charter?
Due to BVI government restrictions and inflated tariffs, IYC boats cannot enter BVI waters at this time. The IYC cruising ground is the US Virgin Islands and the US/Spanish Virgin Islands.
