Saint Croix sits 40 miles south of the main USVI cluster, and reaching it by sailing yacht is a proper offshore passage: a beam reach from Saint John or an upwind beat from Tortola that takes a full day and covers open Atlantic water rather than protected Sir Francis Drake Channel. That distance is precisely what makes Saint Croix interesting for sailing charterers who want more from a week than marina-to-marina island hopping.
The crewed sailing charter fleet available in the USVI and Caribbean numbers around 19 published yachts, from modern performance sloops capable of covering the Saint John-to-Saint Croix passage in under six hours to long-range ketches whose seakeeping makes the offshore section comfortable for guests of any experience level. Christiansted Harbour provides a rewarding arrival: the town waterfront, Danish colonial architecture and clear blue water make a perfect backdrop for the first sundowner.
Weekly sailing charter rates in the USVI range from approximately 50,000 to 120,000 euros. The advance provisioning allowance of 30 percent covers provisioning, fuel for engine-assisted passages and the modest USVI customs fees. Sailing yachts burn a fraction of a motor yacht’s fuel on the offshore passage, so the APA largely covers quality provisioning. The peak season from January to April brings the most consistent trade winds and the clearest water visibility.
From Christiansted a sailing itinerary can push south toward Puerto Rico’s Vieques and Culebra on a day’s sail, or focus on the Saint Croix circuit: Buck Island’s barrier reef on the morning reach, the east end anchorages in the afternoon, and a long coastal sail along the south shore to Frederiksted for the evening. The return beat to the BVI makes for a satisfying final passage before the charter concludes.
