Of all the St John boat charters you could book, the best days on the water share three things: turquoise water, quiet coves and zero rush. Here’s what a day aboard RocknRolla really looks like, from the moment we leave Cruz Bay to the last swim before sunset.
St John is one of those places you have to see from the water. About 60 percent of the island is protected as Virgin Islands National Park, so green hills roll straight down to white-sand beaches with no high-rises in sight. The best seat in the house is the bow of the boat, feet hanging over the water.
Why choose a private St John boat charter?
Taxis and crowded beaches only show you part of the island. A private St John boat charter means the boat, the captain and the day belong to your group alone. You can:
- Skip the crowds and anchor in quiet coves that are hard or impossible to reach by land
- Set your own pace, from long snorkels to long naps
- Snorkel where the water is clearest, with stops chosen for that day’s conditions
- See St John’s coastline from the north shore bays to the quiet south shore
Shared tours follow a fixed schedule with strangers. Private St John boat charters follow yours.
What the water is really like
Look at the photo above. That isn’t a filter. The water around St John glows turquoise over white sand and sea grass, and on a calm day you can see the bottom straight from the boat.
That clarity is why snorkeling here is so good. Turtles, rays and reef fish are often just a few strokes from the swim ladder.
Where a St John boat charter can take you
Every route is planned around wind and swell, so the day’s stops change with the weather. Depending on conditions, a day might include:
- Waterlemon Cay for some of the island’s best reef snorkeling
- Maho Bay and Francis Bay for sea turtles grazing on the sea grass
- Salt Pond Bay and the quieter south shore coves
- Honeymoon Beach for an easy swim stop close to Cruz Bay
Want to see these spots first? Browse our St John boat charter videos and the St John gallery.
Snorkeling, swimming and doing absolutely nothing
Not every stop needs an activity. Some of the best moments on a charter are the quiet ones: anchored in a calm bay, a cold drink on the bow, clouds drifting over the hills. When you’re ready, hop in and explore.
What’s included on RocknRolla
- Your own captain and boat for the day: see the boats
- Snorkel gear, cooler, water and ice, floatie noodles and all the smaller details to make for a great day on the water.
- Group size: up to 6 guests for the Rocknrolla boat, 8 guests for the Rockstar boat
- Departure from Cruz Bay, St John
Tips for your St John boat charter
- Book early in high season, December to April, when the best dates go first.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen. USVI law bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene to protect the coral.
- Pack light: towel, sunglasses, a hat and a waterproof phone case.
- Leave the schedule at home. The best charter days are the ones without a tight plan.
Book your private St John boat charter
Ready for your own day on the water? See pricing and booking
