BVI Private Charter to Jost Van Dyke on 32′ Power Catamaran

Jost Van Dyke is made for a late start. This private six-hour trip from St. Thomas puts your group on a 32-foot power catamaran headed straight for the British Virgin Islands, with the captain helping shape the day around beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and famous waterfront bars. I like the relaxed schedule, and I like having the whole boat for your own family or friends rather than sharing the ride with strangers. The possible drawback is the added cost: fuel, lunch, alcohol, and an $80-per-person customs fee are not included.

At $1,795 for up to 10 people, the charter can be good value for a full group, but less so for only two or three people. The 11 a.m. departure suits anyone who dislikes an early alarm, though six hours goes quickly once customs, boat travel, and stops are counted.

Key points at a glance

• Private use of Shady Lady: Your group shares the 32-foot power catamaran with the captain, and a mate may join for larger groups.
• A Jost Van Dyke focused day: The route skips a long list of islands and centers on White Bay, Sandy Spit, the Bubbly Pool, and nearby beach bars.
• Flexible planning: You can ask the captain to guide the day or request stops such as Soggy Dollar, Foxy’s, Foxy’s Taboo, Corsairs, and Hendos.
• Sandy Spit adds a quiet contrast: This small, uninhabited island offers a swim stop and a chance to walk on a deserted tropical beach.
• Useful basics are included: Ice, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment come with the charter.
• Budget for extras: Customs costs $80 per person, while fuel, lunch, and alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Why this Jost Van Dyke charter works

Many boat trips try to squeeze too much into one day. This one takes a simpler approach: leave Sapphire Beach Marina, clear customs, and spend your time on Jost Van Dyke. That focus matters because the island’s appeal is less about checking off many locations and more about settling into a good beach, finding a bar you like, and letting the clock slow down.

The boat is reserved for your group, up to 10 people. That gives you room to set the tone. You can make the day social and busy, or keep it easy with a swim, lunch, and a few hours on White Bay. The captain can help build the plan, but you are not locked into a fixed group itinerary.

I especially like this format for families and friend groups with different priorities. One person can snorkel, another can sit in the shade, and someone else can start lobbying for the next beach bar. On a shared excursion, those small disagreements shape the whole day. On a private charter, you have much more say.

The boat is called Shady Lady, a 32-foot power catamaran. The twin-hull design is well suited to a social day on the water, with space for a group and built-in coolers for ice and drinks. The available details do not specify seating, shade, or onboard restroom arrangements, so I would ask Shades of Blue Charters about those points before booking, especially for a full group.

Starting at Sapphire Beach Marina at 11 a.m.

The meeting point is Sapphire Beach Marina at 6720 Smith Bay Road in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. The scheduled start is 11 a.m., which gives this trip a different feel from the early-morning island-hopping charters common in the Virgin Islands.

That late start is one of the strongest reasons to choose it. You do not need to organize breakfast at dawn or rush onto the boat while still waking up. The tradeoff is clear, though: the charter lasts about six hours, so the later departure leaves less total time for stops than a full-day outing.

Once on board, the captain handles the boat and helps with the route. A mate is included for larger groups. The trip is private, so the crew can respond to your interests instead of managing a boatload of unrelated plans.

The first major practical step is clearing customs for the British Virgin Islands. The customs fee is $80 per person and is paid in addition to the charter price. Since the fee applies to each person, it can make a big difference to the final cost of a large group. I would include it in your budget from the start rather than treating it as a minor add-on.

Sandy Spit gives the day a quiet opening

A suggested first stop is Sandy Spit, a small uninhabited island sometimes called Corona Island because it appeared in Corona commercials. It is the kind of stop that gives your day breathing room before you settle into Jost Van Dyke’s beach-bar scene.

The attraction is simple. You can swim in clear tropical water, use the included snorkeling equipment, and step onto a small white-sand island with no restaurants or permanent businesses. Sandy Spit offers a useful contrast to White Bay, where the activity is concentrated around bars, music, and lunch spots.

Do not expect a long island visit. Sandy Spit is small, and the experience is about a swim and a short exploration rather than a full afternoon walk. That is also its charm. If your group wants quiet water and a quick taste of an uninhabited island, this stop earns its place.

If your priority is maximizing time at Jost Van Dyke, you can ask the captain how much time to spend here. The charter is flexible, but six hours is not unlimited. A long stop at Sandy Spit means less time for lunch or additional beach bars later.

The Bubbly Pool adds a playful stop

The Bubbly Pool is another suggested stop on Jost Van Dyke. Its name hints at the appeal: waves push water into a natural pool area, creating a bubbling effect. It offers a more active change of pace than simply sitting on the sand.

The exact conditions can vary, so your enjoyment will depend on the sea and weather on the day. This is a nature stop, not a polished attraction with a set show. Your captain can help determine if it is suitable during the visit.

I would treat the Bubbly Pool as a short stop rather than the central event. It works well between a swim and lunch, especially if your group likes seeing a few different sides of Jost Van Dyke. If your party mainly wants to relax at one beach bar, you may prefer to spend that time at White Bay instead.

White Bay is the main event

White Bay is the island’s best-known strip for beach bars, food, and easygoing waterfront time. The possible stops include Ivan’s Stress Free Bar, Hendo’s Hideout, Foxy’s, Corsairs, and the Soggy Dollar Bar. You can choose one or several, depending on your pace.

The Soggy Dollar is famous for the Painkiller cocktail and its beach setting, though alcoholic drinks are not included in the charter price. If you want the captain to arrange alcohol for you, that can be done for an additional charge. You should also budget separately for lunch, since food is not included either.

Hendo’s Hideout offers another White Bay option, while Ivan’s Stress Free Bar fits the slower, barefoot side of the island. Corsairs and Foxy’s give you more choices if your group wants to compare spots. The provided itinerary also lists Foxy’s Taboo and the B-Line Beach Bar, showing how many possible stops can fit into the captain’s plan.

You probably cannot visit every listed bar in a meaningful way during a six-hour trip. Trying to do so turns a relaxed charter into a timed scavenger hunt. I would pick one main lunch stop, one drink stop, and one swimming stop, then let the captain advise you on the order.

That is where a private charter earns its keep. You can tell the captain what matters most. If your group has already visited Soggy Dollar, you can try another bar. If someone wants a classic Jost Van Dyke experience, you can prioritize White Bay. If everyone wants sand and water, you can keep the bar time short.

Foxy’s and Foxy’s Taboo offer different settings

Foxy’s is one of the names most closely linked with Jost Van Dyke. It is a natural choice for anyone who wants to include a well-known island institution in the day. The charter may also stop at Foxy’s Taboo, giving you another option connected with the Foxy’s name.

Because the tour description does not promise a specific stop, you should see these names as possibilities rather than fixed commitments. Tell the captain which places matter to your group before leaving, then confirm the route once you know the day’s timing and conditions.

The same advice applies to Corsairs, Hendos, Ivan’s, and the B-Line Beach Bar. The value of the charter is not that it guarantees every stop. The value is that you can choose among them with help from the crew.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The $1,795 price covers the private charter for up to 10 people. That means the per-person value improves sharply as your group grows. At 10 people, the base price works out to about $180 per person before customs and other extras. At five people, it is about $359 each before those costs. For two people, the private-boat premium is substantial.

Included items are practical rather than extravagant:

• Captain
• Mate for larger groups
• Ice in the built-in coolers
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment

The exclusions deserve equal attention. Fuel is not included. Lunch is not included. Alcoholic drinks are not included, although the charter company can obtain them for an additional charge. Customs fees are $80 per person, which is the most important extra to calculate.

For a group of 10, customs alone adds $800. Add lunch, drinks, and fuel, and your final total may be well above the advertised base price. That does not make the charter poor value, but it does mean you should compare the full cost with other private boat options, not just the headline figure.

The cleanest value comes when you have a full group that wants privacy and flexibility. A group of friends can split the boat cost and shape a day that would be hard to reproduce on a shared excursion. A smaller party may still love the experience, but should be comfortable paying for privacy.

What the flexible schedule really means

Flexibility sounds appealing, but it works best when your group has a rough plan. Before departure, decide if you care most about Sandy Spit, the Bubbly Pool, White Bay, snorkeling, or beach bars. You do not need a minute-by-minute schedule. You do need a short list of priorities.

The captain can guide you in creating the itinerary. That is useful if you do not know Jost Van Dyke well or cannot decide among the many waterfront stops. Still, you should speak up. A private charter only feels personal when the crew knows what your group wants.

One returning family particularly praised Captain Aaron’s flexibility and described the charter as a regular highlight of its annual St. John trip. Their day included White Bay and Sandy Spit. That detail is useful because it points to the service style you can reasonably hope for: a captain who adjusts the day around your group instead of treating the plan as fixed.

The experience has a perfect rating from the single published review, but the sample is very small. I would take the positive account as a good sign, not as proof that every outing will be identical. Weather, sea conditions, customs timing, and your group’s own choices will shape the day.

Who should book this private boat

I would choose this charter for:

• Families or friends who want the boat to themselves
• Groups of up to 10 who can share the base cost
• People who prefer an 11 a.m. start
• Beach-bar fans who want to focus on Jost Van Dyke
• Groups that value a flexible plan over a fixed route
• Anyone who wants to combine Sandy Spit, swimming, and White Bay

I would think twice if you want a full-day boat trip with many islands, extensive snorkeling, or a packed sightseeing schedule. This is a focused Jost Van Dyke outing, not a grand tour of the British Virgin Islands.

It may also be less appealing if your group does not want to pay the customs fee and other extras. Since the price is per group, the numbers make more sense with several people aboard.

The charter requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be comfortable getting on and off a boat, swimming if you choose to use the water stops, and walking around beach areas. The available details do not give specific accessibility information, so ask the operator about your needs before booking.

Weather, cancellation, and planning advice

The trip depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 11 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

I would keep the day before and after this charter somewhat flexible if possible. The British Virgin Islands crossing involves customs, and weather can affect the plan. The tour returns to Sapphire Beach Marina, its starting point.

Bring a swimsuit and whatever personal sun protection you normally use, but do not assume every desired drink or meal is covered. Ice and bottled water are supplied, while alcohol and lunch are separate expenses. Your mobile ticket is confirmed at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Should you book the Just Jost charter?

Book it if your ideal island day means a private boat, a later start, warm water, a quiet stop at Sandy Spit, and a few hours choosing among Jost Van Dyke’s beach bars. The captain-guided flexibility is the main appeal, especially for a group that wants to make its own rhythm.

Skip it if you want the lowest possible price, an early start, or a long list of islands in one outing. The $1,795 base rate is easiest to justify with a full group, and the $80-per-person customs fee plus fuel, food, and drinks can push the total higher.

For the right group, Just Jost is a clear and appealing choice. Keep your plan loose, name your top stops, and budget for the extras before you book.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

It starts at Sapphire Beach Marina, 6720 Smith Bay Road, Smith Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 11 a.m.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 10 people.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. Only your private group and the captain participate. A mate is included for larger groups.

What stops can the charter visit?

Possible stops include Sandy Spit, the Bubbly Pool, White Bay, Foxy’s, Foxy’s Taboo, Corsairs, the Soggy Dollar Bar, Hendo’s Hideout, Ivan’s Stress Free Bar, and the B-Line Beach Bar.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Lunch and alcoholic beverages are not included. Alcohol can be obtained by the charter company for an additional charge.

What other fees should I expect?

Fuel is not included, and customs fees are $80 per person. Ice, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.