Aft Cabin Yachts in U.S. Virgin Islands for Sale
Motor yachts with rear master staterooms
Buying a Aft Cabin in U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands — St Thomas, St John, and St Croix — occupy a unique position in the Caribbean yacht market. As a US territory, the USVI offers American buyers the ability to purchase, register, and operate a yacht in the Caribbean without the complications of international ownership. US Coast Guard documentation applies, US maritime law governs transactions, and the US dollar is the currency.
St Thomas is the primary yachting hub, with Yacht Haven Grande — one of the Caribbean's premier superyacht marinas — occupying a central position in Charlotte Amalie harbour. The island is served by Cyril E. King Airport with direct flights from most major US cities, making yacht viewings accessible as a day trip or weekend from the East Coast. Red Hook on the eastern end of St Thomas is a second hub, with American Yacht Harbor and the ferry terminal for St John and the British Virgin Islands.
The USVI sits at the gateway to the Caribbean's finest cruising grounds. The British Virgin Islands — Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada — lie directly to the east, separated from St Thomas by a short passage across the Sir Francis Drake Channel. This proximity makes the USVI an ideal base for owners who want to cruise the legendary BVI waters while maintaining the legal and financial advantages of US ownership.
The charter-to-purchase pipeline is particularly active in the USVI. Many yacht owners enter the market through charter experiences in the Virgin Islands before purchasing their own vessel, and the established charter fleet means there is a constant supply of well-maintained, well-documented pre-owned boats entering the brokerage market.
The climate is tropical and the sailing season runs year-round, with the trade winds providing consistent 15–20 knot easterly breezes from November through June. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with most yacht insurance policies requiring vessels to be outside the hurricane zone during peak months (August–October).
Marinas in U.S. Virgin Islands
Key marinas and berthing facilities for yacht owners in the region
Yacht Haven Grande
46 berthsCharlotte Amalie, St Thomas
One of the Caribbean's premier superyacht marinas, located in Charlotte Amalie harbour on St Thomas. Yacht Haven Grande offers 46 slips for vessels up to 200 metres, with shore power up to 480V, high-speed fuelling, and luxury amenities. The marina is surrounded by upscale shops, restaurants, and is walking distance to Charlotte Amalie's historic town centre.
American Yacht Harbor
100 berthsRed Hook, St Thomas
A full-service marina at Red Hook on the eastern tip of St Thomas, offering approximately 100 slips for vessels up to 33 metres. American Yacht Harbor is adjacent to the Red Hook ferry terminal with service to St John and the British Virgin Islands. The marina hosts several charter companies and yacht brokerages, and the surrounding area has restaurants, shops, and provisioning.
Compass Point Marina
110 berthsEast End, St Thomas
A sheltered marina on the south-east coast of St Thomas, offering approximately 110 slips in a protected cove. Compass Point is popular with liveaboards and long-term berth holders, and offers good access to both the BVI and the east end of St Thomas. The marina has a chandlery, dive shop, and waterfront restaurant.
Christiansted Marina
30 berthsChristiansted, St Croix
A small marina in the historic town of Christiansted on St Croix, the southernmost US Virgin Island. The marina offers berths for visiting yachts along the Christiansted boardwalk, with restaurants, shops, and the Fort Christiansvaern national historic site within walking distance. St Croix is quieter than St Thomas and appeals to cruisers seeking a more relaxed pace.
Cruising Grounds
The Sir Francis Drake Channel between St Thomas and the British Virgin Islands is one of the world's most celebrated sailing passages, with steady trade winds and flat water protected by the island chain. From St Thomas, the BVI (Tortola, Virgin Gorda's The Baths, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island) are within a day's sail. St John — accessible by ferry from Red Hook — offers Cruz Bay and the Virgin Islands National Park. Further afield, the Spanish Virgin Islands (Culebra, Vieques) lie to the west, and the Leeward Islands chain stretches south-east toward Antigua, Guadeloupe, and beyond.
Planning Your Visit
Hotels and accommodation near the marinas — convenient for yacht viewings and sea trials
The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas
Great Bay, St Thomas
Near: Yacht Haven Grande
A beachfront luxury resort on Great Bay, approximately 15 minutes from both Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie and American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook. The resort offers 180 rooms, a private beach, a 60-foot pool, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant. The premier luxury hotel on St Thomas for yacht buyers.
Frenchman's Reef Marriott Resort
Estate Bakkeroe, St Thomas
Near: Yacht Haven Grande
A resort hotel on a dramatic cliffside above Charlotte Amalie harbour, with views across the harbour to Yacht Haven Grande. The hotel offers multiple pools, a beach club, and panoramic views of the cruise ships and yachts in the harbour. Conveniently located between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook.
Secret Harbour Beach Resort
Nazareth, St Thomas
Near: American Yacht Harbor
A beachfront resort on Secret Harbour beach near Red Hook, offering studio and suite accommodations with full kitchens. The resort is a five-minute drive from American Yacht Harbor and Compass Point Marina, making it a practical base for yacht buyers viewing boats at the east end of St Thomas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boating in U.S. Virgin Islands
Can I buy a boat in the US Virgin Islands with US documentation?
Yes. The USVI is a US territory, so US Coast Guard documentation applies. You can purchase, register, and operate a yacht in the USVI under the same US maritime law that applies in the mainland United States. This is a significant advantage over purchasing in foreign Caribbean jurisdictions, as it avoids the complexities of international registration, customs, and importation.
Where are the best marinas in St Thomas?
Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie is the premier facility, accommodating superyachts up to 200 metres. American Yacht Harbor at Red Hook is the main recreational marina and charter base, with good access to the BVI ferry. Compass Point Marina on the east end offers a quieter, more sheltered option. Crown Bay Marina near the cruise ship terminal handles transient yachts.
How do I get from St Thomas to the British Virgin Islands?
The BVI are directly east of St Thomas, separated by a short passage across the Sir Francis Drake Channel. By private yacht, Tortola is approximately 12 nautical miles from Red Hook. Regular ferries operate between Red Hook and the BVI (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke). A valid passport is required for BVI entry, and customs/immigration clearance is necessary.
Is there a hurricane season in the USVI?
Yes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. Most yacht insurance policies require vessels to be outside the official hurricane zone (north of 12.5°N latitude) during peak season. Many yacht owners keep their boats in the USVI from November to June and relocate them south (Trinidad, Grenada) or north for hurricane season.
What is sailing like in the Virgin Islands?
The Virgin Islands offer some of the finest sailing conditions in the world. Consistent trade winds of 15–20 knots blow from the east from November through June, providing reliable point-to-point sailing. The Sir Francis Drake Channel between the USVI and BVI offers flat-water sailing protected by the island chain. Water temperatures are 26–29°C year-round, and visibility exceeds 20 metres in most anchorages.