Cruising the United States Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie is most well known for its extensive cruise ship port and great shopping. It is all that and more. Once your boat is provisioned and all necessary supplies are onboard, spend a fun day shopping before the dock lines are slipped. There’s a great selection of gold, pearls, diamonds, hand crafted jewelry and local artwork. And don’t forget an extra bathing suit or two.

Lunch Stop: Pick up a mooring ball or anchor. Dinghy to the southern tip of the island for good snorkeling.

Overnight Stop: There is only one reason to stop in Red Hook overnight, and that is the original Duffy’s Love Shack! Billed as “the best parking lot bar in the world”, and it is. Just walk across the street from American Yacht Harbor and enjoy the cocktails, the food and the fun. You won’t be disappointed. And don’t forget to buy a T-shirt!

Lunch Stop: Anchor at this bay on the south side of the island, and snorkel on White Horse Reef.

Overnight Stop: Tuck into the northeast corner of the bay and anchor in sand just off Magens Beach. The beach is a mile long strip of white sand, and one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean.

Overnight Stop: Pick up a National Park Service mooring ball. Go ashore and visit the old plantation ruins at the Caneel bay Resort, and have a cocktail there as well.

Lunch Stop: Pick up a National Park Service mooring ball. Try the underwater snorkeling trail around Trunk Cay.

Overnight Stop: Pick up a National Park Service mooring ball. Dinghy ashore and take the short hike to the ruins of the Annenberg Sugar Mill, which has been restored by the National Park Service.

Overnight Stop: Drop anchor at this popular destination for live aboard cruisers. Try the popular Skinny Legs Bar and Grill. And the Jolly Dog Island Outpost has the “stuff you want”.

Lunch Stop: Anchor off West Beach at the Buck Island Reef National Monument. Dinghy to the lagoon and snorkel the underwater trail.

Overnight Stop: Take a taxi tour in the morning to Frederiksted on the western end of St. Croix. Frederiksted is a quaint and charming town with a mix of Danish Colonial and Victorian architecture.