British Virgin Islands Private Boat Charter: Baths & Jost Van Dyke

Anchor your own boat day across two countries without the ferry lines.

A private boat charter through the British Virgin Islands aboard a 37-foot Midnight Express, captained by someone with over a decade of local knowledge. You pick between a full-day BVI trip hitting The Baths and Jost Van Dyke, or a half-day or full-day loop staying in the US Virgin Islands. The boat carries up to six passengers, snorkeling gear is on board, and the captain handles all the navigation and customs clearance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. The Baths2h
2. Jost Van Dyke1h

Private boat charter exploring islands

• Meet captain at marina
• Receive safety instructions
• Travel to first destination
• Clear customs at BVI entry point
• Explore The Baths and Devil's Bay
• Visit Norman Island and snorkel at The Indians
• Dine and relax at Pirate's Bight
• Enjoy drinks at Foxy's or Soggy Dollar
• Clear U.S. customs in Cruz Bay St. John

The experience

What separates this from ferries and group tours is the boat itself and who's running it. The 37-foot Midnight Express is a private charter, meaning you're not sharing it with strangers, and the captain doesn't follow a set itinerary. He shapes the day around what you want to see and how long you want to stay at each stop. The boat runs on three 300-horsepower outboards, so the ride is fast enough to cover real distance without eating up your whole day. You'll need your passport ready at pickup, and if you're crossing into the BVIs, customs clearance happens at Soper's Hole on Tortola or another official entry point. The captain handles the logistics, but the process is part of the crossing.

The full-day BVI option reaches The Baths at Virgin Gorda, where you swim through boulder-carved caverns and natural rock pools, including the Cathedral Room: a pool inside a small cave. From there, the boat heads to Jost Van Dyke, where you can drink a Painkiller at Foxy's or Rum Punch at the Soggy Dollar, explore the ruins of old sugar mills, or swim in Bubbly Pool, a natural hot-spring-style pool on the northeast shore. Norman Island and the Indians (a rock formation with snorkeling over vibrant reefs) sit between the two, so the captain can anchor there if conditions and your interest align. The half-day and full-day USVI-only options stay on the US side, hitting beaches like Honeymoon Beach on Water Island or Caneel Bay on St. John, with the option to eat tacos at Lime Out or relax at Lovongo Cay Beach Bar if you want a longer stop.

Snorkeling gear, cooler with ice, bottled water, and swimming noodles come with the charter. Lunch and fuel are separate, as are BVI customs fees if you cross the border. The captain brings the expertise. You bring the passport and decide how the day unfolds.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles.
• cooler with ice and bottled water.
• captain with over a decade of local navigation experience.
• up to six passengers per charter.
• all customs and immigration clearance assistance at entry points.

Options for this experience

3 options

Half-Day Trip to the USVI OnlyGuide in English · 09:00 and 14:00Lasting 4 hours: Enjoy a half-day USVI charter with a short snorkeling outing where you can swim with the turtles and much more. Fuel and gratuity are not included. Pickup is included.

Full-Day Trip to the USVI OnlyGuide in English · Available from 25 Oct 2027Lasting 7 hours: Enjoy a full-day USVI charter to explore St. John, Water Island, Buck Island, Lovango Cay and many more. Fuel and gratuity are not included; please check our content page for details about these expenses. Pickup is included.

Full-Day Trip to the BVIGuide in English · 08:30Lasting 8 hours: Enjoy a full-day BVI charter where you can explore the Baths, meet lemurs on Necker Island, and snorkel the Indians in paradise. Fuel, gratuity and customs fees are not included; please check our content page for details about these fees. Includes pickup.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 75

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by One Caribbean Charters

Is this one for you?Book the full-day BVI trip if you want to cross into a second country and hit the most famous stops (The Baths and Jost Van Dyke) in one day. Choose the half-day or full-day USVI-only option if you'd rather stay on the US side, skip the passport requirement and customs process, and explore at a slower pace or spend more time at one beach.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is The Baths and why do people swim there?

The Baths at Virgin Gorda is a natural formation of massive boulders and caverns that create a maze of passages leading to secret rock pools and the Cathedral Room, a natural pool inside a small cave. You swim and snorkel through the boulder passages, then emerge onto Devil's Bay beach or climb to the Top of the Baths restaurant for views of the whole site.

Do I need a passport for the half-day US Virgin Islands trip?

No passport is required if you stay in the US Virgin Islands only. For the full-day BVI trip, you must have your passport ready at pickup, and the captain will guide you through customs clearance at the entry point in Tortola.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The charter accommodates up to six passengers. If your group is larger than six, an additional fee applies per extra person.

What's included in the charter, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Snorkeling equipment, cooler with ice, bottled water, and swimming noodles are included. You pay separately for lunch, fuel, and BVI customs fees if you cross into the British Virgin Islands. Gratuity for the captain is customary at 20%.

How long does each option take?

The half-day USVI trip runs 4 hours. The full-day options (BVI or USVI) run up to 8 hours, giving you time to explore multiple stops and spend real time at each one.

What is Jost Van Dyke known for?

Jost Van Dyke is one of the smallest BVI islands but has a rich history tied to pirates, sugar mills, and Caribbean culture. It's famous for beachside bars like Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar, local seafood and barbecue restaurants, and Bubbly Pool, a natural swimming hole on the northeast shore that feels like a warm hot tub.