United States Virgin Islands (USVI)

St.Thomas, last year, saw a sharp rise in visiting yachts and continues as a favourite 'home port' base for many large professionally crewed yachts; both for it's easy access to the extensive cruising grounds of the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Leeward Islands beyond; and also for it's direct air linkswith the United States that see numerous daily flights between St. Thomas and the U.S. mainland. This link with the United States brings benefits in a number of different ways... Firstly, it makes St. Thomas an easy access destination for the large U.S. market. Private aircraft also play a much greater role here than at any other islands through the chain, making St.Thomas the first choice connection point for many American Superyacht owners and guests. This link with the U.S. also benefits Superyachts with the proliferation of first rate service companies that embrace the very concept of service in the way the Americans do so well... and for which we continue to receive extremely strong positive feedback from numerous Captains interviewed for the Guide. This commitment to customer service is enjoyed from the very first point of contact here, with companies like Virgin Island Yacht Services - ready to share all their 'inside contacts' at Customs and Immigration - in order to have one's clearance formalities processed in the smoothest, fastest way possible... and then to act as the 'one stop shop' for literally anything else one might require. Few marinas anywhere, understand the concept of customer service in the way that Carole Dudley and her team at Crown Bay Marina continue to do, year upon year, and the recent opening of the Yacht Haven Grande Marina, with dockage for 50 yachts up to 300'... and a further 2 slips for vessels up to 450', caused a sensation last year with some of the largest yachts in the business returning to St. Thomas and basing themselves there for the entire season.... (see ’Marinas’ section.)

There are some great restaurants to choose from (don’t miss Oceana, Grande Cru or Craig and Sally's!) The provisioning services too, are first class, with a great selection of top end retail stores to shop in... and in Quality Food Corporation, Deliver It (Division of Virgin Island Yacht Services) and Perky Provisioning - there are three highly rated specialist suppliers for both foods and wines / beverages, accordingly. Technical services are also well represented too, with one of the best refrigeration / air conditioning services one could wish for; and companies like Caribbean Inflatables, Offshore Marine and Caribbean Compressors - unique - in their ability to fly engineers Caribbean wide for emergency repairs and service to an inflatable tender, outboard motor or dive compressor, respectively. There is also some of the most attractively priced and highest quality diesel fuel available - throughout the entire Caribbean - which can be delivered to any dockage around the island or in St. Croix, to best suit the yacht's itinerary. Meanwhile, out on the water there are some great cruising grounds to be visited, including the Blue Marlin capital of the Caribbean; easily accessed by some highly recommended, and highly successful sportfishing boats available from the American Yacht Harbor at East End.