Usvi And Bvi Boat Tours - Top Five Things To Look For In A Day Boat Charter
If you have ever gotten a day charter boat in the Virgin Islands, you will know how many there are. How do you choose who to give your business to? Every group has their own special set of criteria they use to seek out the best trip for themselves, but here are some across the board tips to look for when booking your day charter.
1. The Captain - A Captain"s experience of the locations and personality can make or break your charter experience. The Captain should certainly know the locations and routes to all the top sightseeing spots in the US and British Virgin Islands, but it helps if the Captain also has a few "secret spot" to take you to as well. Also, it helps if the Captain has a good personality, is humorous, or has some great stories to add.
Talk to your Captain prior to your trip and let him/her know what you are interested in seeing/doing for your day charter. If they come up with a lot of things for you to see, this is your Captain.
2. Type of Boat - This is important, because you will be spending the day on the boat. In the Virgin Islands, there are so many beautiful beaches and snorkel spots, that getting there is half the fun...or at least it should be. There are many types of boats being used for charter boats in the Virgin Islands. Some are made to take a lot of people at one time - these may be less expensive per person, but can also be a "cattle boat" with everyone vying for a good view, snorkel gear, refreshments, etc.
If the boat is too small, however, then during rough seas you can really be knocked around and get pretty wet.
A lot of charter boats use what is known as "center console" boats. These are identified by the center console the captain stand at to pilot the boat. These boats are primarily sold as fishing boats, however, and offer little in creature comforts such as padded seating, or an easy way to get in and out of the water, or even the boat itself.
Runabouts are a great style for day tours, due to their more "family-friendly" padded seats, open bow (in the front) seating and swim steps. The swim steps can really make it easy for people to get in and out of the water for swimming or snorkeling. Some even have sun pads for the sun worshipers in your group!
3. Set Schedule Or Custom? Some charter boats have a set route or locations they go to everyday. You have no say in where you go, you"re just along for the ride. If they are going everywhere and doing everything you want to do...no problem. If not, you might want to look at a charter company that lets you create your own trip, based on your interests and experience. The Captain and you can custom build the day based on your desires. Sometimes the customization can be as subtle as changing the time you arrive at certain interest points to avoid the crowds. This can ensure you are not snorkeling with 50 other people at the same time!
4. How Many People The Boat Can Take - If you don"t mind being "one of the masses," a big boat with a group that includes more than your friends or family should be fine. But If you don"t like getting kicked in the head by a stranger"s fins, then a private charter boat for just you and your friends or family might be in order. Depending on the size of your group, the price could even be about the same to get a private charter.
5. Weather - While you can"t control this aspect, your Captain should. The Captain can tell you where the better weather is and can alter the route or schedule to avoid rain, or rough seas. This only works with private charters, as the big ones have the set schedule and stick to it no matter what. Keep in mind that the weather here is predictably unpredictable. The good news is that rain usually lasts only a short time, and it"s usually not very cold.
So now you are armed with the information you need to make your chartered boat tour a spectacular time in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Have fun!
1. The Captain - A Captain"s experience of the locations and personality can make or break your charter experience. The Captain should certainly know the locations and routes to all the top sightseeing spots in the US and British Virgin Islands, but it helps if the Captain also has a few "secret spot" to take you to as well. Also, it helps if the Captain has a good personality, is humorous, or has some great stories to add.
Talk to your Captain prior to your trip and let him/her know what you are interested in seeing/doing for your day charter. If they come up with a lot of things for you to see, this is your Captain.
2. Type of Boat - This is important, because you will be spending the day on the boat. In the Virgin Islands, there are so many beautiful beaches and snorkel spots, that getting there is half the fun...or at least it should be. There are many types of boats being used for charter boats in the Virgin Islands. Some are made to take a lot of people at one time - these may be less expensive per person, but can also be a "cattle boat" with everyone vying for a good view, snorkel gear, refreshments, etc.
If the boat is too small, however, then during rough seas you can really be knocked around and get pretty wet.
A lot of charter boats use what is known as "center console" boats. These are identified by the center console the captain stand at to pilot the boat. These boats are primarily sold as fishing boats, however, and offer little in creature comforts such as padded seating, or an easy way to get in and out of the water, or even the boat itself.
Runabouts are a great style for day tours, due to their more "family-friendly" padded seats, open bow (in the front) seating and swim steps. The swim steps can really make it easy for people to get in and out of the water for swimming or snorkeling. Some even have sun pads for the sun worshipers in your group!
3. Set Schedule Or Custom? Some charter boats have a set route or locations they go to everyday. You have no say in where you go, you"re just along for the ride. If they are going everywhere and doing everything you want to do...no problem. If not, you might want to look at a charter company that lets you create your own trip, based on your interests and experience. The Captain and you can custom build the day based on your desires. Sometimes the customization can be as subtle as changing the time you arrive at certain interest points to avoid the crowds. This can ensure you are not snorkeling with 50 other people at the same time!
4. How Many People The Boat Can Take - If you don"t mind being "one of the masses," a big boat with a group that includes more than your friends or family should be fine. But If you don"t like getting kicked in the head by a stranger"s fins, then a private charter boat for just you and your friends or family might be in order. Depending on the size of your group, the price could even be about the same to get a private charter.
5. Weather - While you can"t control this aspect, your Captain should. The Captain can tell you where the better weather is and can alter the route or schedule to avoid rain, or rough seas. This only works with private charters, as the big ones have the set schedule and stick to it no matter what. Keep in mind that the weather here is predictably unpredictable. The good news is that rain usually lasts only a short time, and it"s usually not very cold.
So now you are armed with the information you need to make your chartered boat tour a spectacular time in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Have fun!
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