St. John, USVI: Land Vacation vs. All-Inclusive Yacht Charter – Which Really Wins?
St. John, USVI: Land Vacation vs. All-Inclusive Yacht Charter – Which Really Wins?
Let’s be real — St. John is paradise no matter how you slice it. Powdery white sand, turquoise water that’s so clear you can see your toes wiggle, and sunsets that make you wonder if someone’s Photoshopping the sky in real-time.
But here’s the question I get all the time:
“Should we stay on land in St. John, or do an all-inclusive yacht charter?”
Now, you might expect me to jump straight to “Yacht charter, duh!” — and, okay, yes, I am a little biased. But let’s actually talk about it, because there are real pros and cons. And when you see the full picture (and the full bill), you might be surprised.
The Short Answer (a.k.a. The First 300 Words You Need to Hear)
A week on land in St. John —
- Average villa or hotel for 2 people: $4,200–$6,000
- Meals & drinks for a week (restaurants, groceries, rum punch at beach bars): $2,000–$2,500
- Jeep rental (because you will need one): $700–$900
- Excursions & island-hopping ferry tickets: $1,000–$1,500
- Total: $7,900–$10,900
And you’re still unpacking once, repacking for day trips, juggling ferry times, and eating conch fritters that taste suspiciously like last night’s fish sandwich.
A week on an all-inclusive yacht charter —
- Luxury catamaran with crew: starting at $18,000–$22,000 for up to 8 guests (divide that out… it’s about $2,250–$2,750 per person. Or $30,000 for 8 guests is $3,750 per person.)
- All meals, snacks, and drinks included (and made fresh just for you by a personal chef)
- No ferries, no lines, no “we’ll get there when the schedule allows” — you’re already there.
- Snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and an actual floating home that moves with you.
So yes — the sticker price for a yacht might look higher at first glance. But when you compare it to the per-person cost of a land stay (and add in the value of your time and flexibility), the yacht wins. Hands down. And spoiler: you’ll spend more of your vacation vacationing instead of sitting in a rental Jeep trying to find parking at Trunk Bay.
Why Staying on Land Can Be Lovely (But Not Perfect)
Don’t get me wrong — I adore St. John. The beaches? Magazine-worthy. The local restaurants? Delicious. And if you’re the type who wants to spend most of your trip in one spot, maybe reading three novels in a hammock, then a villa could be perfect.
But here’s the catch: St. John is small. Really small. Once you’ve hit the handful of famous beaches, done the quick hike to Annaberg Sugar Mill, and eaten your way down Cruz Bay, you’ll start looking at ferry schedules to “see something else.”
The moment you want to snorkel the Baths in Virgin Gorda, hit the Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost Van Dyke, or find that secret turtle cove the locals don’t advertise… you’re into logistics mode. And trust me — chasing ferries, standing in customs lines, and figuring out if your rental Jeep will still be in the same parking spot when you get back is not the glamorous Caribbean dream you saw on Instagram.
Why a Yacht Charter Wins (Even If You’ve Never Done One Before)
With an all-inclusive yacht charter, the entire Virgin Islands is your backyard. Want to wake up in Francis Bay, have breakfast, then jump in the water with sea turtles before heading to a beach bar only reachable by boat? You can.
No unpacking. No packing again. No trying to figure out how to get there — because you’re already there. Your captain charts the best spots based on the weather and your wish list. Your chef makes meals tailored to you (meaning if you love mango salsa and hate cilantro, you’ll get more mango, less “green soap taste”).
And because you’re in the islands, moving is as easy as raising the anchor. If you see a rain cloud headed for Maho Bay, you can just… move. Can’t do that in a hotel.
The Cost Reality – Let’s Break It Down Per Person–
| Expense | Land (Per Person) | Yacht (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodations | $2,100–$3,000 | Included |
| Meals & Drinks | $1,000–$1,250 | Included |
| Transportation | $350–$450 | Included |
| Excursions | $500–$750 | Included |
| Total | $3,950–$5,450 | $2,250–$2,750 |
The math speaks for itself — plus, the yacht price already includes your toys, activities, and chef-prepared meals. But keep in mind, this price will vary based on the yacht you choose to book.
Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Done Both
I’ve done the St. John villa thing. I’ve also done the yacht thing. And here’s the truth: both can be great, but only one lets you actually see more than a single island without wasting half your trip in transit.
If you’re looking for adventure, variety, and the feeling of being completely spoiled while still barefoot on the deck — take the yacht. If you want to be stationary, enjoy Cruz Bay nightlife every night, and you don’t mind repeating beaches, then St. John land life might be for you.
But for me? Give me the gentle sway of the boat, the sound of the anchor chain first thing in the morning, and knowing my view changes daily without me ever lifting my suitcase.
And that, my friends, is the magic.
Explore the world’s most breathtaking islands in style! Let Songs In The Sails Yacht Charters guide you on a private yacht adventure through the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Greece, and the Bahamas.—or let us customize your dream getaway anywhere you desire.
Contact Songs In The Sails Yacht Charters at 706-901-7525 or yachtcharters@songsinthesails.com to plan your dream yacht charter today.
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Original post here: St. John, USVI: Land Vacation vs. All-Inclusive Yacht Charter – Which Really Wins?
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