Palm Tree Yacht Charters offers a different way to charter a powerboat in the Virgin islands, home of some of the most desirable cruising grounds in the world.
Based in St. John, in the U.S. Virgins, Palm Tree has a fleet of powerboats that you can charter for the day, enjoy everything that the U.S. or British Virgin Islands have to offer, and then get back to stay on land at night. The boats all come with a captain, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself.
Palm Tree has a “You Choose the Cruise” program, where you can charter a boat for a full-day, a sunset cruise, snorkeling, island-hopping, whatever you have in mind. You can even head over to the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the BVI to enjoy a Painkiller or a game on the beach. There are even options for an overnight charter.
Palm Tree has been in business since 2005, and it has run more than 4,000 charters so far. It says the average charter covers about 40 miles and heads over to the BVI.
For a faster ride, the fleet includes a 37-foot Midnight Express named New Moon with four 400-hp Mercury outboards. It can seat 12 people, and has enough speed to get you anywhere in the Virgins. There’s also a fridge and a fresh-water shower.
A 36-foot Aquila power catamaran has seating for 24, but Palm Tree limits a charter to 12 passengers so everyone has room to move around. It comes with a captain and a first mate, and it has a head and a cabin below for changing. The Aquila also has a large sun pad aft for lounging and swim platform with a ladder.
Two Glacier Bay 26 power cats can hold eight guests each, and they offer a comfortable, stable ride. They have an L-shaped settee aft, a sun lounge on the bow, a Bimini for shade, and a swim platform for diving or snorkeling.
Prices start at $750 for a full-day charter for up to six guests, and $50 for each additional guest. A go-fast charter costs $1,600 for six guests. Read more:
