St. John in the US Virgin Islands is what comes to my mind when I dream of paradise—white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the freedom of adventure to explore hidden gems scattered along its coastline.
One of the best ways to truly experience this slice of heaven is by renting a dinghy!
Contents: Complete Guide to Dinghy, Rentals in St. John USVI
Dinghy Rental: But Wait, What Even is a Dinghy?
A dinghy is a small, easy-to-manuever motorboat that is ideal for exploring coastal waters. It gives you the freedom to zip all over St. John, from one secret beach or beach bar to another, dive into deep blue turquoise waters, and snorkel secluded spots at your leisure. Trust me, it’s a wild ride that’ll make you feel like a modern-day explorer.
In this complete guide, I’m going to share everything you need to know about dinghy rentals in St. John—from what to pack, to where to rent, and the very best spots to visit. Let’s do it!
What to Pack for Your St. John Dinghy Rental: Adventure Gear
GoPro and WaterProof Housing
You’re going to want to capture all the epic moments. While I love my digital camera for land or even a bigger boat, on a wet and bumpy dinghy, I definitely recommend bringing something more durable like a GoPro.
- Why it’s essential: It’s perfect for both land and sea and takes great shots whether you’re zipping through the waves or diving into them with sea turtles by your side.
- Pro tip: Bring waterproof housing and a hand grip that floats. Trust me, you do not want to be that person who drops their camera and watches it sink to the bottom of the ocean. From my experience working on a dive boat, I’ve personally had to dive down 30+ feet to retrieve someone’s GoPro more than a few times! Save yourself the trouble and make sure it floats.
Snorkel, Mask, and Fins
Let’s face it—you’re going to St. John to snorkel, right? Ok, ok, maybe that’s not the only reason you’re going, but trust me, during your dinghy rental you will definitely want to have snorkel gear to check out the amazing reefs and marine life surrounding you throughout your rental.
- Favorite Fins: I swear by these Scubapro travel fins and use them as my main set of fins for almost all my snorkel adventures. I love them because they’re compact enough to fit in your luggage but powerful enough to give you a solid push through the water. After all, as the saying goes, “the best fins are the ones you have on your feet”.
- Travel Recs: If you don’t already have your own gear and want some specifically for vacation or don’t want to lug full-size equipment, consider a travel snorkel kit. They’re a great space saver, are of respectable quality for their size, and are super easy to pack.
- Bonus Tip: Don’t forget this anti-fog hack! It’s the best anti-fog solution for your mask. A quick squirt will keep your mask clear and your underwater view perfect.
Dry Bag
Spoiler alert: You’re going to get wet. Dinghies are fun, but they’re also splash central in most conditions.. To keep your essentials dry, bring a sturdy dry bag.
When choosing dry bags, size matters. Choose one that can hold everything you don’t want soaked, like your phone, wallet, and any clothes or gear you want to keep dry, and make sure it still has ample room to fold down as being able to roll down a few inches is most important factor in making sure it keeps your belongings dry.
Packable, Water-Resistant Windbreaker
You may be thinking, really, in the super hot Caribbean temps, but believe me, if you’re doing a full-day rental and in the water/wet all day, a light windbreaker is key to keeping you comfortable. The breeze whipping across the water can feel a bit chilly, —especially on windy or overcast days, and especially if you’re already soaked from snorkeling.
My go-to that is the perfect layer and amazingly durable and versatile is my Patagonia Nano Puff. I’ve had for years and have used on probably 50+ snorkeling boat adventures. It’s packable (it even zips up into one of the jacket pockets), light, and does the trick every time.
Bluetooth Speaker
It may come as a shock, but dinghies don’t have built in speakers. You’ll for sure want to bring a portable, durable and waterproof Bluetooth speaker like this one we have from Wonderboom. It’s small, but it packs a punch, and nothing beats cruising to your favorite tunes while the sun’s shining.
Cooler
Depending on the dinghy you rent, it may or may not come with a cooler. Check beforehand because you’ll absolutely want one for cold drinks in the warm Caribbean sun. Also, I recommend bringing a soft shell cooler for optimal space saving in the dinghy.
What to Pack for Your St. John Dinghy Rental: Sun Protection
The sun in St. John is no joke. Living in Hawaii, and with a more olive skin tone, I rarely burn and typically don’t slather on sunscreen like it’s going out of style. But in St. John? It’s a whole different story.
I am always decked out in my sun protection while in St. John because even on just a quick 30-minute snorkel, you can get scorched—trust me, I have hardly ever burned, but I have experienced this exact situation in St. John firsthand!
Sunscreen
Yes, you should absolutely bring and wear sunscreen, but even reef-safe versions aren’t great for marine life and coral reefs.
Instead of constantly slathering on sunscreen, I recommend physical sun protection. Trust me, it’s your best bet for staying protected from St. John’s intense rays.
UPF Shirt
I hardly ever set foot on a boat without one of these in my bag. My favorite UPF Shirt is this one from Patagonia with UPF 40 and a built-in neck buff to protect your face and lips from windburn.
Bonus Tip: If you decide to rent a dinghy in Coral Bay (more below), you can snag a UPF hoodie while you’re at Lime Out (the floating taco bar, more on that later). They’ve got a variety of cool designs for both adults and kids.
Sun Hat
My trusty sun hat for a day on the boat is this bucket hat with thick side straps. Sure, it may not be the most stylish look, but trust me you’ll be thanking those thick straps for keeping it securely on your head, no matter how windy it gets.
I even wear this bad boy surfing and kiteboarding, and it stays on through every wipeout. It’s the perfect dinghy-riding hat.
UPF Swim Pants
If you know you’re prone to sunburn but plan to spend a lot of time in the water snorkeling, I highly recommend wearing UPF pants such as these to protect your bottom and the backs of your legs from burn.
As a bonus, they also provide great protection from stinging sea life, such as small jellyfish that can occasionally be present in the water.
Shorty Wetsuit
Most of the time, the water is warm enough in St. John that you won’t need a wetsuit. But if it’s particularly windy or overcast, a shorty wetsuit can keep you warm and provide extra sun protection.
What to Pack for Your St. John Dinghy Rental: Safety Gear
Last but not least, when packing for your St. John Boat Rental, Don’t forget your safety equipment!
Diver Below Flag and Buoy Combo
If you’re snorkeling in areas with heavy boat traffic, don’t forget to let other boaters know you’re in the water!
This collapsible, inflatable combo is easy to pack and, with two ways of letting nearby traffic know that you are in the water, it will give you peace of mind while you’re out exploring.
Where to Rent a Dinghy in St. John & Where to Go
When renting a dinghy on St. John, your adventure starts by choosing one of two key spots: Cruz Bay or Coral Bay.
Each location offers its own unique adventure, so if you’ve got the time, I’d recommend renting from both on separate days. Why limit yourself when each offers its own slice of paradise?
Cruz Bay
Renting a dinghy from Cruz Bay gives you access to the entire North Shore of St. John, home to some of St. John’s most iconic beaches.
You’ll cruise along the coastline and stop at gems like Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, and Cinnamon Bay.
And if you’re up for a little extra adventure, you can motor all the way to Waterlemon Cay, one of the island’s best snorkeling spots where you can grab a mooring ball right by the cay and jump straight into the water—no need for the one-mile hike that people from shore have to endure!
Or if you’re feeling fancy, you can hop across the channel to Lovango Resort for a touch of luxury. (Check out my other article, The 11 Very Best Things to Do in St. John, for more tips on Lovango and how to grab a day pass.)
For dinghy rentals in Cruz Bay, there are several options, but I’ve always had an amazing time with Wharfside Watersports. It’s a small, locally-owned business that offers half-day and full-day rentals. I definitely recommend a full day as you’re going to want enough time to explore everything this side of the island has to offer!
In Cruz Bay, you’ll have the option to choose from different sizes of dinghies. This is crucial because the weather can have a big impact on your ride. On a calm, flat day, a 25 HP dinghy will have more than enough power to do the job. But if the wind picks up or the water gets more choppy, you’ll want to upgrade to something like this Zodiac to power through the waves with ease.
Coral Bay
On the quieter, more laid-back side of the island, you’ve got Coral Bay, where the pace is slower but the adventures are just as incredible.
Renting a dinghy here lets you explore the mangrove nurseries of Hurricane Hole and the magic of the iconic floating taco bar, Lime Out. (More on both of these must-hit spots in my Top Things to Do in St. John Article.)
Additionally, while in Coral Bay, I also recommend diving in to the waters around Pelican Rock for some beautiful and shallow coral reef snorkeling, or exploring remote beaches such as Haulover Bay—it’s named for the narrow strip of land that’s so thin, you could literally haul your dinghy across it and reach the North Shore from the other side.
For dinghy rentals in Coral Bay, I highly recommend Dockside Dinghy. It has super chill, friendly staff, great prices, and the perfect vibe for a day of adventure.
5 Expert Tips for During Your St. John Dinghy Rental – Straight from a Coast Guard Captain!
Before you set sail, here are five pro tips from a Coast Guard captain to help you navigate like a seasoned skipper. These best practices will not only keep you safe but also make your day out on the water even more fun:
Tip #1: Tiller Toward Trouble!
Dinghies are steered by a tiller, which is a bit different from what you might be used to.
The key thing to remember is that when you push the tiller, the boat turns in the opposite direction. So, if you need to avoid a hazard, push the tiller toward it (tiller towards trouble)—this will steer you away from the obstacle.
Tip #2: Check the Weather, Always
Calm, flat days are a dinghy captain’s dream and even the smallest dinghies can get up to speed and zoom you to your destination. But if the wind kicks up, your day can get a bit bumpier—literally.
In these choppy conditions, your speed will drop significantly so a great strategy is to head to your furthest destination first and slowly make your way back to the marina.
Tip #3: Beach Parking Made Easy
In St. John, most beaches have swim buoys to keep big boats at a safe distance, but there’s usually a designated channel for smaller dinghies to slide right up to the shore.
When you’re pulling your dinghy up on the beach, make sure to haul it well above the high tide line. Otherwise, you might come back from your beachside bar break and find your dinghy’s gone for her own adventure!
Tip #4: Outboard Engine 101
Most dinghies are powered with a small outboard engine that’s started by hand, much like a lawnmower.
Before you yank on that starting cord, double-check that the propeller is fully submerged in the water, the shift lever is in neutral, and your friend isn’t standing directly behind you—a surprise black eye from an elbow to the face while trying to start the engine is not the vacation glow that your friend is hoping for!
Tip #5: Embrace the Splash
Expect to get a little wet. Whether you’re the captain or a passenger, everyone sits on the inflatable sides (called sponsons), and the person on the windward side will definitely get the most spray. But that’s part of the adventure!
If you absolutely need to stay dry, consider renting a bigger Zodiac with interior seating. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and enjoy the sea spray—it’s all part of the fun!
