How to Avoid Crowds at Popular Spots with a Private Boat: Insider Tips for USVI & BVI Adventures
- Captain Sara
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
How to Avoid Crowds at Popular Spots with a Private Boat
If you’re dreaming of turquoise water, famous beach bars, and iconic island views – but not the crowds – there’s good news: with the right timing and a private boat, you can enjoy the most popular spots in the Virgin Islands like they’re your own secret paradise.
At Blue Water Charters, we’ve spent years perfecting the art of great timing. Here’s our insider guide to avoiding crowds at some of the USVI and BVI’s best-loved destinations – while still soaking up every bit of fun, flavor, and sunshine.
USVI Insider Tips: Lime Out & Pizza Pi
Lime Out (USVI) – Get There Early or Go Late
Lime Out is the floating taco bar in Coral Bay, and it’s every bit as fun as it looks on Instagram. But timing is everything!
If you want one of those coveted floating seats, the secret is to swim up early. During peak season, seats usually fill by 10:30 a.m. Swim up around then to grab a float, and when they open at 11:00 a.m., you’ll be first in line for your tacos and cocktails.
Prefer a slower start? Pack some snacks and aim for a late lunch instead. By about 1:30–2:00 p.m., most people have cleared out, leaving the floats open again.
Our favorite Lime Out day looks like this: snorkel in the morning, enjoy a scenic cruise over to Lime Out, float and chill with tacos and cocktails, and then finish the afternoon with another snorkel stop or a quiet beach visit. Paradise, perfectly paced.
Pizza Pi (USVI) – Text, Float, Feast
Pizza Pi is a floating pizzeria in Christmas Cove, and the experience is pure Caribbean magic. To beat the rush, we text our order to them first thing in the morning – this way, your pizzas are ready when you arrive.
Arrive around 11:00 a.m. for the best shot at grabbing a float and enjoying your pizza and cocktails right on the water.
Pro tip: You can even pair Lime Out and Pizza Pi in one day. Have an early lunch at Lime Out, then swing by Pizza Pi later in the afternoon for drinks and a to-go pizza to enjoy on the ride home.
BVI Hotspots: The Baths, Soggy Dollar & More
The Baths (Virgin Gorda) – Know the Cruise Ship Schedule (and the Wind Forecast)
The Baths are one of the most stunning destinations in the Virgin Islands – but they’re also one of the most weather-dependent. Before planning your day, it’s smart to check the Tortola Cruise Ship Schedule to see when the crowds will be lightest. Even during peak season (December–April), you can often find a day with fewer ships – and fewer people exploring the boulders and pools.
If you’re booking both a USVI and BVI charter, use the cruise ship schedule to pick your two best days, then about a week before your trip, check the wind forecast:
Small winds = small waves = great times at The Baths
Big winds = big waves = skip The Baths this time
But don’t worry – rough seas only affect The Baths, not the rest of your BVI adventure. On windier days, we can still explore calm, protected spots like Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke, where the snorkeling and beach bars are just as incredible. If the winds get really wild, a Jost-only day still makes for a full and fun BVI experience – just a little saltier and more local! Check out what a Jost-only day looks like here.
No matter the forecast, your Blue Water Charters captain will always plan the safest, smoothest, and most enjoyable route for the day – so you can relax and let the islands work their magic.
Soggy Dollar Bar (Jost Van Dyke) – Go Early for Serenity
The Soggy Dollar Bar is legendary, and for good reason – the Painkillers are strong, the sand is soft, and the vibe is unbeatable.
But if you go in the late afternoon, you’ll be sharing paradise with everyone else ending their day there. To skip the crowds, make it a breakfast or lunch stop instead of a last stop. You’ll get the same gorgeous beach with far fewer people – and maybe even find a prime spot in the shade.
Bonus Tip: Start Your BVI Day Smart
For a longer BVI day, start by clearing customs on Jost Van Dyke. While your captain handles the paperwork, you can stroll Great Harbour, check out Foxy’s, Corsairs, or Tipsy Shark, or grab a taxi to White Bay for a Soggy Dollar breakfast.
Once customs is done, your captain will meet you, and you can head straight to The Baths – most day boats go there first, so by the time you arrive, it’s often starting to clear out.
After exploring the granite boulders and hidden pools, cruise over to Norman Island for snorkeling and lunch at the Willy T or Pirate’s Bight (they serve lunch until 3:00 p.m.) or go straight to Willy T for cocktails, top-deck jumps, and a few good laughs.
Whether you start your day with adventure and end it with relaxation – or flip the script – your private boat lets you move on your own schedule and avoid the crowds entirely.
The Best Way to See It All
Travelers often say, “There’s no wrong way to see the Virgin Islands.” And that’s true – but there is a better way. With Blue Water Charters, you’ll discover how to avoid crowds at popular spots with a private boat, timing each stop perfectly to maximize fun and relaxation. From early tacos at Lime Out to afternoon adventures at Willy T, your day flows smoothly without the stress of lines or crowded beaches.
With Blue Water Charters, every moment counts. By learning how to avoid crowds at popular spots with a private boat, you can experience the islands like a pro. Our captain knows the rhythms of the Virgin Islands, ensuring each stop feels private, special, and unforgettable.
🌊 Ready to Escape the Crowds?
Book your private USVI or BVI day trip with Blue Water Charters and discover the best way to experience paradise – without the lines, the wait, or the crowds.
📸 All photos courtesy of Capt. Sara Richter 📸
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