Champagne Sunset Sail from Margaritaville, St. Thomas: Honest Review

The appeal here is simplicity. You board a large, stable catamaran right at the Margaritaville Resort beach in Smith Bay, so if you are staying anywhere on the east end it is a short taxi or even a walk from your hotel. Check-in is at 4:15 pm at the Water Sports Boutique, the blue building on the beach, and the boat leaves the dock at 5:00 pm sharp. From there the crew handles everything while you settle in with a drink and watch St. Thomas slide past.

The crowd runs livelier than an intimate charter — this is a social boat with island music and a full bar — but reviewers consistently describe the crew as attentive and fun, and the sunset itself as the clear highlight.

The boat sails west and out past the island so you have an open horizon for the sunset, then turns back as the light fades. On a clear evening you can catch the moon rising as the sun drops. Expect the following through the two hours:

• Open bar the whole way — wine, champagne, cocktails, rum punch and painkillers
• Heavy appetizers served on deck
• A glass of champagne for the sunset toast
• Island music and a relaxed, social atmosphere
• Open-water views of the St. Thomas coastline and, on clear nights, the moonrise

At around $110 per person the sail covers your drinks and food for the evening. A few things are on you.

Timings shift slightly with the season as sunset moves earlier or later, but the shape of the evening is consistent. For when to sail, see the best time of year for a St. Thomas sunset cruise.

A few practical points to make the evening smooth:

• Arrive by 4:15 pm — the boat leaves at 5:00 pm and cannot wait for late arrivals
• Book your return taxi in advance; they thin out at the marina after dark
• Bring a light layer — the breeze on open water cools once the sun is down
• Bring cash for crew gratuities, which are not included
• The maximum is 70 guests, so it can be busy — book ahead in peak season

What to bring

Beach-casual clothes, a thin layer for after sunset, flat or non-slip shoes, a phone or camera, and a little cash for tips.

• Light layer for after dark
• Flat, non-slip shoes or sandals
• Phone or camera for the sunset
• Cash for crew gratuity

Not suitable for

Travelers looking for a quiet, intimate evening — this is a larger, more social catamaran. For a small-group feel, the semi-private luxury sunset cruise caps the group at 12.

This one is an easy yes for a specific traveler:

• East-end resort and villa guests who want a short trip to the dock
• Groups and couples who enjoy a lively, social boat with music
• First-timers who want the classic open-bar sunset sail without overthinking it
• Anyone chasing the best value on a champagne sunset toast

Consider another cruise if

You want a quiet charter (choose the semi-private option), a full dinner on the water (the Harbor Lights dinner sail), or a downtown departure near the cruise port (the Charlotte Amalie boats are closer).