There’s nothing as beautiful as a Caribbean sunset! And after a gorgeous day, you deserve to finish it off in the best way possible, and that’s on a sunset sail in St. Croix.
Sunset Sail in St. Croix Experience
While there are multiple sails in both Christiansted and Frederiksted, I chose the latter. On this occasion, I used Lyric Sails and they were an absolute DELIGHT! I cannot say enough good things about this company!
I wanted to watch the sun go down in the west. We arrived at Frederiksted Pier at 4:30PM for a 5PM departure. The departure time depends on the season and sunset time, so be sure to check the times before you go.
I was nervous that the weather wasn’t going to cooperate. However, never underestimate St. Croix. The clouds cleared up and the sail went on. Make sure you bring a light jacket though. It can be breezy out on the water and you don’t want to be chilly.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how everyone was going to fit on the boat. There were over 30 people waiting to get on. However, the catamaran was over 60ft long! I had plenty of space to move around. While I’m comfortable standing on a moving boat, there are a ton of spots to sit if your sea legs aren’t quite there.
The crew was phenomenal and did a short introduction to the experience. They introduced every member of the crew, safety rules, and how to enjoy the sail to the fullest. They have life vests for each guest and ponchos in the event it does rain on your sail.
Pro tip: wear shoes that are easy to take off. It’s a shoeless boat, so you surrender your shoes at the beginning and they hold onto them for you. This keeps your hands free so you can maneuver easily around the deck.
With ease, the crew helps you in and out of the boat, so don’t be afraid of boarding. The best part of the sail? FREE unlimited rum punch! And, as much as you want! One of the crew member’s sole job seemed to be refilling cups the entire sail. They provide cups for you and they were metal, so they have a bit of weight. The way, you don’t have to worry about it blowing away from you.
If you’re not a fan of rum, they have a bar so you can enjoy whatever spirit you prefer. Don’t forget the island pour. The drinks are strong, so go slow. Also, they don’t take credit cards, so make sure you bring cash.
Another great part of the sail is the live music. I’m not sure if every company offers this perk, so it’s a big sell for me. We had a reggae performer who elevated the vibe of the entire experience. The volume was perfect so you could have a conversation and enjoy the music simultaneously. He even sang Happy Birthday to a guest on board, which ended with the entire boat serenading together.
Now, to the true highlight of the night. The sunset was absolutely stunning. We rode all the way to Sandy Point (the westernmost tip of the island) to watch the sun set below the horizon. We even got to see the elusive “green flash.”
The “green flash” is the phenomenon when the light is dispersed and and almost looks like a mirage. I’ve never been fortunate enough to see it before the sail. I was so mesmerized I wasn’t able to capture it on camera. It happens so quickly! That alone made the sail. I feel like I have bragging rights now.
The colors changed every second, morphing from yellow to orange to red. It was a picturesque moment that most don’t get the privilege of experiencing.
Last reminder: bring cash to tip your crew, bartender and musician! Gratuity isn’t included in the base price but they earned their share. They were a phenomenal crew who made me feel safe and kept my cup full.
The colors weren’t the only thing that made the sunset sail one of the highlights of my trip here in St. Croix. The entire experience- between the crew, company, and music- made my evening. I feel my pictures didn’t do the scene justice.
Right as we pulled up to dock, rain started falling and we rushed off the pier. It was like the sky waited till we finished so as not to spoil the moment. Please book a St. Croix sunset sail. I guarantee it will be one of the highlights of your trip.
We’ve done this cruise twice. This coming July will be our 3rd. Is it Lyric Sails? If so, I believe the restaurant across from the dock is 69, and owned by the same owners of Lyric. We ate dinner there right after the sunset cruise and it was fantastic. Highly recommend.