Own your island day
Welcome friends! We’re the longest running dinghy rental company on St John, and we can’t wait to share our home’s secrets with you.
Explore St. John’s North Shore with us!
No one knows St John better than Captain Mindy and her crew! We’ve been exploring its coastline, reefs, beaches and national park for over 20 years.
Unparalleled Nature
Gain access to the Caribbean’s crystal clear waters, its vibrant marine life, one-of-kind national park and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Safety-First Information
Our crew will ensure you cruise with confidence and in comfort. We’ll also share information about St John’s reefs - experience this beautiful underwater ecosystem and help us keep it safe!
Convenient Pickup
Welcoming and easy pick-up right on Cruz Bay Beach! We’ll get you on the water quickly, with a private orientation of the boat and cruising area. Ready for a beautiful day at sea.
Expert Guidance
From routes focused on the best snorkeling to secluded picnic spots and family fun, we’ll share interactive maps and custom itineraries with you.
How it works
Select a 12’, 14’ or 16’ RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat). 25, 40, 70 or 90 horsepower Yamaha quiet 4-stroke engines available. (All rates on dinghy rental page.)
Rentals include:
Center console with bimini to provide shade and weather protection.
Comfortable seating for up to 6 passengers (12’ only 4 passengers)
We provide safety gear, swim ladder and a cruising map.
You can add a cooler or chairs. Snorkel gear and Bluetooth speaker can be rented at the “Beach Bum” boutique right at the end of the passenger ferry dock.
Step One
Be an experienced boater!
We can’t wait to share our island with you, but please make sure you arrive at our dock with ample boating experience, a minimum of two years.
Step Three
Choose day(s) and time.
Book your dinghy and Own Your Island Day!
You’ll receive a confirmation email with more information about pick up and packing for the day.
Step Two
Where to go
Request a custom itinerary
Sensational Snorkeling for beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmers.
Family Adventure W/Children - Learn about our natural wonders while you play!
Secluded Spots - Hidden beaches perfect for a picnic lunch!
St John’s Nature - A guide to the most beautiful locations on land and sea.
Meet
Capt Mindy bought her first sailboat in 1996 at the age of 26 while living outside of Manhattan and working as a Radio City Rockette! By 2000, she decided to hang up her dancing shoes for a barefoot lifestyle. During a five-year sailing sabbatical, she cruised down the East Coast and all over the Caribbean, until finally landing on the most spectacular island, St John. By 2004, she acquired her 50-Ton Merchants Marine Master’s Captain’s license from the US Coast Guard, and started working as a charter captain on both power and sailing vessels.
In 2011, Captain Mindy was honored to become the first female owner/ operator of a charter fleet, both power and sail in the Virgin Islands. Her favorite part of owning Big Blue Excursions Charter company was hosting families, crafting their perfect vacation day and sharing all kinds of special moments with them! As the business grew in popularity and became a bigger venture than initially anticipated, Capt Mindy decided to step away from operations and start St John Dinghy Rentals.
Twenty five years after leaving New York City, Captain Mindy is still perfecting the art of living, while surrounded by St John’s epic natural beauty. Helping families and friends to unplug from their busy daily lives and come together for a magical day in nature - one that allows them to re-connect with each other, mother earth and sea - is still her greatest joy!
Captain Mindy
Meet Tristan, our very chill co-captain at St John Dinghy Rentals. At one year-old, he embarked on an extraordinary journey, sailing from South America to St. John. Growing up on a sailboat, Tristan spent his days, barefoot on the sandy beaches and exploring the ocean's wonders. With a childhood surrounded by pelicans, iguanas, and swimming with dolphins and manta rays, he developed a deep love for the sea, and the flora and fauna on St. John.
Starting as crew at 10 years old on Big Blue Excursions, Tristan encouraged young kids to love the ocean and explore while snorkeling. Now an adult, he brings his expertise and enthusiasm into our rentals, helping with maintenance and ensuring every visitor has a fantastic experience on the water. Join Tristan on an unforgettable journey through the crystal clearwater of St. John.
Meet Malik, our friendly crewmember with the passion for the sea. He was born in the sunny state of Florida. Malik embraced the Caribbean lifestyle when he moved to St. Thomas with his family at the age of three. Growing up surrounded by beautiful waters of the Virgin Islands. It’s no surprise that he developed a love for boating and exploration. Malik’s career has shaped by his work with St. Thomas Eco Tours, leading unforgettable nighttime kayak tours and has crewed on local charter boats. Eager to expand his skill set, Malik pursued education in outboard repair at the prestigious (MMI) Marine Mechanic Institute in Orlando.
When he’s not setting up tours or fine-tuning engines, Malik enjoys snorkeling vibrant reefs, driving boats across the Crystal clear waters and honing his skills on the basketball Court. He’s excited to welcome you and set you off for a most amazing adventure.
Meet Kijah, our dedicated crewmember with a true passion for all things Ocean! Growing up in St. Thomas, Kijah’s rooted in the local culture with generations of family history enriching his connection to the islands. He enjoys the hospitality industry and started out by leading thrilling jet ski tours. His adventurous spirit also took him to the tree tops as a zip line guide in St. Thomas. Kijah loves working with our guests. He is presently working toward his captain’s license.
In his free time, Kijah loves to take friends out in one of the Dinghys to explore the hidden gems of the islands or embark on jungle hikes, immersing himself in the nature that surrounds him.
With his friendly demeanor and adventurous nature, Kijah is a fantastic member of our team and a true ambassador for the Virgin Islands!
Meet Becca, She has always considered herself an island girl. She’s both PADI Diver and STCW safety certified. She has crewed on boats for years, but now you can find her at home with baby James. Upcycling used sails into her favorite island sail bags. She’s always been passionate about the water, it’s ecosystems and how we can protect it for years to come. With a little one of her own, (our youngest crew member James), we are always striving to find more sustainable ways of living on this beautiful island. That’s why I love working with St. John Dinghy rentals because they are fervid about the oceans and have local knowledge, you won’t find anywhere else.
Meet Adorable Chewy, abandoned at three weeks old, we brought her into our home. Growing up as an island dog, she loves the water, Dinghy rides and prancing through the jungle. You may see Chewy on the beach, saying Hi to folks, sitting waist deep in water and jumping between Dinghys. We considered our beloved Chewy, the St John Dinghy Rental’s mascot!
What People Are Saying
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Captain Mindy was super helpful, quick to respond and St. John’s Dinghy Rental had excellent customer service. Great value! Incredible time! Highly recommend 10/10!!!! :-)
— Danny C.
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We loved it and deemed it, "The Best Day Ever!" We moored up and snorkeled from Francis Bay/Maho Bay to Salomon Bay
— Susan B.
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Mindy was awesome - patient with all our questions, super knowledgeable and flexible with our last minute planning. Kijah helped ensure we understood all the details of the dinghy and greeted us when we returned.
— Josh Z.
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If you've ever wanted to explore St. John by being your own captain look no further
Carol G.
“Amazing Experience!!! I promise you, stop looking, and book with them. You won’t regret it”