PO Box 1437, St. John VI 00831
1.340.201.4858

About

Busy Bee is a 2006 World Cat 250dc with a pair of bulletproof Yamaha 150hp outboard engines. Designed with offshore fishing in mind, she is an excellent choice for cruising the Virgin Islands. Open, quick, stable, and comfortable in big seas.

She is perfectly laid out for up to six people, with ample seating in the bow, a co-pilot seat and a bench in the stern. There is space to keep your belongings dry, drinking water and a cooler stocked with soda (feel free to bring anything else you may want… no glass).

Captain Bryan has a USCG 100 Gross Ton Master’s License and professional experience with a wide variety of boats – single and twin engine setups, catamarans and monohulls, power and sailboats of all sizes. He purchased the Busy Bee in 2012 and formed the company. Bryan is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and adamant about spending time above and below the surface. During the summer Bryan captains his sailboat in the Boy Scout Sea Base Program - taking six kids and two adults on a five day sailing Lap of St John.

Captain Matt has a USCG 50 Gross Ton Master’s License. Matt has dedicated the bulk of his last few years to diving – earning himself a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer designation. He has a ton of helm time on the Busy Bee as well as joining Captain Bryan for a delivery of an engineless sailboat from Puerto Rico many summers ago.

Captain Jeremy has a USCG 200 Gross Ton Master’s License. Jeremy is an avid sailor and has been a licensed captain for over 20 years. He has owned many boats and has innumerate professional experience on both sail and power driven vessels. Jeremy is a PADI Rescue Diver.

Admiral Margaret is the brains of the operation. (Okay, so I wrote this myself). I'm Bryan's wife and I handle the books and the bookings. If you email Busy Bee Charters I'll probably be the one responding. I'll also be the one manning the new shop space most of the time so you should stop in and say, "Hi." In 2015 Bryan convinced me to move onto a sailboat with our two cats. Our first beloved sailboat was damaged in Hurricanes Irma and Maria, but we still love the live-aboard lifestyle so bought another sailboat. I love snorkeling, free diving and taking underwater photographs so I'm happy to support Bryan in this dream.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What about bad weather?

A meteorologist in the Virgin Islands has a fairly easy job throughout most the year. It will be in the 80’s with a chance of rain. If it does rain, it is often quick and then the sun is back out, again. With a power boat it is easy to weigh the anchor and move on to another place if need be. Therefore it is improbable the captain will cancel due to the weather. If the forecast calls for rain, consider packing a light jacket.

If you choose to cancel, you will be subject to our cancellation policy. In the case of an extreme storm (i.e. unseasonably high wind/swell, hurricanes/tropical storms) the captain will cancel and will not charge for the day.

What is the cancellation policy?

A ha! You are a clever one!

When you book the trip via phone or email we will take a credit card number to hold the space. Nothing will be charged at that time. If you cancel less than 48 hours before the trip, you will be charged for half the trip. Cancellations on the morning of the trip or “no show” will incur the full cost of the trip.

When you book a trip through the website (Lap of St John, 2-tank dives) your credit card will be charged at the time of booking. If you cancel more than 48 hours out you will be given a full refund. Less than 48 hours out you will receive 1/2 refund. No shows the morning of will not receive a refund.

The cancellation policy is for everyone’s protection. We work seven days a week on St John – if not on the Busy Bee, for someone else. Having a last minute cancellation or a no-show can be devastating. We do everything in our power to keep our rates as low as we can while still providing a top notch service.

What about seasickness?

Busy Bee is a catamaran, which means she has two individual hulls, making it a very stable platform to cruise the islands with. That being said, people can still get seasick aboard.

If you are prone to the mal de mer, take medication prior to coming on the boat. Most medication will not work after you get sea sick and often require an hour to become effective. Please, let the captain know if you aren’t feeling well… we will find a place to hide out for a while if we need to.

How many people can come along?

Six is the maximum number for our boat. We limit our two-tank trips to four divers, but leave room for two snorkelers.

We have many friends in the industry - ok, we have some friends in the industry... ok, we have people that are willing to work with us. We can put together other boats to accommodate more people if need be.

Do we need British money?

No, sir. The official currency of both the US and British Virgin Islands is the American dollar.

Will there be booze?

On board, the captain will provide soda, water and ice. If you want to bring your own drinks/beer, feel free to do so. Please, DO NOT bring anything in glass bottles.

Do I need to know how to swim?

If you want to get in water more than waist deep – yes!

We have aids to floatation on board including snorkel vests, lifejackets and noodles. If you have never snorkeled before or are apprehensive about it, let the captain know. We will take good care of you with floatation aids, instructions and supervision. The plan is a day of fun and adventure!

How far above sea level are we?

The bottom of the boat is about 4 inches below sea level most of the time. So a foot… give or take.

Is there a bathroom aboard?

In sailor speak, we call it a head… but, no, we don’t have one on board.

We have a small child, can they come along?

Sure. But full disclosure: this is a power boat and that is the ocean out there. It can get bumpy from time to time… and it is our understanding, if the kid ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. I’m sure we can find a lot of fun for the whole family. Yes, even infants are considered passengers by the Coast Guard and the Customs Authority. This means a child does count as one of the maximum six passengers and will need a passport to visit the BVI.

Children will need to wear a lifejacket on board. We have some vest style jackets for this purpose.

What should we bring?

• Cash
• Swim suit/Rash Guards
• Cover up
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• (Non-aerosol) Sunscreen
• Passport for BVI trips
• Snorkel Gear (included in your trip, or rent for the week)

Where can we rent snorkel gear?

At the Busy Bee Watersports: Dive and Snorkel Center! We have brand new Scubapro gear for diving and snorkeling.

Where do we meet?

At the Busy Bee Watersports: Dive and Snorkel Center!

Across the street from Skinny Leg's and the Coral Bay Firehouse is Town and Country, a yellow building. We are the only shop on the lowest level.

What are these roads like in the winter?

Rough.

Can you tell me anything else?

We could go on about a great many things. Any interest in how a Zamboni Ice Resurfacer works? We have an expert on the subject.

We love St. John and the whole of the Virgin Islands and even if we don’t have a service to suit your needs, send us an e-mail or give us a call and we will gladly point you in the right direction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

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