3rd Annual Virgin Islands Boating Expo showcases many facets of the USVI's Marine Tourism Industry
by Carol Bareuther 20 May 06:16 PDT
14-16 May 2026
Millions of dollars' worth of yachts from leading brands, including Axopar, Hanse, Lagoon, Leopard, Sunreef, Two Oceans, and Voyage, lined the docks at the third annual Virgin Islands Boating Expo (VIBE), held May 14-16 at IGY's Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas.
Hundreds of residents and visitors attended the three-day event, touring luxury vessels, exploring marine products and services, and connecting with businesses representing the broader Caribbean marine industry. Beyond the docks, attendees enjoyed fishing clinics, sailing and fishing demonstrations, live entertainment, and an evening fundraising event supporting local marine workforce development. These festivities unfolded in the U.S. Virgin Islands, named Caribbean Yachting Destination of the Year in 2025 by Caribbean Journal, underscoring the territory's appeal as a world-class yachting destination.
"Our marine environment is a very important part of our territory," says Senator Milton Potter, president of the 36th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and one of the show's attendees. "I'm not the subject expert in this area, but I believe it's important to collaborate with those who are to learn more, so that I can help to create policies to strengthen this industry. That's what I was able to see and do today."
Yachts on display for tours, sale and charter
Yachts, for purchase and charter, were a focal point of the U.S. Virgin Islands' premier yacht sales show. The Caribe Yacht Group, a St. Thomas, USVI-based boutique yacht agency specializing in sales, management, and yacht care, and the exclusive Caribbean dealer for Lagoon Catamarans, featured a Lagoon 60 and 42 at the show.
"The Virgin Islands Boating Expo offers a refreshing change of pace from the larger international boat shows. While smaller in scale, the intimate setting creates meaningful opportunities for buyers and brokers to have genuine conversations about yacht ownership and the Virgin Islands market without the pressure and crowds typically found at major events. From our experience, the lower volume allows everyone involved to slow down, ask better questions, and build stronger connections. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of VIBE and hope to see even more of the marine community there in the years ahead," says Tyler Dunn, yacht broker and instructor for the Caribe Yacht Group.
Sagramoso Yachting, a San Juan, PR-based yacht dealership and exclusive dealer and authorized service provider for Axopar boats in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, offered its Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin for tours.
"The show provided a great opportunity to meet clients face-to-face whom we had previously only spoken with by phone, while also giving them a chance to see firsthand what we offer," says Roberto Sagramoso.
Pyper Yachts, a luxury yacht charter, sales, and vessel management company based in St. Thomas, welcomed attendees aboard its spectacular Sunreef 80, Entre4.
"Beyond stepping aboard, guests had an opportunity to discuss and explore the new Sunreef Ultima range, with dedicated brochures available detailing the latest design direction, performance ethos, and innovation behind this exciting new line," says Heinrych Pyper, chief executive officer. "Having Sunreef's VP of Sales for the region at the show added a unique and valuable dimension to this year's experience."
Seminars: buying and financing a yacht in the USVI
Buying a boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands offers several advantages, including exemption from U.S. Customs duties on imported vessels and the ability for foreign-built, non-imported yachts to be sold or chartered to U.S. residents without first entering the U.S. market. The territory's exemption from the Jones Act also allows foreign-built and foreign-flagged yachts to charter in local waters. During his seminar, Paths to Vessel Ownership, Steve McCauley, operations and sales executive at the Caribe Yacht Group, positioned boat ownership less as a luxury purchase and more as a strategic financial, tax, and lifestyle decision requiring the right structure and expertise.
"One of the best reasons to buy a boat in the U.S. Virgin Islands is that you have professionals here who want to teach you how to use your boat," McCauley says.
Financing the purchase of a boat depends as much on strategy, liquidity, experience, and selecting the right brokerage or charter partners as it does on the vessel itself, according to insights shared during the seminar Understanding Financing. Kim Madigan, finance specialist at Newcoast Financial Services in Tampa, FL, noted that participation in charter programs appears to accelerate loan repayment. "The average life of a boat loan in the U.S. is 44 months," says Madigan. "The average life of a boat that goes into any kind of charter program is 22 months."
Exhibitors show the scope of the marine industry
Over 30 local and global businesses participated in VIBE's Vendor Expo and Vendor Village. From private jet aviation and boatyard services to on-the-water toys and dining, VIBE showcased the broad range of businesses that contribute to and benefit from the U.S. Virgin Islands' marine economy, reflecting the industry's depth, diversity, and economic significance.
"I've met a lot of new people from all over the world," says Jonathan Farrington, chief executive officer of Joyride Aviation, a St. Thomas- and U.S.-based private jet charter and aircraft management company specializing in on-demand VIP travel through a network of 3,500+ aircraft.
Joyride Aviation sponsored television fishing personality Captain Don Dingman's trip to VIBE from Florida. Dingman presented four of his 'Hook the Future' kids' fishing clinics to standing-room-only attendance.
A team from Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey found the show helpful for getting the word out about the facility's seasonal hurricane tie-down services. "We offer these services to monohulls and multihulls using reinforced underground steel and concrete structures," says Aurea Enid Gonzalez, customer service and sales manager.
On the docks, the Irving, Texas-based start-up MotoSurf showed off the features of its new electric jet board, both at its booth and through demos on the water. "Individuals and charter yachts are seeking out the latest innovative water toys, and that's the two audiences we have enjoyed speaking with at the show," says Dana Lundquist, rider and co-founder.
Networking is what Katie Hackl, co-owner and manager of Pizza Pi, found beneficial. Pizza Pi is the Caribbean's premier floating pizzeria, permanently anchored in the waters of Christmas Cove, just off the coast of Great St. James Island. "We wanted to connect with other members of the marine industry, especially charter companies, to let them know what we offer and how people can enjoy a wonderful day on the water in the USVI."
Other exhibitors and vendors included BlackSheep Charters, Brava, Caribe Yacht Group, CaribTrans, Charter Smarter, Costa Marine PR, Dorado Tequila, Endless Summer II, Island Edge Culinary, Joyride Aviation, Just Be Yachting, M/Y Solaire, Midnight Lioness 43 LLC, MotoSurf, Naia Charters, Natural Balance Bracelets, Neon Moon Charters, Newcoast Financial Services, Neptunes Nectars, Offshore Marine, Pizza Pi, Pyper Yachts, Rainman Desalination, RiteWay Food Markets, Safe Harbor Puerto Del Rey, Sagramoso Yachting, St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation, St. Thomas Sailing Center, S/Y Annex, University of the Virgin Islands - Reef Response, VI Center for Autonomous Research, Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club, Voyage Charters, We Are Wine, LLC., Yacht Collective.
Strong Sponsor Support
VIBE would like to thank its sponsors: USVI Department of Tourism, IGY Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas, Joyride Aviation, Charter Smarter, USVI Economic Development Authority, Latitudes & Attitudes, Newcoast Financial Services, Muse, Brava, Ocean Surfari, Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club, We Are Wine LLC, A&R Transportation, and CaribTrans.
For full VIBE event details, visit www.vibe.vi
To learn more about VIPCA, visit www.vipca.org