St. Thomas to Saba Rock: Everything You Need to Know

Your St. Thomas vacation doesn’t have to stop at the shoreline! St. Thomas is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

We recently shared tips for planning a day trip from St. Thomas to the BVIs. Now we’re taking a deep-dive into one of our favorite spots, Saba Rock.

Set on a tiny island in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, Saba Rock is one of the most iconic stops in the British Virgin Islands. It’s been welcoming sailors and divers since the 1960s and combines old-school Caribbean charm with a fun and relaxed vibe.

Here’s everything you need to know about taking a day trip from St. Thomas to Saba Rock.

Why Visit Saba Rock?

Saba Rock is surrounded by turquoise water, sailboats and some of BVI's most spectacular scenery. It’s more than just a resort, though—it’s an iconic part of the area’s history. Saba Rock traces its roots to the 1960s, when diving pioneer Bert Kilbride established a diving base and the legendary Pirate’s Pub.

Today, Saba Rock is the perfect place to relax with a long lunch overlooking the water, order a cocktail at the bar and spend a few hours enjoying the quintessential BVI boating scene. The open-air restaurant serves lunch and dinner specials, small plates, pizza and cocktails, while the resort also offers hammocks and places to relax around the property. There are also Sunday afternoon DJs, live music during the week and seasonal events and parties.

If your schedule allows you to stay into the late afternoon, Saba Rock's famous tarpon feeding takes place at 5 p.m. daily—a longtime island tradition and guest favorite.

We like to combine lunch at Saba Rock with a visit to Devil’s Bay and The Baths or a stop at The Bitter End. As we mentioned above, you can find out more about these destinations in our recent blog, BVI Day Trip from St. Thomas: How to Travel from St. Thomas to Tortola and Beyond.

How Do You Get from St. Thomas to Saba Rock?

When traveling from St. Thomas to Saba Rock, a private boat charter is the easiest, most relaxing option.

Because Saba Rock is located in the British Virgin Islands, you'll be crossing an international border when traveling from the U.S. Virgin Islands. That means your itinerary needs to include clearing BVI Customs and Immigration. A charter company experienced with BVI trips can help coordinate the process and build Saba Rock into a full-day itinerary that covers other nearby highlights. 

If you're staying with Island Luxury Vacations, our concierge team can help you explore charter options and plan a BVI day that works for your group.

How Long Does It Take to Get from St. Thomas to Saba Rock?

Traveling from St. Thomas to this area of the BVIs is a full-day adventure. Your actual travel time from St. Thomas to Saba Rock is about 2 hours, but that can vary based on your departure point in St. Thomas, the boat, sea conditions, where you clear customs and what other stops you make along the way. 

In general, a good itinerary from St. Thomas to Saba Rock looks like this: 

• Leave St. Thomas in the morning

• Proceed through customs

• Enjoy lunch, drinks and beach time at Saba Rock

• Visit 1-2 other BVI hotspots before returning to St. Thomas in the evening. 

  
  

Your charter captain will help you create a realistic timeline for your day. Remember to check with us if you have questions or need help finding a reliable boat charter.

What Should You Bring?

Pack light, but remember that you're crossing from the United States into the British Virgin Islands.

Most importantly, US citizens will need their passports for entry into the BVI and return to the USVI. You’ll also need to fill out a customs form. Entry requirements can change, so confirm current requirements with your charter company before departure.

You'll also want to bring:

• Reef-safe sunscreen

• Sunglasses and a hat

• Swimsuit and cover-up

• A light, quick-drying layer for the boat ride

• Waterproof bag or phone pouch

• Cash and a credit card

• Motion-sickness medication if you're prone to seasickness

• Your phone or camera

  
  

There’s no official dress code at Saba, so feel free to stay casual and comfortable—think resort-wear and easy-to-walk in shoes or sandals.

Make Saba Rock Part of Your BVI Island-Hopping Day

We hope you love Saba Rock as much as we do! We think this lesser-known gem is the perfect addition to a BVI day and a great way to make the most of your St. Thomas vacation. Please reach out—we’d love to see your photos, answer your questions and help you find the perfect home base for all your Caribbean vacations. You can contact us anytime at concierge@islandluxuryvi.com.