Days End Sunset Sail from the Westin at Frenchman’s Reef

The best part of this 90-minute sail is the chance to watch the sun drop over St. Thomas from the deck of the Flying Frenchman, a new luxury catamaran departing from Frenchman’s Reef. You can leave your shoes at the dock, take a drink, and settle into an easy evening on the water.

I like the open bar and the room to move around the boat. I also like that the crew serves snacks and drinks while you take in the views, rather than turning the trip into a formal dinner cruise. Crew member Elijah receives special praise for his friendly service and bridge welcome.

The main thing to know is that this is a calm sunset sail, not a party cruise. Music is part of the atmosphere, but the focus is on a smooth ride, conversation, drinks, and the changing sky. The food is best viewed as light hors d’oeuvres, not a full meal or a wine-and-cheese tasting.

Key points to know before you book

• New luxury catamaran: The Flying Frenchman entered operation in February 2024 and has a clean, modern feel.
• 90 minutes on the water: The sail gives you enough time for drinks, snacks, photos, and sunset without taking up your whole evening.
• Open bar included: Alcoholic drinks are part of the $99 price, along with chef-selected hors d’oeuvres.
• Barefoot boat: You’ll need to leave your shoes at the dock, so wear something easy to remove.
• Relaxed mood: This suits couples, families, and anyone wanting a quiet end to the day more than a high-energy party crowd.
• Weather matters: Cloud cover can hide the sun itself, but it may still produce a colorful sky. Poor weather can lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.

Setting out from Frenchman’s Reef

Your evening begins at The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa, at 5 Estate Bakkeroe. The boat returns to this same meeting point, which keeps the evening simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or find your way back from another marina after dark.

If you are not staying at the resort, parking is available for $10 per vehicle. Buy the parking pass at the hotel front desk. That small detail matters because arriving at the dock without sorting out parking can add needless stress to what should be an easy evening.

The sailing operation uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation arrives when you book. Public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. The boat holds up to 80 passengers, so this is not a private sail, but the catamaran’s size gives you space to move about rather than trapping everyone in one small seating area.

One practical detail catches some people by surprise: this is a no-shoes boat. You will leave footwear at the dock before boarding. Wear shoes that are easy to slip off, and avoid bringing anything you do not want sitting loose during the sail.

The Flying Frenchman and the barefoot start

The Flying Frenchman is the experience’s main attraction. It is a newly designed, state-of-the-art sailing catamaran that began operating in February 2024. That newer construction helps explain why the boat receives so much praise for its clean condition and polished feel.

A catamaran also gives you a broader platform than a narrow monohull sailboat. You can wander around, look for a good photo angle, or find a quieter spot as the evening develops. One passenger even spent time near the captain on the bridge, an unusual treat if the crew allows it during your trip.

The barefoot setup adds to the casual mood. You are not dressing up for a formal yacht dinner. Instead, you can settle into the kind of easy Caribbean evening where a cold drink, a light breeze, and an open view do most of the work.

The boat’s size and design also help with motion. No vessel is motionless, and you should still consider your own sensitivity to seasickness, but the ride has been described as smooth. One person prone to motion sickness had no trouble on the main deck. If you are concerned, staying on the main deck and keeping your eyes on the horizon may be sensible.

What the 90-minute sail feels like

The schedule is short enough to fit neatly into a St. Thomas holiday. You board at Frenchman’s Reef, get settled, and head out for the sunset portion of the evening. The exact route and sailing pattern are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed visit to a particular bay, island, or landmark.

That lack of a fixed sightseeing route is not necessarily a weakness. The point is the view from the water, not a checklist of stops. You get changing angles on St. Thomas and the surrounding Caribbean, along with the chance to watch the light shift across the water.

The sail may be smooth and quiet, though the wind and clouds will shape the mood. On a clear evening, you may see the sun sink in full color. On a cloudy evening, the sun itself might disappear behind the clouds, but the sky can still turn pink, orange, or gold. I would treat the sunset as a natural bonus rather than a guaranteed postcard scene.

That is the right mind-set for this trip. If you need a perfect, unobstructed sunset, nature may not cooperate. If you are happy with an evening sail and a changing sky, cloudy conditions need not spoil the outing.

Drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and what you really get

The $99 price includes an open bar and a chef’s selection of hors d’oeuvres. Drinks are served during the sail, and the crew may bring them around the deck. That is a useful touch because you can keep looking outward instead of standing in line for every refill.

The open bar is one of the strongest parts of the value. A couple ordering several drinks during a resort holiday can quickly spend a large amount on beverages alone. Here, alcoholic drinks are built into the ticket, along with the boat ride and the sunset setting.

The food needs a more careful explanation. The offering has included items such as sandwiches, hummus, potato salad, crackers, and chicken salad. Some people found the snacks tasty and satisfying for a short sail. Others expected a more polished spread, especially if they had imagined cheese, charcuterie, or a wine-tasting format.

I would plan to eat a proper meal before or after the cruise. Think of the food as something to nibble with your drink, not dinner. That expectation makes the experience a better value and avoids disappointment if the hors d’oeuvres are simple.

Portions may also feel limited if you arrive hungry. Since this is an open-bar sunset sail rather than a dinner cruise, the smartest plan is to use the snacks as a pleasant extra.

The crew, music, and mood on board

The crew is a major part of the evening. Service has been praised as friendly, attentive, and upbeat, with staff helping make the boat feel welcoming without turning the outing into a formal production. Elijah is singled out for excellent service, and one person especially enjoyed time with the captain on the bridge.

Music plays in the background and can add some lift to the sail. You might hear a varied playlist rather than a full dance-party soundtrack. One passenger enjoyed getting up and moving when a good song came on, but the overall character remains relaxed.

That distinction matters. If you want loud music, a rowdy crowd, and a party atmosphere, this is probably not your best pick. The boat is designed for sitting back, talking, watching the water, and enjoying drinks. There can be a little movement and fun, but the cruise is not built around dancing or late-night entertainment.

For families, the quiet pace is useful. The age range can work well, from children around eight years old to older relatives in their seventies. For couples, the sunset, music, and open space create a pleasant shared evening without requiring a full formal meal.

Getting the best sunset and photos

Bring a camera or phone. You will have plenty of chances for photos, especially as the boat moves away from the resort and the sky changes color. The water-level view gives you a different angle than watching the sunset from a hotel terrace.

Because the sun may be partly hidden by clouds, take photos of the whole sky rather than waiting only for the sun to touch the horizon. Cloud edges can catch color, and the reflections may be more impressive than the sun itself.

You can also photograph the boat, the shoreline, drinks on deck, and the wide Caribbean views. The catamaran provides room to shift position, so you are not limited to one fixed seat. Just keep your phone secure and follow crew instructions around the railings and open deck.

The most useful tip is to arrive ready for an evening outside. Bring a light layer if you tend to feel cool in a breeze, though no specific clothing requirement is provided beyond the barefoot rule. You will spend the outing exposed to sun, wind, and weather, so comfort matters more than dressing up.

Is $99 a fair price?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a sunset in St. Thomas. You could watch from shore for little or no cost. The ticket earns its value through the combination of a new catamaran, 90 minutes on the water, open-bar drinks, included snacks, crew service, and the view from offshore.

The value is strongest if you plan to have several alcoholic drinks and want a polished boat rather than a basic excursion. The newer vessel, spacious deck, and smooth ride make the cruise feel more special than a simple transport trip.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, expect a full meal, or mainly want a high-energy party. In those cases, you are paying for features you may not use, and the food may not meet your expectations.

I also recommend keeping the gratuity issue in mind. A captain’s closing speech mentions that tipping is customary, and some people felt uncomfortable with how the request was handled. A tip is not listed as part of the $99 fare, so decide ahead of time what you are comfortable giving and ask about payment options if needed.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

This experience depends on good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local St. Thomas time.

The boat can take up to 80 people. That makes it a social shared outing, not an intimate private charter. Most people can participate, and the experience is near public transportation, but specific details about wheelchair access or facilities are not provided. If you have a mobility concern, contact the provider before booking.

Who will enjoy this sail most

I would choose this cruise for:

• Couples wanting an easy evening with drinks and sunset views
• Families looking for a short boat outing with a gentle pace
• Anyone who values a newer, clean catamaran
• People who enjoy light snacks rather than a full dinner
• Visitors who want an open bar included in the ticket
• Anyone who likes photos, music, and room to move around

I would think twice if you want a loud party boat, a formal wine tasting, or a substantial meal. The relaxed pace is the product, not a flaw, but it will not suit every mood.

Should you book the Days End Sunset Sail?

Book it if you want a comfortable, scenic end to the day and will make good use of the open bar. The Flying Frenchman, spacious deck, barefoot format, and friendly crew create a pleasant package, and the 90-minute length is easy to fit into a St. Thomas itinerary.

Go in with realistic expectations. The sunset may be clouded, the snacks are light, and the atmosphere is laid-back rather than loud. If that sounds right, $99 is a reasonable price for a new catamaran, drinks, service, and time on the water. If you want a party or full dinner, choose another cruise.

FAQ

Where does the Days End Sunset Sail depart from?

It departs from The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa at 5 Estate Bakkeroe, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the sail end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa.

How long is the sunset sail?

The sail lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What is included in the $99 price?

The price includes chef-selected hors d’oeuvres and an open bar with alcoholic beverages.

Is parking available for visitors who are not staying at the Westin?

Yes. Outside visitors can park for $10 per vehicle and should purchase parking through the hotel front desk.

Do I need to wear shoes on the boat?

No. The boat is barefoot, so you will leave your shoes at the dock.

How many people can join the sail?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 80 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund for your own cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.