The third annual Virgin Islands Boating Expo returns to IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande Marina this week, bringing three days of yacht tours, marine demonstrations, live entertainment, and family activities to St. Thomas from Thursday through Saturday, the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association announced in a press release.
Presented by the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association, the expo, known as VIBE, runs Thursday through Saturday and will feature yachts available for sale and charter, along with more than 30 vendors and exhibitors representing the marine, tourism and watersports industries, according to the press release.
Attendees will be able to walk the docks and tour power and sailing vessels from brands including Axopar, Hanse, Lagoon, Leopard, Sunreef, Two Oceans and Voyage, the press release stated.
Among the featured vessels is the Sunreef 80 “Entre4,” displayed by Pyper Yachts. The yacht includes four ensuite cabins, a panoramic flybridge, a transformable beach club platform and water toys such as SeaBobs, E-foils, paddleboards and wakeboards, the release stated.
“Having Sunreef’s VP of Sales for the region at the show adds a unique and valuable dimension to this year’s experience. It’s rare for attendees to have direct access to the people shaping one of the most influential brands in the luxury catamaran space,” said Heinrych Pyper, chief executive officer of Pyper Yachts.
Dockside vendors and exhibitors will include companies from the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. mainland and Australia. Exhibits will cover luxury yachts, charter services, marine technology, watersports, aviation, conservation, food and beverage, the release stated.
“We will have an AB center console dinghy with a Yamaha 40 on the back for display,” said Chris Cilliers, general manager for Offshore Marine. Offshore Marine will also offer a 15% discount on Yamaha engines during the show.
“With a great lineup of boats open for tours, fantastic deals on charters and gear, as well as an excellent local music lineup, VIBE 2026 is the place to be in the Virgin Islands, May 14-16,” said Kennon Jones, executive director of VIPCA. “We hope to see everyone out on the docks enjoying the event and celebrating all the various ways to enjoy the beautiful waters that surround us here.”
Expo hours for yacht tours and vendor exhibits are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the release stated.
The event will also feature free children’s fishing clinics led by Don Dingman. Registered participants will receive complimentary rods and reels along with fishing instruction. Clinics are scheduled for Friday from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11 to 11:30 a.m., 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m, the release stated.
Additional demonstrations include Motosurf jet board showcases, free IC24 sailing demos hosted by the St. Thomas Sailing Center, sportfishing demonstrations through the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club and an underwater robotics and reef-mapping presentation by the Virgin Islands Center for Autonomous Research, the release stated.
Seminars on vessel ownership and marine financing will be held Friday and Saturday. Steve McCauley of Caribe Yacht Group will discuss ownership opportunities, followed by Kim Madigan of Newcoast Financial Services on financing options, the release stated.
Evening events include Thursday’s “Light the Night” dockside celebration, Friday’s meet-and-greet featuring an America’s Cup presentation by Tucker Thompson and Saturday’s “Charting the Future Gala.”
Live entertainment throughout the weekend will include performances by Reggae Dynasty, Roxnonstop and Top Notch, the release stated.
Tickets are available online and at the event. Admission includes yacht tours, access to the Harbor 360 Vendor Expo, a complimentary beverage, live music and cultural performances, the release stated.
Sponsors include the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, IGY Yacht Haven Grande, Joyride Aviation, Charter Smarter and the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority.
For tickets, click here.
