We have never had any difficulty renting boats without a captain in the past (have used Ocean Runner, Nauti Nymph and Coral Bay Water Sports way back when...), but I have heard they are more strict now. Your best bet would be to contact the rental agency ahead of time to find out their policy. Here are websites for two of them: http://www.st-thomas.com/nautinymph/ http://www.oceanrunner.vi/

Mrrico...if they do require a captain now, it may be the safest way to go if you're not totally comfortable with renting a boat.

Even though we have had a boat for 6 years now, we don't feel comfortable going into uncharted waters. We're use to beingout in the ocean or the back bays, plus we know these areas.

I'd be too nervous, especially if I was in charge of other people renting a boat and not knowing where i was going and possible grounding it or running into a reef or something like that.

I know a guy who has a boat here at home and rented one there . Just like Connie said, he was not aware that there was a very large rock just under the surface and was going pretty fast and WHAM! He did n't get the ins. so he was the proud owner of a boat on the bottom of the Caribbean Sea and out $5000.00! Also know that the ferrys that run those waters don't care about much. If you are in the way wou will move fast or look out! There are boats everywhere ferrys going this way to stt, that way to stj, over there to jvd, tortola and vg. I would be very nervous my self but people do it and love it. Get the ins.

Thanks to alll of you sounds a little "iffy". We will most definitely have to check this out a little further, since we are a little over a month from leaving.
mricco