Drone Photography & Video in The Virgin Islands: Aerial Services for Real Estate, Rentals, Yachts & More
Some places are beautiful from the ground. The Virgin Islands are breathtaking from the air. From above, you see what makes these islands extraordinary: the turquoise gradient of a shallow bay, a villa perched on a green hillside, a catamaran swinging at anchor, the curve of a white-sand beach, and the British Virgin Islands stretching across the horizon.
That perspective is exactly what sells a vacation rental, a home, a charter yacht, or a day on the water. Aerial photos and video show guests and buyers what they can't see in a standard photo: the view, the setting, the location, and the experience.
MBVI provides professional drone photography and video across St. Thomas and the U.S. Virgin Islands for vacation rental owners, property managers, real estate agents, charter yachts, day charters, water taxis, businesses, and events. Here's how aerial media can help your business, and why it matters who's flying the drone.
Quick Answer: MBVI is a St. Thomas–based drone photographer and FAA Part 107 certified pilot offering aerial photos and video across the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drone services include aerial photography and video for vacation rentals, real estate and land listings, charter yachts, day charters and water taxis, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses, events, and Virgin Islands stock footage. Aerial media is included in MBVI's Beach, Island, and Ocean Bundles and is also available as a standalone service.
Why Drone Photography Matters in the Virgin Islands
It Shows the View
In the Virgin Islands, the view often drives the price, whether it's a nightly rate, a sale price, or a charter rate. Aerial photos show the ocean, the islands, and the coastline in a way no ground-level photo can.
It Shows the Location
Guests and buyers want to know where a property sits. How close is the beach? What's around it? How does it sit on the hillside? A single aerial answers all of it.
It Stops the Scroll
On Airbnb, VRBO, listing sites, and social media, aerial images stand out instantly. They're often the photo that earns the click.
It Tells the Story
Aerial video brings the islands to life, from a slow reveal of a villa and its view to a yacht gliding across the water. It creates the emotional connection that turns interest into bookings.
Drone Services for Every Market We Serve
Vacation Rentals
Aerial photos are one of the most important images in a Virgin Islands vacation rental listing. They show guests:
The view from the property
How close the beach is
The setting, from hillside villas to beachfront condos
Shared amenities, like pools, beaches, and marinas
Aerial media is included in MBVI's Beach Bundle (2 aerial photos) and Island Bundle (3 aerial photos and 1 aerial video clip).
Explore Vacation Rental Photography →
Property Managers
Property managers can use aerial media to:
Showcase every property with a consistent, professional look
Highlight complexes and communities, like Sapphire Beach, Cowpet Bay, Bolongo Bay, and Mahogany Run
Create social media content that keeps their portfolio in front of guests and owners
Win new owners with polished, premium marketing
Learn About Multi-Property Photography →
Real Estate
Aerial photography helps real estate agents sell Virgin Islands homes, especially to off-island buyers. Drone media shows:
The property and its views
The lot, terrain, and surroundings
Access, including driveways and roads
Proximity to beaches, marinas, and town
Land Listings
Vacant land is one of the hardest property types to sell with ground-level photos. Aerial photos and video help buyers understand a lot's views, terrain, and surroundings, often making the difference for land listings.
Explore Real Estate Photography →
Charter Yachts
For charter yachts, aerial media is essential. Brokers and guests want to see the yacht at anchor in a turquoise bay, underway with the islands in the background, and from angles that show its full size and deck space.
MBVI's Ocean Bundle for charter yachts includes 3 aerial photos and 2 aerial video clips, along with 45 HDR photos, crew photos, a 360° virtual tour, a video walkthrough, and 2 Reels.
Explore Charter Yacht Marketing →
Day Charters and Water Taxis
Aerial video captures the experience guests are booking: snorkel stops, beach-hopping, and the open water between islands. It's perfect for websites, booking listings, and social media.
Yacht Sales
Aerial photos and video help yacht brokers and sellers showcase a vessel's profile, deck layout, and condition, giving remote buyers a complete picture before they visit.
Hotels, Restaurants, and Businesses
Aerial media helps hotels, restaurants, beach bars, and tourism businesses show their setting, their views, and what makes their location special.
Events
From weddings and celebrations to corporate gatherings, aerial photos and video capture the scale and setting of your event, including drone group shots and sweeping venue views.
Virgin Islands Stock Footage
Need aerial content of the islands for your website, social media, or ads? MBVI offers Virgin Islands stock photos and drone video, plus custom aerial shoots of specific locations.
What's Included in MBVI's Drone Services
Aerial photos in high resolution, professionally edited
Aerial video clips, ready for your website, listings, and social media
Reels combining aerial and ground footage
Custom aerial shoots for specific locations, properties, vessels, and events
Delivery sized for every platform, from Airbnb and MLS listings to Instagram
Why It Matters Who's Flying the Drone
FAA Part 107 Certification
Anyone flying a drone for commercial purposes in the U.S., including the U.S. Virgin Islands, must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. MBVI is FAA Part 107 certified, so every aerial shoot is conducted legally and professionally.
Hiring an uncertified drone operator can put your project, your property, and your business at risk.
Airspace Awareness
Parts of St. Thomas are near controlled airspace, including areas around the airport. A certified pilot knows where flights require authorization and plans accordingly.
Location Restrictions
Some areas restrict drone flights, including Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, where drones are prohibited without a permit. MBVI selects aerial locations where flights are permitted and plans every shoot with the proper authorizations.
Safety and Privacy
Professional pilots plan flights around people, property, and wildlife, and respect neighbors' privacy.
Experience With Island Conditions
Wind, salt air, changing weather, and bright tropical light all affect drone work in the Virgin Islands. A local pilot knows how to plan around them for the best results.
When Is the Best Time for Drone Photography?
Morning: Often the calmest wind and clearest water, ideal for aerials of beaches, bays, and yachts at anchor.
Golden hour: Early morning and late afternoon create warm, soft light for villas, homes, and yachts.
Twilight: Perfect for capturing a property's lights glowing against the evening sky.
Calm, clear days: Because MBVI is local, we watch the forecast and schedule aerial shoots for the best conditions.
Why Clients Choose MBVI for Drone Services
MEDIABOOST.VI is a St. Thomas–based media and marketing agency serving businesses across the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FAA Part 107 certified: Legal, professional aerial photography and video.
Local expertise: We know the islands, the light, the weather, and the best angles.
Every market: Vacation rentals, real estate, charter yachts, day charters, businesses, events, and stock footage.
Complete media: Aerial work combined with HDR photography, video, Reels, and 360° virtual tours.
Full-service marketing: Websites, SEO, social media, and paid advertising to put your aerial media to work.
Ready to see your property, yacht, or business from above?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer drone photography in St. Thomas?
Yes. MBVI is a St. Thomas–based drone photographer offering aerial photos and video across the U.S. Virgin Islands for vacation rentals, real estate, charter yachts, day charters, businesses, events, and stock footage.
Is MBVI FAA Part 107 certified?
Yes. MBVI is FAA Part 107 certified, which is required for commercial drone flights in the U.S., including the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Why is drone photography important for Virgin Islands properties?
Aerial photos show a property's views, setting, and proximity to beaches and amenities, which are some of the biggest factors guests and buyers consider in the Virgin Islands.
Can you fly a drone anywhere in the Virgin Islands?
No. Some areas, including Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, prohibit drones without a permit, and parts of St. Thomas are near controlled airspace. A certified pilot plans each flight with the proper authorizations.
Is drone photography included in your packages?
Yes. The Beach Bundle includes 2 aerial photos, the Island Bundle includes 3 aerial photos and 1 aerial video clip, and the Ocean Bundle for charter yachts includes 3 aerial photos and 2 aerial video clips. Standalone drone services are also available.
Can you photograph yachts with a drone?
Yes. MBVI captures aerial photos and video of charter yachts, day charter boats, and yachts for sale, at anchor or underway.
Do you offer drone photography for land listings?
Yes. Aerial photos and video are especially valuable for land listings, showing views, terrain, and surroundings that are hard to capture from the ground.
