Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You get a private 47-foot catamaran for your group, then work with the captain to choose the pace: snorkeling near turtles, swimming off the boat, relaxing at Honeymoon Beach, or cruising past Water Island and Buck Island. Captains such as AnneMarie, JP, and Megan have helped families shape very different days on the same boat.

I like the room for up to 12 people, which makes the $1,495 group price easier to justify than a per-person excursion. I also like the simple onboard setup: Bluetooth music, floats, snorkel gear, a restroom, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch. The main drawback is that lunch is not included, and this charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands.

Key details before you reserve

• Private Pisces charter: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with no strangers sharing the boat.
• Seven hours on the water: A full day gives you time for several swim stops, a beach visit, and relaxed cruising.
• Captain-led planning: You can discuss your priorities and adjust the day around snorkeling, beaches, sailing, or quiet coves.
• Turtles and rays are possible highlights: Several outings reached spots with sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and tropical fish.
• Drinks and water equipment are included: Snorkel gear, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch come with the charter.
• Lunch costs extra: You can purchase food at locations along the route, but the meal is not part of the price.

A private catamaran instead of a standard excursion

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a rigid list of stops. You board Pisces with your own group and talk through the day with the captain. That difference matters in St. Thomas, where wind, sea conditions, crowds, and your group’s energy can all affect the best plan.

The boat is a 47-foot Leopard catamaran with a salon that opens onto a wide back deck. The bow has beanbag seating and two trampolines, giving you several places to sit while underway. Some people will want the shade and support of the back deck. Others will prefer the bow, where the ride feels more open and breezy.

The arrangement suits mixed groups well. A strong swimmer can snorkel. Someone who prefers to stay dry can listen to music, watch the water, or stretch out on a float. Families with children and groups spanning several generations have used the boat successfully, including one party ranging from age eight to 76.

You also get a private restroom. That sounds like a small point, but it becomes useful during a seven-hour outing, especially with children or older members of your group.

Building your day around St. Thomas

A full-day charter commonly begins around 9 a.m., though your group can determine the start time for a full-day cruise. All times follow local island time. Meet 15 minutes before departure at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at Havensight.

From there, the captain can shape a route around St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, and possibly a less familiar cay. The exact route is not guaranteed, and that is part of the deal. A captain may recommend a different cove if wind or water conditions make another spot less pleasant.

You might spend the first part of the morning cruising and getting comfortable on the boat, then stop at a reef or cove for snorkeling. Several outings included more than one snorkeling location, which is useful because underwater conditions can vary from one site to the next.

The trip is not only about checking off islands. It is about having enough time to stay somewhere that suits your group. If children are happy swimming beneath the boat, you can linger. If your group wants a sandy beach and lunch ashore, the captain can build that into the plan.

Snorkeling, turtles, rays, and clear-water stops

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this charter. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring masks, snorkels, or fins for the group. Floats are also available for people who want to enjoy the water without spending the whole stop actively snorkeling.

The marine life described on these outings includes sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and schools of fish. One group watched turtles feeding in seagrass, while another saw rays near Honeymoon Beach. Those details give you a good sense of what a successful stop can offer, but wildlife is never guaranteed.

A private boat gives you a practical advantage here. Your captain can ask what your group wants to see and choose stops accordingly. AnneMarie and her first mates have been praised for taking time to show people where turtles might be found, including families with young children. Crew members have also provided local information while underway.

You should still set realistic expectations. This is not a professional wildlife expedition, and the water may not look the same every day. If the main goal is turtle snorkeling, say so clearly at the start, but stay open to a change of location.

Beaches and the appeal of Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach on Water Island appears often in successful day plans. It offers a sandy shore and a change from swimming directly off the catamaran. You can use the beach stop for a walk, a swim, or a break from the boat.

Some groups have combined Honeymoon Beach with snorkeling, then bought lunch nearby. Other outings included Shipwreck Cove and several water stops before moving ashore. The captain can help decide how much beach time makes sense, though the final route depends on the day’s conditions.

The tradeoff is simple: every beach stop uses time that could otherwise go toward sailing or another snorkeling location. If your group wants a quiet day with plenty of time on the boat, do not pack the itinerary too tightly. If you want a beach lunch and a swim from shore, mention that when you meet the captain.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to purchase it at places along the route, and past outings have included lunch stops such as Honeymoon Beach or Dinghy’s. Bring a payment method and confirm the plan with the crew rather than assuming a meal is arranged.

The boat’s comfort and onboard extras

Pisces is designed for spending a full day aboard, not simply getting from one island to another. The salon offers shelter, while the back deck provides comfortable seating and the bow opens up the ride. The trampolines are useful for conversation and lounging, though anyone prone to motion sickness may prefer a more central seat.

The JBL sound system connects by Bluetooth, so you can bring your own music. This is a small but meaningful feature on a private charter. Your group can set the mood instead of listening to a fixed playlist.

Included drinks are bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. The operator says the water is supplied by Virgin H2O as part of its eco-friendly practices. The rum punch appears repeatedly in the day plans, and it can make the boat feel more festive, but pace yourself in the sun and water.

Snorkeling equipment and floats are included. Beach games are also available. You may want to bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a dry change of clothes, although the supplied information does not specify a full packing list.

Why the private format changes the value

The listed price is $1,495 per group of up to 12 people. That works out to about $125 per person if you fill the boat with 12 people. For six people, the same group price works out to about $249 per person. The value improves sharply with a larger group.

That calculation is important. A couple or small family may find a standard shared cruise less expensive. A large family, wedding party, or group of friends can compare this price with several individual excursion fees and gain privacy at the same time.

You are also paying for flexibility. A shared trip may have a set route and fixed timing. Here, your group can prioritize turtle watching, beach time, music, swimming, or simply sitting on the boat. The captain and first mate remain focused on your party rather than dividing attention among several unrelated groups.

The price does not cover lunch. Drinks and equipment are included, but food ashore is an extra expense. You should also consider gratuity separately. One operator response explains that crew members rely on gratuity to supplement their income, so plan for that if the service meets your expectations.

Meeting at Havensight and planning around a cruise ship

The meeting point is the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight. Find the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, where the captain will escort you to the boat. Arrive 15 minutes early.

If your cruise ship docks at Crown Bay Marina, you need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. Allow about 15 minutes each way for that ride. This transfer can add stress to a day with a fixed return time, so confirm where your ship docks before booking.

If you arrive at Havensight, the dock is much more convenient. One cruise group using Norwegian Aqua arranged the charter from the same port and returned early enough to make the ship’s schedule comfortable. That kind of timing should be discussed with the captain before departure, not left to the last minute.

The charter ends back at the meeting point. It does not include a transfer to another marina or cruise terminal.

Crew style and what to expect from the captain

The crew varies, but several names appear in the trip details, including Captains AnneMarie, Alex, JP, Christian, and first mates such as Megan, Lindsey, Darren, Alicia, and Coleman. That means you should not book around one named person unless the operator confirms who will be aboard.

The strongest pattern is a friendly, involved crew. Captains have helped rearrange plans, suggested quieter coves, explained local history, and adjusted return times. First mates have guided snorkelers, helped look for turtles, and supported groups with children.

Your experience will depend partly on communication. Tell the crew if you want more snorkeling, less time underway, a beach lunch, quiet cruising, or music. A private charter gives you a voice in the plan, but the captain still has the final say on safe routes and stops.

Half-day or full-day?

The experience can be booked as a half-day or full-day charter. The seven-hour duration applies to the full-day format described here, while the supplied information does not specify the exact length or price of the half-day option. Confirm both before paying.

A half-day makes sense if you want one or two water stops and have other plans in St. Thomas. It may also suit a cruise ship schedule better. A full day is the better choice if your group wants several snorkeling sites, a beach visit, lunch ashore, and time to relax without rushing.

The full-day option also helps mixed-age groups. Children can alternate between swimming and resting, while adults can enjoy the boat without trying to fit every activity into a short window.

Who should book this St. Thomas charter?

I would look first at this charter if you have six to 12 people and want a private day on the water. It is especially well suited to families, groups of friends, milestone celebrations, and cruise passengers who want a quieter alternative to a crowded ship excursion.

It also works for groups with different interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel, casual swimmers can use floats, and non-swimmers can stay aboard. The restroom, shaded seating, salon, and wide deck make the day easier for a broad age range.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the lowest price. The group rate makes more sense when shared among several people. I would also reconsider if your main goal is the British Virgin Islands, since this charter specifically does not visit the BVI.

Cancellation, weather, and practical limits

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations within that period are not refunded.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Cutoff times use local island time, so check the clock carefully if you are coordinating flights or a cruise departure.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The operator says vessels are sanitized after each trip and that masks are optional because the activity is mainly outdoors.

Should you book Pisces?

Book it if your group values privacy, flexible stops, and a full day built around your own interests. The best value comes with a larger party, especially if you want snorkeling, beach time, drinks, and room to spread out without sharing the catamaran.

Before booking, confirm the half-day or full-day length, the current price, pickup details, and your cruise ship’s dock. Also budget for lunch and gratuity. If those points work for you, this is a strong way to turn a St. Thomas day into a personal sailing and swimming outing rather than another fixed group excursion.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,495 per group of up to 12 people. Confirm the current price for your selected half-day or full-day option before booking.

How long is the full-day charter?

The full-day experience lasts approximately seven hours. A half-day option is also available, but its exact duration is not provided.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain will meet you at the R Bar and escort you to the catamaran.

What is included?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and an onboard restroom are included. Beach games and Bluetooth audio are also available.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase food at various locations along the route.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. You and the captain can design an itinerary around your interests, such as snorkeling, sailing, beach time, island visits, or quiet coves. The final route depends on conditions and safety.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.