Private Day Charter Classic Sailboat

The best part of this St John charter is the privacy. You get a 40-foot classic sailboat for your own group, not a crowded deck with strangers, and Captain Mike may even let you take the helm. I like the easy mix of sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. I also like that lunch and a generous open bar are included, so you are not watching the clock or adding up costs all day.

The main drawback is the price. At $1,395 per group of up to six, this is a serious splurge for two people, though it becomes much better value when shared by a full group. The outing also depends on good weather, and private transportation to the meeting point is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Captain Mike may offer sailing instruction: This is more than a boat ride if you want to learn how the boat works or try handling the sails.
• Your group gets the boat to itself: The charter is private for up to six people, which helps families and friends set their own pace.
• Two water stops are built in: Expect snorkeling, swimming, or sunbathing, with the second stop at a secluded anchorage near Honeymoon Beach.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the price: Sandwiches, salads, beer, spirits, sparkling wine, soda, juice, and water are provided.
• A tender connects Cruz Bay to the sailboat: You meet at the Saint John Ferry Terminal, then take an inflatable boat out to the larger vessel.
• Useful comforts are onboard: You have snorkeling gear, a shaded cockpit, a working restroom, and WiFi.

Starting at Cruz Bay and boarding by tender

Your day begins at the Saint John Ferry Terminal in Cruz Bay. The sailboat does not meet you directly at the dock. Instead, you take an inflatable tender out to the 40-foot boat, an arrangement that adds a small boat ride to the start of the outing.

That transfer matters if anyone in your party has trouble stepping between boats or prefers a simple dockside boarding. The available details do not describe the tender ride in depth, so ask the operator about boarding assistance if you have mobility concerns. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation, but private transportation is not included.

Pickup is listed as offered, while the package also says private transportation is not included. I would confirm the exact pickup arrangement before paying, especially if you are staying outside Cruz Bay. The stated meeting point is the ferry terminal, and the boat returns there at the end.

The charter runs about four to five hours. That is enough time to get out on the water, enjoy two stops, eat lunch, and have a relaxed sail without giving up your entire day in St John. The schedule can vary with wind and sea conditions, so treat the time as an estimate rather than a minute-by-minute plan.

Sailing aboard a classic 40-foot boat

Once aboard, the boat itself becomes part of the attraction. A 40-foot sailboat gives you room to move around, but it still feels personal and hands-on compared with a large excursion catamaran. With only your party onboard, you can settle into the shaded cockpit, stretch out, or spend time near the bow as conditions allow.

Captain Mike receives especially strong praise for being attentive, clear, and safety-minded. One of the most useful details is that he has offered a passenger a sailing lesson. If you are curious about sailing, tell him early. You may be able to learn what the crew is doing rather than simply sitting back while the boat moves.

That personal instruction can be a major reason to choose this charter over a standard snorkel cruise. You get the scenery, but you also have a chance to understand the boat. The experience remains suitable for people who do not care about sailing mechanics, too. You can simply enjoy the ride, the drinks, and the views.

The boat includes a shaded cockpit, which is important in the strong Caribbean sun. There is also a functioning restroom onboard. Those two features make the outing easier for families and for anyone who does not want a bare-bones day on a small open boat.

First water stop: snorkeling in the Virgin Islands

The outing includes a couple of stops for snorkeling in the clear waters around St John. Exact first-stop locations are not specified, and the captain may adjust the route to fit the day’s conditions. That flexibility is useful because wind and water conditions can change.

Snorkeling equipment is available for everyone in your party. You do not need to pack a full set of gear, though you may still want your own mask if you are particular about fit. The package also supports more than snorkeling. You can swim, sit in the sun, or remain aboard if you would rather enjoy the boat.

This is one place where a private charter earns its price. On a shared trip, the group usually moves on when the schedule says so. Here, you can talk with Captain Mike about how long to spend in the water, within the limits of the day’s route and safety needs.

The snorkeling itself should be viewed as an important part of the day, not the only purpose of the charter. Conditions, visibility, and marine life can never be guaranteed. The special value is the combination of water time and a private sailing experience.

Second stop near Honeymoon Beach and Caneel Bay

The second stop is at a secluded anchorage off Honeymoon Beach near Caneel Bay. This is the clearest picture of the day’s slower side: the boat settles in, and you choose between a second snorkel, a swim, or sunbathing.

Honeymoon Beach is a fitting stop for a private group because it gives you time to relax after the first stretch of sailing and snorkeling. You are not forced to keep moving. If some people want to swim while others prefer a drink in the shaded cockpit, the boat makes that split easy.

The wording describes this as a secluded anchorage, but you should not assume you will have the entire bay to yourself. Popular St John waters can change from quiet to busy depending on the date and conditions. Still, being anchored off the shoreline gives you a more peaceful setting than remaining in Cruz Bay.

This second stop also helps balance the outing. If you are booking for a mixed group, strong swimmers can snorkel while others sunbathe. Families can have a break from active water time. Couples can simply enjoy the setting without needing to fill every minute with activity.

Lunch from North Shore Deli

Lunch is included, and the menu comes from North Shore Deli. You can choose from nine deli sandwiches and five salads, which is a useful range for a private group with different tastes.

That detail has real value. Boat lunches are often limited to one prepared option, but this menu gives your group more control. You can plan around lighter appetites, prefer a salad, or choose a sandwich after a morning in the water.

The supplied details do not list the individual sandwich or salad choices, so check the current menu and ordering process when you book. If anyone in your party has allergies or strict dietary needs, ask before the day of the charter rather than relying on the general menu description.

You can eat aboard while anchored or under sail, depending on the captain’s plan and conditions. Since the boat has a shaded cockpit, lunch does not have to mean sitting in direct sun. Bring only the personal snacks or drinks you need, since food and a wide selection of beverages are already included.

The open bar and onboard comforts

The charter includes what is described as a very open bar. The listed choices include beer, soda, juice, water, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, sparkling wine, and more. That gives you plenty of options, including nonalcoholic drinks for anyone who is not drinking.

I like that the drinks are included rather than treated as a series of small extras. You can settle into the day without wondering what each beverage costs. Still, an open bar is not a reason to overdo it. The sun, motion, and swimming can catch up with you quickly, so alternate alcoholic drinks with water.

WiFi is available onboard, though the quality of a boat connection can vary. Consider it a useful extra, not the main reason to book. The better use of the day is usually to put the phone away and enjoy the water, but WiFi can help if you need to stay in touch.

The restroom and shaded cockpit are more important than they may first sound. Four to five hours on the water is a long time without facilities. These features make the boat more comfortable for a family group and help the charter feel like a full day out rather than a stripped-down snorkeling run.

What $1,395 means for your group

The listed price is $1,395 for the whole boat, with up to six people. If six people share the cost, that works out to $232.50 per person. For four people, it is $348.75 each. For two people, the same charter costs $697.50 per person.

That math tells you how to judge the value. A full group of six gets a private boat, lunch, snorkeling equipment, drinks, a restroom, WiFi, and several hours on the water at a much more reasonable individual cost. A couple can still find it worthwhile, but only if privacy and a custom sailing day matter more than keeping the budget low.

The comparison is not simply private boat versus cheap shared cruise. You are also paying for flexibility, personal attention from the captain, a smaller group, and the chance to receive sailing instruction. Captain Mike has been praised for clear communication and a careful approach, both of which matter when your group includes first-time boat passengers.

If your main goal is the lowest-cost way to snorkel, this is probably not the right choice. If you want a private day where the boat, food, drinks, and route are bundled together, the price makes more sense. Booking well ahead is wise, since the charter is booked an average of 65 days in advance.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this outing to a family or friend group that can fill most of the six available places. The private setup lets you combine different interests without splitting up. One person can swim, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay in the cockpit with a drink.

It also suits people who want a more personal connection with sailing. Ask Captain Mike about learning the basics or helping with the boat. That added element can turn a pleasant water outing into the highlight of your St John visit.

Couples should think carefully about the cost. The setting may be lovely for two, but the per-person price is high. You need to value privacy, included meals and drinks, and a custom boat day enough to justify the difference.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a tightly timed itinerary or a guaranteed list of snorkeling sites. The route is shaped by conditions, and the stop locations can vary. It also may not fit someone who dislikes small-boat transfers, although the onboard restroom and shaded cockpit add comfort once you are aboard.

Practical details and weather concerns

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity requires good weather, so a poor-weather cancellation can lead to a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local time in St John, so keep that in mind if you are arranging the charter from another time zone.

The activity is open daily during the listed operating periods, with hours changing by season. The published hours cover morning through evening, but your exact start time will depend on the reservation you receive. Since the outing lasts four to five hours, leave room in your day for the boat transfer and return to Cruz Bay.

Bring the basics for a day on the water: swimwear, sun protection, and a cover-up for the ride back if you prefer one. Snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks are supplied. Because the trip includes alcohol, swimming, and strong sun, pace yourself and use the water provided.

Should you book the Morningstar charter?

Book this private St John sailing charter if you can share the price among four to six people and want a relaxed, personal day on the water. The strongest reasons are the private boat, Captain Mike’s attentive style, the chance to try sailing, two water stops, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already covered.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget or if snorkeling alone is your priority. A shared excursion will likely cost less, and this charter’s value depends on using the full mix of sailing, swimming, food, drinks, and private time.

For the right group, this is a polished but still personal way to see St John from the water. You get room to set the pace, practical comforts that matter after several hours at sea, and enough variety to keep the day from feeling like a simple boat transfer.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing charter?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours.

Where does the charter begin?

You meet at the Saint John Ferry Terminal in Cruz Bay, St John.

Does the boat return to Cruz Bay?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a choice from nine deli sandwiches and five salads supplied by North Shore Deli.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available to all passengers, and the included beverages include beer, soda, juice, water, spirits, sparkling wine, and more.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.