50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. You get the entire 50-foot SY Sirena for your group, then work with the captain to shape the day around snorkeling, beach time, sightseeing, or a little of everything. The catamaran can visit St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays, though a half-day gives you time for only a few stops.

I like the generous deck space, especially the bow trampolines and bean bag chairs, and I like that drinks, snorkel gear, floats, ice, and an onboard restroom are included. Captains such as Maddie, Alex, JW, Dave, Vic, and Glen have earned especially warm praise for tailoring the day and helping families in the water.

The main catch is price and flexibility. At $1,595 per group of up to 12, it can be a strong value for a large family or group, but a costly outing for two or four people. Also, advertised beach choices can change, with Trunk Bay recently restricted to some commercial charters.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 50-foot catamaran: Your group has the boat to itself, with room to spread out across the salon, back deck, and bow.
• A captain-built day: You can ask for snorkeling, beaches, island views, lunch, or a mix, then let the crew adjust for wind and sea conditions.
• Sea life is a real highlight: Sightings have included turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship.
• Half-day or full-day choice: The trip runs about four to seven hours, with a half-day best for a focused outing and a full day better for St. John and several water stops.
• Useful extras are included: Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, rum punch, ice, and a restroom come with the charter.
• BVI trips are excluded: The boat visits St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays, but not the British Virgin Islands.

What a private day aboard SY Sirena feels like

This is not a seat on a large sightseeing boat. It is a private charter, so only your party participates. That changes the rhythm of the day. You are not waiting for a busload of strangers to finish swimming, and you do not have to follow a fixed schedule from one stop to the next.

SY Sirena has a salon that opens onto a wide back deck with seating and dining space. Up front, the bow has bean bag chairs and large trampolines. I can see the appeal: sit forward while the boat is moving, stretch out in the sun, or gather there while looking for turtles and dolphins.

The catamaran has enough room for 12 people, but that does not mean every group of 12 will have the same level of comfort. A full boat is still a full boat, especially once everyone brings towels, bags, snorkel gear, and lunch. For a large family or a group of friends, the private setting is the point. For a smaller group, compare the total price with shared boat trips before booking.

The crew varies by departure. Names praised for warm service and strong local guidance include Maddie, Olivia, Alex, Coleman, JW, Ro, Dylan, Dave, Chase, Vic, Kahlia, Glen, Celina, Yousif, and Yo. That does not guarantee a particular captain, but it gives you a useful sense of the company’s operating style: the crew is expected to help with gear, explain the islands, suggest quiet coves, and adapt the day to your group.

Red Hook departure and the timing that matters

The meeting point is American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the eastern side of St. Thomas. The trip ends back at the same harbor. Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking, so ask before you build your plans around it.

The half-day option is listed at about four hours. The full-day option runs about seven hours. Those hours include moving between locations, so do not expect to visit all 13 places named as possible stops. The suggested 1.5 hours at each location is sensible, but even two or three stops can fill a half-day once sailing time is added.

Arrive on time. One poor experience involved a late start and a dispute over whether the boat should stay out longer. The practical lesson is simple: a private charter still runs on a schedule, and lost departure time may not be added at the end.

The weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. If you are prone to seasickness, mention it to the crew and consider spending some time on the more stable rear deck rather than the forward trampolines.

How to shape a half-day charter

A half-day works best when you choose one main goal. If your family wants sea turtles, ask for a couple of good snorkeling spots rather than trying to chase every beach on the list. If you want swimming and lunch, allow time to reach a restaurant stop and return to Red Hook.

Past outings have included turtle snorkeling, a reef stop, a sunken ship, and lunch at Lovango. One family arranged a pizza stop, which shows how a private boat can make room for a meal without forcing everyone into a standard schedule. Lunch is not included, but it can be bought at many locations.

The crew can also adjust for wind. A windy week does not necessarily end the day, since the captain may seek calmer water on another side of an island or in a protected cove. Still, the exact route depends on conditions, boat access, and current restrictions.

For a four-hour trip, I would choose one snorkeling stop and one beach or lunch stop. That gives you time to swim, dry off, eat, and enjoy the boat instead of spending the whole charter underway.

What makes Secret Harbour and Brewer’s Bay useful stops

Secret Harbour is a practical choice for a compact outing because it combines a sheltered bay feel with time in the water. It suits a group that wants to snorkel and swim without making a long list of stops. Ask the captain how conditions look that day before committing to it.

Brewer’s Bay offers another possible swimming and snorkeling setting. Since the charter is private, you can stay longer if the water is appealing or leave sooner if another location better fits your group. That flexibility matters more than the name of any single beach.

Neither stop requires a separate admission ticket according to the supplied tour details. You should still ask the captain about current access, sea conditions, and the best place to enter the water.

St. Thomas beaches: Magens, Sapphire, Coki, and Lindqvist

Magens Bay Beach is one of the best-known beach choices around St. Thomas. It makes sense for a group that wants a scenic beach break and calm time out of the water. The drawback is that a famous beach may not feel as private as a smaller cove, and visiting it by boat still requires time to reach and enjoy it.

Sapphire Beach is another option on St. Thomas. It can fit neatly into a half-day plan when the group wants a beach stop paired with snorkeling elsewhere. Ask how much time remains after the boat ride and water activities, since squeezing in too many stops can leave each one feeling rushed.

Coki Point Beach is often chosen for swimming and snorkeling. It is a good match for families who want to spend their limited time in the water, though you should ask the crew about the day’s conditions and boat access.

Lindqvist Beach provides a quieter-feeling alternative on the St. Thomas side of the trip. It may appeal to you if your group values a less structured beach stop over a long list of sights. As with every location here, the captain has the final say based on safety and access.

St. John’s bays and beaches

The charter can reach several St. John locations, which is one reason the full-day option makes more sense for a group intent on exploring beyond St. Thomas. Honeymoon Beach is a natural choice for swimming and a relaxed shore stop. Francis Bay offers another place to spend time in the water and enjoy the setting without rushing.

Trunk Bay Beach is listed among the possible stops, but you should treat it as a request, not a promise. Commercial charter access has changed, and one direct account noted that the captain could not stop there because of restrictions. Confirm this before booking if Trunk Bay is the main reason you want the charter.

Maho Bay Beach is especially appealing if sea turtles are high on your list. Several outings have produced turtle sightings, though no responsible captain can guarantee wildlife. You may also see stingrays, octopuses, and reef fish, so keep your expectations hopeful but realistic.

Waterlemon Cay is another St. John option for snorkeling and scenery. It is better suited to a full-day plan, since moving between St. Thomas, St. John, and a cay takes time. Scott Bay Beach and Hansen Bay Beach give the captain more alternatives when wind or water conditions make another stop less comfortable.

Snorkeling, turtles, and water toys

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are floats. The crew helps people choose and put on gear, and the catamaran gives you a comfortable place to return between swims. This is especially useful for families with mixed swimming ability.

One family with a child who did not swim well said the crew watched the child on the boat briefly while the parents snorkeled. That sort of help can make a private charter workable for parents, but you should never assume crew members can provide ongoing childcare. Talk through your needs before getting in the water.

Sea life reported on these outings includes sea turtles, stingrays, octopuses, tropical fish, and a sunken ship. The best approach is to ask the captain where conditions and sightings have been good recently. Keep your hands off marine life, and follow crew instructions around reefs and wildlife.

The bow bean bags and trampolines are fun features, but they are also exposed to wind and spray. If you prefer a steadier ride, use the back deck or salon when the boat is moving.

Drinks are included, but lunch is not

The all-inclusive part of the charter covers ice, soda, beer, and the company’s signature rum punch. Bottled water is provided through Virgin H2O, and the company describes its onboard habits as eco-friendly. You can enjoy a drink without stopping at a shop before departure.

Lunch is separate. You may buy food at some stops, and previous trips have included Lovango and a pizza boat. Ask about the plan early, especially if you have children, dietary needs, or a full group that needs a proper meal.

The crew may handle drinks and help keep everyone supplied, but do not confuse that service with a catered lunch. Bring snacks if you want food available between stops, and ask what you may bring aboard.

Is $1,595 a good value for 12 people?

The price is $1,595 for the group, up to 12 people. At the maximum, that works out to about $133 per person before the customary crew tip. A 15 to 20 percent tip is not included, so budget roughly $239 to $319 more for exceptional service.

For 10 to 12 people, the price can compare well with paying for several seats on separate boat trips, especially since you get a private vessel, crew, drinks, gear, floats, and a restroom. You also avoid the common compromise of following a fixed route that does not suit your group.

For four people, the math is different. The same charter costs nearly $399 per person before gratuity. I would consider it worthwhile for a birthday, family reunion, or special occasion, but not automatically the best deal for a small group seeking basic snorkeling.

The price also buys time and privacy rather than a guaranteed list of beaches. If you value choosing your own stops and having the boat to yourself, that is where the money makes sense. If you mainly want one beach and one snorkel stop, compare less expensive options.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this for a group of family or friends who want a private day and can agree on a loose plan. It is particularly well suited to groups with different interests, since some people can snorkel while others relax on the boat or swim near shore.

Families with young children can benefit from the space and attentive crew, but parents remain responsible for children. The boat has a restroom, floats, and drinks, which reduces the strain of a long day at sea.

This may not suit you if you want a guaranteed Trunk Bay visit, a BVI excursion, or a tightly scheduled tour with every stop fixed in advance. The BVI is not available on this vessel. Separate BVI products exist, but they are not part of this experience.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The company also reports regular vessel sanitation and monthly crew testing, with masks optional because the activity is primarily outdoors.

Should you book the SY Sirena charter?

Book it if you have a larger group, want privacy, and care more about a well-shaped day than checking off every beach. I especially like the full-day option for groups hoping to combine St. Thomas, St. John, snorkeling, and lunch without racing the clock.

Choose the half-day if your priority is a simple water outing with one or two strong stops. Before paying, confirm the expected route, ask about Trunk Bay access, discuss lunch, and tell the company about young children or mobility concerns.

The overall record is strong, with a 4.9 rating from 606 ratings and 97 percent recommending it. One sharply negative account raised concerns about life jackets, crew manner, and a late departure, while the company disputed those claims. I would treat that as a reminder to arrive on time, ask clear questions, and communicate your expectations before leaving the harbor.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart?

The charter departs from American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the experience end?

The trip ends back at American Yacht Harbor, the starting point.

How long is the charter?

The experience lasts approximately four to seven hours. You can select a half-day or full-day charter.

How many people can join?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, beer, ice, and the signature rum punch are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food can be purchased at many locations.

Can the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The BVI is not available on this vessel. Separate BVI products can be booked through other options.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.