Private Full Day Sail/ Snorkel Experience USVI (Sapphire Marina, STT pick up)

The best part of this private St. Thomas sailing charter is the freedom to make the day your own. Rob and Deb take up to six people aboard Cosmos for about seven hours, then work with you on the plan. You can sail, snorkel, swim, lounge, or mix all four without sharing the boat with strangers.

I like the personal touch of a homemade lunch, especially the crab cakes and salad that have become a highlight of the day. I also like that the snorkeling is not treated as a fixed box to check. Rob chooses locations with your interests and conditions in mind, with options that have included Honeymoon Beach, Christmas Cove, St. John, and Greater St. James.

The main drawback is cost: $1,975 is a large outlay for a couple, though it becomes much better value when split among six people. You also need to bring towels and reef-safe, non-spray sunblock, and the boat’s swim ladder has a maximum capacity of 260 pounds.

Key points at a glance

• Your own private boat for seven hours: Only your group of up to six participates, so the pace and route can be adjusted around your interests.
• Rob and Deb host the day: Their friendly, hands-on style includes help with snorkeling and getting in and out of the water.
• Snorkeling can include turtles and rays: The waters around St. John and nearby islands have produced sightings of sea turtles, stingrays, colorful fish, and other sea life.
• Lunch is prepared onboard: Homemade crab cakes and salad are a recurring feature, with snacks and drinks also mentioned as part of the hospitality.
• Sapphire Beach keeps boarding simple: The boat uses a dock slip, making boarding and disembarking easier than climbing aboard from a beach.
• Bring a towel and the right sunblock: Towels are not included, and sprays or oils are not allowed.

Setting out from Sapphire Beach at 9 a.m.

The day begins at Sapphire Beach in Smith Bay, St. Thomas, at 9 a.m. This is a useful starting point because you board from a dock slip, rather than wading through shallow water or clambering up a beach ladder. The activity returns to the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

Sapphire Beach is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not include hotel pickup. Plan to make your own way to the marina area and arrive ready for a full day outside. Since this is a private charter, the morning is less about joining a prescribed group schedule and more about meeting Rob and Deb, settling aboard, and discussing what you want from the day.

That conversation matters. One person in your group may want serious snorkeling, another may prefer quiet sailing, and a child may simply want time with the flotation toys. A private boat lets you balance those needs instead of accepting the pace of a large excursion.

Cosmos is described in the available experiences as a well-maintained, roomy sailboat. Several outings were especially appreciated by people who already enjoy sailing, because the boat time itself is a central part of the experience. If you want a quick motorboat transfer with a short swim stop, this is not quite that. The sailing is part of the point.

A private route instead of a fixed checklist

Once underway, you can help shape the route. The full-day format gives Rob and Deb room to adjust the plan, and the possible destinations include waters around St. Thomas, St. John, and Greater St. James.

The exact stops are not guaranteed. That is a strength when you value flexibility, but it also means you should not book this expecting a rigid list of named sites. Conditions, your group’s wishes, and the captain’s choices all influence the day.

You might sail for much of the morning, stop at a quiet beach, and then spend time snorkeling from the boat. You might also choose a slower day with more time on deck. The description specifically presents the charter as your day to do what you wish, so talk openly at the start about how much sailing, swimming, and relaxation you want.

I would tell Rob and Deb your priorities early. If sea turtles are high on your list, say so. If one person does not snorkel, explain that too. One family enjoyed the arrangement because a non-snorkeler could lounge on the boat while others entered the water. That is one of the clearest advantages of booking a private charter.

Snorkeling near Honeymoon Beach and St. John

Snorkeling is the main active part of the trip, but the locations are selected as part of the day rather than promised as a fixed itinerary. Honeymoon Beach is one possible stop. Other outings have included Christmas Cove, St. John, and Greater St. James.

The area has produced some excellent wildlife encounters. You might see colorful fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and other sea creatures. The supplied information does not promise any particular animal, so approach this as a chance to explore local water rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Rob and Deb provide snorkeling equipment and flotation water toys. Their role is especially helpful if you are rusty in the water. One couple had become nervous about returning to snorkeling and received instruction and help getting into and out of the water. That kind of assistance can make a real difference, although you should still have a moderate level of physical fitness for the outing.

The swim ladder has a maximum capacity of 260 pounds. This is an important practical limit, not a minor footnote. If anyone in your group may be close to that limit, ask the operator about the boarding and water-entry arrangements before booking.

You can also choose to stay aboard during a snorkel stop. That works well for mixed groups, non-swimmers, or anyone who wants a quiet break. The boat has room for relaxing, and the day does not require every person to enter the water at every stop.

Sailing time is part of the experience

Many water excursions use sailing as a way to reach the snorkeling site. Here, sailing is a major reason to book. You get time to feel the boat move under sail, watch the islands pass, and enjoy a quieter pace between water stops.

That slower rhythm will appeal to you if you like being on the water for its own sake. It may feel too gentle if your main goal is to visit as many beaches as possible. A seven-hour charter gives the crew enough time to combine both, but you should discuss the balance you want.

The boat also gives you a private setting for a special occasion. Couples have booked Cosmos for a relaxed day, while families have used it for a mixture of swimming and time on deck. A group of six can spread the cost and enjoy a more personal experience than a standard shared cruise.

The private setup also helps with conversation. You are not trying to fit into a large group’s schedule or compete for the captain’s attention. Rob and Deb can focus on your party’s comfort, questions, and preferred pace.

Homemade crab cakes for lunch

Lunch is prepared by Deb and served onboard. The meal described most often is crab cakes with salad, and it has been singled out as a major part of the day. Snacks and drinks have also been part of the hospitality on some outings.

That detail adds value because a full day on the water works better when you do not need to interrupt it for a restaurant stop. You can eat aboard, rinse off, and return to sailing or swimming without losing a large block of time.

Still, check with the operator about food requirements before you book if anyone in your party has allergies or strict dietary needs. The available information identifies the homemade lunch but does not provide a full menu or dietary policy.

After swimming, you can use the freshwater shower rinse. It will not replace a full shower, but it is useful for washing away salt before the ride back to Sapphire Beach. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included.

For sun protection, pack reef-safe sunblock if possible. Sprays and oils are not allowed. Apply it before boarding and bring a permitted lotion for later use. This is better for the water and avoids an awkward problem once you are aboard.

What $1,975 means for your group

The price is $1,975 per group of up to six people. For six passengers, that works out to about $329 per person. For four people, it is about $494 each. For two, the cost is nearly $988 per person, before gratuity.

That math tells you who gets the best value. A full group that wants a private boat, a flexible route, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and seven hours on the water may find the price reasonable. A couple looking for a short snorkeling trip will likely find the charter expensive.

You also need to budget for the crew gratuity. The stated industry standard is 15 to 20 percent of the trip, which would be approximately $296 to $395 on the $1,975 charter. Gratuity is not included.

The strongest value comes from the combination of time and privacy. You are not just paying for a snorkel stop. You are paying for a full day with a captain and first mate, use of the boat, a custom plan, onboard lunch, water equipment, and the ability to spend less time on activities your group does not enjoy.

If you want a bargain shared excursion, choose something else. If your group values personal attention and wants to treat the boat as its own base for the day, the price makes more sense.

Who will enjoy Cosmos most

I would recommend this charter to families, couples, and small friend groups who want control over their time. It is particularly useful for groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel while someone else relaxes aboard, and children can switch between swimming and flotation toys.

It also suits people who enjoy sailing, not just sightseeing from a boat. Several outings have been praised for their calm, peaceful quality, and for the pleasure of spending time on a well-maintained sailboat.

The trip may not suit you if you dislike open-water activity, need a highly structured timetable, or want guaranteed access to a specific beach. The route is custom, so flexibility is part of the deal.

You should also consider your group’s physical ability. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level, and boarding uses a swim ladder for water access. The dock makes initial boarding easier, but getting in and out of the water still requires care.

The charter has earned a 5 out of 5 rating from 16 published ratings, with a 100 percent recommendation rate. More useful than the number is the consistency of the praise for Rob and Deb’s hospitality, the sailing itself, the homemade lunch, and the quality of the snorkeling stops.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is private, so only your party takes part, with a maximum of six passengers.

The starting time is 9 a.m., and the experience lasts about seven hours. It ends back at Sapphire Beach, where you began.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made later are not refunded, and changes within that window are not accepted. The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or arrange another date.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, permitted sunblock, and anything your group needs for a long day outside. Towels and crew gratuity are not included. Snorkeling equipment, flotation toys, lunch, and the freshwater rinse are included.

Should you book this private sailing charter?

Book it if you want a full day shaped around your group, especially if you can fill most or all of the six places. The mix of real sailing, flexible snorkeling, wildlife possibilities, homemade lunch, and friendly personal hosting makes this more distinctive than a simple boat transfer.

I would be especially keen to book it for a family with mixed abilities or for a couple marking a special occasion, provided the cost fits. Ask about your preferred snorkeling areas and any food needs before the day.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost way to snorkel, a guaranteed list of stops, or a short outing. For everyone else, Cosmos offers a relaxed, personal day on the water with enough room for both adventure and doing very little at all.

FAQ

How long is the private sailing and snorkeling experience?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the charter begin?

It begins at Sapphire Beach in Smith Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the Sapphire Beach meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The charter accommodates up to six passengers, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Deb prepares a homemade lunch onboard. Crab cakes and salad are specifically associated with the meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and flotation water toys are included.

Are towels and sunblock provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel and sunblock. Sprays and oils are not allowed, and reef-safe products are encouraged.