Full or Half Day Private Power Catamaran- USVI Beach and Snorkel

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is the freedom to shape the day with your captain. You can follow the suggested route toward Lovango Cay, St. John, Maho Bay, and Christmas Cove, or spend more time snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing wherever the water looks right. Captains including Aaron, Chris, and Hillary have earned especially warm praise for their good humor, local knowledge, and easygoing service.

I like the 36-foot power catamaran, which gives a group of up to 12 room to spread out, and I like the practical touches: long swim ladders, a shaded stern, bow nets, a marine toilet, fresh-water shower, changing area, floats, and full snorkel equipment. The main catch is cost control. The $995 group price does not include fuel, which usually adds $160 to $240, and an 18 to 20 percent tip is customary.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group gets the whole catamaran, rather than sharing space with strangers.
• Maho Bay sea turtles: Snorkel in shallow seagrass where turtles often feed close to the boat.
• Lunch with a view: You may order floating pizza from Pizza Pi or stop at a beachside restaurant such as Lime Out.
• Captain-led planning: Aaron, Chris, and Hillary are among the captains praised for shaping the route around your interests.
• Useful onboard comforts: Expect drinks, beer, snorkel gear, floats, swim ladders, a toilet, shower, and changing space.
• Budget for fuel: Actual fuel use is billed at $8 per gallon, commonly 20 to 30 gallons for the day.

A private day from Red Hook to St. John

You meet at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the east side of St. Thomas. The activity returns to the same marina after about seven hours, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end.

The power catamaran is certified for 12 people. That capacity matters because a private boat for 12 can be good value for a family or group of friends, while the same price is a serious splurge for only two or three people. At the advertised $995, the base price works out to about $83 per person if you fill every seat, before fuel and gratuity.

The boat’s layout is made for a full day on the water. You can stretch out on the forward nets, sit in the shade at the stern, or move around when the sun gets strong. The long swim ladders are a small but important feature. They make repeated trips into the water easier, especially for children and anyone who does not enjoy climbing a short, steep ladder.

You also have a marine head, a fresh-water shower, and a changing area. Those features will not turn the boat into a hotel, but they make seven hours at sea much more comfortable. Bring your own towel and any personal sun protection you prefer, since the stated inclusions cover drinks and water but do not list towels or sunscreen.

Lovango Cay gives the morning a flexible start

Lovango Cay is planned as one of the first stops. Here, you can snorkel around the island or relax at the upscale beach club. The choice gives your group an early chance to set the pace.

If your priority is water time, use the stop to test the snorkel gear and settle into the boat’s routine. If some people in your party would rather sit in the sun or enjoy a more polished shore setting, the beach club offers a different kind of break.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book a private charter instead of a fixed group cruise. You are not locked into one activity for everyone. The captain can help balance a family group in which some people want fish and reefs while others want a quiet swim or time on shore.

The trip also gives you broad views across the Virgin Islands as you cruise between St. Thomas, St. John, and the nearby cays. The scenery is part of the appeal, but the boat’s speed means you spend less of the day simply getting from one place to another.

St. John’s north shore and Honeymoon Beach

The route continues along the north shore of St. John, where the green hills meet clear Caribbean water. Honeymoon Beach is a stop for swimming and paddleboarding in calmer water.

This is a useful change of pace after the first snorkel stop. You can get off the boat, stretch your legs in the water, or use the calmer conditions for a more relaxed swim. It is also a sensible stop for mixed-age groups because not everyone needs to snorkel at every location.

The itinerary is not simply a checklist of beaches. Your captain helps decide how long to stay and which activities make sense for the day. That personal planning is especially valuable when weather or sea conditions affect the most exposed locations.

The captain also provides commentary along the way. Hillary, in particular, has been praised for pointing out island history and landmarks while cruising. That kind of narration adds context without taking over the day.

Maho Bay is the turtle stop

Maho Bay is the highlight for many people because sea turtles feed in shallow seagrass beds nearby. The boat stops so you can snorkel from the catamaran rather than joining a large shore-based group.

The shallow setting is helpful for anyone who is comfortable in the water but not an expert swimmer. You can use the provided noodles or floats, and the boat’s long ladders make returning aboard less awkward. Still, you should follow the captain’s instructions and give the turtles plenty of space. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the location is chosen for its known turtle habitat.

Maho Bay also shows why a private boat can be more useful than a standard sightseeing cruise. You have room to spend extra time in the water if conditions are good, or move on if the snorkeling does not suit your group. Reports from this outing include sightings of turtles, stingrays, eels, barracudas, sea urchins, coral, and many fish, though marine life naturally changes from day to day.

The boat supplies top-of-the-line snorkel equipment, but fit still matters. If you are particular about your mask or have a young child who needs a special size, ask about equipment before departure. The supplied information confirms snorkel gear is included, but it does not give a full size range.

Christmas Cove and lunch on the water

The final major stop is Christmas Cove off St. James Island. It is known for a calm anchorage and colorful reefs, making it another place to swim or snorkel.

Lunch here can be the most memorable meal of the day. Pizza Pi, a floating restaurant, serves pizza directly to boats in the cove. You can also arrange lunch at a local restaurant or beachside eatery, depending on the plan you make with the captain.

Lime Out has also been part of the day for some groups. This floating taco bar is an appealing choice if you want a distinctly island-style lunch rather than eating on land. The key practical point is that lunch is not listed as included in the $995 price. You should expect to pay separately for food.

You may also choose to eat onboard. That can save time and keep the boat day focused on swimming, but a restaurant stop adds a memorable local touch. Discuss the plan early, since lunch timing affects how much time remains for the last snorkel stop.

Christmas Cove is also a good place to slow down. After several stops, you may prefer a cold beer, a soda, or a float in the water rather than another active swim. The boat comes stocked with bottled water, soda, beer, and other alcoholic beverages, so you do not need to pack the day’s basic drinks.

Captains shape the day

The captain is central to this experience. Aaron has been singled out for being fun and well informed about the area. Chris has directed groups to productive snorkel spots, including locations where they saw turtles, stingrays, eels, barracudas, and plenty of fish. Hillary has received praise for both island narration and for building a day around a group’s preferred pace.

You cannot choose a particular captain from the information provided, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise. Still, the repeated praise for the crew’s attitude is worth noting. A private charter works best when the captain listens, explains the options, and keeps the schedule relaxed.

Tell the captain what matters most at the start. If your group wants sea turtles, say so. If lunch at a floating restaurant is the main goal, mention it before the route is set. If children or less confident swimmers are aboard, ask for calm-water stops and plenty of ladder access.

The advertised route is a strong starting point, not a rigid guarantee. Sea conditions, timing, and your group’s interests can affect the order and length of stops.

Comfort, condition, and what to bring

The catamaran has a good range of comforts for a day charter, but expectations should remain realistic. You have shaded seating, open bow space, swim ladders, a toilet, shower, changing area, drinks, floats, and snorkel equipment. Those basics make the boat practical for seven hours.

One condition issue has been reported: damaged forward netting made it impossible for one group to enjoy the bow nets fully. The operator indicated that repairs were being addressed. This is not a reason to reject the experience outright, but it is worth checking the current boat condition if lounging on the front nets is a major reason for booking.

There was also a complaint about expired sodas. The operator acknowledged the problem. Again, this appears to be a quality-control issue rather than the core purpose of the charter, but it explains why I would bring any favorite nonalcoholic drink or special dietary item you need.

The boat does carry water, soda, beer, and alcoholic beverages. Children count toward the total capacity, regardless of age, so a family of 12 cannot add extra infants or toddlers beyond the stated limit. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate according to the supplied accessibility information.

The real price of a private catamaran

The $995 rate is per group, not per person. That pricing structure makes the charter most attractive for a larger party. Six people pay about $166 each before fuel and gratuity, while 12 people pay about $83 each at the base rate.

Fuel is charged afterward at $8 per gallon based on actual use. The typical use is 20 to 30 gallons, adding roughly $160 to $240 to the bill. An 18 to 20 percent captain gratuity is customary, so you should treat the advertised rate as the starting cost, not the final total.

In exchange, you get a private seven-hour outing, a captain, drinks, gear, and control over the route. A shared boat may cost less per person, but it cannot give your group the same freedom to linger at Maho Bay, skip a stop, or plan lunch around your own preferences.

For a birthday, family reunion, or group of friends who want one special day on the water, the value can be strong. For a couple or small party, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this charter to groups that want a flexible mix of snorkeling, swimming, food, and scenery. It suits families because the boat has room to spread out and the itinerary can include calm-water stops. It also works well for friends who want drinks, music-free conversation, and a private base between swims.

Snorkelers should be happy here, especially if sea turtles are high on the wish list. You will get multiple chances to enter the water, and the boat carries the equipment you need.

This is less suitable for anyone who dislikes boats, wants a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour, or needs a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The day depends on marine conditions, and the captain adjusts the plan rather than promising every stop in every situation.

The seven-hour length also matters. You should be comfortable spending most of a day on the water. The shower, toilet, shaded area, and changing space help, but the setting remains a boat, not a land excursion.

Booking details and cancellation terms

This is a private activity, and confirmation is received at booking. It is often reserved about 30 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The charter requires good weather, and if poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book this St. Thomas charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you value a day built around your own interests. The strongest features are the private boat, roomy catamaran layout, easy swim ladders, repeated snorkeling stops, and captains such as Aaron, Chris, and Hillary who can shape the outing around your pace.

Before paying, confirm the current condition of the forward netting, ask how lunch will be handled, and add the likely $160 to $240 fuel charge to your budget. If those details fit, this is a practical way to combine St. John beaches, turtle snorkeling, floating food, and open-water views in one full day.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

It starts at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to American Yacht Harbor, the same place where the activity begins.

How long does the charter last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven hours. The experience is offered as a full or half-day private power catamaran option, so confirm the exact duration when booking.

How many people can join?

The catamaran can carry up to 12 people under US Coast Guard regulations. Every person counts toward the limit, including children and infants.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floats or noodles, bottled water, soda, beer, alcoholic beverages, taxes, fees, and the captain’s fee are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not listed as an included item. You may arrange lunch onboard or stop at a local restaurant such as Pizza Pi or Lime Out, with food purchased separately.

What extra costs should I expect?

Fuel is billed separately at $8 per gallon based on actual use. Fuel commonly runs 20 to 30 gallons, or about $160 to $240. An 18 to 20 percent gratuity for the captain is customary.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time.