Private Full Day BVI Boat Charter Aboard MV Aquarius

The best part of this charter is control. Your group gets its own 31-foot Wellcraft powerboat, so the captain can build the day around your interests instead of following a fixed route. I like the easygoing bow seating for sun and turtle watching, and I like having snorkeling gear, cold drinks, and a Bluetooth sound system already on board.

The main catch is cost. The $2,295 price covers the boat for up to 12 people, but you also pay a $250 fuel surcharge and a British Virgin Islands customs fee per person. The listed customs fee appears as both $75 and $85, so confirm the current amount before booking. The BVI crossing also makes this a weather-dependent day.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to 12 people: The rate is for the whole group, not each person, which can make it a sensible choice for a family or group of friends.
• Captain-planned island hopping: Your route can include St. Thomas, St. John, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Sandy Spit, the Indians, or other surrounding cays.
• Snorkeling at the Indians: This is one of the most appealing stops for underwater scenery and tropical fish.
• A full day on a fast, modern boat: MV Aquarius is a 2019 Wellcraft with twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines.
• Drinks and gear included: Soda, water, beer, and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• Extra charges matter: Add the fuel surcharge and BVI customs fee to the advertised group price.

Red Hook to the BVI on MV Aquarius

Your day starts at 8:00 a.m. at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the eastern end of St. Thomas. This is the standard pickup point, and the activity finishes back there after roughly eight hours on the water.

The boat is a 2019, 31-foot Wellcraft powered by twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines. That gives the captain plenty of power for a full day among the islands and cays, though a fast powerboat can still feel lively when the sea is choppy. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, take that into account before choosing a long open-water trip.

The bow is set up for conversation, sunbathing, and watching the water. You can also use the Fusion audio system with Bluetooth, so your group can bring its own soundtrack. Keep the volume sensible near other boats and beaches, but this is a nice touch for a private outing.

The boat carries snorkeling equipment, plus soda, water, and beer. The information provided does not promise food, so plan to ask about meals before departure. If your group expects to spend most of the day on the water, bringing any snacks you need is a practical move.

Why a private charter changes the day

A private boat is most useful when your group has different ideas about the perfect island day. Some people may want to snorkel, others may prefer a beach stop, and someone else may want lunch or a quiet harbor. With your own captain, the route can be adjusted instead of forcing everyone into the same pace.

That flexibility also depends on weather, sea conditions, fuel, and how much time you spend at each stop. You cannot see every island and harbor in one eight-hour outing. A good captain will help you choose a realistic combination.

The captain’s role matters here. Wallen is specifically praised for knowing the BVI well and helping a group shape its route around Norman Island and the Indians. Captains can vary, so if Wallen is available on your date, you may want to request him. If not, ask at booking how the route is chosen and how much flexibility you will have during the day.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a scripted narration. It is closer to hiring a boat and local skipper for the day. That is the appeal: you get more say in how the time is spent, but you also need to communicate clearly about what your group wants.

Norman Island and the Indians for snorkeling

Norman Island is one of the strongest choices for a day that mixes scenery and snorkeling. The island is connected with the famous caves at Treasure Point and the underwater sites around the Indians, a set of rocky formations known for clear water and marine life.

The Indians are singled out as a favorite snorkeling area on this route. You can expect to use the supplied equipment to look for tropical fish and coral around the rocks. Conditions vary, so visibility and comfort in the water will depend on the day.

For many groups, this stop is more rewarding than simply rushing from beach to beach. You get time in the water, a look at the island from sea level, and a setting that feels distinctly different from St. Thomas. Tell the captain early if snorkeling is a priority, since the day’s timing will need to allow for getting in the water and drying off afterward.

Norman Island can also be paired with the Willy T, a floating bar known for its lively atmosphere and jumps from the boat. That stop is not guaranteed, and it may not suit every group. Families with young children or anyone seeking a quiet day may prefer to keep the focus on snorkeling and the island itself.

Jost Van Dyke, Foxy’s, and the Soggy Dollar

Jost Van Dyke offers a different kind of stop. Instead of spending the whole day in the water, you can go ashore for food, drinks, and time at well-known beach bars.

Foxy’s, on Great Harbour, is one of the island’s best-known names. Soggy Dollar Bar is associated with White Bay, where visitors traditionally arrived by boat and swam ashore with money that could get wet. These places are part of the classic BVI experience, but they also bring practical tradeoffs.

A beach-bar stop takes time away from snorkeling and cruising. It can also add spending beyond the charter price, since your own food and drinks at shore establishments are not listed as included. If your group wants a relaxed lunch and a few hours on the beach, Jost Van Dyke may be exactly right. If your priority is seeing several anchorages, you may prefer a shorter stop.

The captain can help with the day’s order, but tell your group in advance what matters most. A party hoping for Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar, and snorkeling at the Indians may need to accept less time at each place.

Sandy Spit and the smaller cays

Sandy Spit is another possible stop, especially if your group wants a small-island setting. It is known for its simple beach and exposed position among the BVI islands. The attraction is not a long list of facilities. It is the chance to pause at a small cay, swim, and enjoy the water around it.

Stops like Sandy Spit show why a private charter can be more satisfying than a fixed group excursion. If the sea is calm and your group likes short beach visits, the captain can work a small cay into the route. If conditions are rough, or if everyone wants more time snorkeling, the plan may change.

Do not treat the suggested stops as a guaranteed checklist. The charter description gives examples, not a locked itinerary. Your captain designs the route, and weather and sea conditions have the final word.

What the $2,295 group price really means

The base price is $2,295 for up to 12 people. That works out to about $191 per person if you fill every available place. For six people, it is about $383 per person before extras. For a couple, the price is difficult to justify unless a private boat is the central reason for the trip.

The value improves for a full group. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated captain, a modern boat, and the ability to shape the day. You are not simply paying for transportation between two points. You are paying for time, flexibility, and access to a captain who can adjust the plan.

Two additional charges need attention. The fuel surcharge is $250 per booking. The BVI customs fee is charged per person, and the supplied information lists it as $75 in one place and $85 in another. That difference should be settled before you commit, especially if you have 10 or 12 people in the group.

Using the lower listed customs figure, a group of 12 would pay at least $900 in customs fees, plus the $250 fuel charge, on top of the charter. At the higher figure, customs would total $1,020. That means the final cost for a full group could be roughly $3,445 to $3,565 before any shore spending, depending on the current customs rate.

The per-person cost still may compare well with several separate boat tickets, but the real advantage is privacy. If your group is smaller, compare the total against other private charters and ask exactly what fuel, customs, drinks, gear, and pickup costs are included.

Crossing the international border

The BVI portion of the day requires customs clearance and the stated per-person customs fee. Bring whatever identification and travel documents the operator tells you to bring. The supplied details do not specify document requirements, so confirm them directly before sailing.

This is an international day trip, not simply a ride around the US Virgin Islands. That can add a little time and procedure at the border. It is worth it if the BVI stops are a major reason you are booking, but it is another reason not to expect every suggested destination in a single day.

Advance notice may allow pickup at Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie or Cruz Bay on St. John instead of Red Hook. Confirm the alternate pickup before booking rather than assuming it is automatic. The regular meeting point is American Yacht Harbor, and the activity returns there.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend MV Aquarius for a group that wants a private, active day and is happy to make decisions together. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating a special occasion, provided everyone is comfortable on a powerboat and in the water.

It is especially good for people who want to combine snorkeling with a few famous BVI stops. The Indians, Norman Island, Sandy Spit, Jost Van Dyke, Foxy’s, and Soggy Dollar offer different moods, so the captain can build a day with some variety.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a quiet, slow cruise, a guaranteed restaurant meal, or a tightly scheduled list of attractions. The boat is designed for movement between islands, and the final route depends on conditions and group priorities.

The activity calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around on deck, and using a swim ladder if you choose to snorkel. The supplied details do not describe accessibility arrangements, so ask the operator about any mobility concerns before reserving.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

An 8:00 a.m. departure gives you the best chance of making the most of the full eight hours. Build in time to reach Red Hook, find American Yacht Harbor, and be ready to board before departure.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

The boat is sanitized after each trip under stated CDC and WHO guidelines. Masks are not required for this mainly outdoor activity, though you may wear one if you prefer. Confirmation is issued at booking, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

One dated note deserves attention: the supplied information says MV Aquarius was scheduled to be out of the water through the end of October 2023, with another product suggested for August, September, and October of that year. Because that period has passed, ask Seas the Day Charters and Tours to confirm the boat’s current operating schedule before paying.

Should you book MV Aquarius?

Book this charter if your group can fill much of the boat, wants the BVI rather than only St. Thomas, and values a private route more than a low-cost beach excursion. The strongest plan is to choose two priorities, such as snorkeling at the Indians and time on Jost Van Dyke, then let the captain fit in a third stop if conditions allow.

Think twice if the group is small, if everyone wants a different itinerary, or if the added customs and fuel costs push the budget too high. Confirm the current BVI fee, pickup point, boat availability, and required documents before booking.

For a full group that wants a captain-led day with real freedom to move among the islands, MV Aquarius offers a practical way to see more than one corner of the USVI and BVI in a single outing.

FAQ

Where does the MV Aquarius charter begin?

The standard meeting point is American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, St. Thomas. With advance notice, pickup may also be available at Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie or Cruz Bay on St. John.

What time does the charter start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The $2,295 rate covers a private group of up to 12 people.

Is the price charged per person?

No. The listed charter price is for the group, not for each individual.

What is included on board?

Soda, water, beer, and snorkeling equipment are included.

What extra fees should I expect?

A $250 fuel surcharge applies per booking. A BVI customs fee also applies per person. The supplied information lists that customs fee as both $75 and $85, so confirm the current amount before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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