Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

The best part of this St. Thomas charter is control. Instead of following a fixed boat route, you and the captain shape the day around snorkeling, beach time, swimming, sailing, or simply lounging aboard S/Y Pisces. The 47-foot Leopard catamaran gives your group a wide back deck, bow trampolines, bean bags, and room to spread out.

I especially like the private capacity for up to 12 people, which can make the $1,495 group price sensible for a family or friend group. I also like the thoughtful extras: snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, signature rum punch, Bluetooth music, and an onboard restroom.

The main consideration is that lunch is not included, and the boat does not visit the British Virgin Islands. You also need to reach the WICO Day Charter Dock at Havensight on time, which takes planning if your cruise ship docks at Crown Bay Marina.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 47-foot catamaran: S/Y Pisces is reserved for your group, with space for up to 12 people.
• A captain-built itinerary: You can request snorkeling, turtle watching, beach stops, swimming, sailing, or a quieter route away from crowded anchorages.
• Useful onboard comforts: Snorkel gear, floats, beer, rum punch, soda, bottled water, music, and a restroom are included.
• Strong snorkeling potential: Past outings have included turtles, stingrays, coral, schools of fish, and several different snorkel sites.
• Cruise-ship timing matters: The meeting point is at Havensight, while Crown Bay passengers need a taxi in both directions.
• Lunch requires planning: You can buy lunch at one of the stops, but it is not part of the charter price.

Why a private catamaran changes the day

A private boat gives you something a shared excursion cannot: a say in how the hours unfold. If your group wants to snorkel more than once, you can ask for several water stops. If some people would rather sit in the shade with a drink, they do not have to spend the whole day following a rigid schedule.

That flexibility is especially useful for mixed groups. One family ranging from young children to adults in their seventies had a good day aboard Pisces, while another group of four adults and three children used the boat for snorkeling, turtle watching, and relaxed swimming. The crew can adapt the pace, though you should still expect an active day built around being on and in the water.

The boat itself helps. S/Y Pisces is a 47-foot catamaran with a salon opening onto a large back deck. The bow has bean bag chairs and two trampolines, useful places for conversation, sunbathing, or watching for turtles. Catamarans also offer a broad, stable platform compared with a narrow monohull, though no boat ride is perfectly smooth in every condition.

You can connect your phone to the JBL Bluetooth sound system and play your own music. That small detail matters on a private charter, where your group can create the mood instead of listening to a shared onboard playlist.

Meeting at Havensight without a morning scramble

The meeting point is the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at WICO Day Charter Dock, Havensight. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain will escort you from the kiosk to the boat.

If your cruise ship docks at Havensight, the location is convenient. If your ship arrives at Crown Bay Marina, allow about 15 minutes each way by taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. That transfer is not part of the charter, so leave a healthy time cushion for traffic, ship procedures, and the return ride.

For a full-day charter, 9 a.m. is a common start time, but the group can determine the departure time. All times use local island time. Cruise-ship passengers should confirm their actual dock before booking and discuss the return time with the captain at the start of the day.

This is one place where a private charter can work better than a large ship excursion. You are not trying to assemble a busload of people at several meeting points. Still, the boat cannot solve a late taxi or a delayed ship, so your timing remains your responsibility.

Building your route around St. Thomas

The itinerary is intentionally open. Possible areas include St. Thomas, Water Island, Buck Island, harbors, and perhaps a quiet cay. The exact stops depend on weather, sea conditions, your interests, and the captain’s judgment.

A typical full-day plan might combine a scenic cruise, one or more snorkel stops, a beach visit, time for lunch, and a relaxed ride back. The order can change. If snorkeling conditions are better earlier, the captain may put that first. If your group wants more beach time, you can make that the center of the day.

The value here is not checking off a long list of islands. It is choosing a route that fits your group. A first-time visitor may want a broad introduction to the nearby waters. A repeat visitor may prefer less time at familiar places and more time at a quieter cove.

You should not expect a guaranteed secret cay, specific turtle sighting, or fixed number of stops. The mention of a possible secret cay is an option, not a promise. Marine life and water conditions vary, and the captain will make the final call on safe and sensible locations.

Snorkeling for turtles, rays, and reef life

Snorkeling is the main reason many people book this charter. Equipment is included, so you do not need to pack masks, snorkels, or fins unless you prefer your own. Floats are also provided for people who want to relax in the water without constant swimming.

The outings described by the operator have included coral, many fish, stingrays, and sea turtles. One group visited several snorkel sites and saw turtles, stingrays, and fish. Another found turtles at a reef and at Honeymoon Beach. These accounts show the range of possible marine life, but they do not guarantee what you will see on your date.

The crew can help you find sea turtles and point out marine life. One first mate even produced underwater video of a turtle feeding on seagrass, which shows the kind of personal attention that can make a private trip more memorable. Still, do not treat the crew as a wildlife guarantee. Sea creatures move, visibility changes, and conditions affect every outing.

For families, ask the captain about the day’s swimming plan and be clear about who is comfortable in open water. The boat has floats and snorkel gear, but the experience still requires time in the sea. Children should be supervised closely, and anyone who is not a confident swimmer should use the available flotation equipment and follow crew instructions.

Beach time at Honeymoon Beach and other stops

Beach time gives the day a useful change of pace. Honeymoon Beach has appeared in several custom itineraries, including outings with snorkeling, swimming, lunch, and time ashore. It may become a favorite stop for people who want sand, calm water, and a break from the boat.

Other possible stops include Shipwreck Cove and different island beaches. The exact beach depends on your route and conditions. You may spend a short time ashore or make it a longer pause for lunch and swimming.

Ask about the plan before you leave the dock. If your group includes people who want to snorkel all day, a long beach stop may feel like lost water time. If you have young children or non-swimmers, beach time may be the part everyone remembers most.

Lunch is not included. You can purchase it at various locations, and past itineraries have included lunch at Honeymoon Beach and Dinghy’s. Because the food stop is not guaranteed or prepaid in the supplied details, ask the captain what options fit your route and budget. You may also want to confirm whether your preferred lunch location accepts the timing of your charter.

Drinks, music, and life aboard Pisces

Included drinks make the price easier to understand. You receive bottled water from Virgin H2O, soda, beer, and Seas the Day’s signature rum punch. The operator also emphasizes eco-friendly water practices, which is a useful touch on a marine outing.

The rum punch has earned plenty of affection, but pace yourself. A full day in sun and salt water can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. Drink water throughout the trip, especially before snorkeling or swimming.

The JBL Bluetooth system lets you bring your own soundtrack. That works well for a birthday, family gathering, or relaxed day with friends. Keep the volume at a level that allows you to hear the captain’s instructions, especially around water activities and boat movement.

There is a restroom aboard. That is a modest feature until you are several hours from shore, particularly with children or older family members. Comfortable seating on the back deck, the salon, and the bow also means you can change position during a long charter instead of staying in one spot.

How the crew shapes the experience

The crew list changes, but captains and first mates named in the supplied material include AnneMarie, Christian, Alex, JP, Megan, Lindsay, Darren, Eduardo, Coleman, Alicia, Selena, Callu, and Liv. Do not assume a particular person will operate your boat unless that has been confirmed for your date.

The strongest pattern is a crew that combines practical boat handling with a social approach. Captains have adjusted routes to avoid crowded spots, arranged alternate pickup help during a taxi problem, and accommodated an earlier return when a cruise-ship group wanted extra time before boarding.

That kind of flexibility is valuable, but it depends on clear communication. Tell the crew what matters most before departure. Say if your priority is turtles, beach time, several snorkel sites, a gentle day for children, or a quieter cruise with fewer stops.

One poor experience involved a reservation not being properly submitted by a booking agent, leaving the group without the expected boat. The operator tried to find an alternative, but the lesson is simple: confirm your reservation directly with Seas the Day Charters and Tours before arrival, especially for a large group or cruise-ship schedule.

Price and group value at $1,495

The listed price is $1,495 per group of up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $125 per person before any lunch purchase or crew gratuity. For 10 people, it is about $150 each. For a small group of four, the per-person cost rises sharply.

That makes this most compelling for families, wedding groups, reunions, and friends traveling together. If you can fill most of the 12 spaces, a private boat can compare well with buying separate seats on premium shared excursions, especially since drinks, equipment, floats, and the restroom are included.

The price is harder to justify for two or three people unless privacy and control are your top priorities. A shared outing may cost less, but it will not give you the same control over music, route, pace, or companions.

The supplied information gives a seven-hour approximate duration and says you can choose a half-day or full-day charter. Since only the $1,495 group price is provided here, confirm the half-day rate before paying. Also ask about the customary gratuity, since the operator notes that crew members rely on gratuity to supplement their income.

Who should book this charter

I would point this experience toward:

• Families who want a private setting and an adjustable pace
• Groups of friends who can share the cost among eight to 12 people
• Cruise-ship passengers docking at Havensight
• Snorkelers hoping to visit more than one location
• People who prefer a boat day with drinks, music, and room to relax
• Mixed-age groups that need both water activities and comfortable seating

You may want another option if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the lowest possible price. It may also be a poor fit if your group dislikes swimming, snorkeling, or spending most of the day outdoors.

The boat is listed as accessible to service animals, near public transportation, and suitable for most participants. The provided information does not give details about step-free boarding, mobility equipment, or specialized assistance. Contact the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, based on local island time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. Bring a phone for Bluetooth music if that matters to your group, but protect it from spray and water. You should also carry whatever payment method you need for lunch, since food is not included.

Ask the captain early about the return time, especially if you must reach a cruise ship. A private boat offers flexibility, but it does not remove the need for a careful ship-day schedule.

Should you book S/Y Pisces?

Book it if you have a reasonably large group and want a private St. Thomas day built around your priorities. The combination of a roomy catamaran, several possible snorkel locations, beach time, drinks, floats, music, and a captain-led custom route gives you more control than a standard excursion.

I would be most confident booking for eight to 12 people, with a clear plan for lunch and cruise-ship transportation. Before finalizing, confirm the half-day or full-day price, departure time, assigned crew, dock location, and return plan.

For a small party, compare the per-person cost with a shared boat. For a full group, this charter offers a practical way to turn a day on the water into the main event of your St. Thomas visit.

FAQ

Where does the charter depart?

Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at WICO Day Charter Dock, Havensight, St. Thomas.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain will escort you from the meeting point to the boat.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full-day charter lasts approximately seven hours. A half-day option is also available, but confirm its exact duration and price when booking.

What is included on the boat?

Snorkeling equipment, floats, bottled Virgin H2O, soda, beer, signature rum punch, and an onboard restroom are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but you can purchase it at various locations during the outing.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience begins.