Full-Day Private Boat Charter from St. John or St. Thomas

The best part of this charter is control. Instead of following a large boat from one fixed stop to the next, your private group can shape the day around snorkeling, swimming, beaches, and lunch on the water. The 29 or 32-foot power catamarans can reach several parts of St. John in one outing, including the north shore, Coral Bay, and the quieter south side.

I like the chance to snorkel with sea turtles at Maho Bay and the freedom to let your captain adjust the plan. I also like the human scale: Captain Vic, Captain Bryan, Captain Andrew, and Captain Randy have each been praised for communication, professionalism, flexibility, and good judgment on the water. The main drawback is cost. At $1,095 for up to eight people, plus fuel, gratuity, and lunch, this makes the most sense when you can fill the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group gets the catamaran and captain without strangers aboard.
• Six hours on St. John’s waters: Travel time counts toward the tour, so smart routing matters.
• Maho Bay turtle snorkeling: Calm water and a strong chance to see sea turtles make this a popular opening stop.
• Flexible captain-led plan: You can request beaches, reefs, and bays, or let the captain choose based on conditions.
• Lunch comes with a view: Buy tacos at Lime Out in Coral Bay or pizza at Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove.
• Budget for extras: Fuel, a recommended 20 percent gratuity, and all food and drinks are separate.

Why a private St. John charter changes the day

St. John is a good place to be on a boat. The island’s best swimming coves, reefs, and beach stretches are scattered along a coast that is easier to reach by water than by road. A private charter lets you connect several of them without packing and unpacking beach gear all day.

The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m. from the meeting point and runs for about six hours. That sounds generous, but it includes the time spent moving between bays. You will not spend six full hours at one beach. The payoff is variety: turtle snorkeling in the morning, a reef or mangrove stop, lunch at a floating restaurant, and a quieter southern bay before returning.

This is also a useful choice for a group with different interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel while others stay aboard or swim in a protected bay. Children can enjoy calm water and beach stops, while adults can ask for more reef time. Since only your party participates, you do not have to negotiate the day with a boatload of strangers.

Your captain is central to the experience. Captains Vic, Bryan, Andrew, and Randy have been singled out for clear communication, relaxed service, professionalism, and the ability to find calmer water when conditions change. The exact captain is not guaranteed in the supplied details, so ask when booking if a particular captain matters to you.

Maho Bay starts the day with sea turtles

Maho Bay is a sensible first stop. The water is calm, and the bay is known for sea turtles. You can use the included snorkeling equipment and spend about an hour looking for turtles and other marine life in the shallow water.

The turtle appeal is real, but you should treat wildlife sightings as a possibility rather than a promise. Give turtles room, keep your movements calm, and follow the captain’s instructions. The point is not to chase an animal for a photograph. It is to watch quietly and let it pass.

Maho Bay is also a good place for less confident swimmers because the water is described as calm. Still, you should be comfortable in open water, and children should have close supervision. The boat provides water, ice, and a cooler, which helps you stay comfortable between swims.

Waterlemon Cay brings coral and clearer snorkeling goals

Waterlemon Cay offers a different underwater setting. The site is noted for healthy populations of elkhorn coral, a critically endangered coral species. That gives the stop more interest than a simple swim, especially if you want to see the condition and shape of a living reef rather than only search for fish.

Plan on roughly an hour here. Your captain can point out the best area for the day, but visibility and water conditions can vary. Coral is fragile, so avoid standing on it or touching it. Good snorkeling here depends as much on careful behavior as on clear water.

This stop may suit you best if you already enjoy snorkeling and want to spend time looking closely. If your group includes people who prefer beaches to reefs, the private format helps. Some can stay aboard or swim while others spend more time near the coral.

Hurricane Hole offers calm water among mangroves

Hurricane Hole is less about a classic sandy beach and more about the setting. You float in pool-like conditions among mangroves, in an area described as one of the healthiest mangrove ecosystems in the Virgin Islands.

That calm water can be a welcome pause after open-water snorkeling. Mangroves also matter ecologically. Their roots provide shelter for young marine life and help protect shorelines. You may find this stop quieter and more restful than the reef sites.

The tradeoff is simple: if your main goal is a long beach visit, Hurricane Hole may feel less rewarding than Maho Bay or Little Lameshur. If you appreciate unusual coastal places and want a gentle swim, it adds useful variety to the route.

Lime Out turns lunch into part of the trip

Lime Out in Coral Bay is one of the day’s most distinctive stops. It is a floating taco stand, so you can order tacos and frozen drinks while your boat remains on the water. Lunch here is not included, and purchases are your responsibility.

I like this stop because it uses St. John’s setting well. You are not stopping at an ordinary restaurant and losing the sense of being on the sea. You can eat, swim, and enjoy Coral Bay without ending the boat portion of your day.

Keep your expectations practical. A floating restaurant is a fun part of the outing, but it is also a popular destination. Your captain will handle the boat, yet your group should be ready to order and return to the schedule so the final stops do not get squeezed.

You can also request Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove instead. This floating pizzeria is another well-known food stop in the area. The choice gives you a useful lunch decision: tacos in Coral Bay or pizza at Christmas Cove. Neither meal is included in the charter price.

Little Lameshur Bay adds a quieter southern shore

Little Lameshur Bay brings the boat to St. John’s south side, where the mood can feel more secluded. You can swim ashore, explore old sugar plantation ruins, or snorkel in the bay. Sea turtles may also be found here.

The ruins add a small cultural and historical element to a day otherwise centered on water. Do not expect a formal guided site visit. This is a brief stop within a boat excursion, so you are getting a look at the remains and the shoreline rather than a full history tour.

The bay works well near the end of the charter because it offers options. You can take a final snorkel, walk ashore, or simply enjoy the scenery from the boat. If conditions are rough on another side of the island, your captain may adjust the route and find more comfortable water.

Other possible stops make the route flexible

The suggested plan is not the only way to spend the six hours. The charter also highlights Scott Beach, Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, Salt Pond Bay, Pelican Rock, and the south-shore area around Little Lameshur.

That list tells you what this boat can do well: combine several short experiences rather than focus on one long beach stay. You might spend more time at Trunk Bay, choose a quiet swim at Scott Beach, or ask for additional snorkeling at Salt Pond Bay or Pelican Rock.

The exact order is not fixed. Weather, sea conditions, lunch timing, and your group’s interests all matter. The private format is most valuable here because you can tell the captain what your group wants. In practice, a clear request at the start helps. Say if turtles, reefs, beach time, ruins, or lunch matter most.

What the $1,095 price really covers

The base price is $1,095 per group of up to eight. Filled to capacity, that works out to about $137 per person before fuel, gratuity, and food. For two people, the same charter becomes much more expensive per head.

The price includes private transportation by boat, an experienced captain, snorkeling equipment, water, ice, and use of a cooler. It does not include fuel. Fuel is billed according to usage at $7 per gallon, so ask how the final fuel charge is calculated before departure.

You should also set aside money for the captain’s gratuity. A 20 percent tip is recommended if service is excellent. Food and drinks at Lime Out, Pizza Pi, or another stop are separate, and alcoholic drinks are not supplied.

For a full group, the value is easier to see. You get a private boat, a captain who can change the route, gear for snorkeling, and access to several parts of St. John in one day. Compared with a large shared outing, you are paying for space, control, and time saved.

For a small group, the calculation is tougher. If you mainly want one beach and a short swim, a shared trip or a simpler excursion may cost less. This charter earns its price when you care about privacy and want to make several stops.

Boat comfort, supplies, and what to bring

The boat is either a 29-foot or 32-foot power catamaran. The supplied details do not specify seating arrangements or onboard shade, so ask about those features if they affect your comfort. A catamaran generally gives a stable platform, but you should still expect movement on the water.

Snorkeling equipment, drinking water, ice, and a cooler are included. You can bring your own beverages, including alcohol, but glass bottles are not allowed. Bring reef-safe sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and any personal snacks you want beyond the planned food stop.

Travel time counts toward the six-hour duration. That makes the captain’s routing important. A day that tries to include every possible bay may leave you with short stops, while a focused plan can give you more time in the water.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, cruise-port pickup is not included. You will need to take a taxi to American Yacht Harbor. This is an important cost and timing detail, especially if your ship has a firm departure time.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This trip is a strong match for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want their own space. It also suits people who have already seen the main beaches and want to combine snorkeling with lesser-visited bays and floating food stops.

It is particularly useful for a group with mixed priorities. One person can focus on turtles, another on coral, and another on swimming ashore. The captain can help balance those wishes, though six hours is still a limited window.

You should think twice if your budget is tight, your group has only one or two people, or nobody in your party wants to snorkel. The charter can include beach and swimming time, but its greatest value comes from moving around the island and using the water access.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. If anyone in your group has specific accessibility needs, contact Bonus Time Charters before booking. The company says it will try to accommodate groups, but the supplied information does not spell out boat access details.

Timing, weather, and cancellation basics

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity offers mobile ticketing.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, 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. Less than 24 hours before departure, refunds are not provided and changes are not accepted.

Weather flexibility also matters during the day. The route can be customized, and a captain may shift stops to find calmer water or better conditions. That is one reason not to treat the proposed sequence as a rigid promise.

Should you book Bonus Time Charters?

Book it if you want a private day built around St. John’s water rather than a fixed group schedule. The strongest reasons are the turtle snorkeling at Maho Bay, coral at Waterlemon Cay, calm mangrove water at Hurricane Hole, and the choice of floating tacos or pizza for lunch.

The charter is easiest to justify for a full group of six to eight people. Split among several passengers, the base price becomes more reasonable, and the private boat gives you room to adapt the day. The positive feedback around captains Vic, Bryan, Andrew, and Randy also points to the importance of personal service and good communication.

Skip it if you only want a quick swim, a single beach, or the lowest possible price. Also budget carefully for fuel, gratuity, food, and transportation from a cruise port. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to see far more of St. John in one relaxed day than you could manage by land.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including travel time between stops.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat accommodates one private group of up to eight people.

What snorkeling locations are included?

The proposed route includes Maho Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Hurricane Hole, Lime Out in Coral Bay, and Little Lameshur Bay. The itinerary can also be customized.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with water, ice, and a cooler.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks at places such as Lime Out or Pizza Pi are paid for by your group.

Can I bring alcohol aboard?

Yes, you may bring your own alcoholic beverages, but glass bottles are not allowed.

Is fuel included in the charter price?

No. Fuel is billed separately according to usage at $7 per gallon.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.