Luxury Private Sunset Cruise for up to 6 guests

The best part of this St. Thomas outing is the privacy: your group of up to six gets the Frances Anne to yourselves for a two-hour sunset sail. You can sit back with music, drinks, and a charcuterie board, or jump into the water and watch the sky change from sea level.

I like the easy all-in setup, with snorkeling gear, alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks included. I also like the personal touch from the crew. Captains and mates named in past sailings include Kendall, Tommy, Courtney, Dante, Mark, Rusty, Alex, and Danny, and several helped arrange marriage proposals.

The main consideration is timing. This is a short sunset cruise, not a full-day sailing trip, so the swim and snorkeling portion may be brief. At $695 per group, it is good value for six people, but much harder to justify for only two.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You share the Frances Anne only with your own group, which makes this far more personal than a large sunset boat.
• Two hours on the water: The cruise is built around sunset, with time for sailing, drinks, snacks, music, and possibly a swim.
• Food and drinks included: Expect a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, dips, and vegetables, plus alcohol and soft drinks.
• Snorkeling gear provided: You can use the supplied equipment if the crew offers time for a swim during your sailing.
• Strong choice for proposals: The crew has helped several couples plan engagements and special moments on board.
• Simple meeting point: The boat departs from Sapphire Beach Marina and returns there at the end.

Setting sail from Sapphire Beach Marina

Your cruise begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, at 6720 Smith Bay Road in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. The same location is used for the return, which keeps the outing simple. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point after the sail.

The marina is near public transportation, and the activity accepts mobile tickets. Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking, so keep it handy on your phone when you arrive.

The departure location matters because this is a focused boat outing rather than a hotel pickup tour. You are responsible for getting to the marina, but once you arrive, the plan is straightforward: board the private sailboat, settle in, and head out for the evening.

I would allow enough time to reach Sapphire Beach Marina without rushing. Sunset cruises run on a fixed clock, and a late arrival can cost you part of a two-hour trip. The exact departure time depends on the scheduled sunset sailing, so check your confirmation carefully.

The Frances Anne and the private-group advantage

The boat is described as a 40-foot sailboat, with enough space for a small group to spread out without feeling lost on a large charter vessel. Up to six people can book the entire activity, so you will not be seated beside strangers or sharing the evening with a crowd.

That private format is the heart of the experience. You can set the mood for your own party, spend time talking with the captain, play along with the music, or keep the evening quiet while the sun drops. It also gives the crew room to pay attention to your group rather than manage a packed boat.

The arrangement works especially well for couples, families, and close friends. If you are marking a birthday, anniversary, engagement, or proposal, a private deck is a much better setting than a busy public cruise.

The boat is still a working sailboat, not a floating restaurant or a large resort deck. Space will be limited compared with a full-size vessel, and the experience depends on the weather and the natural movement of the sea. If someone in your party is sensitive to motion, keep that in mind before booking.

What the two-hour cruise feels like

The trip is built around the changing light. After leaving the marina, you will spend the evening sailing through St. Thomas waters, with the crew setting a relaxed pace suited to sunset viewing.

There is no long list of scheduled stops. Instead, the time is divided among sailing, conversation, music, refreshments, and the option to get into the water. That makes the cruise feel less like a sightseeing checklist and more like a private evening out.

You can stay on deck and enjoy the view as the sun lowers. The boat gives you a better vantage point than a shoreline restaurant because the horizon is open in every direction. You may also prefer to watch from the water if the crew provides time for swimming.

The cruise typically lasts about two hours. That is long enough to make sunset the main event, but short enough to fit neatly into an evening itinerary. It is not designed to cover a wide area or visit several separate bays.

If your priority is a full snorkeling session, this may not be the right boat trip. Snorkeling is an option, and equipment is provided, but the timing centers on sunset. You should think of swimming as a pleasant extra rather than the main purpose.

Swimming and snorkeling at sunset

You are welcome to jump into the water if conditions and timing allow. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear for this activity.

The chance to watch the sunset from sea level is a memorable touch. From the water, you get a different view of the boat, the sky, and the changing color around you. It also breaks up the ride for anyone who wants more than a seated sail.

Still, you should bring realistic expectations. The supplied details do not promise a particular reef, cove, or length of time for snorkeling. The crew may choose a suitable place based on weather, sea conditions, and the evening schedule.

If you would rather stay dry, that is perfectly fine. The boat is set up for an enjoyable evening on board, with snacks, drinks, music, and views from the deck. You will not be left without something to do if you skip the swim.

Charcuterie, drinks, and music on board

The food is a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, dips, and vegetables. It is the right kind of food for a short sail: easy to share, light enough for a boat, and more interesting than a bag of packaged snacks.

Alcohol and soft drinks are included. The open-bar setup adds value, particularly for a group that plans to settle in and enjoy the full two hours on board. It also means you do not need to organize a separate cooler for the main refreshments.

Past trips have been praised for plentiful drinks and good mixed drinks. That gives you a sense of the service style, but the exact drink selection is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular wine, beer, or cocktail.

The food and drinks are included in the group price, which makes the cost easier to judge. For six people, $695 works out to about $116 per person before any separate transportation costs. For four people, it is about $174 each. A couple would pay the full $695 unless the operator offers another arrangement, making it a premium choice for two.

Music is part of the atmosphere. The combination of music, a private deck, sunset light, and drinks gives the outing a celebratory feel without requiring a formal dinner or a packed entertainment program.

The crew and the personal touches

The crew is a major part of this cruise. Captains named on past trips include Kendall, Tommy, Mark, and Alex, with mates such as Courtney, Dante, Rusty, and Danny. Your exact crew may differ, but the repeated pattern is clear: expect an active host, not a silent boat operator.

Kendall was praised for experience, friendliness, and a strong grasp of the local waters. Alex has also taught passengers a few things about sailing while keeping the tone easygoing. Those details matter if you enjoy learning a little as you go rather than simply sitting back.

Tommy appears often in the praise for this experience, including family trips and proposals. The crew has helped couples create special moments on board, including engagements. If you are planning something important, contact Virgin Islands Day Sailing before the trip and ask about customizing the outing.

Do not assume that a proposal setup, decorations, or a special meal comes automatically with the booking. The tour information specifically invites you to reach out for a customized trip, so make your request in advance.

Planning a proposal or celebration

This cruise suits a proposal better than a standard public sunset outing. You control who is on board, and the two-hour schedule gives you time to settle in before choosing your moment.

The crew has already helped with several proposals, including one following a private sailing with Kendall and another supported by Tommy and Courtney. Mark and Rusty have also helped a couple create a special proposal setting.

That does not mean the crew can guarantee a particular sunset, sea condition, or exact route. It does mean you have a useful starting point: tell the operator what you are planning and ask what can be arranged.

For a birthday or anniversary, the private format is just as useful. A small group can enjoy the boat without having to coordinate around other people. The snacks and drinks keep the evening informal, while the setting gives it more polish than a simple beach stop.

Is $695 a fair price?

The answer depends almost entirely on group size. Six people sharing the boat brings the cost to roughly $116 per person, with the boat, crew, snorkeling equipment, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and private access included.

That is a solid package for a special evening in St. Thomas. You are paying for privacy as much as for the sailing itself. The value is strongest if your group would otherwise spend money on dinner, drinks, and a separate sunset activity.

For four people, the price remains reasonable if you care about having the boat to yourselves. For two people, it becomes a luxury splurge. Couples booking for a proposal or major anniversary may find the privacy worth it, but casual sunset watchers can likely find cheaper shared options.

The booking pattern also gives you a practical clue: this outing is booked about 29 days ahead on average. I would reserve early if your dates are fixed, especially for a proposal, anniversary, or cruise-ship visit with little flexibility.

Weather, cancellation, and basic suitability

The cruise requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason comes with the same choice of another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so check the weather and your schedule before that deadline.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not give detailed mobility or boarding guidance, so contact the provider directly if anyone in your group needs specific assistance getting onto the boat.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and the tour begins and ends at Sapphire Beach Marina. Those details make it easy to fit into a day when you are already near Smith Bay, but transportation to the marina is not described as included.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it most strongly to a small group that values privacy. Six friends can split the cost and enjoy a relaxed evening without the noise or fixed social setup of a large public boat.

It is also a natural fit for couples planning a proposal or anniversary. The crew has experience helping with those moments, and the setting offers enough time for a thoughtful plan without turning the evening into a formal production.

Families can enjoy it too, particularly if some people want to swim while others prefer to remain on board. The private format lets your group set its own pace, though you should remember that the main activity is a sunset sail, not a dedicated family snorkeling lesson.

I would choose another option if you want several snorkeling sites, a long day on the water, or a large meal. This cruise keeps things short, social, and centered on the sunset.

My booking advice

Book this private St. Thomas sunset cruise if your group can share the $695 price and you want an intimate evening with drinks, simple food, music, and the option to swim. It is particularly well suited to proposals and small celebrations, where a private boat adds real value.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling as only two people on a tight budget, or if snorkeling is your main goal. For six people, the math is attractive. For two, you are paying for a luxury setting, not an inexpensive boat ride.

FAQ

Where does the sunset cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, 6720 Smith Bay Road, Smith Bay, St. Thomas 00802, USVI.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at Sapphire Beach Marina, the same place where it begins.

How long does the cruise last?

Sunset cruises typically last about two hours.

How many people can book the private cruise?

The private cruise is available for groups of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the optional swim and snorkeling portion of the cruise.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. Alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks are included. The snacks consist of a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, dips, and vegetables.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

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