Private New Powerboat to St John & LimeOut. Full Day USVI

The best thing about this St Thomas charter is the freedom to shape your day. On the 31-foot MV Aquarius, your private group can cruise toward St John, stop at a quiet beach, snorkel with turtles, or head to a lively waterfront stop such as LimeOut, Maho Crossroads, or Dinghy’s Beach Bar. Captain Bryan, Brian, or Aron may be at the helm, depending on your departure.

I like the private boat format, which means you are not tied to a fixed group itinerary or the pace of strangers. I also like the practical setup: snorkeling gear, water, soda, and beer are included, with a Bluetooth sound system and a bow area for sitting, sunning, talking, or watching for turtles. The main consideration is the extra fuel charge, billed at $8 per gallon, along with the fact that the BVI is not part of this trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Your own 31-foot Wellcraft: MV Aquarius has twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines and room for up to 12 people.
• A flexible St Thomas and St John route: Your captain can adjust the day around beaches, snorkeling, harbors, and nearby cays.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You can use the onboard gear at suitable stops, with past outings featuring sea turtles and coral fish.
• Food and beach stops are optional: You might stop at Lovango, LimeOut, Maho Crossroads, or Dinghy’s Beach Bar.
• The total price covers the group: The listed $1,395 rate is for up to 12 people, not for each person.
• Fuel costs extra: A full day typically uses 30 to 45 gallons, adding about $240 to $360 at the stated rate.

A private boat day from Red Hook

Your day begins at 9 a.m. at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on St Thomas. This is a useful starting point because Red Hook is the launch point for ferries and boat trips toward St John and the nearby islands.

The charter lasts about seven hours, giving you enough time for several stops without turning the outing into a rushed checklist. You are not simply ferried from one fixed point to another. The captain can shape the route around the conditions, your group’s interests, and the time you want to spend in the water.

With advance notice, pickup can also be arranged at Cruz Bay on St John, WICO at Havensight, or Lovango. You need to call ahead for those options. If your group is staying near the cruise port, a Havensight pickup could save you a trip to Red Hook. If you are based on St John, Cruz Bay may be the easiest choice.

Why MV Aquarius suits a private group

MV Aquarius is a 2019 Wellcraft measuring 31 feet, powered by twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines. That gives the boat a modern feel and enough speed for a full day moving among the islands and cays, though the comfort of any boat ride still depends on sea conditions.

The bow is one of the more appealing places to spend time. You can sit there with your group, stretch out in the sun, keep watch for turtles, or simply enjoy the ride between stops. The boat also has a Fusion sound system with Bluetooth, so you can bring your own music without relying on a fixed playlist.

The private setup matters most for groups with mixed interests. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer a beach, and someone else may be happy staying aboard with a cold drink. A private captain can usually make those choices easier than a large shared excursion can.

The maximum group size is 12. That makes this a possible choice for a family gathering, birthday, cruise group, or group of friends. Still, the boat may feel more comfortable with fewer people, especially if you expect everyone to spend a lot of time moving around the deck or carrying beach gear.

Building your St John itinerary

The route is not locked into a single sequence of stops. Your captain can plan a day around St Thomas, St John, or surrounding cays, with the final choices shaped by the group and the weather.

St John is the main draw for many groups. The island gives you the chance to see dramatic coastal views and spend time near beautiful beaches without making the whole day a land-based tour. The boat lets you view the shoreline from the water, which is often the most enjoyable way to understand how the islands fit together.

You may also visit harbors around St Thomas or nearby cays. Those stops can make the day feel varied: open water during the cruise, a quiet anchorage for swimming or snorkeling, and then a waterfront venue if your group wants food or a livelier break.

You should discuss your priorities with the captain at the start. If snorkeling is the main goal, say so early. If your group prefers scenery and beach time, make that clear as well. A seven-hour charter sounds long, but the time passes quickly once you add cruising, anchoring, swimming, and any meal stop.

Snorkeling, turtles, and time in the water

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from packing or renting masks and fins separately. The boat can stop at suitable areas where you may see coral and tropical fish, and the excursion has included sea turtle sightings.

Your group’s abilities matter here. One outing included people with different snorkeling skill levels, and the captain adjusted the experience to suit them. That is an important advantage of a private charter. A strong swimmer can spend more time in the water while a cautious swimmer can take things at a slower pace.

Do not expect the snorkeling to be identical every day. The captain chooses locations based on conditions and the day’s plan, so the quality and calmness of each stop can vary. If you are booking mainly for snorkeling, ask about the likely stops and conditions before departure.

The boat’s bow also gives you a way to enjoy the water without getting in. You can watch for turtles from the deck, listen to music, or sit in the sun while others snorkel. That makes the outing more workable for a group with different comfort levels.

Beaches, Lovango, LimeOut, and waterfront stops

The itinerary can include a deserted beach if your group wants quiet time. That option is valuable if you want a break from organized attractions, though the exact beach depends on the captain’s plan and conditions.

Lovango is another possible stop. One full-day outing included lunch there, and the meal was described as a highlight. The supplied details do not state that lunch is included in the charter price, so plan to pay separately for food at any shore or waterfront venue.

The tour title also points to LimeOut, a well-known floating food stop associated with St John. Since the provided details do not promise a particular meal or menu, treat it as a possible destination rather than a guaranteed stop. Mention it when you discuss your plans with the captain.

For a more social afternoon, Maho Crossroads or Dinghy’s Beach Bar may fit the mood. These options give you a change from quiet coves and snorkeling. They are also a reminder that this is not only a sightseeing cruise. You can make it a relaxed beach-and-bar day if that suits your group.

The tradeoff is simple: every restaurant or bar stop takes time away from cruising and snorkeling. If you want to see several islands and spend a long stretch in the water, keep shore stops short. If lunch and drinks are central to your day, accept a slower route with fewer swimming locations.

Beer, water, music, and what to bring

Beer, bottled water, and soda are included. That is convenient, especially on a seven-hour outing in the sun. Alcohol is still best handled sensibly on a moving boat, and you should ask the crew about where and when drinks are appropriate.

Snorkeling equipment is included as well. You may still want to bring a swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry change of clothes. Those personal items are not listed as inclusions, so pack them yourself.

The Bluetooth sound system lets you supply the soundtrack. Keep the volume at a level that works for everyone in your group, since a private boat does not mean every person wants the same music all day.

Because this is a water-based activity, weather matters. The charter requires good conditions and can be moved or refunded if poor weather forces cancellation. The crew also sanitizes the vessels after each trip under CDC and WHO guidelines. Masks are not required, but you may wear one if you prefer.

The $1,395 price and the extra fuel bill

The listed price is $1,395 for up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $116 per person before fuel and gratuity. For six people, it is about $233 per person before those extras. For a smaller group, the cost rises quickly.

Fuel is billed separately at $8 per gallon. A full-day trip typically uses 30 to 45 gallons, so you should budget approximately $240 to $360 for fuel. That puts the likely total before gratuity at roughly $1,635 to $1,755, assuming the stated full-day fuel range.

The fuel charge is worth considering because a longer route uses more fuel. If you want to cover St Thomas, St John, and several cays, you may land near the upper end of the range. If you prefer a shorter route with fewer stops, the fuel cost may be lower, but the captain controls the final usage.

For a group of 10 to 12, this can be a reasonable way to buy a private day on the water. You get the boat, captain, drinks, and snorkeling gear for one group price. For six people or fewer, the price is harder to justify unless privacy and a custom route matter more to you than the lowest possible cost.

Gratuity for the captain is not included. Plan for that additional expense if the crew gives you a helpful, safe, and well-run day.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend this for a group that wants control over the day. It works especially well for friends or family members who do not all want the same thing at the same time.

It also suits people who want a more personal experience than a standard shared boat tour. Captains Bryan, Brian, and Aron have each been associated with outings on MV Aquarius, and their roles include explaining the islands, finding snorkeling areas, and adjusting the plan to the group.

Families should consider the private format if children or less confident swimmers are part of the group. The captain can adapt the snorkeling pace, and people who do not want to swim can remain aboard. Still, you should confirm any personal concerns directly with the operator before booking.

This is less suitable if you want a guaranteed BVI visit. The British Virgin Islands are specifically excluded from this activity. A separate product is available for that route, but it is not part of this booking.

It may also be a poor match if your budget is tight, your group is very small, or you want a fixed sightseeing schedule. The strength of the trip is flexibility, not a guaranteed list of named stops.

Booking details and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book. The standard meeting point is American Yacht Harbor at 9 a.m., with alternate pickup locations available by advance arrangement.

The experience is private, so only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, the meeting area is near public transportation, and the operator states that most people can take part.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the charter, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of required participants is not met.

Should you book MV Aquarius?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you value a day shaped around your own interests. The combination of St John views, flexible snorkeling, possible turtle sightings, optional beach and food stops, and a modern private boat gives you more control than a fixed group cruise.

Before paying, count the fuel charge and gratuity, then decide how many people are truly coming. Ask for the route you want, confirm the pickup point, and tell the captain if snorkeling, Lovango, LimeOut, or beach time matters most.

For six or fewer people, compare the total cost with other private charters. For a larger group that wants its own boat and a relaxed day among the US Virgin Islands, MV Aquarius is a practical and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

Where does the charter begin?

The standard meeting point is American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St Thomas, USVI.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9 a.m.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Is the $1,395 price per person?

No. The listed price is for the private group, up to 12 people.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is billed separately at $8 per gallon. A full-day trip usually uses 30 to 45 gallons.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, bottled water, and soda are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use during the charter.

Can the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. Visiting the BVI is not included in this activity.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations may result in another date or a full refund.