Private St Thomas Luxury Catamaran Trip for Groups up to 24 Guest

The best part of this St Thomas charter is the private use of two luxury catamarans, giving your group room to spread out while sailing among the islands, cays, and sandy beaches. You can sit in the sun at the bow, move into the shaded cockpit, or use the water as your main playground at a snorkeling stop.

I like the easy setup at Yacht Haven Grande and the fact that the crew, snorkeling gear, drinks, ice, and sound system are covered. The main thing to weigh is the price: $4,995 is a serious outlay, though it can make sense when shared by a large private group. Lunch is not included, so plan for that before you sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Lagoon catamarans carry up to 24 people: The tandem setup gives a large group more space than a single small boat.
• Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie receive especially warm praise: Both are described as entertaining, safety-minded, and good at choosing snorkeling spots.
• Yacht Haven Grande is near the cruise dock: You can walk from the WICO cruise ship dock in Havensight.
• The package includes useful on-water comforts: Expect water, soda, beer, ice, Argo’s Signature Rum Punch, snorkeling equipment, and a private bathroom.
• The seven-hour schedule leaves time for several stops: The exact route depends on the captain and conditions, but the outing is built around sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and beach scenery.
• Lunch is your responsibility: Food is not included, even though a stop for lunch may be part of the day’s route.

Two catamarans, one private day on St Thomas

This is not a quick harbor ride or a shared sightseeing boat. Your group reserves a private outing aboard two late-model Lagoon multi-deck sailing yachts, identified as SY Pau Hana and SY Kai Lana. Together, they can accommodate up to 24 people.

That arrangement matters most if you are traveling with family, a wedding party, friends, or a cruise group that wants to stay together. A large party can be awkward on one compact vessel. Here, you have the option to move between the two boats and find your own corner, though the supplied details do not explain how seating or movement between vessels is organized.

The boats are designed for comfort rather than rough-and-ready sailing. At the bow, you can feel the breeze and sit in the sun. The shaded cockpit has open-air seating, which is the better choice during the hottest part of the day or for anyone who wants a break from direct sun.

You also have a private full bathroom on board. That sounds like a small feature until you are several hours into a day at sea. For a group outing, it removes one common source of worry and lets you stay on the water longer.

Leaving from Yacht Haven Grande at 9:00 am

The meeting point is at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight, near the WICO cruise ship dock. That location is particularly useful if you are arriving on a cruise ship, since it is within easy walking distance of the dock.

The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the activity lasts about seven hours. Cruise ship passengers should check the ship’s time zone against local St Thomas time before setting out. The charter departs on local island time, and that simple detail can prevent a costly mistake.

The outing ends back at the same meeting point. You do not need to arrange a separate ride back from a distant beach or marina.

The available details do not specify a check-in procedure, parking arrangements, or exactly how early you should arrive. I would allow enough time to walk from the ship dock, find the marina, and meet the crew without rushing. Your confirmation should provide the final meeting instructions.

What the day on the water is likely to feel like

The route is not presented as a fixed list of named stops. Instead, the captain chooses among St Thomas, nearby harbors, surrounding cays, and white sandy beaches. That gives the crew room to adjust the plan for weather, sea conditions, and the best available snorkeling water.

You may spend part of the morning under sail, with the wind and open views doing most of the work. The catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. Sit forward for a breezier, sunnier view, or settle into the shaded cockpit for a more relaxed trip.

The boats have Bluetooth sound systems, so your group can play its own music. This can be a real advantage for a private charter. You are not limited to someone else’s playlist or forced into a quiet ride, though the tone of the day will depend on what your group chooses.

The crew handles the sailing and navigation. The package includes a captain and first mate, so you are not expected to manage the boat, bring equipment, or arrange separate crew gratuities as part of the stated price. Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie are the names that come up in the available trip accounts, with Captain Kahlia also identified as a mate on one outing.

Several accounts describe Captain JW as informative and Captain Anne Marie as funny, safety-focused, and good at keeping conversation going. Those details suggest that the crew may add local stories and a lively spirit rather than simply drive the boat from one stop to another. The exact captain cannot be guaranteed, so book this for the private boat experience first, not for one particular person.

Snorkeling stops and time in the water

Snorkeling is one of the central reasons to choose this charter. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack a mask, snorkel, and fins unless you prefer your own set.

The captain selects snorkeling locations during the day. The available accounts describe several good spots and praise the crew for directing the group to places with appealing underwater views. Since no fixed sites are promised, the experience can change with the weather and water conditions.

That flexibility is useful in the US Virgin Islands. A location that looks ideal on a map may be less comfortable on a windy day. Letting the captain choose can give you calmer water and a better chance of enjoying the stop, although it means you cannot plan around one specific reef or beach.

You should expect the group to receive basic direction about where to snorkel and how to use the equipment, but the supplied information does not specify whether a formal lesson or guided underwater tour is provided. If you are an uncertain swimmer, ask the crew about the conditions before entering the water.

The private format helps here. Your group does not need to follow a large shared boat’s timetable. You can spend more time swimming if the group is keen, or return to the boat when younger children or less confident swimmers have had enough.

One account describes a family outing that included teenagers and a seven-year-old. That does not guarantee identical conditions for every trip, but it shows that the charter can work for a mixed-age private group. Parents should still consider each child’s comfort in open water and ask the crew about the day’s swimming locations.

Beaches, cays, and harbor views

The charter is built around the broad scenery of the US Virgin Islands rather than a single attraction. You will visit some combination of islands, harbors, surrounding cays, and beaches, with the captain shaping the route.

A beach stop gives the day a change of pace. After time aboard the catamaran, you can enjoy the shore, swim, or simply look back at the boat from the sand. The description specifically points to white sandy beaches, but it does not promise a particular beach or the length of time spent ashore.

The cays and harbor areas offer a different view of St Thomas. From the water, you see the island from a quieter angle, with the boat providing the moving viewpoint. That is one of the real benefits of a full-day charter: you are not tied to the same marina scene for the entire outing.

Do not expect a tightly timed sightseeing program with a guaranteed list of landmarks. This is a flexible day on the water. If your priority is seeing one exact island or beach, confirm the possible route before booking.

Drinks are included, but lunch is not

The package includes complimentary water, soda, ice, beer, and Argo’s Signature Rum Punch. Beer and rum punch are for guests 18 and older. These provisions cover the basic drinks you want on a warm day at sea and make the price easier to understand.

The rum punch is part of the charter’s identity, but pace yourself. Seven hours on the water, sun exposure, and alcohol are a poor combination if you forget to drink water. The supplied details confirm that water is available, so use it.

Lunch is not included. One account refers to a particularly good lunch stop, and the crew’s response points to lunch stops as part of possible future outings, but you should not assume a meal comes with the booking. Ask what food options are available on your route, or bring food if the operator permits it.

Because no lunch policy is provided, do not arrive expecting a catered meal. A private group can also have different dietary needs, so settle that question before departure.

Is $4,995 a fair price?

The listed price is $4,995 per group, with the stated rate covering up to 15 people. The boats together can hold up to 24, but the information provided does not state the price for 16 to 24 people. If your party is larger than 15, ask the operator for the correct total before booking.

At the maximum listed group size of 15, the base cost works out to roughly $333 per person. That is not cheap, but it includes seven hours, two luxury catamarans, a captain and first mate, snorkeling equipment, drinks, ice, and a private bathroom. A smaller group will pay much more per person.

The value improves if you are comparing this with booking several separate boats or paying for a private event with many people. You also buy privacy, control over the music, more room, and a crew focused only on your party.

For two or three people, this is hard to justify unless a private luxury boat is the main reason for your trip. For a family reunion, birthday, wedding gathering, or large cruise group, the math is more reasonable. You are paying for the boat and crew rather than a seat on a standard excursion.

The six available ratings are all five-star ratings, but the sample is small. The strongest praise centers on the crew, boat condition, snorkeling locations, safety, and overall comfort. I would treat that as encouraging evidence, not a guarantee that every route or captain will be the same.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this outing if you want a private day with your own group and prefer a relaxed boat setting over a packed excursion. It works especially well for people who want a mix of sailing, music, swimming, snorkeling, and beach time.

The two-boat setup is useful for large groups with different habits. Some people can sit in the shade while others enjoy the sun. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water while others stay aboard. Parents can keep younger children close without forcing the entire party into one activity.

The charter may also suit cruise ship passengers because the departure point is close to the WICO dock and the activity returns there. Still, a seven-hour tour leaves little room for a late return to the ship, so check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully.

I would hesitate if your group wants a specific named reef, a guaranteed beach, or a fully catered lunch. The route is flexible, and lunch is not included. I would also hesitate if your budget is tight or your group is too small to share the cost.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. Those are useful points, but the information does not give details about boarding, deck access, or accommodations for other mobility needs. Ask the operator directly if those concerns affect anyone in your party.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy. The cut-off uses local St Thomas time.

Pack for a full day outside, with sun protection and clothing that can handle spray. The exact equipment list beyond snorkeling gear is not provided, so confirm what you should bring before departure.

Keep your group’s expectations clear. The boat, crew, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and bathroom are included. Lunch, a specific beach, a specific captain, and a fixed list of snorkeling sites are not guaranteed in the information provided.

Should you book the private St Thomas catamaran?

Book it if you can fill much of the group capacity and want a polished private day rather than a basic boat ride. The combination of two Lagoon catamarans, a seven-hour schedule, snorkeling, drinks, shaded seating, and a crew dedicated to your party gives you plenty of time and space.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it for a large family or friend group that values privacy. Captain JW and Captain Anne Marie have received strong praise for their humor, safety direction, island stories, and choice of snorkeling stops, although you should not assume which captain will lead your trip.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with a very small group and mainly want an inexpensive way to see St Thomas. Also skip it if lunch included and a fixed itinerary are important to you. For the right group, though, this is a flexible, comfortable way to spend a full day between the islands.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip begin?

The trip begins at 83PH+CV9 in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, at Yacht Haven Grande in Havensight. It is within easy walking distance of the WICO cruise ship dock.

What time does the charter start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am. All charters depart according to local St Thomas time, so cruise ship passengers should check their ship’s time zone.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join?

The tandem catamarans can accommodate up to 24 people. The listed price of $4,995 is for a group of up to 15, so ask the operator about pricing for groups of 16 to 24.

What drinks are included?

Water, ice, soda, beer, and Argo’s Signature Rum Punch are included. Beer and rum punch are for guests 18 and older.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the stated package.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the trip.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.