Private Luxury Charter Aboard New Multi-Deck Lagoon Catamaran

The best part of this St Thomas charter is the combination of small-group sailing and a flexible route. You can spend real time in the water, then stretch out on a multi-deck Lagoon catamaran instead of being packed onto a crowded excursion boat. Captains such as Hillary, Vic, Mike, and Alex are also praised for pointing out local history and sea life as you go.

I like the easy swim platform, onboard restroom, and choice of sun or shade. I also like the chance to snorkel with turtles, rays, squid, and reef fish before stopping at a white-sand beach. The main consideration is weather: rain, wind, or murky water can affect the snorkeling, and one trip returned about 25 minutes late.

Key things to know before booking

• Maximum of 12 people: A private booking keeps your group together, while the boat itself is built for no more than 12 guests.
• Havensight departure: You leave from WICO/Havensight in Charlotte Amalie and return to the same meeting point.
• Two-part day: Most routes pair a reef or turtle snorkeling stop with a beach stop at places such as Honeymoon Beach, Lindbergh Bay, or Brewers Bay.
• Strong captain service: Hillary, Vic, Mike, Wallens, Pogan, Alex, and others have been singled out for friendly guidance and local knowledge.
• Drinks are included: Beer, soda, water, and the Seas the Day rum punch are provided, but sunscreen and towels are not.
• Weather matters: The company can change or cancel the trip when conditions are poor, with a different date or full refund offered for a weather cancellation.

Setting out from Havensight on a Lagoon 420

Your day begins at Seas the Day Charters and Tours in the Havensight area of Charlotte Amalie. That location is useful if you are staying near the harbor or arriving by cruise ship, though you should allow enough time to find the exact meeting point and get settled before departure.

The featured boat is a new Lagoon 420 multi-deck catamaran, or a similar vessel if availability requires a change. A catamaran gives you several ways to spend the day. You can sit in the shade, claim a sunny deck, stretch out on the forward nets, or move aft to the swim platform when it is time to enter the water.

This is not a bare-bones snorkeling boat. You get a restroom, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch. The boat is also cleaned after each trip under the company’s stated sanitation procedures. Those details matter during a seven-hour outing, when a cramped boat or a lack of shade can wear you down.

The maximum is 12 people. If you reserve the entire charter, only your own group participates. That makes this a good choice for a family reunion, a group of friends, or a small celebration where you want control over the pace. The boat has also operated with smaller shared groups, including groups of 10, so the experience can feel personal even when you are not filling every seat.

How the captain shapes your route

Before you sail, the captain and crew work with you on an itinerary. That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose this trip over a fixed excursion. The route may head toward St Thomas, St John, Water Island, St James, Buck Island, or nearby cays, depending on conditions and the plan you make with the crew.

Do not treat the advertised stops as a guarantee. A captain may choose a different bay if wind, rain, water clarity, or boat traffic makes another area better. That is not necessarily a loss. Local conditions can change quickly, and the captain’s ability to adjust is useful.

Captains Hillary and Vic receive especially warm praise for their friendly manner and eye for turtles. Mike is noted for guiding groups around St John and explaining the area. Wallens has taken groups to three separate stops, while Alex has been praised for handling the boat well even when short-staffed.

The crew also adds context as you sail. You might hear historical and current details about the islands, along with explanations of the reefs and animals below the surface. This is a better fit for you if you enjoy learning where you are, rather than simply being delivered to a swimming spot.

Snorkeling near Buck Island, St John, and the cays

The snorkeling portion is the heart of the trip, but conditions make a big difference. Possible areas include the protected waters near Buck Island, Maho Bay in the national park area, and reef sites near Lovango Cay. Other stops may be chosen around St Thomas or the nearby cays.

Maho Bay is especially associated with turtle sightings. At reef sites near Lovango Cay, you may see coral, tropical fish, rays, and smaller creatures such as Caribbean reef squid. One group even spotted squid, which is an unusual and memorable sight if you happen to be in the water at the right moment.

You can expect the crew to provide snorkeling equipment, and the gear has been described as being in good condition. The swim platform makes getting in and out simpler, which is helpful for first-time snorkelers or anyone who does not enjoy climbing a tall ladder from the water.

The snorkeling is not always perfect. After several rainy days, the water may turn cloudy, and waves can make it harder to spot turtles. One four-hour outing became more of a boat ride than a snorkeling trip because the conditions were poor. That is the honest tradeoff with any reef excursion in the islands: the boat can take you to a promising location, but it cannot control visibility or animal activity.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew. Hillary has helped first-time or uncertain swimmers become comfortable in the water. The crew can also point out fish and turtles, making the experience more rewarding than simply swimming around without knowing what to look for.

Turtles, rays, and reef fish

Turtles are the most reliable highlight of this charter, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed. Groups have encountered several turtles, rays, large numbers of reef fish, and Caribbean reef squid. The animals often remain calm while people watch from the water, but you should give them space and follow the crew’s instructions.

The reef sites can feel like a natural aquarium. You may see coral formations surrounded by tropical fish, then move to a different area where turtles feed or rest. That variety is why the two-stop format works well. One site may be better for coral and fish, while the next offers a stronger chance of seeing turtles.

The captain’s skill matters here. A good skipper knows how to read the water and choose a site with better conditions. Hillary is often praised for spotting turtles, while Vic has a reputation for finding them and sharing information about the area. Still, you should book this for the chance to explore the sea, not as a promise of a particular animal.

The beach stop at Honeymoon Beach and beyond

After snorkeling, the catamaran may head to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, Lindbergh Bay, Brewers Bay, or another beach chosen with your group. Honeymoon Beach is a calm, attractive stop for swimming, walking on the sand, playing beach games, or using a paddleboard if one is available as part of your chosen itinerary.

This second stop gives the day a useful change of pace. You can get out of your mask and fins, dry off in the sun, and enjoy the view without having to stay active. If you prefer a relaxed day to a full schedule, tell the captain early so the route leaves enough time for a beach break.

At some stops, you may be able to visit Dinghy’s Beach Cafe or the LimeOut floating taco bar. These are optional on-island additions, not part of the included food and drink package. If you want to stop at one, ask the captain when planning the route and confirm how much time you will have.

Not every group gets every requested beach. One outing did not reach Honeymoon Beach, even though the guests enjoyed the crew and the rest of the route. Flexible planning helps, but it does not remove the effects of weather, timing, distance, or conditions.

Seven hours of comfort, drinks, and island views

The full outing lasts about seven hours, with a half-day option also described. A full day gives you time for two snorkeling sites, a beach visit, and a leisurely ride between them. It can also be tiring. Snorkeling, sun, salt water, and boat motion add up, especially if you spend much of the day swimming.

The crew provides beer, soda, water, and the Seas the Day rum punch. The rum punch is a popular part of the experience, but remember that alcohol and strong sun can catch up with you quickly. Drink water, use sunscreen, and take breaks in the shade.

Bring your own sunscreen and towels. These are not included. A swimsuit, cover-up, dry clothing, and a secure place for small valuables are practical choices, though the supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so ask the crew if you have something important with you.

You can listen to island music, watch the shoreline pass, and use the boat as a moving viewpoint between stops. The ride itself is part of the value, particularly when the water is too cloudy for a strong snorkeling session. Still, expect a relaxed pace rather than a tightly timed attraction with constant activity.

Is $1,615.50 a good value?

The listed price is $1,615.50 per group of up to 12 people. At a full group of 12, that works out to about $135 per person for roughly seven hours, including the boat, captain and crew, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and access to a private itinerary.

That is a fairer comparison than looking only at the group total. For two people, the same charter is expensive. For a family or group of friends, the cost becomes easier to justify because you are buying the whole boat and avoiding the limits of a large shared excursion.

The value is strongest when you care about privacy, time in the water, and control over the route. It is weaker if you mainly want a guaranteed turtle sighting, a fixed beach visit, or the lowest possible per-person price.

The charter also saves you from arranging a separate boat, snorkel rental, beach transfer, and drinks. You are paying for convenience and room to shape the day, not just transportation from one point to another.

Timing, return, and practical cautions

The trip begins and ends at Seas the Day Charters and Tours in Charlotte Amalie’s Havensight area. It is near public transportation, and the activity is suitable for most people, but you should still consider your comfort in open water and on a moving boat.

Plan your ride home with care. One group had trouble with transportation after arriving at a resort area, while another outing returned about 25 minutes late. That does not mean every trip runs late, but boat timing can shift because of weather, sea conditions, or the needs of the group.

The company requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the experience, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Health procedures have also been part of the operation, including vessel sanitation and crew testing described by the company. Masks are not required for this primarily outdoor activity, though you may wear one if you prefer.

Who should book this St Thomas charter?

I would choose this for a group that wants a private day on the water, especially families with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can spend more time snorkeling, while others can stay on the boat, enjoy the shade, and join the beach stop.

It also suits first-time snorkelers because the crew can help you get comfortable and the boat has an easy swim platform. Couples can enjoy it too, but the price makes the most sense when several people share the booking.

You may want another option if you dislike open-water activity, need a rigid return time, or would be disappointed by a day with limited visibility. The experience depends on nature, and even an excellent captain cannot make the reef clear after heavy rain.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want a comfortable boat, a small group, flexible stops, and a good chance to see turtles, rays, and reef fish around St Thomas and St John. The strongest reasons are the spacious Lagoon catamaran, capable captains such as Hillary and Vic, included drinks and gear, and enough time to combine snorkeling with a beach visit.

Skip it if your budget is tight for a small party or if you need guaranteed conditions and exact beach stops. For a group of eight to 12 people, though, the price becomes reasonable, and this is a strong way to turn one day in the US Virgin Islands into a private mix of reef time, beach time, and easy island sailing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter depart?

The experience begins at Seas the Day Charters and Tours in WICO/Havensight, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat accommodates a maximum of 12 guests. A private booking is limited to your own group.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately seven hours. A half-day option is also described.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment is provided. The boat also includes a restroom, bottled water, soda, beer, and rum punch.

Are towels and sunscreen provided?

No. You should bring your own sunscreen and towels.

What places might the tour visit?

Possible stops include snorkeling areas near St Thomas, St John, Buck Island, Water Island, St James, and Lovango Cay. Beach stops may include Honeymoon Beach, Lindbergh Bay, or Brewers Bay. The exact route is planned with the captain and depends on conditions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.