Full or Half Day Private Power Catamaran- USVI Beach and Snorkel

The best part of this charter is the freedom to shape a full day on the water. You can snorkel with turtles at Maho Bay, stop at Honeymoon Beach, or order pizza from a floating restaurant at Christmas Cove, all from a private 36-foot power catamaran. I especially like the long swim ladders and onboard head, shower, and changing area. The main catch is the extra fuel charge, which usually adds $160 to $240 before gratuity.

I also like that the boat carries snorkel gear, floats, water, soda, and beer, so you do not need to pack a floating supply closet. Captains Aaron, Chris, and Hillary have earned praise for adjusting the day to each group and pointing out turtles, stingrays, eels, barracuda, and reef fish. The bow netting has had repair issues, though, so ask about its condition if lounging up front matters to you.

Key points at a glance

• Turtle snorkeling at Maho Bay: Shallow seagrass beds make this one of the best chances to see sea turtles from the boat.
• Private boat for up to 12: Children count toward the Coast Guard limit, so the maximum is 12 people of any age.
• Three useful onboard spaces: Use the bow nets, shaded stern, and interior facilities with a marine toilet, fresh-water shower, and changing area.
• Lunch can be part of the adventure: Stop at Pizza Pi in Christmas Cove, visit another local restaurant, or eat with a view.
• Captain-led flexibility: Aaron, Chris, and Hillary have shaped routes around snorkeling, beach time, history, and the group’s preferred pace.
• Budget for fuel: The $995 group price does not include fuel, charged at $8 per gallon for actual use.

Starting at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook

Your day begins at American Yacht Harbor on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas. The excursion lasts about seven hours and returns to the same marina, making the plan easy to follow if you are staying on St. Thomas or arranging your day around the Red Hook ferry area.

This is a private activity, not a shared boat ride. Only your group will be aboard, up to 12 people under United States Coast Guard rules. That matters for families and friend groups because you can talk with the captain about your interests instead of following a fixed schedule built for strangers.

The boat is a 36-foot power catamaran. Its twin-hull design and broad layout give you more room than a narrow center-console boat, while the power setup lets the captain cover several stops during the day. You can sit forward on the nets, take shade at the stern, or move around when you want a different view.

Pack a swimsuit, reef-safe sun protection, a towel, and anything you need for a long day outdoors. Snorkel equipment, floats, noodles, water, soda, and beer are supplied. The boat also has a marine head, fresh-water shower, and changing area, useful comforts when you are spending most of the day away from shore.

Lovango Cay, a polished first stop

Lovango Cay is listed as the first stop, and it gives the day a choice between activity and ease. You can snorkel around the reefs or spend time at the upscale beach club. This is a good opening stop because you can settle into the boat before deciding how much water time you want.

If your group has mixed interests, Lovango Cay helps. Strong swimmers can head for the reef while someone who would rather sit with a drink has a more comfortable option. It also gives your captain an early read on the group’s pace, which can shape the rest of the day.

The tradeoff is that a private-island beach club may feel more polished than local or untouched. If you want the most swimming and snorkeling possible, tell your captain early. If you prefer a slower first hour, Lovango Cay can serve as a gentle start.

Honeymoon Beach on St. John

The catamaran then follows St. John’s north shore toward Honeymoon Beach. The ride itself is part of the pleasure, with views across the waters around St. Thomas and St. John. From the boat, you get a better sense of the island’s shoreline than you would from a road.

Honeymoon Beach is suited to calm-water swimming and paddleboarding. It is a useful stop for people who want to get in the water without immediately making the day all about snorkeling. The beach also offers a change of scene after time aboard the catamaran.

Your time here depends on the captain and your group. Tell the crew if you want a longer swim, a beach break, or more time to explore underwater. Since the itinerary is private, you have more say than you would on a rigid sightseeing cruise.

Maho Bay and the search for sea turtles

Maho Bay is the standout stop for wildlife. Sea turtles feed in shallow seagrass beds here, so snorkeling can begin close to the boat. The water is relatively calm, and the shallow setting makes it a practical spot for swimmers who are comfortable in the sea but do not want a demanding snorkel.

Turtle sightings are never guaranteed, but this is the part of the route built around finding them. Captains have also helped groups spot stingrays, eels, barracuda, sea urchins, coral, and schools of fish. Bring patience. The best moment may be a quiet turtle moving through the grass rather than a dramatic reef scene.

The boat supplies top-of-the-line snorkel gear, though you should speak up if a mask does not fit well. A poor seal can ruin an otherwise excellent stop. The long swim ladders are a real advantage here because you can get back aboard without awkwardly climbing over the side.

Christmas Cove, Pizza Pi, and lunch afloat

Christmas Cove off St. James Island is another calm anchorage with colorful reef areas. It is a natural place to snorkel again, but many people will remember it for lunch. Pizza Pi, the floating restaurant, can deliver fresh pizza directly to the boat, turning a meal into part of the outing rather than a break from it.

The provided information also points to local restaurant stops, and one highly praised day included lunch at Lime Out followed by another snorkel. Ask your captain what is practical for your date and route. Restaurant availability, timing, and the group’s appetite may affect the choice.

You can also eat onboard with a view. That option is useful if you want to keep the day moving or avoid spending a large portion of the charter at a restaurant. A beachside meal, floating pizza, and a picnic-style lunch each create a different kind of day, so make your preference clear at the start.

What the captain adds to the day

The captain is more than the person steering the boat. A good captain decides where conditions are best, keeps the route comfortable, and helps you use seven hours well. The strongest feedback centers on captains who listened to what each group wanted instead of treating the route as fixed.

Aaron is described as fun and well informed about the area. Chris has directed groups to productive snorkel sites, including one half-day outing where the group saw turtles, stingrays, eels, barracuda, sea urchins, and many reef fish. Hillary has been praised for explaining island history and landmarks while finding turtle spots.

That range matters. You may want wildlife, beach time, local food, or a relaxed cruise with drinks. Tell the captain your priorities before leaving the marina. If everyone in your group wants something different, rank the top two or three goals rather than trying to do everything.

The captain’s flexibility also means the exact route can change. The named stops are useful expectations, not a promise that every minute will follow the same order. Sea conditions, time at lunch, and your own choices all affect the day.

Comfort aboard the 36-foot catamaran

A private boat day can become tiring if the seating and facilities are poor. This catamaran has several features that make seven hours more manageable: bow nets for open-air lounging, shaded seating toward the stern, a marine head, a fresh-water shower, and a changing area.

The long swim ladders deserve special attention. They make repeated entries and exits much easier, especially for children, older adults, or anyone carrying a little extra gear. You can also rinse off salt water before settling back into the boat.

The bow netting has not always been in perfect shape. A reported problem involved ripped netting that prevented a group from using the front area comfortably, along with expired sodas. Those are maintenance concerns worth asking about before departure. The operator indicated that net repairs were being handled, but conditions can change, so a quick question is sensible.

The boat is certified for 12, but maximum capacity is not the same as ideal comfort. Twelve people can legally fit, yet a smaller group will have more room to spread out. At six people, you should have a notably more relaxed setup for bags, towels, and movement around the deck.

What $995 really costs

The advertised price is $995 per group of up to 12 people. At a full group of 12, that works out to about $83 per person before fuel and gratuity. At six people, it is about $166 per person, and a smaller group pays more per head.

Fuel is separate and billed at $8 per gallon based on actual use. The stated average is 20 to 30 gallons, adding about $160 to $240 to the final bill. That puts the likely group total at roughly $1,155 to $1,235 before the captain’s tip.

An 18 to 20 percent gratuity is customary for the captain. Since the price is per boat, the charter becomes better value as your group grows. For a family reunion or group of friends, the ability to split the cost while keeping the boat private can make sense. For two or three people, compare the total with smaller shared excursions before booking.

The value is not only the hours on the water. You are also paying for privacy, a captain who can adjust the route, snorkel equipment, drinks, shaded seating, restroom access, and the chance to combine several St. John and St. Thomas area stops in one day. If you want a fixed sightseeing route at the lowest possible cost, this may not be the right fit.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would look first at this trip for families, groups of friends, and multigenerational parties that want different types of beach time. The private format works especially well when some people want to snorkel while others prefer to swim, sit in the shade, or have lunch.

It also suits confident swimmers who want several snorkel stops without arranging separate transportation between them. The boat carries the equipment, and the ladders simplify getting in and out. Children are allowed, but every child counts toward the 12-person limit.

This is less ideal if you dislike boat travel, need a tightly scheduled tour, or want guaranteed turtle sightings. It may also be a poor value for a very small group unless privacy and flexibility matter more to you than the per-person price.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The provided details do not list special mobility arrangements, so contact the operator before booking if anyone in your group needs specific boarding assistance.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at booking, and you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The charter depends on good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The title refers to full- or half-day options, while the detailed plan describes a roughly seven-hour full day. If you specifically want a half-day charter, confirm its duration, route, fuel estimate, and price before paying.

Children must be included in the total headcount, regardless of age. The hard limit is 12 people, and the activity ends back at American Yacht Harbor.

Should you book this St. Thomas private boat day?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want control over the day. The strongest reasons are the private captain, easy water access, turtle-focused snorkeling at Maho Bay, and unusual lunch choices such as Pizza Pi or Lime Out.

Before you commit, ask about current bow-net repairs, the expected fuel range, and the exact half-day option if you do not want seven hours. I would also set your priorities with the captain at the marina. If you do that, this charter can give you a full, flexible day across the waters around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays without forcing your group into someone else’s schedule.

FAQ

Where does the charter start and end?

It starts and ends at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI.

How long does the full-day charter last?

The full-day experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join?

The boat can carry up to 12 people under United States Coast Guard regulations. Children count toward the total, regardless of age.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the charter.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floats, and noodles are provided.

What drinks are included?

The charter includes bottled water, soda, beer, and other alcoholic beverages.

Is lunch included?

Lunch itself is not specifically listed as included. You can stop at a local restaurant, order from Pizza Pi at Christmas Cove, or eat onboard, with the food cost handled separately.

Is fuel included in the $995 price?

No. Fuel is charged at $8 per gallon based on actual use. Fuel commonly averages 20 to 30 gallons, or about $160 to $240.

Is a captain included?

Yes. A captain’s fee is included. An 18 to 20 percent gratuity for the captain is customary but not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.