Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Full or Half Day Charter – Sail, Beach, Snorkel.

The best thing about this St. Thomas charter is control. You get the entire 47-foot S/Y Pisces for your group, then work with the captain to shape the day around snorkeling, beach time, swimming, or simply stretching out on deck with a drink. You are not tied to a fixed busload schedule.

I especially like the roomy bow trampolines and the captain-led search for turtles, rays, and good reef water. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: snorkel gear, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch are provided. The main catch is lunch, which costs extra, and the charter does not visit the British Virgin Islands.

At a glance

• Private boat for up to 12: Your group has the catamaran to itself, a major advantage for families, reunions, and cruise groups.
• A flexible island route: You and the captain can discuss stops around St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, beaches, and quieter coves.
• Strong turtle and reef potential: Recent outings have included turtles, stingrays, coral, schools of fish, and sea grass areas.
• A proper social boat: The aft deck, salon, bow beanbags, and two trampolines give your group several places to sit.
• Drinks and gear included: Snorkeling equipment, floats, water, soda, beer, and rum punch are part of the package.
• Lunch is your responsibility: You can buy lunch at one of the island stops, but it is not included in the charter price.

Why a private catamaran changes the day

A shared boat excursion gives you a set route and a set pace. This one gives you a captain, a first mate, and a boat reserved for your own party. That difference matters most when your group has mixed interests. Some people can snorkel while others stay aboard. Children can swim for a while, then rest in the shade. Older family members can enjoy the scenery without feeling pressured to keep up.

The price is $1,495 per group of up to 12, not per person. At full capacity, that works out to about $125 per person before lunch. For a couple or small family, the cost is much harder to justify. For a group of eight to 12, the numbers become more attractive, especially since drinks, equipment, a crew, and a private boat are included.

The charter is offered as a full or half day, with the listed full-day duration around seven hours. A full day gives you time to combine two or three water stops with a beach visit and a relaxed lunch. A half day works better if you are arriving by cruise ship, have children who tire quickly, or want a focused snorkeling outing rather than a full day at sea.

Boarding at Havensight

You meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway, at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure. The captain escorts you from there to Pisces, so you do not need to search the marina for the boat.

This location is convenient for ships using Havensight. If your ship docks at Crown Bay Marina, you need a taxi to Yacht Haven Grande. Allow about 15 minutes each way, though traffic and port conditions can affect the timing. Cruise passengers should confirm their docking location before booking and leave a sensible cushion for the return trip.

For a full-day private charter, 9 a.m. is a common start time, but your group can determine the starting time. All times use local island time. That sounds basic, but it is worth checking if you are coordinating a ship schedule, a hotel pickup, or people arriving from different places.

Finding your space aboard S/Y Pisces

Pisces is a Leopard catamaran with a spacious salon that opens onto a broad back deck. This layout gives you shelter when you want a break from the sun, along with open-air seating for meals, drinks, and conversation.

The bow is the most distinctive area. Beanbag chairs provide a soft place to stretch out, while two large trampolines give the group room to sit above the water. They are good spots for a breezy ride, a little sun, or watching for turtles. The bow can be wet when the boat is moving, so keep phones and loose items secure.

The boat also has a Bluetooth JBL sound system. You can play your own music, which adds a personal touch to a private charter. Keep the volume reasonable, especially if your group wants to hear the captain’s explanations or if you are sharing a quiet anchorage with other boats.

A restroom is available onboard. That is a small feature until you spend several hours on the water with children, older family members, or a group drinking plenty of fluids.

Building your route around St. Thomas

The route is not a rigid checklist. You and the captain discuss what matters most, then choose from the conditions and available time. Possible areas include St. Thomas harbors, Buck Island, Water Island, and a smaller cay that the crew may suggest. The charter does not visit the BVI, so do not book it expecting a trip to Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, or another British Virgin Islands destination.

A typical full day could combine a reef stop, turtle watching, a beach visit, and lunch. The exact order depends on weather, sea conditions, crowd levels, and what your group wants. Captains have taken groups to places such as Shipwreck Cove and Honeymoon Beach, and some outings have included two or three snorkeling locations.

That flexibility is valuable, but it also means you should speak clearly at the start. Tell the crew if turtles are your priority, if you want more beach time, if you prefer to avoid crowded areas, or if some people in your group do not swim. The best day comes from an honest conversation before the boat gets underway.

Snorkeling with turtles, rays, and reef fish

Snorkeling is the main event for many groups. Equipment is provided, and the crew can guide you toward suitable water. Past outings have produced sightings of sea turtles, stingrays, coral, and many kinds of fish, including turtles feeding in sea grass.

You should keep expectations sensible. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and conditions change from one day to the next. Still, the combination of several possible snorkeling stops and a private crew gives you better room to adjust than a fixed group tour. If one site is not working for your group, you can discuss another option.

The crew sometimes enters the water with the group and helps locate marine life. One outing included a crew member swimming down to capture video of a sea turtle feeding below the boat. That kind of help can make a difference if you are new to snorkeling or if children need encouragement.

The water can feel like the busiest part of the day. If everyone in your group wants to snorkel, the charter becomes an active swim outing. If only half the group is interested, use the boat itself as a comfortable base. Floats are included, and non-snorkelers can relax aboard while the others explore.

Honeymoon Beach and time ashore

Honeymoon Beach has appeared on several custom routes and is valued for its sand, swimming, and easy change of pace. After time on a moving boat, stepping onto a beach gives your group a chance to dry off, walk around, and slow down.

A beach stop is not only for people who want to swim. It gives children a break from fins and masks, provides a natural place for lunch, and lets older relatives get off the boat for a while. Ask the captain how much time makes sense, since a long beach visit leaves less time for another reef or island stop.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to purchase it at an island restaurant or waterfront location, and past groups have enjoyed meals at places such as Dinghy’s. If lunch is important, ask about the available options when planning the route. Do not assume that a restaurant stop is automatically part of every charter.

Drinks, music, and the social side

The included drinks make the day easier to plan. Virgin H2O bottled water is provided, along with soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. You do not need to pack a full cooler for ordinary refreshments.

The rum punch is a recurring favorite, but pace yourself. Seven hours on bright water can make alcohol feel stronger than expected, especially if you are swimming. Drink water regularly, and make sure children and non-drinkers have enough soft drinks and water.

The boat works well for a group that enjoys being together. You can talk on the back deck, stretch out on the bow, play music, or gather in the salon. It is less ideal for someone seeking a silent, isolated sailing experience, since the catamaran is designed for social time and group conversation.

Captains and crew

The crew changes by departure, so you cannot guarantee a particular captain. Names connected with especially well-received outings include AnneMarie, Megan, JP, Lindsay, Alex, Coleman, Darren, Darron, Alicia, Selena, Liv, Eduardo, and others. AnneMarie appears frequently in accounts of custom routes, turtle searches, and family outings, but availability depends on the date.

The strongest crew quality is their ability to adjust the day. Captains have accommodated different ages, mixed swimming abilities, requests to avoid crowds, and earlier returns for cruise passengers. On one outing, a captain adjusted the timing so a group could get back to its ship about 15 minutes early.

That said, a private charter is not a substitute for making your preferences known. The crew can suggest places, but they cannot read your group’s mind. Before leaving the dock, agree on your priorities and ask how much time is realistic for each stop.

Is the price worth it?

The cost makes the most sense when divided among a large group. Twelve people pay about $125 each. Ten people pay about $150 each. Six people pay nearly $250 each, before lunch. At the smaller group size, you are paying for privacy, space, and control rather than simply transportation.

Compared with a crowded cruise excursion, the private format can be a strong value for a family or group that wants its own pace. You do not pay separately for snorkel gear, floats, water, soda, beer, or rum punch. You also avoid the usual problem of a shared boat waiting for people who are not in your party.

The value drops if your group has little interest in swimming, snorkeling, or being on the water for several hours. It also drops if you expect a luxury meal or a BVI itinerary, since lunch is separate and the charter stays in the St. Thomas area.

Who should book Pisces

I would choose this charter for a group of friends, a family reunion, a multigenerational party, or a cruise group that wants to escape the crowds for a day. It is particularly well suited to groups with ages ranging from young children to older adults, since the boat offers several seating areas and a flexible rhythm.

It is also a good choice for people who want more than one snorkeling location. Past outings have combined reef stops, turtles, rays, beach time, and a restaurant lunch without making the day feel like a race.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with only three or four people. You may prefer a smaller shared tour at a lower total cost. I would also reconsider if your main goal is visiting the British Virgin Islands. This charter does not go there.

Practical details before you reserve

You receive confirmation at booking, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though you should be realistic about your group’s comfort with boarding, swimming, sun, and boat movement.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a secure way to carry phones. Lunch requires separate planning. If you are on a cruise ship, verify the port and allow time for a taxi if you are at Crown Bay.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours, changes and cancellations are not accepted for a refund. The charter depends on good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this private St. Thomas charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a day shaped around your own interests. The best reasons are the private boat, flexible route, comfortable deck space, included drinks and equipment, and real potential for turtles, rays, and reef fish.

Skip it if you want a bargain for a small party, a guaranteed BVI visit, or a meal included in the price. For the right group, though, Pisces offers something a standard excursion cannot: a full day where the captain can adjust the plan and your group can enjoy the islands at its own speed.

FAQ

How many people can join the private catamaran charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

How long does the charter last?

The listed full-day charter lasts about seven hours. A half-day option is also available, with the exact timing arranged for your booking.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the R Bar drink kiosk near the Yacht Haven Grande Welcome Archway at the WICO Day Charter Dock in Havensight, St. Thomas. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can purchase it at various locations during the day.

Does the charter visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. This charter does not visit the BVI. Possible areas include St. Thomas, Buck Island, Water Island, and other nearby stops selected with the captain.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

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