Sail Away on your Private 55-foot Catamaran Charter

Buck Island is the star here. After about 45 minutes under sail from St. Thomas, you reach Turtle Cove, where you can snorkel directly from the catamaran among sea turtles and fish. If the clock and sea conditions cooperate, you may also stop at Shipwreck Cove for another 45 to 60 minutes in the water.

I like the private-boat setting, which gives your group more space and control than a standard sightseeing cruise. I also like the well-planned finish: fruit, cheese, salami, crackers, and a rum punch or soda while music plays on the ride home. The main caution is that this is open-water snorkeling, not a calm beach swim, and rough waves can make the trip tiring or uncomfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• Turtle Cove is the main event: Snorkel directly from the boat in Buck Island Marine Sanctuary, with crew instruction before you enter the water.
• Shipwreck Cove depends on time: A second snorkeling stop may be added, but it is not guaranteed.
• The boat is the experience: The 55-foot Gold Coast offers restrooms, music, an open bar, and room to relax between swims.
• Alcohol comes later: Rum punch and rum and cokes are available after swimming and snorkeling, not before.
• The crew gets high marks: Ashley, Rose, Reed, Brody, Coda, and other crew members are praised for safety help, turtle spotting, and a lively atmosphere.
• Check the physical requirements: The tour is for ages 5 to 80, with a minimum height of 36 inches and maximum weight of 275 pounds.

Setting sail from Yacht Haven Grande at 9:30 a.m.

Your morning starts at R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, at 5316 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite S-104, Unit 61, in Charlotte Amalie. The tour returns to this same meeting point, so you will not need to arrange a second pickup location.

Private transportation is not included. Parking is available at the meeting point, and the marina is near public transportation. I would allow a little extra time to find the correct R Bar unit, especially if you are arriving from a cruise ship or navigating Charlotte Amalie for the first time.

The boat is the 55-foot sailing catamaran Gold Coast. A catamaran gives you two hulls, broad areas for sitting, and a steadier platform than many smaller boats. It is still a boat on open Caribbean water, though. Expect some movement during the 45-minute trip to Buck Island, particularly if the wind and waves pick up.

This is described as a private charter, so the boat is reserved for your group rather than sold as a standard shared outing. The stated maximum is 50 people, which is useful to know if you are organizing a large family gathering, wedding party, or cruise group. For a smaller party, the value depends heavily on how many people share the $1,895 per-person price.

The 45-minute sail to Buck Island

The first part of the outing is not dead time. The catamaran carries you away from St. Thomas with open views and a chance to settle into the day before the snorkeling begins. You can sit in the sun, listen to music, and watch the coastline recede.

The 45-minute crossing also explains why the tour lasts three and a half hours. Roughly half of that time is used getting to and from the snorkeling area, leaving the rest for swimming, eating, and relaxing. If you want a full-day sailing trip with several islands and long beach stops, this outing will feel short. If you have only a morning or half-day available, the compact schedule is useful.

The crew has been praised for making the ride feel friendly rather than stiff. Names connected with especially strong service include Captain Ashley, Rose, Reed, Captain Mandi, Brody, Coda, Collette, and Captain Judi. The exact crew may change, so treat those names as examples of the operation’s staff rather than a promise about who will be aboard on your date.

Turtle Cove and the first snorkeling stop

At Buck Island, the boat anchors in Turtle Cove. The crew gives full instructions before you enter the water, which matters because snorkeling happens directly off the boat in open water. You do not simply wade in from a sandy beach.

The main draw is the chance to see sea turtles along with fish and other marine life. Crew members have been praised for pointing out turtles and helping people locate them, a useful service when an animal appears briefly or blends into the underwater surroundings. If you bring a GoPro, you may hand it to a crew member for close-up footage, although this should be treated as a helpful possibility rather than a promised photo service.

This stop suits confident swimmers and people who are comfortable climbing into water from a boat. It may be less suitable if you prefer shallow water, a quiet lagoon, or an easy beach entry. The stated guidance calls for a strong level of physical fitness, and the operator warns that wind, waves, and current can affect the swim.

The safety record is a repeated strength of the crew. Several crew combinations, including Ashley with Rose and Reed, are praised for staying attentive in the water and explaining what to do. That does not remove the need for good judgment. If you have a cardiac condition, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or another heart or respiratory concern, take particular care before choosing an open-water snorkeling activity.

Shipwreck Cove, if the schedule allows

If time permits, the boat continues to Shipwreck Cove for another snorkeling session lasting about 45 to 60 minutes. This gives you a second underwater setting rather than one quick swim and a long return ride.

The wording matters: Shipwreck Cove is a possible second stop, not a guaranteed part of every departure. Time, sea conditions, and the pace of the first snorkeling session can affect the plan. If this cove is the specific reason you want to book, ask about the day’s route before departure rather than assuming it is fixed.

A second stop is valuable for people who want more time in the water and for families or groups with mixed interests. One person can spend more time snorkeling while another can stay aboard and enjoy the boat. Still, the extra swim can make the outing feel active rather than restful, especially if the sea is rough.

Several outings connected with this operation have also included beaches such as Honeymoon Beach, but this private charter description centers on Turtle Cove and Shipwreck Cove. Do not book expecting a guaranteed beach visit unless the crew confirms that plan.

Snacks, drinks, and the ride home

After the swimming, the mood shifts from active to easy. The crew serves fresh fruit, cheese, salami, and crackers. It is not a full lunch, but it is enough to take the edge off after an hour or more in salt water.

The onboard open bar includes rum punch, rum and cokes, water, and sodas. Alcoholic drinks are available after swimming and snorkeling, a sensible rule that keeps the water portion safer. If you have dietary restrictions or need a substantial meal, bring that concern up before booking, since the supplied food is a snack platter rather than a promised special menu.

The return sail includes music and time in the sun. This is where the catamaran format earns its keep. You can talk with your group, dry off, take in the views, and enjoy a drink without rushing straight back to shore.

Several comments about the crew point to the same pattern: people felt cared for without the mood becoming formal. Staff members were praised for checking on drinks, helping with snorkeling, explaining safety rules, and keeping the atmosphere light. That balance is important on a short charter. A crew that is too hands-off can leave beginners uneasy, while one that over-manages every minute can make a private boat feel like a classroom.

What the $1,895 price means

At $1,895 per person, this is a major excursion expense. The price only makes sense if you value the private charter format, plan to fill much of the boat, or want an outing built around your own group rather than a basic shared snorkel trip.

The package includes the catamaran, crew, snorkeling instruction, snorkeling access at Buck Island, the possible Shipwreck Cove stop, snacks, drinks, music, and use of the onboard restroom. Transportation to the marina is not included, so add that cost if you are staying away from Charlotte Amalie.

For a large group, a private charter can offer better control over the mood and schedule. Families can stay together, friends can share the boat, and you are not simply one party among many on a standard cruise. For one or two people, the same price is much harder to justify unless privacy is your top priority.

The stated group limit is 50 people. A full boat can still feel spacious because the vessel is 55 feet long, but the experience will not feel like a quiet sailing date if you are close to the maximum. Ask how many people are expected on your departure and how the private pricing is being calculated before paying.

Who will enjoy this St. Thomas charter

I would put this tour high on the list for a family or friend group that wants one polished water outing without spending a full day at sea. The minimum age is 5, and the maximum is 80, with a minimum height of 36 inches and maximum weight of 275 pounds.

It is also a good choice for people who want crew support in the water. Beginners can receive instructions, and the staff can help point out turtles and fish. You should still be comfortable entering open water from the boat and managing the physical demands of swimming and getting back aboard.

This is less suitable for anyone seeking a guaranteed calm-water swim, a long beach stay, or a quiet sail with no group activity. The boat may move sharply in rougher conditions, and one account describes waves strong enough to make some people seasick. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan carefully and consider the sea conditions before you go.

The trip also works well for cruise passengers with limited time in St. Thomas. It begins at 9:30 a.m., uses one meeting point, and returns there after about 3.5 to 3.75 hours. That efficient schedule leaves part of the day open, though you should still allow time to return to your ship or next activity.

Practical details that matter

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local St. Thomas time.

Bring what you need for a boat and a swim, but remember that the key issue is not equipment alone. You need to be ready for open-water conditions, sun exposure, and time on a moving vessel. The crew supplies snorkeling instruction and the planned food and drinks, but the tour does not include private transportation.

The onboard restroom is a useful comfort, especially for families and anyone who does not want to return to shore between stops. Music is also part of the atmosphere, so this is not designed as a silent sailing experience.

Should you book the Gold Coast?

Book it if your group wants a private catamaran, strong crew support, sea turtles, and a short but full morning on the water. The best parts are the direct access to Turtle Cove, the possibility of a second cove, and the easy return sail with snacks and drinks already handled.

Think twice if the price is for only one or two people, if you need a beach entry, or if open-water swimming makes you uneasy. I would also confirm the expected group size, the likely route, and the day’s sea conditions before committing.

For the right group, this is a well-rounded St. Thomas outing: enough sailing to feel like a real boat trip, enough snorkeling to make Buck Island the focus, and enough food and music to finish without turning the morning into a race.

FAQ

Where does the private catamaran tour begin?

It begins at R Bar in Yacht Haven Grande, 5316 Yacht Haven Grande Suite S-104, Unit 61, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 00802.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at R Bar.

How long does the charter last?

The advertised duration is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The full experience may run approximately 3.5 to 3.75 hours.

What boat is used for the charter?

The experience is described as a private charter aboard the 55-foot sailing catamaran Gold Coast.

Is snorkeling equipment instruction included?

Yes. The crew provides full instruction before you snorkel at Turtle Cove.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place directly from the boat in open water at Turtle Cove, with a possible second stop at Shipwreck Cove if time permits.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The charter includes fresh fruit, cheese, salami, crackers, rum punch, rum and cokes, water, and sodas. Alcoholic drinks are available after swimming and snorkeling.

What ages and sizes can participate?

The minimum age is 5 and the maximum age is 80. The minimum height is 36 inches, and the maximum weight is 275 pounds.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.