50′ Luxury Yacht. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience

The best island days leave room to wander. This private 50-foot catamaran charter lets you shape a half or full day around St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays instead of following a fixed group schedule. I especially like the roomy boat, with its open back deck, salon, bow trampolines, and bean bag chairs, and the freedom to stop for snorkeling, swimming, beach time, or lunch. The main drawback is that the advertised beach list is not a guarantee, and Trunk Bay may be off-limits to commercial charters.

The $1,595 group price covers up to 12 people, which can be good value for a larger family or friend group. I also like that drinks, floats, snorkeling gear, water, and a restroom are included, while the captain and first mate help adjust the route to the weather and your interests.

This is not the right pick if you want a cheap boat ride or a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. Lunch costs extra, tips are expected, and arriving late can cut into your time on the water.

Key things to know before you book

• A private boat for up to 12 people: You share the 50-foot SY Sirena only with your own group.
• A flexible St. Thomas and St. John route: Your captain helps choose calm coves, snorkeling sites, beaches, and lunch stops.
• Snorkeling gear and drinks included: Equipment, floats, bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch are part of the price.
• The bow is made for relaxing: Bean bags and large trampolines give you a pleasant place to stretch out while underway.
• BVI trips are not available on this boat: You can visit St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby cays, but not the British Virgin Islands.
• The listed beaches can change: Marine rules, weather, and charter restrictions may remove places such as Trunk Bay from the plan.

Setting out from Red Hook on SY Sirena

The charter begins at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the east end of St. Thomas. This is a practical departure point for reaching St. John and the nearby cays, so you spend more of your day boating and less time getting across the island.

SY Sirena is a 50-foot luxury catamaran with several distinct areas. The salon opens onto a large back deck with seating and dining space. Up front, bean bags and broad trampolines give you a breezy spot for sunbathing, conversation, or watching the water.

That layout matters. A smaller center-console boat can feel crowded after several hours, especially with children, coolers, towels, and snorkeling gear. Here, your group can spread out. Some people can sit in the shade, some can relax at the back, and others can enjoy the bow while the boat is moving.

The boat also has a restroom, an important comfort on a four to seven-hour outing. Water is supplied in reusable Virgin H2O bottles as part of the operator’s eco-friendly practices. You still need to bring any personal items you want for the day, including sunscreen and lunch money.

How the private itinerary really works

The route is not a promise to visit every beach listed. The many possible stops are examples of places the captain may consider, not a realistic one-day checklist. Spending the recommended 90 minutes at each stop would require far more time than this charter allows.

That flexibility is the real point. Tell the crew what matters most before leaving. You may want a turtle sighting, several quiet swims, a beach break, a lunch stop, or more time sailing around the islands. The captain then helps shape a sensible route.

Several experiences show how useful this can be. Captain JW has been praised for asking what the group wanted, explaining the choices at the start, and adding island facts along the way. Captain Alex and first mate Coleman helped one family arrange pizza from a floating restaurant, while other crews have suggested Lovango for lunch.

I would choose two or three main goals rather than arriving with a long wish list. For a half day, you might focus on one snorkeling area and one beach. A full day gives you more room for St. John, lunch, and a second or third water stop.

Secret Harbour and Brewer’s Bay for calmer water

Secret Harbour is a sensible choice when you want a sheltered cove with time to swim and snorkel. Its protected setting can be useful on a windy day, when open-water stops may feel less comfortable. The crew has explained that they can often move to calmer areas on the opposite side of an island when conditions change.

Brewer’s Bay, on St. Thomas, offers another possible stop for swimming, snorkeling, and a more relaxed beach pause. It can fit well into a route that stays close to St. Thomas, which may be useful on a half-day charter.

Neither stop comes with an admission fee through the charter. Keep in mind that the boat’s schedule, sea conditions, and other route choices determine how long you actually stay.

Magens Bay, Sapphire Beach, and Coki Point

Magens Bay is one of St. Thomas’s famous beach settings, and it makes sense for a group that wants a classic scenic stop. The broad beach is better suited to swimming and relaxing than to a quiet, remote-cove feeling. If your group wants the postcard version of St. Thomas, this is the kind of place to discuss with the captain.

Sapphire Beach is another easy choice for a mix of water time and beach scenery. Coki Point is often associated with clear water and easy snorkeling access, making it a natural fit for people who want to spend less time onshore and more time looking below the surface.

The practical catch is that popular beaches can be busier than the private charter itself. If your main goal is peace and space, ask the crew to favor a smaller cove or less crowded anchorage instead.

Lindqvist Beach and the quieter St. Thomas coast

Lindqvist Beach, also known as Smith Bay Beach, can suit you if you want a more natural-feeling stop than the island’s busiest resort beaches. It is a good candidate for a swim, a float, and a little unhurried time on shore.

This is one reason a private boat can be more satisfying than a fixed group cruise. You are not required to spend the same amount of time at a place that does not suit your group. If the water is rough on one side of St. Thomas, the captain can consider another cove.

The word private does not mean you will have an entire beach to yourself. It means the boat plan belongs to your group. Other boats and beachgoers may still be present.

Honeymoon Beach, Francis Bay, and St. John

Honeymoon Beach is a strong option for a group that wants a scenic swimming stop on St. John. It is especially appealing when your group wants a softer pace after snorkeling, with floats and drinks back on the boat.

Francis Bay offers another St. John possibility, with a quieter feel than some of the island’s best-known beaches. A route combining Francis Bay with nearby snorkeling water can give you a good balance of swimming, sightseeing, and time on the catamaran.

The St. John stops are a major reason to consider the full-day version. Crossing from Red Hook, anchoring, getting everyone into the water, and returning takes time. On a half day, you need to accept fewer stops and less lingering.

Pickup from Cruz Bay on St. John may be possible with advance notice after booking. It is not automatic, so arrange it before the day of departure if that location is important to you.

Trunk Bay and Maho Bay, with an important warning

Trunk Bay is one of St. John’s best-known beaches and a tempting name on any island itinerary. However, commercial charter access can be restricted, and the captain may not be allowed to take you there. Treat it as a possible reference point, not a guaranteed stop.

This is the clearest issue to settle before you pay. Ask the operator what locations are currently open to this vessel and what alternatives they recommend. The company has acknowledged that access rules changed, so older descriptions may not reflect the current route.

Maho Bay is famous for the possibility of seeing sea turtles in the water. Several families have enjoyed turtle sightings, along with stingrays, octopuses, and tropical fish at different snorkeling sites. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the crew can help you choose water where sightings are more likely.

If children or less confident swimmers are with you, tell the crew early. One family appreciated crew members keeping an eye on a child aboard while the parents took turns snorkeling. That sort of practical support can make the difference between a stressful swim and a good family day.

Waterlemon Cay, Scott Bay, and Hansen Bay

Waterlemon Cay is a particularly appealing option for stronger swimmers and snorkelers who want a memorable St. John water stop. It may be considered as part of a longer route, though the captain must account for wind, current, and the time needed to reach it.

Scott Bay and Hansen Bay offer additional St. John possibilities. These stops make more sense on a full-day charter, when you can give the water time rather than racing from one place to the next.

The listed 90-minute recommendation is useful here. Snorkeling is not just the time spent in the water. You need time to choose equipment, get settled, swim, climb back aboard, dry off, and let everyone relax. A schedule with too many stops can sound exciting but feel rushed.

Snorkeling, sea life, and the included gear

Snorkeling equipment and floats are included, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately. The first mate helps people select equipment, get in and out of the water, and keep the drinks moving.

The strongest part of the experience appears to be the crew’s attention in the water. Captain Wallens and first mate Kallia were praised for helping locate fish, an octopus, turtles, and a stingray. Captain Glen and first mate Celina focused on a teenager’s wish to swim with turtles, then helped the group spot turtles, an octopus, stingrays, and reef fish.

These details suggest a useful question to ask aboard: what sea life do you hope to see? The captain cannot control wildlife, but your priorities can influence the choice of snorkeling site.

Water safety still belongs to everyone. Make sure children use properly fitted life jackets when needed, and tell the crew if someone is nervous, seasick, or not a strong swimmer. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but you should discuss any specific needs in advance.

Drinks, lunch, and the rhythm of the day

The price includes bottled water, soda, beer, and Seas the Day signature rum punch. That makes the day feel more relaxed, since you are not buying every drink separately. The rum punch has earned plenty of praise, but pace yourself in the sun and drink water as well.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at some locations, and the crew may suggest places such as Lovango or help arrange food from a floating pizza restaurant. I would ask before departure how much time a lunch stop will take and whether the restaurant accepts your preferred payment method.

You can also plan around your own snacks, especially with young children. The crew’s own lunch is separate from the charter service, so do not assume the boat’s staff will provide a meal or extend the trip around lunch.

Price and value for groups of four to twelve

The advertised price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. Split twelve ways, that is about $133 per person. For six people, it is roughly $266 each. For four, the cost rises to about $399 each, before gratuity.

That math tells you who gets the best value. A full family group, wedding party, or circle of friends can make this far more reasonable than booking separate seats on several smaller outings. A couple or small family may find the private setting wonderful but expensive.

The price includes the boat, crew, equipment, restroom, floats, and drinks. It does not include lunch, and a 15 to 20 percent tip for excellent captain and crew service is customary. On the charter price alone, that works out to about $239 to $319, though you should confirm how the operator handles gratuity.

I would pay this price for privacy, room to spread out, and control over the day. I would not pay it simply to visit a long list of beaches. The value comes from choosing a route that suits your group and having the crew adjust it when conditions change.

What the crew service can be like

The crew names praised most often include Maddy, Olivia, JW, Alex, Coleman, Vic, Celina, Ro, Dylan, Dave, Glen, and Kallia. Their roles vary by departure, so you will not know your exact team until closer to the trip.

The best service pattern is consistent: a message before departure, a clear briefing, questions about your interests, help with snorkeling equipment, drink service, and local guidance. Families with babies, toddlers, teenagers, and mixed swimming ability have found that personal attention especially helpful.

One poor account raises a useful caution about timing and communication. The group arrived late and expected the charter to run beyond its scheduled end, leading to conflict with the crew. You should arrive on time and speak up early about your priorities. A private charter gives you flexibility, not unlimited extra hours.

Booking, weather, and who should choose it

The charter lasts about four to seven hours, depending on whether you select a half or full day. It begins and ends at American Yacht Harbor, with Cruz Bay pickup potentially available by advance request.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the trip depends on good weather, the operator offers another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

I would choose this for families who want private space, friends celebrating a birthday, groups with mixed interests, and anyone who would rather set the pace than follow a crowded boat schedule. It also works well for people who value comfortable seating and a restroom during a long day at sea.

I would skip it if your budget is tight, you want a guaranteed visit to Trunk Bay, or you prefer a simple short snorkel trip with no planning decisions. You should also be comfortable with the fact that the final route depends on weather, marine rules, and the captain’s judgment.

Should you book the SY Sirena charter?

I think this is a strong choice for a group of six to twelve people who will use the boat for what it does best: private time on the water, good snorkeling, flexible routing, and a comfortable base between stops.

Before booking, confirm the current beach restrictions, especially Trunk Bay, decide whether four or seven hours fits your group, and agree on two or three priorities. Arrive on time, budget for lunch and gratuity, and let the captain adjust the route if wind or water conditions change.

Book it for the freedom and the space, not for a guaranteed checklist of beaches. That distinction is what makes this expensive charter either a very good value or a poor match.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran charter cost?

The listed price is $1,595 per group of up to 12 people. The price structure may depend on your selected half-day or full-day option, so check the amount for your chosen duration when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately four to seven hours. You can select a half-day or full-day charter.

Where does the boat depart?

Departure is from American Yacht Harbor at 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas.

Can I be picked up in Cruz Bay on St. John?

Pickup from Cruz Bay may be possible with an advance request after booking. You should arrange this before the trip rather than assume it is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although food can be purchased at some locations during the charter.

Are snorkeling equipment and floats provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and floats are included, along with bottled water, soda, beer, and signature rum punch.

Can the boat visit the British Virgin Islands?

No. The British Virgin Islands are not available on this vessel. A separate BVI charter must be booked under a different product.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.