Full Day Private Charter on Luxury Catamaran Sailing.

A great day can be wonderfully simple. Beach Charters VI gives you a private sailing catamaran, several possible snorkeling stops, lunch, drinks, paddle boards, and seven and a half hours to enjoy the water around St. Thomas and St. John. The flexible route is a major plus. You can help choose between places such as Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I especially like the private setting and the range of ways to spend the day. You can swim with sea turtles, snorkel reefs, stretch out on bean bags over the catamaran’s trampolines, or sit in the hammock chairs at the stern. The main consideration is price: at $250 per person, this makes the most sense for a group that values personal space and can share the cost.

The crew receives excellent marks for warmth and flexibility. Ivy and TL are often singled out for making groups feel welcome, while Captain Justin is praised for his calm, capable handling of the boat. Just remember that gratuities are not included, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Private sailing for your group: Only your party takes part, so the day can be shaped around your preferred stops and pace.
• Two or three snorkeling locations: Possible stops include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove, with other options available.
• Food and drinks are included: You receive fruit, pastries, wraps, chips, soft drinks, water, rum punch or Painkiller, and a 12-pack of light beer.
• More than snorkeling: Paddle boards, hammock swings, bean bags, and trampoline space give you several ways to relax between swims.
• A full marina-to-marina day: Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Dock B, slip 19, in Red Hook, and return to the same place after about 7 hours and 30 minutes.
• Strong guest satisfaction: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 91 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. in Red Hook

Your day begins at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, in Red Hook. The departure time is 8:30 a.m., and the trip ends back at this same meeting point.

That early start matters. You get a full day on the water rather than a short afternoon outing, and you have enough time for several stops without rushing each one. The exact order depends on the captain, weather, and your group’s preferences.

The marina is near public transportation. If you drive, one useful detail is that all-day parking may be available at the marina when booked through the company, for an additional $30. Confirm that arrangement before setting out, since parking is not part of the $250 tour price.

This is a mobile-ticket activity, and confirmation arrives at booking. Since the catamaran is private, only your own group participates. That can make a big difference for families, birthday groups, and friends who would rather not spend the day adjusting to strangers.

A catamaran built for both sailing and lounging

The boat itself gives you several places to settle in. The trampolines at the front have bean bags where you can catch the sun and watch the islands pass. At the back, original Beach Charters VI hammock chairs hang over the stern, creating a more restful perch above the water.

You can also use the paddle boards when conditions allow. That variety keeps the day from becoming six hours of sitting in one position. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can remain in a hammock chair with a drink.

The catamaran’s sailing design also helps make the ride feel smooth. That is useful if your group includes people who do not love a rough motorboat ride. Still, no boat trip is perfectly calm every day, and the experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Morning food, lunch, and the drink setup

Beach Charters VI provides a morning fruit and pastry tray, which is a practical touch for an early departure. You do not need to arrive after a large breakfast, and you have something easy to eat while the boat gets underway.

Lunch includes freshly sliced turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps with chips. Soda and water are available throughout the day. This is not a restaurant meal, but it is exactly the sort of simple food that works well between swims. Wraps are easy to handle on a boat, and the food plan keeps you from losing part of the day searching for lunch ashore.

The included alcoholic drinks are one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller, based on the group’s choice, plus one 12-pack of light beer. Anyone drinking alcohol must be at least 18 years old. Gratuities are the only listed item not included, so plan to tip separately if the crew provides the kind of service you feel deserves it.

Choosing your snorkeling stops

A typical trip includes two or three snorkeling stops, but the route is not locked to one list. Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, and Christmas Cove are examples of possible locations. Your group gets to choose locations, although the final plan will naturally depend on weather and sea conditions.

Maho on St. John

Maho is especially appealing if swimming with sea turtles is high on your list. The chance to see turtles gives this stop a clear focus, and it combines well with the broader views of St. John’s shoreline.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and water conditions can affect visibility. Still, this is the kind of stop that can become the day’s main memory if turtles appear close to the boat.

Lovango Cay

Lovango Cay offers another possible setting for snorkeling and island scenery. It is a good choice for a group that wants to mix time in the water with time looking out across the surrounding islands.

Since the charter is private, you can discuss how long to remain at a location rather than being moved along by a large excursion schedule. The captain and crew will still guide the route, but the private format gives your group more say in the rhythm of the day.

Christmas Cove

Christmas Cove is another listed snorkeling option. Its appeal is the chance to combine reef time with the open-water views that make a catamaran outing worthwhile.

With two or three stops, you can compare different spots instead of placing all your hopes on one reef. If one location is less appealing for the conditions that day, the flexible route gives the crew more room to adjust.

What you do between the snorkeling stops

A good private charter should offer more than repeated jumps into the water, and this one does. Paddle boards are included, giving you a chance to explore at a slower pace close to the boat. The hammock swings offer a quiet place to rest, while the front trampolines are made for sunbathing and group conversation.

You can also treat the sailing time as part of the attraction. St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby islands provide the scenery, and the catamaran gives you a comfortable viewing platform. The ride is not simply transportation between activities. It is a large part of why the full-day format works.

This setup suits mixed groups particularly well. A confident snorkeler can spend more time in the water, while someone who prefers not to snorkel has the bean bags, hammock chairs, food, and views. Children can enjoy the paddle boards and water time, while adults can choose a quieter spot on board.

The crew and the feel of a private celebration

The human side of this charter receives some of its strongest praise. Ivy and TL are described as friendly hosts who create a relaxed atmosphere. Captain Justin is also highlighted for making the trip feel safe and well managed.

That personal approach seems especially useful for celebrations. Groups have booked the boat for birthdays, family outings, and even a wedding-related celebration. One group of nine spent the day celebrating a friend’s birthday, while another party described the crew as treating them much like friends sharing a day together.

You should not expect a stiff, formal cruise. The appeal is a warm, easygoing day where the crew helps with the route, food, equipment, and activities. At the same time, the exact personality of any charter depends on the people on board that day, so it is best to think of the friendly atmosphere as a strong feature rather than a scripted show.

Is $250 per person a good value?

At $250 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the water around St. Thomas. You are paying for a private boat, a long seven-and-a-half-hour outing, crew service, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and the freedom to choose among possible stops.

The value improves as your group fills the boat. A private charter lets you avoid a crowded vessel and a fixed public-tour schedule. If your group wants to celebrate, take plenty of personal space, or tailor the day around different interests, that privacy may be worth more than saving money on a shared excursion.

The included food and drinks also reduce the cost of planning the day. You do not need to pack lunch or rent snorkeling gear separately. The morning fruit and pastries, wraps, chips, water, soda, rum punch or Painkiller, and beer cover the basic needs of a long day at sea.

You should budget for the extra $30 parking option if you need it, plus gratuity. The trip is a stronger value for a group that will use the boat fully, including the snorkeling stops, paddle boards, hammock chairs, and sailing time.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want activities for swimmers and non-swimmers
• Friends celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Couples who want a private day rather than a shared cruise
• Groups that care more about comfort and flexibility than the lowest price
• Visitors who want to combine St. Thomas, St. John, and nearby island views in one outing
• Anyone who prefers a gentle sailing atmosphere over a short, rushed boat trip

It may be less suitable if you want a very inexpensive excursion, dislike spending most of a day on the water, or need a guaranteed wildlife sighting. The route and weather can change, and sea turtles are possible rather than promised.

Most people can participate, according to the tour information. The activity is near public transportation, begins at the Red Hook marina, and returns there. You should still think about your own comfort with swimming, boat movement, and outdoor sun before booking.

Booking timing, weather, and cancellation

This charter is often reserved about 98 days ahead, so advance planning is sensible, especially for a birthday, family gathering, or cruise-stop date. That said, one group was able to book only 12 hours ahead, showing that last-minute openings can sometimes appear.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Because good weather is required, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. If your island schedule is tight, keep that weather policy in mind when deciding how early in your trip to schedule the charter.

My verdict: book it for the private-day value

I would book Beach Charters VI if I had a group that wanted one full, flexible day on the water and was comfortable with the price. The combination of a private catamaran, two or three possible snorkeling stops, turtle-watching at Maho, paddle boards, hammock chairs, lunch, and drinks gives you a lot to work with.

The strongest reason to choose it is not one single reef or meal. It is the ability to make the day fit your group. You can celebrate, relax, snorkel, paddle, or simply watch St. Thomas and St. John slide by from the trampolines.

Book early for important dates, confirm parking if you need it, and leave room in the budget for gratuity. If those details work for you, this is a polished choice for a private USVI sailing day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

It starts at Beach Charters VI, Dock B, slip 19, at 6501 St. Thomas, 201 Red Hook Road, St. Thomas, USVI 00802.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Red Hook.

How long does the charter last?

The trip lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

A typical day includes two or three snorkeling stops. Possible locations include Maho on St. John, Lovango Cay, Christmas Cove, and other options.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the trip.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes morning fruit and pastries, turkey, cheese, and vegetable wraps, chips, soda, and water. It also includes one gallon of rum punch or Painkiller and a 12-pack of light beer.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.